At first glance, this Maryland home had the hallmarks of a dream house — roomy, refined, and nestled in a prestigious neighborhood. But it was Virginia-based designer Kristin Harrison of Georgia & Hunt Design House who helped bring the home to life. Kristin infused every inch of the 7,000-square-foot space with her signature blend of warmth and laid-back sophistication. Take a look inside!
“The entry is actually incredibly long and didn’t really have much purpose previously,” Kristin explains. She aimed to deliver a “wow” moment right at the threshold. Image: Peak Visuals
The homeowners, a husband and wife from New York, relocated to this home years ago. Now raising three daughters and a lively dog, they found themselves in a spacious but discordant home. “Each room had a different look,” Kristin recalls, “and most were full of bright colors that didn’t reflect the feeling they wanted the home to have.” Despite being relatively new, the house lacked the seamless warmth and character the family craved.
“Our clients are big on entertaining and hospitality,” she adds. “One of the things we really focused on was making sure each separate area was suited for gatherings and making people feel comfortable. Seating was a huge consideration from start to finish.”
Kristin made the entryway memorable by painting everything white, anchoring the hallway with a Bernhardt table, and adding Gabby pendants sourced from Kathy Kuo Home. The result is a light-drenched corridor that exudes confidence and calm. Image: Peak Visuals
A dramatic paneled stairwell captures the clean, crisp elegance of the home’s architecture, marrying classic geometry with contemporary restraint. Image: Peak Visuals
Inspired by the textures and tones of other places they once called home, the couple envisioned a design that would channel elements of their New York roots into a contemporary setting. Rather than a gut renovation, Kristin took a practical approach, updating the family room, foyer, basement, kitchen, and living room to maximize impact while minimizing disruption.
“I think people always assume they need to do some massive renovation to get a huge impact, and that is not at all true,” she says. “Paint and a well-thought-out design can do absolute wonders. I think by incorporating and layering in a lot of accessories and textures, we were able to achieve that warmth without using a ton of pattern throughout the house,” Kristin shares. “It’s a delicate balance, but in the end, it checked all the boxes.”
Kristin’s design approach bridges coastal serenity with old-world charm. “I really lean towards a more California vibe with a hint of The Cotswolds,” she shares. This combination allowed her to soften the home’s formality without sacrificing sophistication.
Check out those gorgeous floors. Oh, and we’re kind of obsessed with the dog, too! Image: Peak Visuals
The strategy began with painting the walls white to create a bright, blank canvas. “By doing that, we opened up the possibility of using pops of color and a lot more texture,” she explains. “It gave the rooms a more lived-in feel than they previously had.”
Natural materials, vintage accessories, and tactile finishes were intentionally woven to bring the vision to life. The floors, for instance, were reclaimed from an area near the couple’s hometown in New York — a personal gesture that grounds this home to their past.
A softly arched hallway sets the tone for the home’s serene aesthetic, inviting guests into a light-filled living room layered with warmth, texture, and tradition. Image: Peak Visuals
One of the central spaces in the renovation was the family room. “We were trying to achieve something light, airy, cohesive, and family-friendly,” Kristin says. With custom white-toned performance fabric sofas and ottomans by Community Manufacturing, the room invites casual lounging and impromptu gatherings. A round chandelier from Four Hands adds a sculptural touch, while a Samsung Frame TV blends seamlessly with vintage layered accessories and natural wood tones.
“It needed to be beautiful, but also able to handle movie nights and dogs on the sofa,” she adds. The room is a successful marriage of practicality and poise.
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In the family room, warm natural tones with a blend of vintage and modern accents create a sense of effortless, lived-in elegance. Image: Peak Visuals
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We love a well-structured vignette. Here, the built-in bookshelves are styled with minimal accessories — collected, but uncluttered. Image: Peak Visuals
Although the kitchen was already beautiful, Kristin made thoughtful upgrades to refine its aesthetic. “We swapped out appliances and fixtures, added a ladder and a wood counter, and leaned more into the rustic vibes,” she says. “It is a stunning feature of the home that is truly timeless.”
With a La Cornue stove, Waterstone faucet, and a Putnam Rolling Ladder Co. rolling ladder for functionality and flair, the kitchen is a stylish and hardworking centerpiece.
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The kitchen’s gleaming white cabinetry and honed marble surfaces are grounded by a rich, wood-topped island. Image: Peak Visuals
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A close-up view reveals the kitchen’s beautifully balanced blend of old and new, with a rolling library ladder, classic millwork, and a show-stopping La Cornue range. Image: Peak Visuals
Designed primarily as a hangout for the three daughters, the basement strikes a darker, more playful tone. “We wanted something a bit more moody,” Kristin explains, “with elevated games to play, and space to watch movies with their friends.”
To accomplish this, they knocked down a wall to create a more expansive common area. A Phillip Jeffries wallpaper establishes visual drama, offset by a custom neon sign from Bright Lite Tribe. A Hudson Shuffleboards table injects a cool retro element, making the space both current and nostalgic.
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Downstairs, a bold Phillip Jeffries wallpaper and neon pink sign create a moody, modern twist on the traditional game room, which was designed with the family’s three daughters in mind. Image: Peak Visuals
The finished project reflects more than just technical expertise; it reflects trust and connection. “The owners put a lot of trust in me,” Kristin says. “We talked about a lot of design choices and built up such an admiration and respect for one another.” That bond has endured. “I still, to this day, love nothing more than hearing about what vacations they’re going on, or how their daughters are doing at school or on the field (or court). They are such wonderful people, and I feel so lucky to have worked on their home.”
This renovation reminds us that meaningful design doesn’t always require tearing down walls or reimagining floor plans. Often, it’s about realigning a home’s energy with the people who live in it, subtly shifting aesthetics, balancing styles, and telling a story through thoughtful, personal touches.
As Kristin puts it, “There are plenty of ways to make a space luxurious, but also feel like a real home, not a show home. I think we accomplished that at this beautiful property.”
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