Annapolis Home Magazine

08/21/2026

The interior design firm Design House, Annapolis, explains their goals in designing the.new restaurant Positano, which offers excellent cuisine::

Completed in January 2026, Positano transformed a former Mexican restaurant in West Annapolis into an immersive dining experience inspired by the romance and vitality of Italy's Amalfi Coast. More than a restaurant, Positano was envisioned as a destination—one that transports guests from their everyday routines into a warm, textural, and memorable environment designed for connection.

From the moment guests enter, they are welcomed by an inlaid terracotta floor and a commissioned mural reminiscent of an ancient fresco excavated from Old World Italy. Direct sight lines to the penny-tiled pizza oven evoke the energy of a European streetscape, drawing patrons into an expansive dining room designed to feel as though they are dining among the bustling cafés of Positano itself. Hand-applied wall textures introduce warmth, depth, and a tactile richness inspired by the stucco-clad architecture of Italy's seaside villages, reinforcing the sensation of having stepped beyond Annapolis and into a Mediterranean escape.

Interior Design: Design House, Annapolis, MD
www.designhousemd.com

Photography by Tawney Olsen

08/20/2026

Start your day with a dose of inspiration! Grab a complimentary copy of Annapolis Home Magazine (while they last) at Bread and Butter, our go-to neighborhood cafe, and enjoy it with a delicious meal and stunning views of Spa Creek. ⚓

08/19/2026

Katalin Farnady of Farnady Interiors explains how this interior design came about, along with the concept of 'neutral maximalism' that informed her decisions and selections:

After years of living in their house, and with their grown children having moved out, the homeowners decided to stay and remodel it. Since they both work from home, they wanted to alter the house's layout to a more comfortable arrangement for their everyday week and weekend life. They wanted to create spaces to host large parties in every season throughout the year.

During our interview process, it was never in doubt that they were looking for a design that reflects neutral maximalism without relying on any added colors. Our shared goal was to transform each space in the house to serve a function and beauty. The home's functionality is highlighted through the newly remodeled seating areas that allow people to gather either all at once or in smaller, dispersed settings.

A maximalist style can be easy to design, appear unique, and make a large impression, no matter what. However, when creating neutral maximalism, you must keep the emphasis on the materials, shapes, and textures to keep it interesting. I wanted to avoid an overall look that just looked like items piled up, but rather have their home be highly personalized, reflecting their love for travel and a composition of finer things. A home that involves combining wallpaper, lights, rugs, and furniture, without matching the traditional way.

08/19/2026

Interior Concepts, Inc. was founded by Arlene Critzos in 1979 and has grown into a leading, award-winning interior design firm known for its timeless style, expansive capabilities, and collaborative approach. What began as Arlene’s personal passion—shaped by her European studies, world travel, and degrees in interior design and decorative arts—has evolved into a full-service design team with a global perspective and decades of combined experience.

08/19/2026

08/14/2026

Cohesive narrative by interior designer Katherine Crosby, Crosby Jenkins Associates.

Warm white walls throughout the home create a serene backdrop while layers of natural oak, walnut, and reclaimed wood introduce visual depth and warmth. Soft neutrals are punctuated by moments of color.

The palette draws inspiration from the natural setting in which the home is situated, creating continuity between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape-- rich navy built-ins, indigo textiles and deep brown leather, muted greens, and subtle terracotta tones add personality without overwhelming the overall composition.

A celebration of contrast also permeates the design decisions. Light and dark, refined and rustic, contemporary and traditional elements coexist seamlessly. In the family room, tailored millwork and modern furnishings balance the natural stone and warm wood cabinetry.

Designer: Katherine Crosby, Crosby Jenkins Associates
Contractor: Geschwilm Home Builder
Custom Millwork: Phil Tillette, Cabinets Plus

08/11/2026

When the clients first purchased the property, it consisted of a four-story end-of-row townhouse and a three-story carriage house apartment connected by a simple wooden deck. This masonry infill structure, part of South Baltimore’s Harbor Walk redevelopment in the early 1980’s, was in desperate need of updating and simplification of plan.

The primary objectives of the project were to unify the existing structures, modernize the spaces within, and add a large roof terrace to capture views of the city beyond. The home lacked any inkling of personality, nor did it reflect the character of its new owners. Design challenges included adding functional, refined, and distinct spaces within the tight constraints of the townhome plan, creating a bold contemporary home while conforming to local historic district guidelines, and adapting the existing structure to accommodate a dramatic outdoor space.

To appreciate this remarkable transformation, scroll to see before photo at the end.

Architecture & Interiors by EastWing Architects

Construction by Apex Builders Group

Concrete Surfaces by LUKE WORKS

Styling by Good Neighbor

Photography by Frazier Springfield

https://eastwingarchitects.com

08/09/2026

Ruse the St. Michael's restaurant, under the care of Chef Michael Correll, is a wily subterfuge, enticing you with a welcoming raw bar, with bushels of oysters on ice.

Reservations can be hard to get, but the doors open promptly at 4:00 p.m. to a mad stampede of patrons scurrying to the bar, where open seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The raw bar and outside tables are also open seating.

The oysters are superior. Freshly shucked with such loving care that not a shard of the shell is in evidence, the oysters are described with words like buttery, silky, and creamy, with a finish of cucumber, chicken bouillon, or spinach-smoked green olive—rather like the refined descriptions of fine wine.

Read the full review by Christine Fillat in Annapolis Home Magazine www.annapolishomemag.com

08/07/2026

For this primary bathroom renovation , the design objective extended far beyond updating finishes or improving aesthetics. The project sought to fundamentally rethink how the space supports the rhythms of contemporary life by transforming the bathroom into an environment centered on restoration, comfort, and intuitive daily living. At the heart of that philosophy was a clear point of view: today’s luxury bathroom is increasingly defined not by excess, but by experience, particularly within the shower itself.

Designed by Gramophone Design Build

Photography by Brian Distad

08/06/2026

At the center of this kitchen design is a generously scaled island that naturally draws people together. It serves as a workspace, a gathering place, and the social anchor of the room, supporting everything from meal preparation to casual conversation. Surrounding it, a carefully curated palette of custom cabinetry, warm brass accents, handcrafted zellige tile, and Bianco Impala marble creates a layered composition that feels both refined and welcoming. The marble's soft blue-gray veining introduces subtle movement and depth, bringing richness and character to the space without overwhelming its calm, timeless aesthetic.

Kitchen Designer, Polly Offuit, Birdie and Bean Interiors
Builder, Elevation Builders
Tile, Chesapeake Tile and Marble
Cabinets, Unhinged Cabinets
Architect: Speight Cook Studio Architects

Photography: Lauren Daue