• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Jennifer Sergent

Senior Communications Writer | Perkins Eastman

  • About
    • About Jennifer
    • Blog Information
  • Blog
  • Contact

Behind the Scenes with Forma Design

February 23, 2016

I think we all know that the homes we see in shelter magazines are chosen for publication because the architect or designer has accomplished some kind of dramatic transformation. Typically what we see are the gorgeous “after” pictures. But even more exciting, I think, is to pair each image with its homely antecedent—a method that lets you appreciate the designer’s talent all the more.

Andreas Charalambous, the owner of DC-based Forma Design, sent me all the “before” images that pair with a 14th Street condo that was recently published in Home & Design magazine.

“ ‘I liked their clean lines and openness, but they were in converted warehouses that suffered from lack of light,’ ” owner Damon Taaeffe told Home & Design editor Julie Sanders. “ ‘The distinguishing feature here is the windows and the way light comes in.’ The condo’s quirky layout, however, made it a challenge in terms of functionality.”

The story is a good read in terms of how Andreas was able to find elegant solutions to these problems. But here’s a visual take on what he did:

This elevated office/den area had a wall blocking the views. That went away.

Taffee before_1

 

Hodgdon-1
All finished photography by Geoffrey Hodgdon

A closeup of this wall and its ugly shelves, followed by the way in which Andreas filled in the nook:

Taffee before_2

 

Hodgdon-2

 

Painting the duct work went a long way to soften the industrial edge:

Taffee before_3

 

Hodgdon-3

 

Hodgdon-4

 

Andreas also opened up the walls in the master-bedroom loft above:

Taffee before_5

 

Hodgdon-5

 

Looking back the other way, it becomes clear how that former wall on the elevated den cut up the space:

Taffee before_6

 

Hodgdon-6

 

The master bedroom — see those awkward folding-door panels? Andreas replaced them with floaty sheers that pull closed around the balcony.

Taffee before_8

 

Hodgdon-8

 

Here’s what you see when you lean over that balcony:

Hodgdon-10

 

Andreas also used curtains to soften the adjacent guest room, where Damon keeps his stationary bike:

Taffee before_9

 

Hodgdon-9

The Home & Design story recounted how Damon met and married his sweetheart, Amy Lehr, during the renovation project.

Damon “is an Assistant U.S. Attorney, but more importantly, an avid biker,” Andreas says in an e-mail. “He takes part in grueling bike rides all over the world—some of them for 24 hours at a time. That is why the second bedroom has the stationary bike where he exercises, and the master bedroom has the little bike sculpture on the night stand.”

Damon, doing what he does best.
Damon, doing what he does best.

“By the time the design was finalized, he invited Amy to attend the last meeting, to make sure all was OK with her as well. They got engaged, she moved in, and then they got married right before their place was featured in Home & Design. Damon, Amy, and his cat, Cleo, are now enjoying the two story loft in Logan Circle.”

bride

A happy ending, indeed!

Filed Under: Architecture, Designers Tagged With: before and after, Forma Design

Before Footer

View

Apr 9

Open
This lady saw so much, lived through so much, and her son, DC photographer @maxhirshfeld, captured that totality on a return to her former prison at #auschwitz. Today’s blog features a book he wrote and illustrated that was inspired by this journey back to Poland. Link in bio.
View

Mar 9

Open
Another inspiring before and after from Regan’s guest post, linked in bio! 
@rbhomedesign 
📷 @angelanewtonroyphotography
View

Mar 8

Open
Couldn’t be more proud to be starting a job today with @perkinseastman.washington, the firm behind @thewharfdc and so many other stunning designs around the world!
View

Mar 4

Open
My latest story for Home & Design! 

#Repost @homeanddesigndc with @make_repost
・・・
A 1940's-era Colonial in Friendship Heights was renovated and expanded into a contemporary abode while preserving its original roots. Natural light, high ceilings and warm wood elements complement the interiors. The rear addition combines two- and three-story volumes with the owners' suite on the third level; the addition was clad in wood siding that comes down over the original brick façade. An open concept master bathroom adds a sleek and sophisticated vibe.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Renovation Architecture: @jonathankuhnarchitect 
Contractor: Eric and Brad Bernstein / @bradbern_construction 
Landscape Design: Carlos Uman / Green Fields Landscaping⁠⁠
Text: ⁠⁠@jensergent 
⁠⁠
⁠⁠
⁠⁠
#jonathankuhnarchitect #bradbernconstruction #architecture #architecturalrenovation #archreno #smartmakeover #renovation #contemporary #contemporaryarchitecture #contemporarydesign #interiors #design #architecturaltransformation #kitcheninteriors #remodel #homeanddesigndc
View

Mar 4

Open
What a breath of fresh air! Swipe to see this kitchen before Regan Billingsley @rbhomedesign worked her magic. More before and after sin the blog post, link in bio
📷 @angelanewtonroyphotography
View

Mar 2

Open
Now on the blog: A Q&A withe the delightful Regan Billingsley of @rbhomedesign about a delicious facelift she executed in Chevy Chase, link in profile! 
📷 @angelanewtonroyphotography
View

Jan 22

Open
When I told my husband I wanted to name our first son Henry, he readily agreed because Henry Aaron was his favorite baseball player of all time. And several years later, my mother gave a framed, signed photograph of this legend to @hjsergent for Christmas, and it hangs right next to his bed. What a sad day, felt all the more personally because I can’t think of my wonderful son without thinking also of the great man who helped inspire his name.🙏🏻
View

Jan 21

Open
Interior design isn’t just pretty. There’s real power and symbolism in the choices you make, which deeply affects how you and your visitors feel in your home. This @washingtonpost piece on the #ovaloffice, linked in bio, illustrates how. @potus 
📷 @olearypix
Story by @alinskey
View

Jan 20

Open
January 20 is finally here!! Sending Godspeed to @joebiden and @kamalaharris ❤️🤍💙
📷 @senatephoto
View

Jan 13

Open
The amazing thing about the #uscapitol is that we enjoy the same beauty as the generations before us. Our fashions might change, but not the glorious encaustic tile, gilded mirrors or the clover-like pendant lights in the Senate Press Gallery. Swipe to see the modern version, shot by @ronbluntphoto. 
Full post in my bio link!
View

Jan 12

Open
With the help of photographers like @adam_brockett who took this glowy halo around the #uscapitol, and my friends who know and cherish that building, here’s a love letter, blog link in bio
View

Jan 7

Open
Memories of the late-night lines to see George H.W. Bush lying in state. Thousands of peaceful mourners waiting to pass through the Rotunda of this majestic Capitol.
Load More...

Footer

DC by Design is my passion project, a chronicle of design talents throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia region who are doing beautiful and imaginative things in the categories below. Click here for blog information and guidelines.

  • Architecture
  • Art/Photo
  • Designers
  • Furniture
  • Home Decor
  • Kitchen/Bath
  • Outdoors
  • Real Estate
  • Shopping
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe to my blog, which sends an e-mail alert each time a new post is published (about once per month).

Please click here if you're a

  •    

© 2021 Jennifer Sergent • All Rights Reserved