Courthouse Apartment Goes Global Chic

If walls could talk, one Courthouse condo would be filled with chatter about its transformation from drab and dated to global-urban chic.

The interior designers responsible for the makeover, Kiera Kushlan, Jessica Centella, and James Wall, are partners at Arlington-based residents:understood, a personality-driven residential design company.

When it comes to personality, the three designers could not have asked for better subjects than Laura and Lamar. The couple purchased the three-bedroom apartment nearly 20 years ago. World citizens, the two love all things tropical, including palm trees, pineapples and Polynesian design. Of all the places they have lived, Hawaii was their favorite.

The two lifelong globe-trotters had amassed an eclectic collection of art and accessories. “They had a stock of stuff and was trying to find a way to integrate it all,” said Wall. “Her overall goal was to have a space that was comfortable and reflected her style and personality.”

Because they often commute between the apartment and a country home, the couple's old interior had a temporary feel, conveying lack of soul and spirit.

The new space oozes character, reflecting lives well lived and travels well loved.  Nothing represents Laura and Lamar better than the furniture pieces.  A neutral Younger Furniture Apartment sofa, from Urban Essentials, sits firm and calm.  Meanwhile a pair of rattan La Luna chairs from Muléh speak volumes about the owner’s adventurous side. These whimsical, woven eyeball style chairs would monopolize the conversation, if not for layers of texture on the walls and floor. At first Wall was afraid the couple would reject chairs. But to his surprise, “There wasn’t much push back.”

They added a graphite topped, dark-stained oak Ripple Square coffee table with stainless-steel triangle legs. The table, from Blu Dot, is simple enough to showcase a royal blue shag-rag rug.

Keeping with their philosophy of creating eco-friendly spaces, residents:understood had Kala Studios convert Laura’s out of date Koa coffee table into a console table for the entrance.  

"We have a hard time believing that this is our living room and can’t decide what we love most – the fireplace, the funky chairs, the koa console, the credenza, the rug, the lights? The transformation is remarkable and the space combines the colors and textures we had hoped for and furniture that is both fun and comfortable,” said Laura.

The couple was so pleased with the living room makeover that they asked residents:understood to complete the condo. “Even before the living room was finished, we knew we wanted r:u to do the rest of the condo. It's been a great process and we've really enjoyed working with Kiera, Jessica, and James."