8 min readThough it’s impossible to fully recreate the past in a home, designing a space that honors its history is always worthwhile. This was designer Anne Pulliam’s goal when she learned about her clients’ residence in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The 1900 row house had been renovated several times throughout its more than a century-old lifespan; unsurprisingly, very little of its original architecture and character remained.
Pulliam’s clients, a young family of five, needed to maximize square footage as much as possible, which these historical row houses are not typically known for. Not only was the designer going to have to add a three-story rear addition to the home and excavate the basement, but she needed to completely gut the interior to modernize the layout and ensure the space could actually work for the family.
Void of its original details, Pulliam thankfully wouldn’t have to destroy any of the home’s history. Instead, she saw this as an opportunity to thoughtfully reinvent the property, tying in the historical context and character of the neighborhood whenever she got the chance without sacrificing the functional wants and needs of her clients.
“We spent an enormous amount of time refining the floor plans, designing custom millwork, and ensuring every room served multiple purposes without ever feeling over-designed,” Pulliam tells House Beautiful. Much of her inspiration for the details came from timeless Parisian architecture that wouldn’t feel out of place in this neighborhood—think graceful arches, traditional millwork, “pillow-edge” herringbone flooring, and layered moldings.
She even managed to introduce an authentic piece of France into the home. The antique fireplace mantel and a nearly six-foot-tall, nineteenth-century trumeau mirror that sits above it were sourced in the European country and were quite the investment. “They instantly established the character of the living room and gave the house a sense of history that couldn't be replicated with something new,” Pulliam explains.
Functionality came through in the many hidden storage spaces the designer included in basically every single room. “The children's rooms in particular required careful planning, with every bed, desk, dresser, and closet custom designed to make the most of the available space,” she adds. There are multiple spaces within the kitchen built to conceal and organize—like the scullery, a coat closet, and integrated appliances—as well as built-in cabinets that frame the dining area meant to store China and serving dishes in one, then a hidden bar and a beverage refrigerator in the other.
“Although it's a city row house, it lives much larger as every space was thoughtfully planned,” Pulliam says. “I always tell people that this house proves beautiful design isn't about having more square footage—it's about making every square foot impactful.”
FAST FACTS
Designer: Anne Pulliam of Anne Pulliam Interiors
Interior Architect: Mortar and Thatch
Art Consultant: Allegory Art Consulting
Location: Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
The Space: A gut renovation of a historic 1900 row house with 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.
LIVING ROOM
Decorative wall moldings accentuate the tall ceilings.
Behind the green couch from Lazar Industries are rows of built-in shelves which hold the family’s extensive book collection. This living room was actually designed around this collection, with Pulliam leaning into the “Parisian modern” style for the rest of the space.
“We introduced a mix of applied molding and multi-piece crown work throughout the entry and main entertainment level to emphasize the formality of the spaces,” she explains, adding that they accentuated the tall ceilings with wall moldings and narrow panels that helped organize the lighting and artwork throughout the room.
“A street-facing nook with a French mattress cushion and small table creates an easy spot for reading, games, or date night at home,” Pulliam says. “The antique fireplace mantel and mirror, both sourced in France, set the tone for the room and the rest of the house.”
DINING AREA
Vinyl fabric on the custom banquette makes cleaning up spills a breeze.
Not only is this dining room located in the center of the house, connecting the kitchen and living area, but it’s also central to the family’s lifestyle. The young children use this space for everything from homework to arts and crafts, and the family dines here for more formal meals. Translation: It had to be durable and beautiful enough to meet a range of needs.
“Blurring the line between circulation and gathering, the design reimagines the traditional dining room as a flexible, lived-in space—one that celebrates both architectural ingenuity and the rituals of daily life,” Pulliam explains. Originally a transitional space, it became a destination thanks to the transportive Pierre Frey mural that wraps the entire room and the gold accents that add a level of luxury.
It’s bookended by a series of arches: a more modern glass partition leading to the living area and a traditional vaulted panel jamb highlighting the kitchen. “Inspired by the French principle of enfilade, the room is composed to maintain uninterrupted sight lines from the front of the house to the rear, reinforcing a sense of depth, light, and connection throughout the narrow townhouse.”
KITCHEN
Anchored by a sculptural island, natural light takes center stage.
Restraint was the defining design gesture in this kitchen, Pulliam says, due to the room’s narrow footprint. The clients wanted a cook space that was clean and modern within the historic envelope, so the designer emphasized the natural light by intentionally removing upper cabinetry and choosing carefully proportioned materials, like the wood flooring design, central island, and flush-mount lighting.
Behind the seamless barrel-vaulted paneling in the hallway leading towards the dining room is the entrance to a fully equipped scullery, where most utilitarian functions happen to preserve the calm character of the primary kitchen space. “The result is a kitchen that feels both timeless and contemporary—where craftsmanship, architectural clarity, and thoughtful concealment elevate the rituals of everyday living,” adds Pulliam.
On the opposite side of the kitchen sits the breakfast area with another custom banquette. It was fabricated by the same craftspeople who built the cabinetry, so it feels fully integrated into the architecture. The antique mirrored panels above the seat reflect natural light and visually expand the area, while the subtle curved backrest feels inviting. This space, like the formal dining area, was designed to be able to handle sticky fingers and messy art projects, as well as the more casual meals, so Pulliam again went with a durable Pindler green vinyl for the upholstery.
MUDROOM
A built-in pigeonhole for sorting mail is a nod to the client’s time at Oxford.
Originally, the entrance to this house was dark and felt more like a basement than an elevated foyer, so Pulliam’s goal was to create a true sense of arrival. “We anchored the space with reclaimed marble flooring and found an antique church bench with hidden storage that fit the vestibule perfectly,” she says.
The pigeonhole detail for sorting mail is a nostalgic, personal touch for the clients, but what truly defines the space are the sidelights between the vestibule and main foyer. It creates “a more gracious transition while allowing natural light to filter through,” the designer adds.
ELDEST SON’S ROOM
Hidden storage in the bunk bed maximizes square footage.
As with the rest of the home, this room had to work hard. Pulliam needed to balance beauty and aesthetics with a long list of functional needs in a room with limited square footage. She and her team ended up designing a custom closet and bunk bed with built-in storage below, stairs with hidden drawers, and a loft space that doubles as an extra sleeping area for sleepovers.
“Our goal was to create a space that feels fun and imaginative for a young boy while making the most of every square foot,” she explains. “Thoughtful millwork and built-in storage ensure the room can grow with him for years to come.”
MIDDLE SON’S ROOM
Starry wallpaper toes the line between youthful and timeless.
Designed for the family’s middle son, much of this bedroom was completely centered around the whimsical wallpaper, which is supposed to emulate the feeling of flying through the clouds at dusk. Pulliam also built a custom bed here with built-in storage on the bottom and a desk for homework and crafts. The designer brought in contrast with a pop of yellow, which keeps the room feeling youthful without being overly themed.
KIDS’ BATH
The two oldest boys share this space.
Pulliam’s main goal in this shared bathroom was finding balance between durability and personality. “A custom stained wood vanity brings warmth and a more masculine feel, while colorful tile adds a playful element that feels age-appropriate without overwhelming the space.”
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Custom millwork frames the bed, providing architectural interest and storage.
Since the designer went with custom millwork, she was able to get very personal with all the touches she added, like the hidden integrated shelves that pull out to serve as nightstands for the couple. Underneath the bed is even more storage for keeping sweaters, linens, and bulky items.
Adjacent to the bed is a nook overlooking the street with a writing desk tucked inside at the clients’ request. Sconces flank the opening, lending a warm, ambient glow and giving the space a treehouse feel.
PRIMARY BATH
A marble archway frames the shower.
“Natural light was the starting point for this primary bathroom,” Pulliam says. “A skylight floods the space, highlighting the natural materials and giving the room an airy feel throughout the day.” For more character, she framed the shower with a marble archway and incorporated patterned tile on the floor for subtle interest. The floating vanity, made of white oak, helps to balance the cool stone with warmth.
PLAYROOM
A custom wool rug grounds the space.
Located on the home’s lower level, this playroom is as functional as it is cozy. The clients wanted a memorable space for their children to play, so there’s plenty of practical storage mixed in with all the toys and pops of color and pattern. The Sanderson wallpaper depicts a European village, a nod to the family’s time living abroad.
The ceilings didn’t used to be this tall, but Pulliam’s team “underpinned the existing foundation to lower the slab and create taller ceiling heights,” she says, creating a series of ledges throughout the lower level that they converted into benches and creative storage solutions.
About the Designer
Anne Pulliam has always had an eye for design. It started when she was a little girl, and she would rearrange her friends’ and her bedrooms, and lasted well throughout her youth. After graduating from Sweet Briar College, Pulliam spent five years working at a boutique design firm before opening Anne Pulliam Interiors in 2020, where she and her team of six designers specialize in creating highly personalized interiors that are both thoughtful and timeless. She’s based in Richmond, Virginia, but takes on projects along the East Coast.
