Portfolio

integrity approach work honestly and openly intention define concept and plan clearly and articulately form give meaning and order to materials love respect and care for people and the earth

— Alexis Holcombe

(left) axonometric view shows the development of a proposal for an adaptive reuse, mixed use project at 1700 West Main Street in Richmond, Virginia.

ZEN CULTURE AND THE BLUE ZONES

The traditional Japanese home features a tokonoma, a niche where a simple scroll or ikebana floral arrangement is displayed. Here, the casework displays examples of shibori dyed textiles and also holds mail and packages for the building’s residents. The folded ceiling made of Baltic birch plywood recalls the paper folds of origami

ACTIVE DESIGN

Can interior design help us live longer? This speculative project proposes a design for a micro-“Blue Zone” that could be used as a model for promoting increased life long well-being. This two-level adaptive reuse, mixed use commercial project features four apartments, a Japanese tea house and a tai chi studio, addressing vertical transitions, social spaces and outdoor relationships and encouraging residents and visitors to move throughout the day.

Communities where centenarians live especially long, strong and healthy lives through simple lifestyles that emphasize natural movement, making wise food choices, and having more social connections and a purposeful outlook on life.

ROOF LANTERN

The proposed new design for 1700 West Main Street includes a new roof lantern to admit daylighting into the new garden atrium and the rear entry of the apartments.

The property at 1700 West Main Street is a two story, fully detached 19,800 gross sq. ft. rectangular block with five bays, a flat parapet roof and a central pediment that caps the middle three bays.

Originally built as a warehouse for the James Robertson Mfg. Co., a plumbing supply firm based in Baltimore, it was constructed in 1920 of six course American brick by Davis Brothers Inc. The building was then expanded and doubled in size some time between 1920 and 1924.

There is no architect of record so Davis Brothers was likely the designer as well as builder. The scale and detailing nod to the Fan District’s late 19th Century residential buildings in materiality and form.

1700 WEST MAIN STREET

A 1924 photo from Sketches of Richmond shows 1700 West Main Street four years after it was built.

Binford Middle School is the dominant feature of the block. The building at 1700 West Main Street is a hub that defines the northwest corner and creates a boundary between the street and the school’s “backyard.”

1700 West Main Street

Binford Middle School

N. Allen Street row houses school parking lot/playground

COLUMN GRID ORGANIZATION

The demolition plan shows the symmetry of the two-phase construction of the building. The original 1920 front half was constructed around a 3 by 7 column grid, while the later addition relied on a simplified 2 by 2 column grid.

FIRST

BISECTED GEOMETRY

The original exterior wall on the north elevation effectively divides the building in half.

SECOND LEVEL DEMO PLAN

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Well-being is most durable when a mind-body balance is supported within a naturally active micro- and ambient environment. Strong social and family connections supported by a healthy diet and purposeful meditation practices provide the energy needed to adapt to the disruptive challenges that we all face.

WABI SABI AND MATERIALITY

An old pair of the designer’s jeans (right) illustrates the patch and repair philosophy that Blue Zones residents use to mend and make do.

VERTICAL MOVEMENT

The Japanese Yagasuri (arrow) pattern initiated the project’s vertical movement concept.

GARDEN PATH STUDY

The form of the traditional Japanese garden path was simplified into rectilinear shapes. These shapes were then layered in a series of repetitive diagrams that studied the possibilities for organizing the plan.

SOLID AND VOID

Studying solid and void relationships in the building (seen at right) created a plan that organizes private and public activity and the circulation needed to connect them.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

The final result of the study shows the apartments in the rear of the building and the new entry gate, main staircase, atrium and social porch in the front half of the building.

APARTMENTS

SECOND LEVEL PLAN

HOW TO BLUE ZONE THE HOME

A deconvenience the home to maximize movement

B have plenty of cleared kitchen counter space and good lighting

C make the bedroom a sanctuary for a good night’s rest

D own only one TV

E have indoor plants for better air quality

F create a quiet destination space for relaxing and meditating

G place some seating on the floor

H maximize vertical circulation

HOW TO BLUE ZONE THE ENVIRONMENT

J ride a bike and walk a dog

K move naturally throughout the day

L make food and dining sacred by eating a plant-focused diet with friends and family

M bring together a group of mutually committed friends

N downshift and shred stress by meditating, napping or praying

Stair convenience and legibility are the most important features of determining stair use, a key factor for improving human health in buildings. The main staircase (no. 10, above, left) leads directly from the entry gate (lobby), taking visitors and residents to the second level tea room or tai chi studio.

The rear entrance of the apartments is also accessed using the main staircase (above, right), which feeds the main circulation path through the building’s atrium.

BEHAVIORAL CHOICES

Blue Zones residents incorporate instrumental and hybrid activity in their daily lives naturally. For modern societies that rely on convenience, however, such activity must be more deliberately considered. Stairs are the building element that have the greatest potential for affecting human health positively.

RECREATIONAL INSTRUMENTAL HYBRID

ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT

Two one-bedroom apartments feature an open staircase that leads to a mezzanine. Moveable features that encourage mobility include a bar cabinet that rotates to serve the dining and living areas while the media cabinet’s sliding screen hides the TV when not in use. Two three-bedroom apartments (one of which is ADA accessible) fill out the residential half of the building.

TEA ROOM LEVEL ONE

The tea room’s menu celebrates the healthful qualities of tea and features a selection of mostly plant-based meals. The lower level retail display case holds several varieties of domestic and imported teas and a few essential grocery items for sale.

11 Eureka Lighting 4045 Turbine 12 Magis Stool One

TEA ROOM LEVEL TWO

The bar and lounge on the lower level serve casual dining and tea service while the upper level caters to lunch and dinner patrons. The custom Boro dining chair celebrates imperfection and flaws by skewing the lumbar back seat support. The maple seat and back are supported by painted solid maple legs and an aluminum lumbar.

01 custom Boro dining chairs featured in the Tea Room

02 Boro Chair

03 Boro Chair details

04 Smink Things Squared tile

05 Eureka Lighting Mute acoustic felt pendant

06 Baltic birch paneling

07 Alberene soapstone

08 light oak flooring

09 existing historic brick, painted white finish

08

TAI CHI STUDIO LEVEL ONE

The tai chi studio is a calm space that is finished in gentle, smooth materials. The curves and cylinders in the space recall the flowing foot patterns of the Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan 24 forms, or movements.

12 Coalesse Ginger Elliptical maple coffee table

TAI CHI STUDIO LEVEL TWO

Tai chi offers social benefits as well as an important moderate workout intensity that can be practiced almost anywhere without any special equipment. Simple stacking chairs are used for group breathing exercises and meditation and to review techniques.

01 Skyline Design Graph tempered safety glass

02 light oak flooring

03 Loft Wisteria frosted glass tile

04 existing historic brick, painted white finish

SHELTER

Natural Bridge, Virginia 2016

This speculative adaptive reuse project repurposes an existing hotel property as a welcoming temporary shelter for people affected by climate disaster or for immigrants in need of transitional housing while awaiting news of their loved ones or their legal status and making arrangements for more permanent housing.

NATURAL BRIDGE CONFERENCE CENTER

The property at 15 Appledore Lane in Rockbridge County, Virginia, is a three story, 58,365 sq. ft. hotel and conference center. The original wood structure was built in the early 20th century and thrived as a popular resort until it caught fire in 1963. The new brick structure subsequently opened in 1965 and has undergone several additions and renovations since.

A photo taken by Theodore Clemons Wohlbruck c. 1905-1910 shows the original structure, with croquet wickets in the foreground .

Cedar Creek

CedarCreekTrail

Natural Bridge Arch

Natural Bridge Hotel

local roads

Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center

State Route 11

The Natural Bridge site (left) was designated a National Park Service Affiliated Area in 2016. Image courtesy of Virginia State Parks (Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation).

THE GEOMETRY OF HEALING

Healing has a kinesthetic component in this proposal. The chaos and disruption resulting from traumatic life events are recognized and addressed in SHELTER’s geometry in plan and section and through smaller gestures such as furnishing and lighting details.

The major components of this sensory healing experience include a strong orthogonal plan and circulation pattern for organizing, folded geometry for embracing and rhythmic gliding for comfort.

The organizing, embracing and gliding concepts are repeated throughout SHELTER’s design to help residents manage a transition through the early stages of overwhelming chaotic and traumatic life events.

Strategies to initiate healing recognize the process as a wound that slowly heals from the inside. This concept has been realized in the healing ceiling feature used in SHELTER’s residential corridors and lobby.

FIRST FLOOR KEY PLAN

0

01 custom healing sofa

02 custom healing desk

03 Blu Dot Real Good Chair Marine Blue finish

04 Blu Dot Note side table White finish

05 Blu Dot Beau Table Lamp Navy Green finish

06 reception desk, ADA counter

07 healing columns with integrated outdoor healing sconce

08 custom healing bench

09 custom healing gliders

10 shelter fireplace

11 FLOR Level Setting carpet tile in Blue

12 light maple ceiling panels

13 wavy green art glass ceiling panels

14 healing ceiling feature

LOBBY

The lobby at SHELTER is the check-in point for new residents and visitors. The orthogonal forms of the space’s architecture and folded forms of the custom furniture initiate the project’s organizing, embracing and gliding concepts.

Twin columns function as pillars that mimic the Natural Bridge Arch, creating two distinct seating areas for visitors to rest and begin the healing process.

The present day lobby of the Natural Bridge Hotel displays its traditional colonial revival style.

RHYTHM GLIDING CRADLING

ROCKING SOOTHING COMFORTING CALMING

THE HEALING GLIDER

The smooth, powder-coated steel glider’s rhythmic motion has a soothing, meditative effect on the user. The glider also features the folding technique of the embracing concept.

SECOND FLOOR DEMO PLAN

EXISTING SECOND FLOOR PLAN

The existing second floor plan features a series of standard single rooms along the main axes, with a larger suite positioned in the center of the grand balcony on the front facade. The existing fire stairs, utility rooms and elevator lobby are not included in this proposal.

existing wall to remain existing wall to be demolished

not in scope

NEIGHBORHOODS GROW COMMUNITY

An early goal with this project was to use the distribution and arrangement of apartments to mimic single-family homes, giving residents a sense of familiarity. Open spaces between units also encourage chance encounters among residents and give them access to the grand balcony on the south elevation. This initial scheme laid the foundation for private apartments that surround community assistance spaces at the core.

organizing column

family/social organizing spaces

public/social healing spaces

private/individual/couple healing spaces

public/family social healing spaces

The compact, tight fit plan of the 985 sq ft two bedroom apartment helps residents to feel safe and grounded.

THE GEOMETRY OF HEALING IN PLAN

01 custom healing apartment sign

02 custom sofa with integrated maple end tables

03 custom healing sconce light

04 organizing column

05 Andy Thornton Metropolitan Factory Light

06 granite tile floor with zero barrier shower and integrated bench

07 custom vanity with integrated closet

08 Rejuvenation Carson wall sconce

09 custom healing desk

10 Blu Dot Real Good Chair

11 custom healing bench

12 custom healing bed with integrated closets + healing sconce light

13 healing glider

14 planter/privacy barrier

15 Fermob Luxembourg table + chairs

16 custom outdoor healing sconce

17 healing skin ceiling feature with integrated linear lighting

18 maple panel ceiling finish with cove perimeter lighting

19 Eureka Mega Bass square recessed ceiling light

20 tile ceiling with Broan bathroom vent/fan light

21 maple linear plank ceiling feature with integrated linear lighting

the false window set into the CMU wall is framed in solid light maple and set with backlighted glass to mimic the benefits of daylighting

the organizing column’s business side holds a tablet and small personal items

a chalkboard set into the organizing wall keeps the family’s schedule front and center

The primary family/social space and entry to the apartment sets the tone with its strong orthogonal orientation, continuing the organizing concept found in SHELTER’s lobby. Gridded maple panels provide structure while the organizing column encourages residents to feel calm, secure and confident.

FAMILY ROOM

2BR APT FAMILY ROOM EAST ELEVATION

2BR APARTMENT

HEALING SCONCE AND BENCH

Two sconces for reading are mounted on either side of the integrated closet/bed. Their folded design continues the project’s embracing concept. These fixtures are also featured in the family room and in Shelter’s first floor lobby. Likewise, the versatile healing bench offers a similar geometry and is also found in the lobby. Both pieces are made of powder-coated steel in vibrant blue and orange.

HEALING BEDROOM

Two bedrooms offer queen size beds with built-in closets, a headboard and a handy bench. The proportions, materials and construction seen here are found throughout the apartment, creating a sense of calm and certainty. The apartments along the south elevation also feature private balconies, which are accessible via the bedrooms and the study.

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

Although compact, the apartment’s design intends to frame a sensitive balance between private and social spaces to encourage the necessary flow of solitude and gathering needed for healing. A floorto-ceiling, wall-to-wall holistic design approach helps residents slowly regain their bearings and confidence.

01 integrated maple vanity and closet

02 Elhen Johanssen Kladhangare coathook

03 black matte square 4x4 inch porcelain tile

04 painted tongue-and-groove pine paneling

The apartment’s small hallway connects the bathroom, bedrooms and kitchen.

solid light maple drawer front comfortably adapts to the user’s forearms with its folded form

HEALING DESK FRONT AXON

holes for power cable management are located at top and bottom of back legs

HEALING DESK BACK AXON

THE STUDY

A semi-private work/meditation space, the study links residents to expansive mountain views through a sliding glass door that connects the family room to the private family balcony.

3’-8”

2’-6” 2’-1”

SMALL HEALING DESK

The trapezoidal geometry of the healing desk gives a sense of protection with its shield-like shape.

Made of powder-coated steel with solid maple trim on the drawer front, the healing desk’s folded geometry and smooth finish continue to define the embracing concept. Folded corners “bend” to the user’s body.

01 Blu Dot Beau Table Lamp Navy Green finish

02 Blu Dot Real Good Chair Marine Blue finish

03 Light maple finish casework and floor planks

The study, connecting the living room and balcony, offers solitude and quiet for processing grief or work space separate from noisy family activities.

Outside the apartment’s entry door, a wide corridor acts as a social hub for connecting with neighbors of for quiet time on one of SHELTER’s healing gliders. The healing ceiling is also featured in the lobby.

HEALING FEATURES AND SOCIAL SPACES

Wayfinding and ceiling features are no less important, providing strong connections between private apartments and the publicfacing corridors. The signature healing glider found here is also found on the balconies and in the lobby downstairs. Likewise, the rhythmic design of the healing ceiling feature gives scale and focus to the branching side corridors, encouraging residents to meditate, talk and linger.

pierced aluminum polished concrete antique brass

HEALING HANDRAIL SYSTEM

teak railing

safety glass

polished concrete

translucent gray glass

brushed stainless glass clip

aluminum

3’-0”

The continuous second floor balcony provides mountain views, fresh air and sunshine.

SHELTER EXTERIOR SIGN PLAN

SHELTER EXTERIOR SIGN FRONT ELEVATION

SHELTER EXTERIOR SIGN SECTION AND AXON

EXTERIOR ROAD SIGN

The grand scale of the Natural Bridge Hotel could be intimidating to some new residents, who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress. This welcoming sign greets new residents on their approach. The folded geometry and materiality echo familar design elements in SHELTER, establishing the fundamental conceptual design language in materiality and form.

SHELTER EXTERIOR SIGN ROOF AXON

FLEXIBLE WORK SPACE

Richmond, Virginia

2016

An online business journal with a small office in downtown Richmond, Virginia needed a new meeting space for its growing staff. Flexibility and affordability were the primary drivers for a gathering space proposal that serves many functions. Rather than build out a traditional enclosed room for meeting, this proposal offers varied seating options for individuals and groups. Whether finishing up an article on a tight deadline or gathering for a weekly staff meeting, this solution adapts to the journal’s fast paced newsroom environment.

CONCEPT: THE SCOOP

In journalism, a scoop is an exclusive news item that is reported and published first. Scoops are prized by journalists, showing the originality of their inquiry and tenacity in getting the story before anyone else. The editors of this journal proudly display all of their “scoops” on the walls of their office. The Scoop became the concept for this proposal, seen here as a paper concept model to test ways of manifesting the concept into forms.

CONCEPT AND PROGRAM

Workstation groupings for four support staff and five editorial staff improved the efficiency of the 2,160 sq ft office space. A proposed conference room was also planned to be added in Phase 2. The proposed flexible work space allows necessary levels of separation for small meetings and dedicated work, giving staff the opportunity to join and leave as needed without sacrificing their attention to keeping on top of the day’s news.

The crowded newsroom, shown here before the proposed work, had no defined entry or meeting space. Without a central gathering point, work was efficient but diffuse, without an identifiable brand to echo the journal’s core editorial content.

MULTITASKING ENTRY AND LOUNGE

A new entry and lounge space is built out to offer privacy for personal phone calls or one-on-one meetings, or for guests to wait. It has a subtle connection to the main gathering space, just around the corner.

FURNITURE AS ARCHITECTURE

Small and large “scoops” are comprised of 10’ high fins that provide an important sense of permeable separation from the busy newsroom activity. The small scoop, attached to the wall, supports a counter with two stools for focused work, while the large scoop supports banquette seating and a table for four to six. The scoop form provides scale in the highceiling room, giving informal and formal gatherings greater focus and purpose.

SMALL SCOOP

A plan

B side elevation

C back elevation

D axon

LARGE SCOOP

E plan

F side elevation

G front elevation

H axon

The

ALL HANDS GATHERING SPACE

The extra-large dry erase board displays the site’s weekly story assignments. High and low seating creates flexible options for formal and informal meetings.

MODERN + SOUTHERN: INTERSECTIONS

Richmond, Virginia

2019

“Intersections” explores the space between modern + Southern. This master plan for an updated Southern “shotgun” duplex home is given richness with a layered, personal style. This comfortable and organized interior sets the scene for a busy writer/podcaster/ professor who travels frequently and entertains visiting friends and family. The brief for the project included concept, program and master planning.

UPDATED SOUTHERN DUPLEX

powder room:

tempaper intersections wallpaper, urban bronze

materials/finishes

pecan/medium brown wood finishes

textured fabrics

linen/velvet/cotton blends

iron details/finishes

cane/wicker/raffia/wire

natural slate

handcrafted wood accent pieces

patterns

geometric/linear

grid/tweed/twill/open weave

birds/nature

punk/graffiti

The new home, seen at left, is sensitive to the scale and materiality of the existing historic Manchester neighborhood in Richmond.

first floor finishes

trim: amherst gray walls: sheraton beige

new casework: wickham gray

second floor finishes

trim: amherst gray

BR ceiling: van deusen blue

office walls: van deusen blue

bathroom walls: palladian blue

BR walls: montgomery white

new casework: wickham gray

existing floor

existing fixtures + furniture

new rugs + floor coverings

new furniture

new built-in furniture

master plan

first floor highlights: layers of privacy

the front door entry leads to a formal seating area for four, featuring a loveseat and two armchairs

the owner can also sit on the loveseat and work on a laptop, while watching the activity from the windows facing the street

living room seating is grouped around a rug and round accent table, with a low credenza and a bar cabinet by the stairs

the seating leads to the dining area, featuring a simple modern rectangular dining table and six side chairs

the galley kitchen’s large island features counter seating, for quick meals and casual entertaining

a pantry and utility/coat closet are located off the kitchen space

the private family room is located at the back of the first floor, where a large built-in media wall holds a TV, books, and other personal items

a pair of screens on the media wall slides apart to filter light and provide additional privacy from windows on either side of the TV

the screens can then slide back to hide the TV when it is not being used

a wing chair for reading next to the media wall faces a sectional sofa on the opposite wall

the cozy sectional is tucked in a private corner for TV watching, streaming shows on an iPad or working on a laptop

three hexangonal accent tables, at different heights, are centered on the family room rug

a powder room is adjacent to the sectional sofa a double French door leads to a private back porch and newly landscaped back yard

existing floor

existing fixtures + furniture

new rugs + floor coverings

new furniture

new built-in furniture

master plan

second floor highlights: work + rest

the staircase leads to the second floor landing, which features art, a small dresser and a runner

a washer/dryer closet is located just off the owner’s bedroom

the owner’s bedroom in the front of the house is anchored by a king size poster bed, small nightstands and reading lights

the wall opposite the poster bed is a built-in packing station, used to stage suitcases and before and after trips

the packing station features counterheight base cabinets to stage suitcases; deep drawers hold bedding and other bulky items

a built-in bench seat is a handy place to put on shoes, with shallow built-in shoe drawers below the seat

a pair of counter-height open shelf cabinets stores small items

a colorful textured geometric rug pulls together and softens the room

a walk-in closet organizes clothing and accessories

an ensuite primary bath with walkin shower and double sink vanity complete the owner’s suite

the owner’s office is the nerve center of her home, featuring an L-shaped wall of built-in shelving and drawers

a curved desk top with task lighting is built in for working on a laptop

the owner can swivel from her desk to a small round table for spreading out paperwork

a full-length wall organizes Post-It notes for project planning

open wall shelving is situated around the built-in desk to hold books

a counter height base cabinet built in under the window holds a mini frig for cold drinks and other small items

another base cabinet completes the wall of built-ins, with two deep lateral file drawers

a Jack + Jill bathroom with double sink vanity and a tub/shower connects the office and the zen room

the quiet zen room doubles as a bedroom for overnight guests, with a custom twin XL daybed with storage headboard, a small rug and low table

a calming, full-wall wallpaper mural sets the tone for the room, which is minimally furnished to encourage meditation and focused exercise

a Swedish wall ladder holds resistance bands and other items that help develop core strength, balance and flexibility

a closet stores exercise equipment and oversized suitcases

door to powder room

accent rug

coffee table group

sectional sofa

accent chair

door to back porch

media wall

Brandywine

Pencil Post bed zietz furniture

dark gray shaker cabinets to match existing

FURNITURE PLAN

second floor select features, owner’s bedroom

rug counter height base cabinet with drawers counter height base cabinet with door bench seating with drawers below wardrobe hooks full-length mirror ceiling fan

ENLARGED FURNITURE PLAN

second floor select features, office

dark gray shaker cabinets to match existing

podcast booth wallcovering

timorous beasties

graffiti stripe superwide

solid oak wood worktop

built-in base and wall cabinets, books and office storage

base cabinet, mini-frig

base cabinet, lateral file drawers

pendant light fixture

office chair

36” white round table

podcast closet

ANNANDALE KITCHEN

Annandale, Virginia construction completed October 2022

A young family in Northern Virginia love their midcentury home but were eager to replace the original 1969 kitchen. The kitchen, which is located on the upper level, is situated at the end of the northwest leg of the home’s “U” shaped floor plan. The existing kitchen plan created a cramped, dark pocket with little space to prepare and eat meals. By shifting an opening that leads to the dining room, this proposal greatly improves the path of circulation and enlarges the available work area.

Moving an opening to the dining room gives the updated floor plan enhanced work flow, storage and light.

LIGHT AND SPACE

The kitchen is located above the garage, above, and faces a sunny courtyard in this U-shaped floor plan.

POSITION OF FORMER DOOR OPENING

the drop ceiling has been removed and lighting upgraded the refrigerator has been successfully integrated into the workflow

new design elements are sympathetic to the house’s 1969 origins

the opening at right has been shifted to provide better workflow

SKETCHING + PAINTING

I use diagramming as an opportunity to articulate design parti and concept development. Travel also provides an opportunity to develop sketching skills and create indelible memories of a trip. Watercolor practice adds depth to sketching, useful for rendering and teaching students fundamental rendering skills.

2018

After Homer’s Casting the Fly watercolor and pencil on paper

concept sketches

watercolor and pencil on paper

Quirk Hotel lobby watercolor and pencil on paper 2018

Paul Revere teapot watercolor and pencil on paper 2015

sketches from a trip to St. Kitts and Nevis watercolor and pencil on paper

sketches from a trip to Morocco watercolor and pencil on paper

sketches from trips to Malmö, Sweden and Ann Arbor, Michigan watercolor and pencil on paper

ERNA CHAIR

hard maple designed and made by Alexis Holcombe 2013 -

The Erna Chair takes its inspiration from the construction, materials and forms of the American Shaker and Scandinavian traditions.

The front and back legs were formed from hard rock maple using a lathe. The geometry recalls a sitter’s knee and hip joints, resulting in a very light but strong joinery system.

The back, also made of maple, could support the sitter for tasks such as sewing and playing music. The seat will be woven from cotton Shaker seat tape in a graphic black and white checkerboard pattern.

ERNA CHAIR FRONT, BACK AND SIDE ELEVATIONS

mortising the leg for a stretcher

removing material from a maple blank before shaping

a completed front leg creating a jig to set the back legs before attaching a rail

OCEAN WAVES QUILT

cotton calico and cotton batting quilt top design by Denyse Schmidt made by Alexis Holcombe 2018

A crib quilt fashioned with half triangles in a traditional wave pattern is given a modern twist with shades of black on an off-white background. Beautiful handblocked batik fabrics in blue and red that were printed in Hawaii add a subtle depth. The rotating pattern on the quilt top of small and large triangles mimics the movement of ocean currents, while the freeform curving quilt stitching, seen at right, gives a different take on the water’s forms.

detail showing the integration of the handblocked batik calico on the rotated blocks

wave quilt pattern on a remnant of pinstripe fabric

SHEPHERD STREET GARDEN

Chevy Chase, Maryland

2003 – 2012

This 1940s residence had a mature, overgrown boxwood garden that needed rejuvenation while maintaining its overall structure. Smaller English boxwoods were selectively removed while tall stately American boxwoods were renewed through several seasons of pruning. Perennial borders were then layered alongside the boxwoods, which provided the framework for three seasons of color, form and movement.

FORM AND STRUCTURE

Dried pink panicles of an oakleaf hydrangea mix with bright white echinacea, an astilbe and a brown sedge.

tall boxwoods frame an early summer border in the back garden

pansies, violas, primulas and oxalis

a new stone path through the side garden frilly white columbines in the front garden

(top to bottom) three views of a new path that leads to a shady nook for reading and meditation

(top to bottom) three views of an open sunny spot for outdoor dining and grilling

clockwise, from top left: salvia, verbascum, and santolina; sedums, echinaceas and alliums; a shady spot framed by hostas and hydrangeas; mature astilbes and hostas are backed by aruncus and a hedge of American boxwood; calamagrostis and anenomes; scabiosas, heucheras and verbascums