Among the many colonial mansions dotting the Stonewall Jackson Golf Course in Lake Manassas, Va., one particular property houses a revolutionarily modern interior design.
In this home, Georgetown architect Ernesto Santalla transformed a cavernous basement into a private paradise for homeowners Holly and Jan Gent.
Santalla went beyond merely redesigning the dark, unfinished space; he developed a distinctive blueprint for how the new space would be used. He abandoned the multiple, framed-room approach usually used to carve up large basements and instead separated rooms with different color carpets and walls in shades of cream, beige and taupe, patterned to replicate paintings of famed Dutch artist Piet Mondrian.
“I wanted a gym, a music room, a movie room and a spa retreat,” said Holly Gent. “I wanted it all.”
Santalla delivered, using curves and angles to give the basement’s many areas distinctive character, while offering seamless movement from room to room.
For instance, a curved wall serves as the backdrop for a large screen in the media area. This semicircle wall creates a hall behind it that provides passage for those walking from the music area to the fitness room without disturbing those enjoying a movie on the other side.
On that other side is a stunning crescent-shaped purple sofa that adds drama to a glamorous seating area, placed precisely far enough from the screen for optimal movie viewing.
Santalla used ceiling-mounted cabling to drape faux-silk fabric behind the sofa, softening the geometric patterns on the walls and floor. Plush pillows, throws and cushions invite guests to plop and stay awhile. “My daughters love this space,” said Holly Gent. “This room has seen many parties.”
Mirrored walls set the scene for a home gym equipped with treadmill, cycle, weight lifting machine, and plenty of room for Pilates.
Though the only natural light comes from a walkout basement stairwell, the mirrors and well-placed modern fixtures enabled Santalla to “recover the natural life” of the space. Perfectly placed recessed lighting highlights various pieces of art collected by the Gents. Among the works are large photographs taken by Santalla, a renaissance man of sorts, who enjoys photography and writing, as well as design.
A black piano graces the wall in a foyerlike space around the corner from a narrow bar that is great for entertaining. There is a glass enclosed recording studio for Jan, a professional musician who plays guitar, piano and drums. The glass, floor-to-ceiling soundproof walls allow Jan to ignore or participate in activity taking place outside of the room.
There is still more to this basement — hidden behind frameless doors whose modern Italian hardware is the only hint that something may be concealed on the other side. One of those hidden doors leads to a large guest bedroom, the fifth in the house. Behind another door is a custom steam bath with a rainwater shower. Akin to baths normally reserved for luxury master suites, this basement spa feels a world away from whatever is going on elsewhere. A trio of skinny cabinets topped with sleek black granite and a large square Kohler sink finishes the spalike look. Frosted glass walls encase the toilet area, making this usually mundane necessity the jewel of the bathroom.
“Who would have thought a toilet area could be so beautiful,” said Holly Gent, who remains delighted with the room.
