DARRYL CARTER “In this age of ‘instant,’ the home should remain a bastion of tranquility,” opines prolific DC designer Darryl Carter (above, left), who curates a collection of antiques and current-day finds in his eponymous boutique in Shaw. Carter’s creations for Milling Road include (above, right) the Lynbrook Lamp, the Wayne Dining Chair and the Recamier. darrylcarter.com; bakerfurniture.com
BARRY DIXON In addition to residences he’s designed for clients around the globe, Barry Dixon (pictured in his Warrenton, Virginia, home), has imparted his distinctive style to lighting, fabric and furniture collections. Dixon’s eye-catching creations (clockwise from top, left) include the Foliage Mirror and Egg Drop Pendant for Arteriors; the Albemarle chair for Tomlinson; and Cappadocia wovens for Vervain. barrydixon.com
BILLET COLLINS The artists at this decorative-painting studio in Darnestown, Maryland, work their magic on myriad surfaces, from murals and millwork to furniture and textiles. Principals Barbara Billet and daughters Amy Collins Matthews and Kellie Collins Hodges (right) faux-painted a space by Vivi Interiors (top, left) and hand-painted a tea set and napkins for a pantry by Aidan Design (above, left) in two area show houses. billetcollins.com Photo: Angie Seckinger; Portrait: Bob Narod
DAVID EDWARD David Edward works with designers and craftspeople to create transitional and modern seating and occasional pieces. Artisans at workshops in Baltimore (above, right) and York, Pennsylvania, produce the company’s handcrafted, sustainable furniture designs. The Luna Lounge seating collection (above, left) was designed by architect Roger Crowley with sculptural, curved arms and solid metal legs in polished nickel. davidedward.com
GRETCHEN EVERETT After launching her company in 1999, Gretchen Everett (above, right) has become a go-to, to-the-trade source for couture-level drapery and upholstery. Artisans work on hand-sewn creations (above, left) in her Silver Spring workroom; Everett and her team also craft custom tables and one-of-a-kind drapery hardware (top, left) fashioned from chunky acrylic and brass. gretcheneverett.com Photo: Bob Narod
GUTIERREZ STUDIOS Founded in 1991, Gutierrez Studios designs and manufactures wood-and-metal furniture and architectural elements in its 20,000-square-foot Baltimore workshop. Among its creations, clockwise from top, left: Frusta side tables, sold as a pair with opposing angular steel bases; a floating staircase of glass, steel and wood, custom-designed for a project by Purple Cherry Architects, Interior Concepts and Pyramid Builders; and a hot-rolled steel Red Star Stool. gutierrezstudios.com Photo: David Burroughs
