The Fifth Annual D.C. Design House

A spring tradition in Washington is the D.C. Design House makeover of a prominent home in the District. This year, a house that has been in the same family since the 1950s was made-over by 23 local designers and landscapers.

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A seven-bedroom Spring Valley house at 4951 Rockwood Parkway N.W. is this year's DC Design House. It's a fundrasier for the Children's National Medical Center. The entry garden was done by Blake Dunlevy and Gina Benincasa of D & A Dunlevy Landscapers.

John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST

Before: the foyer entry

Robert Radifera Photography

Before: the foyer reception

Robert Radifera Photography / Robert Radifera Photography

After: a grand and welcoming entry foyer designed by Matthew Moore of John Matthew Moore Fine Art & Home.

Robert Radifera Photography

After: the Entry Reception also by Matthew Moore of John Matthew Moore Fine Art & Home

Robert Radifera Photography

Before: the original dining room

Robert Radifera Photography

After: the original dining room of the house was transformed into a glamorous family room by Baltimore designer Dan Proctor.

John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST

Before: the living room

Robert Radifera Photography

After: the dining room by Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey was originally the living room of the house. She describes the room as "happy, sophisticated and youthful."

John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST

Before: the bar area and fireplace in the original kitchen.

Before: the kitchen

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After: Nadia Subaran of Aidan Design totally remade the kitchen using gray Wood-Mode cabinets and mother of pearl counter and tiles. A built-in bar area, not pictured, provides a place fo rmorning coffee or evening cocktails.

John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST

Before: a bland bedroom before designer Victoria Sanchez's redesign.

Robert Radifera Photography

After: A Teenager's Getaway by Victoria Sanchez. Sanchez used MIssoni fabrics and accessories throughout this space, as well as vintage furniture and pieces found on eBay and at CB2.

John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST

Before: the nursery room

Robert Radifera Photography / Robert Radifera Photography

After: A palette of green and white with pink and yellow accents makes this nursery by Elizabeth Krial feel fresh and vibrant.

John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST

Before: nursery bath

Robert Radifera Photography / Robert Radifera Photography

After: Allie Mann of Case Design updated the dated bath using a crisp and clean green and white palette

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

After: Another look at the nursery bath designed by Allie Mann of Case Design

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Before: A boring ballroom.

Robert Radifera Photography

After: Kelley Proxmire turned a featureless ballroom into a sunny L'Orangerie using the main color of tangerine, paired with gray. The two stools were a Target find that she repainted and reupholstered.

John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST

Before: An empty and overgrown patio terrace

Robert Radifera Photography

Before: The challenge of the patio was it's length: 70-feet long

Robert Radifera Photography

After: Stephen Wlodarczyk of Botanical Decorators, a landscapr architect, reconfigured the large. long patio into three seating areas. Here, he added a fireplace in the space outside of the l'orangerie.

John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST

Before: the second floor study.

Robert Radifera Photography

After: Lorna Gross, of Savant Interior Design in Bethesda, turned a dark and dated library into a sophisticated study.

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Before: a cavernous space with no personality.

Robert Radifera Photography

After: Bethesda designer Marika Meyer uses a palette of off-white, gray, indigo and citrine to create a subtle and tranquil Morning Room.

Before: the master sitting room

Robert Radifera Photography

After: DC designer Tricia Huntley turns the Master Sitting Room into a chic and cozy place to lounge.

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Before: the master bedroom

Robert Radifera Photography

After: In the Master Bedroom, Sharon Kleinman of Transitions in Potomac used the garden as her design inspiration.

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Before: boy's room

Robert Radifera Photography

After: Nancy Twomey of Finnian's Moon Interiors in Alexandria used a double headboard in her design of the Boy's Room. As furniture that will function well beyond the toddler years, the headboard is pretty and practical.

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Before: the parlor

Robert Radifera Photography

After: The Parlor is now warm and inviting thanks to Burke-based designer Annette Hannon.

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

After: Guest bedroom by Wendy Danzinger of Bethesda.

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Before: the guest bath

Robert Radifera Photography

After: The guest bath by DC designer Brian VanFleet

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Before: the third level bath

Robert Radifera Photography

After: third level bath by Christopher Patrick, a DC designer.

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Before: an empty guest room.

Robert Radifera Photography

After: Daughter's Bedroom By Susan Nelson of Great Falls.

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Before: the blank back hallway

After: Christopher Boutlier of Boutlier Design dresses up this long and narrow back hall space.

Robert Radifera Photography / Robert Radifera Photography

Before: the under-utilized master deck

Robert Radifera Photography

After: One view of the reinvented master deck by Shanon Munn of Ambi Design Studio

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

After: Another view of the reinvented master deck by Shanon Munn of Ambi Design Studio

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

After: The master deck as seen from the back of the house. Design by Shanon Munn of Ambi Design Studio.

Robert Radifera / Robert Radifera

Carolyn Wilson and Elizabeth Boland of Design in a Day decorated one of the smallest spaces in the house, an upstairs hallway. Using dramatic black faux alligator textured wallpaper, they set off Michael Smith for Visual Comfort's white sconces.

John McDonnell / THE WASHINGTON POST

Featured Photo Galleries

Homeowner David Firth tries to beat back a brush fire heading towards his home at Bettas Road and Low Drive as wildfire burns Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 in Cle Elum, Wash. The fire jumped the line they were trying to make but still stands after being sprayed with water trucks and further efforts to beat it back with the help of several neighbors volunteering. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) SEATTLE OUT, USA TODAY OUT, MAGAZINES OUT, TELEVISION OUT, NO SALES . MANDATORY CREDIT TO: BETTINA HANSEN/THE SEATTLE TIMES.

Residents evacuate as wildfires rage through the West

This year’s wildfires are more numerous and have gotten bigger than last year’s, an official says.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying on August 16, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange has been living inside Ecuador's London embassy since June 19, 2012 after requesting political asylum whilst facing extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Julian Assange granted political asylum by Ecuador

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted asylum on Thursday by Ecuador, raising the possibility of a diplomatic showdown between British...

Chase Culp of Houston checks his clown makeup before the performance of Circus Smirkus on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 in Montpelier, Vt. Circus Smirkus, based in Greensboro, Vt., is an award-winning international youth circus founded to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus.(AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

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Cast member Charisma Carpenter poses at the premiere of 'The Expendables 2' at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California August 15, 2012. The movie opens in the U.S. on August 17. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Charisma Carpenter, Chuck Norris, Lionel Richie, Joe Jonas, Nelly, Alice Cooper and other celebrities.

US President Barack Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hoppy days are here again

President Obama is making clear his love for beer on the campaign trail as he attempts to ferment a coalition of the swilling.

Scanned from Post archive. Washington Senators baseball players Goose Goslin, Manush, Kukel. 9/21/1933. No other info. TWP Photo.

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Homeless and adopted dogs, sand kittens, snow leopards and more in animal views.

Amazing creatures from around the world.

LEWISBURG, WV - AUGUST 11: ( EDITORS NOTE: Image was created using the iPhone 4s with Snapseed's vintage filter) Two young boys sip a drink at the West Virginia State fair on August 11, 2012 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. People from across the region travel to the fair, which is celebrating its 88th year, and hosts various events including equestrian and livestock demonstrations along with a full compliment of carnival rides. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

iPhone snapshots at the West Virginia State Fair

An iPhone captures the fun at the West Virginia State Fair, in its 88th year. All images were created using the Snapseed photo-editing app&rsquo...

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