My Houzz: Treasure Hunting Pays Off in Maryland

Homeowner Kathleen Wall calls her style vintage with a twist. But what does she twist? Try Corinthian columns, faux snakeskin and layer upon layer of patterns and accessories. Her design experiments — as the retired teacher, interior design dabbler and blogger behind All About Vignettes calls them — take place in her family's 1970s Maryland home.

Wall has used her style over the past two decades to transform an exterior once marked with minimal landscaping and a dated interior into a home that’s full of unique design. "My goal is to inspire you to think out of the box and break some design rules along the way," she says.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Edward and Kathleen Wall, son James and Labrador Bella
Location: Darnestown, Maryland
Size: 2,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 3 half baths

Wall's color inspiration for a recently updated screened-in porch began with the blue Thomas Paul sea-life pillows arranged on the iron daybed she picked up at an estate sale. As a Pisces, she says she finds herself drawn to water themes in many of her designs. Coral and octopuses decorate the iron and glass table.

"I knew I wanted something that wasn't a sofa," Wall says. "When I saw the daybed, I knew it would work on my screened porch. I loved the lines and the fact that the faux leather cushions would withstand the inevitable moisture in the air. It was my decor jumping-off point and directed the design in the rest of the room."

She dry brushed the decorative Corinthian columns to match the mirror between them. The factory-cart-turned-coffee-table was a $100 DIY project.

Drapery fabric: natural softened linen, Fabrics-store.com; mirror: Home Goods; coffee table: Old Lucketts Store


Wohlfarth Construction built the screened-in porch but it was Wall's hand that guided the elements of the design. She was responsible for the selection of the beadboard ceiling and the Chippendale balustrades. The decor was all her, too. Framed antique tin ceiling tiles act as a backdrop for a collection of bottles and other accessories.


Wall considers this sunroom addition, which she worked on with architect Michael Cavanaugh of Design/Build Maryland and Kingston Design Remodeling, the home's showpiece. The pull-down classroom reference map of shells is her favorite vintage find. It acted as the main design inspiration for the room, which includes sea grass furniture found on Craigslist and a Stark sea grass rug remnant.

"You must be informed and know brand names and high-end manufacturers, so when you see an item on Craigslist, eBay, a consignment store or estate sale you recognize that it is a quality piece and know to purchase it," she says.

Sofas: Seagrass, Pottery Barn; framed coral prints: Reflections, Two's Company


Reupholstered Chinese Chippendale-style chairs pair with a table topped with a mirror instead of glass.

Drapery fabric: Imperial Trellis, inspired by a Kelly Wearstler pattern (no longer available); paint: Davenport Tan HC 76, Benjamin Moore; armchairs: Seagrass Wingback, Pottery Barn


A midcentury modern mirror, vintage books and chinoiserie foo dogs adorn the sunroom fireplace.

Ottoman: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams


The family room has a midcentury modern vibe. The chinoiserie chandelier in the corner is one of Wall's favorite pieces. It hangs near a framed swatch of orange Trina Turk fabric. Repainted iron window grates add an architectural element on the mantel. The wainscoting is recycled barn wood.


In the living room, an antique Duncan Phyfe sofa sits in front of a vintage Victorian pier mirror. Wall repurposed two midcentury modern coffee tables as footrests.

Paint: Shelburne Buff HC 28, Benjamin Moore


In another corner, a ledger book on a capital from a Corinthian-style column acts as a side table for a pair of antique Hitchcock chairs with scrolled arms.


The foyer has what Wall refers to as a Frenchy European vibe, with sequined pillows on leopard print chairs, an antique neoclassical desk and a brass wall sconce. "I love a real mix," she says.

Paint: Davenport Tan HC 76 (dark stripes); Shelburne Buff HC 28 (light stripes), both by Benjamin Moore


In son James' room, a chair from the Old Lucketts Store inspired by Marcel Breuer's Wassily Chair sits next to Wall's husband's childhood maple bed. Wall updated the frame with a slipcover and large pillowcases over the head and baseboards.

Drapery fabric: Premier Prints ZigZag in chartreuse and white, Fabric.com


In the main bedroom, urns and trophies support globes below a map of Paris that's been framed in quadrants. A Corinthian column stands in the corner.

Bombay chest: Old Lucketts Store


Chevron pattern curtains in the kitchen mix with a Duralee faux snakeskin fabric backsplash finished with nailheads painted black.

Curtain fabric: High Voltage, Schumacher


Wall had an antique corner cabinet cut in half. The top is used for china, and the lower half is an under-the-sink cupboard.


Bright colors and patterns spruce up a collection of vintage furniture on the patio.

Pillows: Home Goods


Vintage clocks like this one on the patio are favored elements.

Pillow, cushion: Home Goods


Wall loves to collect old concrete planters and architectural building fragments to decorate her garden with. "I not only use them on bookcases or mantels, but I also place them among the blooms in my garden to add interest and an element of surprise," she says.


Kathleen, Edward and James Wall and dog Bella relax on their screened-in porch, where they often eat lunch and dinner.

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