For more than 20 years, Mona Hajj has been designing houses that are distinctively multicultural. She came to America by way of Lebanon and Europe, and the rooms she brings to life have a signature mash-up of Middle Eastern, European, and American influences. For a major renovation of a Georgetown house, the mix was made even more dynamic by the owners’ collection of modern art.
The circa-1910 Colonial, which spent much of the 20th century as the Baptist Women’s Home, had last been freshened in the ’70s. “We gutted the past renovations and peeled back the layers to reveal a more authentic space,” says Hajj. “We strove to reinstate a more classical look and to provide a backdrop for the quirky mix of furnishings and art we used.”
The fun begins in the entry hall with a sextet of bright artwork that greets visitors from the stair landing, while a Greek key-patterned runner plays off the geometry of the black-and-white marble floor. In the long living room, Hajj established two seating areas, each with a distinct vibe. At one end, European tradition reigns with damasks, tufting, and a gilt chandelier. The other end brings contrast with a spicy mix of textiles and a Turkish pendant light. “I’m always enamored by different cultures,” says Hajj, “and the Mediterranean Syrian fixture felt great with the gilded Italian chandelier.”
In the dining room, architect Dale Overmyer preserved the elaborate moldings. “They were originally imported from Europe, and the room was sized to fit them,” says Overmyer. “The woodwork had been dark brown. We agreed that a lighter, monochromatic paint would allow us to preserve the heritage of the room in a contemporary way.” Because the clients entertain often—both intimate groups and larger gatherings—Hajj furnished the room with two tables, one round and one rectangular, to accommodate either crowd. An antique Persian textile used as a tablecloth is a signature Hajj trait, which she extends to her treatment of beds.
For the private spaces in the house, Hajj tailored her designs to suit contemporary lifestyles. A leather sectional in the family room is warmed by Middle Eastern accents and rich textures. For the wife’s study, the designer summoned a fresh femininity with bold wallpaper and a cheeky modern portrait hanging over a daybed. Similarly, the wife’s bathroom is a confection of shell-pink walls, crystal chandeliers, and grained marble.
Hajj took a more serious tone in the master bedroom, where a subdued palette and antiques bring serene dignity to the space. She adapted an antique Anglo-Indian bed to fit a king-sized mattress so that it defines the room with majesty. A conversational gathering of chairs around a coffee table invites lingering. Overmyer added French doors leading onto a balcony, and Hajj dressed them with simple but impactful draperies that include eyelet and silk dupioni fabrics over sheers. The room serves as a fitting extension of Hajj’s and Overmyer’s refined and masterful talents displayed throughout the home.
