Text Sherry Moeller
Photography Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Born and raised in England, Kate Abt of Kate Abt Design loves to infuse elements of her heritage into the homes she designs. “With old buildings and architecture, history, and beautiful countryside, I literally had influences on my doorstep growing up,” Abt says. British fabrics, wallpaper, artwork, and hardware, for instance, are often found throughout her interiors. Abt even names her projects after British towns, places, or famous references. True to form, Abt’s recent Southern Maryland project is named Penny Lane, because the owners love the Beatles and this song.
Four-and-a-half years in the making from design concept to completion, the 15,000-square-foot custom home provides activities around every corner for the family of five, including three young boys. “This home caters to the needs of a fashion-forward family with a love for the outdoors and sports,” Abt adds.
Kate Abt Infuses British Flair into a Whimsical Southern Maryland Family Home
Kate Abt Infuses British Flair into a Whimsical Southern Maryland Family Home
Kate Abt Infuses British Flair into a Whimsical Southern Maryland Family Home
Kate Abt Infuses British Flair into a Whimsical Southern Maryland Family Home
Kate Abt Infuses British Flair into a Whimsical Southern Maryland Family Home
Situated on 30 wooded acres, there is ample room to roam and play. The fun features come in pairs, including an outdoor pool with a slide that lands in a second pool below, as well as a main floor playroom with a slide that twists and turns down to a cedar-roofed cabin leading to a climbing wall, monkey bars, rope ladders, and swing. A vintage ski lift chair in the lower-level playroom offers a spot to sit and imagine the next winter trip to the slopes, while a skate ramp provides a place to hone one’s skills.
A bold blue laundry room on the main floor is in subtle contrast to the feminine and floral pink laundry room upstairs. Touches of pink throughout the house—in pillows, art, lampshades and lighting, the front doors, and even the kitchen range—are a nod to the owner’s favorite color. There are plenty of places for everyone to incorporate their preferred hue in this six-bedroom, nine-bathroom residence. Among the designer’s favorite spaces is the blue schoolroom over the garage. Originally designed as a bonus room, the space now does double duty as a study hall with built-in desks in the dormers and a crafts table to encourage creativity and learning. “It was a fun area to design, knowing how much it would get used,” Abt adds. The pantry, with its deep green cabinetry, shimmering gold tiles, and floral wallpaper, is also a happy place.
The main floor’s gathering spaces include a dramatic dining room in full view off the foyer, which is the first glimpse of the whimsical and wonderful interiors that unfold. “I wanted to do something that was eye-catching when you walk in,” says Abt. With tall 12-foot ceilings, the living room with a green sofa and the family room with a brown leather sectional offer both formal and casual spaces to entertain on this level. “Penny Lane is a testament to the seamless integration of style, comfort, and endless possibilities,” Abt says.
Crowned with wood beams, the kitchen features an expansive island with seating for six. The marble backsplash is a work of art, while the pendants bring natural elements to the forefront. An outdoor kitchen adjacent to the pool house provides a second spot to cook and dine.
Since the couple is in the fashion industry, they wanted closets that reflect their lifestyle. A central ottoman in her closet, which was originally slated to be a guest bedroom, separates the hanging niches from the makeup vanity, while playful lighting illuminates the neat and tidy storage. The nearby primary bathroom features a marble shower, a soaking tub nestled within a vaulted alcove, a second makeup vanity, and triple mirrors. “The interior exudes a warm and happy ambience, ensuring a relaxed living environment that is both elegant and approachable,” Abt says. “This home invites you to kick back and put your feet up in style.”
