Architectural Ceramics, Inc was honored to be mentioned in their article "Where the Designers Shop." It went on to say that AC is "a favorite among designers for its many lines of creative, artistic tiles—mosaics with Asian-inspired nature scenes or geometric patterns, textured stone, and beautifully combined porcelain and glass surfaces." Designer Skip Sroka even said that AC has ... “Custom lines, budget lines, ‘pie in the sky’ lines—they’ve really got a great selection. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, maybe it’s not made.”

 

Where the Designers Shop

Whether it’s through an eye-catching light fixture or an unexpected splash of color, a good interior designer has a knack for making a room feel unique and memorable.

Sloans & Kenyon Photo by Brian Searby; Urban Country photo by Greg Powers; Gallery St. Elmo photo by James Mertz; trust interior photo by Erick Gibson; Hollis & Knight and Tone on Tone Courtesy Photos

“You’ve got to shop frequently to happen upon the best stuff,” Bethesda-based designer Kelley Proxmire says.

And that’s exactly why we turned to top local designers to help us find the area’s best home shops—they are always out shopping and they know where to look.

Many of the designers we spoke with said that good design is all about creating the right mix: blending Etsy finds with items from a high-end art gallery; mixing traditional and modern pieces; and adding interesting and unusual accents. The key is to keep things off balance. “You can find an item at Target that will really work for a client,” Bethesda-based designer Marika Meyer says. “Small shops are great for accessories—pillows, lamps, vintage and more artisanal items.”

To help us come up with the list of shops below, we asked a handful of designers who work in the Bethesda area where they go to find unique, well-made pieces that make a room stand out. Here are the local stores that came up again and again.

 

Architectural Ceramics

This locally-based chain is a favorite among designers for its many lines of creative, artistic tiles—mosaics with Asian-inspired nature scenes or geometric patterns, textured stone, and beautifully combined porcelain and glass surfaces. Washington, D.C., designer Skip Sroka, who has worked with nearly two dozen clients in the Bethesda area within the last year, says the company offers a surprising array of well-crafted options for walls, floors and backsplashes. “Custom lines, budget lines, ‘pie in the sky’ lines—they’ve really got a great selection,” Sroka says. “If they don’t have what you’re looking for, maybe it’s not made.” 6807 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 301-718-8343; 800 East Gude Drive, Suite F, Rockville, 301-251-3555; architectural ceramics.com

You can also see our line of Vihara glass in Bethesda Magazine's Kitchen & Bath Showcase in this gorgeous backsplash.

Thank you, Bethesda Magazine!

Come visit our Bethesda location at 6807 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, or call at 301-718-8343.