|
TAKE ON THE 'BURBS with this stunning two-level, 3BR, 2BA condo nestled in a quiet corner of Falls Church. A soaring living room ceiling will expand your horizon, while the sleekly modern bathrooms will indulge your urge relax in style. |
|
When Bill Hillegeist found his condo in Falls Church, he was embarking on a new journey in his life following his divorce. He's created a comfortable and versatile space where his flair for decorating makes every room both useful and distinctive.
BILL: This is a new life kind of place. This is my gay phase. When I came out, I just went on with life. I've always liked to decorate and I did a fair share of it in [my former] home in Bethesda. We had a pretty home but I got to start over on my own here. Everything here is what I bought, or a few pieces from my mother's estate.
 |
 |
There is no gay life in Falls Church [laughs]. Actually, I've made wonderful friends here over the years. I love to entertain. I don't go into the city too much except for art and theater and museums and things like that. Somehow, I find life here just great.
[In the living room] I think this space is interesting because when you walk in the front door you don't expect to find a living room that is about 24-feet high with a peak and a great skylight. On a sunny day the sun just pours into this place. It's wonderful with winter moons. It's not a big space but I've had about 65 here for a party once. What I've tried to create is a space that's comfortable for me. I put my feet up on the coffee table, I read the Sunday paper and just enjoy it. I've tried to create something that's nice but comfortable and livable.
  |
[On the deck] I love my deck. This is where I spend any summer morning when the weather is nice. I sit out here and have breakfast and it's great for entertaining. The neighborhood is very quiet. I hear the distant hum of Route 7, but especially back here in the trees it's very quiet. I never hear traffic noise in my bedroom.
[In the dining room] This is my little red dining room. I decided to paint it dark. I love it. It just makes it more independent. The chest is Dutch Colonial. I found that in a dear friend's store in San Diego. He sells Asian furniture and that was actually made in Indonesia for the Dutch colonists, so it has a Dutch look. I had it shipped from his store. He's coming to visit me in June and he'll see these pieces for the first time in my home.
 |
 |
[In the kitchen] I remodeled the kitchen and put down new flooring. This kitchen was done about seven years ago but it's worn pretty well. I picked the tile myself but I had a contractor install it. The only thing I really changed in the kitchen was to move the refrigerator over here so I could run the cabinets to the ceiling. I had those cabinets mounted, which are great for parties. The bartender can stand here [counter opening into the living room] and work. It's turned out to be a very efficient kitchen.
[In the guest bath] The counter is actually an Indonesian dining room buffet I found at Muleh on 14th Street. I had the contractor modify it. I wanted a little bit of an Asian flavor. It kind of started with the bowl [that's used for the sink] and went from there. I discovered the way to find good mirrors for your space is to go to a picture framing shop and get one exactly to the dimensions you want. I've kept my bathroom contractor pretty busy.
[In the master suite] This is my second floor sanctuary. I have a really nice deck out here as well. It's great in the summer. This is where I retreat so I wanted to keep the colors and design sort of neutral and restful. This is where I hide out.
 |
 |
 |
I wanted to remodel my bathroom and I discovered that there was space in the attic that was not used [so I was able to] create this wonderful walk-in shower. I think it's about 25 feet square. I cut out those windows that look out over the living room so I have natural light in my shower, and I can look out into the skylights and the ferns. It's fun. I put in body sprays and a few shower heads. It's good for about 20 minutes of lots of good hot water. After that I'm sort of tapped out, but it really is a fun place for me to shower.
Does your house, condo or apartment have a story to tell? Let Environs know about it. E-mail environs@metroweekly.com. To see more photographs from this week's featured space, visit us online at www.metroweekly.com/home.
