In Washington, abundant green space creates happy opportunities for city living surrounded by nature. Case in point: Rock Creek Park’s Soapstone Valley, a rolling swath of woods tucked into DC’s Forest Hills neighborhood. Among the sprinkling of modern homes clustered along its fringes, a dwelling masterminded in 1994 by Bethesda architect Stephen Muse takes full advantage of the scenery—one of many reasons a dad with kids aged nine and 13 purchased the house in 2020. “As soon as I walked in, I thought, ‘This is the one,’” recalls the owner, a partner in a venture capital firm. “The sense of serenity and space and connection to the outdoors—it’s like you’re in a forest while you’re in the city. I thought it could be our forever house.”

Set back from the road, the 5,200-square-foot, five-bedroom residence fits seamlessly into its lush landscape. While it reflects a streamlined take on cottage style in front, a wall of windows in back lets nature in. The entry door opens into an airy, two-story front gallery spanning the width of the main floor; wide openings lead into the spacious living/dining room straight ahead and the kitchen to the right. These rear-facing spaces access an expansive deck perfect for al fresco lounging and dining while taking in the sweeping vista. At one end of the gallery, a short, perpendicular wing comprises a home office, laundry, powder room, mudroom and passage to the garage. At the other end, a staircase enclosed in a rounded volume leads up to the primary suite and kids’ ensuite bedrooms.

After purchasing the house, the owner enlisted architect Christian Zapatka to finish the basement; an extensive redo created more livable space comprising a family room, kitchenette, game room, guest suite and luxe gym. Marvels the owner, “We added a wing to the house without having to touch the exterior or change its character.”

Designer Laura Hur of Lorla Studio was tapped to update the interiors with new furniture and finishes. However, the assignment soon snowballed to include structural changes, from bathroom renovations and millwork updates to interior door replacements and a kitchen facelift. Hur also spearheaded the basement finishes and furnishings. Throughout the house, her client “wanted a feeling of casual, sophisticated elegance, chic for entertaining but comfortable for family living,” she recounts. “We also wanted nature to take center stage.”

Together, they homed in on a warm, modern aesthetic. Against a palette of brown, black, gray, tan and cream, the design took shape—spare and modern with a subtly masculine vibe. The color scheme reflects the world outside those expansive windows, as do subdued materials, including custom travertine that replaced a polished, black-marble fireplace surround in the living room; it crops up again above a new, built-in dry bar in the same room. Maple closet doors gave way to walnut versions embellished by sculptural, integrated wood handles. Clay finishes by Portola Paints add richness to the walls of the deep-green home office, the nearly black first-floor bathroom, the primary bedroom and a deep-taupe basement game room. The owner’s bath is clad in custom, hand-applied clay lime plaster. White walls keep the living areas bright—and ensure all eyes are on the panorama outside.

Furnishing the main-floor rooms, Hur opted for selections that would prioritize the view. Low-slung, sculptural seating with curved profiles imparts softness to the home’s innately spare lines. Leather and textural fabrics such as velvet, bouclé and linen convey a luxe feel, paired with aged brass and warm wood frames. “These elements play an important role in keeping the interiors from becoming too modern or cold,” notes the designer.

A new lighting plan replaced clunky recessed lights with less intrusive versions. Apparatus Studio chandeliers introduce an industrial edge to the living/dining area, primary bedroom and lower-level game room. Large-scale abstract canvases throughout the house complement its simple palette.

The kitchen layout stayed the same, but light maple cabinetry was refaced with a richly grained walnut veneer. Integrated handles contribute to an uncluttered sensibility. Black granite countertops were replaced with honed quartz; a waterfall top was introduced on the island to update the look.

The bathrooms throughout the house underwent more thorough makeovers. Hur selected timeless hues of green and pink for the son’s and daughter’s baths, respectively, to ensure staying power. The primary bath showcases a sculptural tub against a wall of creamy zellige tile, conjuring a luxurious, spa-like feel.

The owner and his kids are thrilled with the results of the redo. “It’s a perfect expression of me and what I wanted,” he observes. “Laura created a family home for us. We jelled and she made it a real partnership.”

Hur adds, “Though the house was very much still in the ’90s when we began, it had strong bones and a great layout. It was fun to reimagine it for today.”