Casual Opulence Design

Among the many joys homeowners experience when decorating a new residence is the ability to put into context—and sometimes even into words—their own unique lifestyle. Eric and Kerry Cole turned to interior designer Alice Busch of Great Falls Distinctive Interiors to help them realize a way of living Busch termed “casual opulence” in their new Ashburn, Virginia, home.

“They were very clear about the generalities of what they wanted,” Busch says of the Coles, who envisioned their new home in the Belmont Country Club enclave as a haven that, while luxurious, could still support the day-to-day energy of their three young children. “She loved the richness and comfort of a Ralph Lauren look, and he wanted something more impressive and opulent. So we had to meet in the middle,” Busch says.

Kerry Cole agrees. “My husband is very Versace. But I’m home with the kids and wanted something that, while beautiful, would be really comfortable,” she says.

The end result is an amalgam of easy elegance. Grounded in rich woods and sparkling with jewel-toned fabrics, the rooms are beautiful but appointed to stand the test of time—one of Busch’s signature decorating mandates. “We had to take special care with the durability and quality of the materials we used. Most of the carpets and rugs have patterns and are very child-proof,” she says.

One such rug presides in the dining room, which, like the many fine meals the Coles enjoy there, is a sensual delight. A grand table imported from Italy is surrounded by chairs with distressed wood frames and nailhead trim. Busch selected deep burgundy upholstery on the chair fronts, while the backs are covered in neutral suede. Shadowy, heavily textured walls reveal a stencil pattern that complements the detail in the damask drapes. “Even though it has a rich and elegant feel, the room still looks worn,” Busch says. “The opulence in this room is in the fabrics, and the walls are made to look very old.”