Melissa Sanabria, founder and principal designer of Sanabria & Co., leads one of Washington, DC’s most celebrated design firms. Known for her innovative approach, Melissa’s work has been featured in Dwell, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and on the Magnolia Network.

In a standout Capitol Hill project, Sanabria & Co. embraced the whimsical concept “Coastal Grandma Marries a Swedish Professor,” blending coastal charm with Scandinavian minimalism to create a layered, welcoming space.

In this Capitol Hill project, Melissa embraced the clients' desire for a space that felt both layered and welcoming. “While our clients aren’t grandparents or professors, nor do they live by the sea or hail from Sweden, this imaginative concept perfectly captured their vision,” explains Sanabria.

This transformation honors the home’s original character, while maximizing its compact footprint. Carefully curated elements, such as a cherished chandelier, a selection of artwork, and a mix of materials in a warm color palette, bring the vision to life and create a harmonious blend of coastal warmth with Swedish minimalism.