On Capitol Hill, buildings remember everything. They carry the weight of eras, renovations layered atop renovations, decisions made for speed rather than longevity. Some wear their history proudly. Others hide it behind drywall, drop ceilings, and cosmetic updates that solved a moment but obscured the structure beneath.
When Lisa Shaffer first walked into what would become the Lisa & Leroy studio, she recognized that duality immediately.
Photo: @JennVerrier
The building, located at 623 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, had the bones of a classic structure but the spirit of a late 20th-century refresh. Suspended ceilings. Compromised proportions. Systems layered without cohesion. It looked finished, but it was far from resolved.
For Shaffer, CEO and Creative Director of Lisa & Leroy, a luxury interior design firm based in Washington, DC, and a licensed general contractor, that tension was familiar. In this city, interior design is never just about aesthetics. It is about architecture, regulation, and the discipline required to work within historic constraints.
Rather than cosmetically updating the space, the decision was made early. This would be a full gut renovation. Down to the studs. No shortcuts. No surface-level fixes. The kind of work that demands fluency not only in design, but equally in permitting, preservation, and construction.
Photo: @JennVerrier
In Washington, DC, where historic district regulations define much of Capitol Hill, renovation carries an added layer of complexity. Homeowners, architects, and interior design consultants alike must navigate a rigorous approval process involving the Department of Buildings, the Historic Preservation Office, zoning regulations, and often advisory neighborhood commissions.
Each step requires documentation, clarity, and justification. “This isn’t a city where you can improvise,” Shaffer says. “Every decision has to be defensible. You need to understand why the building exists as it does before you can responsibly change it.”
Turning Historic Constraints Into Modern Compositions
Taking a historic building to the studs is rarely predictable, but on Capitol Hill, unpredictability is expected. Each reveal required recalibration.
The first challenge was discovery. Once demolition began, the building revealed decades of patchwork solutions. Electrical systems that no longer met code. Framing that reflected outdated standards. Structural decisions made without regard for long-term performance. Plans evolved in real time, informed by what the structure could support and what preservation guidelines would allow.
Historic renovation is often misunderstood as a limitation on creativity. In practice, it is a discipline. It demands clarity, proportion, and restraint. It requires designers to work with what remains rather than against it. This balance defines Lisa & Leroy’s approach to luxury interior design.
Known for layered, expressive interiors that lean into maximalist design while remaining architecturally grounded, the firm has built its reputation on elevating historic homes without erasing their integrity. That expertise guided every decision in the studio renovation, from mechanical routing to the restoration of architectural elements that had been buried or removed decades earlier.
A Renovation Driven by Interdisciplinary Alignment
Permitting alone was a multi-stage endeavor. Historic review requires detailed drawings, material specifications, and a clear articulation of how proposed changes align with the surrounding streetscape. Exterior decisions were approached with restraint. Interior interventions were designed to dramatically improve flow, function, and light while honoring the building’s original intent.
The renovation also demanded coordination across disciplines. Structural engineers, preservation consultants, and tradespeople experienced in historic construction all played critical roles. Timing mattered. Sequencing mattered. One misstep could delay progress by months. Early coordination between the structural engineer and architect allowed the studio layout to be reimagined while preserving the integrity of the interior architecture and ceiling heights. Light and volume were significantly improved without resorting to a fully open plan, ensuring the space retained the proportions and presence of a traditional rowhouse.
This is where Shaffer’s dual expertise proved essential. As both a designer and licensed contractor, she was able to anticipate challenges before they became obstacles. Design decisions were informed by construction realities, while construction decisions were shaped by a cohesive design philosophy. “Historic buildings don’t tolerate guesswork,” she notes. “You have to respect the order of operations. You have to know when to push and when to pause.”
In a neighborhood where many homes face similar challenges, the studio stands as a case study. It demonstrates that luxury homes in Washington, DC can be both expressive and respectful, bold yet grounded.
A Historic Rowhouse, Redefined
The finished studio tells a very different story than the space that existed before. Ceiling heights were reclaimed. Sightlines restored. Natural light reintroduced. The architecture now feels intentional rather than inherited.
It is also a working studio, designed to support the complexity of a high-end interior design practice. Spaces for collaboration, material review, and client meetings are layered with infrastructure, durability, and thoughtful storage. It serves as a headquarters for luxury interior design operating at scale, including a private hardware showroom.
Lisa & Leroy has long attracted Washington’s most discerning homeowners, those who understand that excellence in this city requires more than taste. It requires an interior design consultant who understands how design, construction, and regulation intersect. With the new studio complete, the firm is positioned to support a wider range of client needs, from comprehensive home transformations to focused design guidance, and everything in between.
On Capitol Hill, where every building carries a story, Lisa & Leroy has added another. Luxe details and finishes, such as fully custom millwork, a sculptural island, and herringbone flooring, showcase their range and the way they layer texture, tone, and style. In the Salon, for example, vintage and antique pieces complement a custom velvet banquette and jacquard draperies to create a polished, warm atmosphere.
For Capitol Hill residents considering renovation, the studio offers a tangible example of what is possible. It gives clients confidence that bold ideas can be executed with precision and in concert with the demands of historic homes, resulting in spaces that feel distinctly of the present.
For those interested in exploring what a partnership with Lisa & Leroy could look like, the studio offers multiple levels of service to meet clients where they are – from comprehensive, full-scale transformations to more tailored design guidance. Prospective clients are invited to begin the conversation by calling 202-758-0028, emailing studio@lisaandleroy.com, or visiting lisaandleroy.com. The studio is located at 623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003, and is open by appointment only.
