As design firsts go, conceiving a spiral slide to zoom down a floor is an unforgettable one.

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When Maryland-based Expert Kate Abt was tasked with creating a family home for a couple with three boys, she unleashed her inner child. The 15,000 sq ft house boasts a playroom with a climbing wall, a ski chalet-themed playroom, secret doors between the kids’ closets, and a calming space for home-schooling. “They wanted it to be the fun house where all the friends want to come over,” says Kate, who worked with the builder on the house from the ground up.

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Another remarkable feature of the new property is the mom’s vast, 500 sq ft closet. As a fashion entrepreneur who uses the space to film content, sacrificing a guest bedroom to carve out the multi-tasking zone felt like a sensible compromise.

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Arguably Kate’s most colorful project to date, there is a marked contrast between the neutral, light-filled living spaces and the moodier ancillary rooms. In the navy-blue boot room, there’s a sense of elegance as you transition from the outside in. The pantry meanwhile, daubed in a custom shade of dark green and mustard glazed tiles, is a homely spot that feels just right for baking on a rainy afternoon. As the client favors large-scale patterns over neat repeats, a bold floral wallpaper channels that touch of whimsy.

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The project (which also included a pair of swimming pools and a network of outhouses) took five years in total. The busy clients largely handed creative control over to Kate, but there are more than a few winks that reflect their playful spirit. The Lacanche range in the kitchen, for example, was originally specified to be white “but pink is her favorite color, and it really works in the space,” says Kate. The front door, planned to be a neutral gray-blue, also ended up getting the pastel treatment: “Of course, you do what the clients desire, but you have to work it out in a way that makes sense and that offers longevity,” says the designer of the collaborative process.

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Kate is a Brit who has lived in the US for over 30 years, which explains the English accents inherently woven into her design signature. In this instance it’s a traditional, ceramic sink by Shaws of Darwen with taps by DeVol in the pantry, and curtain fabric by Lewis & Wood in the primary bedroom. Textiles by House of Hackney and Liberty also feature. “I’ll always throw in a few British vendors I love, and I think that’s why clients come to me,” she muses.

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The project proved to be a creative learning curve for both clients and designer, with Kate educating the young homeowners—who would be wooed by passing trends—on the importance of quality and craftsmanship. She steered them towards the dazzling Breccia Capraia marble which adorns the kitchen counters and backsplash; it requires a little maintenance and a gentle hand, but 18 months in, it’s in fine condition. She also reined in the overall color palette to ensure the decor felt sophisticated and enduring: “I didn’t want them to get fed up with it in 10 years’ time,” she reasons.

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In turn, Kate enjoyed being pushed out of her comfort zone. She reflects: “It was an interesting combination. I think it's always good as a designer to be challenged that way.”

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