This row house in Washington, D.C.’s hip Capitol Hill neighborhood called for an equally hip update. The owners’ request for something “airy, bright, and more modern” led to a streamlined redo centered around a sleek fireplace. “The house is only 14 feet wide,” says architect Georgette Goldman of Washington-based 3DG, “and the existing fireplace made the living space feel cramped.” The design team selected the shallowest gas firebox they could find so it wouldn’t project too far into the narrow room. Thin slabs of travertine and a stainless steel flue add texture and warmth without overwhelming the space. Maple built-ins flank the fireplace with open display shelves and three long drawers below to stash away clutter. The drawers extend to the wall in an asymmetrical move that helps offset the heaviness of the stone. Lifting the entire piece off the floor lets the eye continue to the wall, creating the illusion of a bigger room. Project architect Greg Horgan wanted the built-in to read like a “piece of furniture with a sculptural object sitting on it, which is the stone fireplace.”