Steve and Brittany Rader moved into their home in Rockville – which has four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and 2,300 square feet – during the January 2021 pandemic.
The couple sold their former home in Hyattsville before buying their Rockville home so they could take advantage of the crazy Covid-era market. (Oh, and Rader was six months pregnant with her second child at the time.) But for some reason, we took it,” Rader says. “We rolled the dice, made a lot of money on our old house and paid for our current one. We don’t regret it.”
Rader likes their place in Rockville because it’s close to her office – the 37-year-old works for a company that provides in-home therapy services for people with autism – and has a huge backyard. She and her husband (also 37 and working for Essilor Eyewear) now live there with their 4-year-old son Mason, 2-year-old son Maddox and 8-year-old Labrador Oliver.
Here, we take a look at Rader’s house and talk to her about its design:
Photo from Rader, Brittany.
What is your inspiration for the aesthetics of your home?
“I love fusing aesthetics: modern, eclectic and bohemian are my favourites. Our house is a crazy combination of these. I wanted our home to be comfortable and temperamental at the same time – big, bright windows with neutral and dark accents.
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Photo from Brittany Ryder. Entrance table by TJ Maxx.
What’s the biggest luxury you’ve ever bought for your home?
“Our West Elm dining table.
Photo from Brittany Ryder. Chandelier: Wayfair; chairs: HomeGoods; table: West Elm; sideboard: TJ Maxx.
What was the best deal you received on home furnishings?
“I headed to the Anthropologie boutique in Pittsburgh for the downstairs bathroom fixtures and wallpaper. The shop is definitely worth a visit – you get a great deal compared to the regular Anthropologie pricing.
Photo from Brittany Ryder. Coffee table: West Elm; Coffee table: West Elm; Chair: West Elm and Target.
What renovations have you done to your home?
“We renovated the basement, which we now use as a playroom. As part of the process, we also added a separate room for the gym; it’s one of my favourite places in the house.
