For one dynamic Washington, D.C., couple, downsizing didnt mean having to compromise on a single thingnot on the amount of space necessary to showcase their enviable art collection, or on having ample room for their visiting children and grandchildren, or even on the breathtaking location.Situated on the western bank of the Potomac River, within the Ritz-Carlton Residences Georgetown, is an art-filled penthouse that counts works by Fernando Botero, Francois-Xavier Lalanne, and Robert Rauschenberg among its rotating roster of residents. Its also home to a well-traveled, down-to-earth couple who were in the market for a family-friendly white cube where they could entertain a revolving door of friends and family with very little effort but plenty of panache. They sold their large house in D.C., and moved here for a more convenient lifestyle, says designer John Meeks of New Yorkbased Aman & Meeks. Theyre very family oriented and, even though it may look a little intimidating, it doesnt matter that everything is whitethe grandchildren are free to go anywhere they want!Even though it may look a little intimidating, it doesnt matter that everything is whitethe grandchildren are free to go anywhere they want! Its a stark contrast to their previous home, but they were game for anything, explains Jim Aman, the design firms cofounder. We designed their more traditional home 14 years ago, and the only real note for this one was that she wanted it all white. Having also conceived the interiors of the couples Palm Beach home, the design duo understood the assignment. They wanted a showplace, so we gave the 10-foot ceilings and walls a real pop with a very white Venetian plaster.The nearly 5,000-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home, in addition to serving as an ideal backdrop for the homeowners museum-worthy collection, also highlights an array of antique furnishings that complement the otherwise contemporary styling. Much of the chinoiserie was inherited from her mother, who had an amazing penthouse in D.C. that [famed interior designer] Jay Spectre did, says Aman.Of course, for most design projects, mixing periods, styles, and aesthetics is only to be expected, but working with important art collections can be a little trickier. Luckily, with nearly 30 years of experience, Aman and Meeks have learned a thing or two about that. Are [people] going to look at a blue-chip piece of art on the wall or the sofa underneath? posits Meeks. Its usually the piece of art, and weve always been respectful of that fact.And it was a lesson the pair learned early on in their business. We had a client a long time ago, a major art collector, and she said, I want my antiques, my furniturewhatever is in the environmentto be as good as my art, but never upstage it, and that note has served us well.1FoyerKaren FuchsWhen youre greeted at the front door by one of Francois-Xavier Lalannes iconic and friendly sheep sculptures, you know youve entered the home of a seasoned contemporary art collector. To the right is a work by Takashi Murakami and at the entrance to the foyer is another by Fernando Botero with a Karl Springer bench below.The antique Chinese needlepoint rug belonged to the homeowners mother. The pair of 18th-century Venetian mirrors were acquired through Newel Antiques. The mirrors work perfectly there because, not only do they enlarge the space, but they also replicate the art in a sense too, says Aman. Its a very bright apartment anyway, but they help bring light into one of its darker spaces.2FoyerKaren FuchsAman & Meeks had the light fixture custom designed by Gaspare Asaro. The console and lamp are from the New Yorkbased Twenty First Gallery, with a painting by Sam Francis above. The antique Chinese rug belonged to the clients mother and was in their previous home.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3GalleryKaren FuchsThe designers juxtaposed white oak flooring against the Venetian plaster ceilings and walls as a way to infuse warmth throughout the home. The center table is from Lobel Modern, and the chandelier is by Mark Brazier-Jones. To the right is an 18th-century Chinese cabinet that also belonged to the clients mother and has been outfitted as a bar. Both the fish sculpture atop the cabinet and the chair in front are by Francois-Xavier Lalanne. The Hindu bust at the far end of the hallway leading to the primary bedroom suite worked out perfectly because we needed that sense of perspective there, says Aman.4Living RoomKaren FuchsThey have some pretty serious art, but the chairs are playful and they kind of take things down a notch to feel more relatable, shares Aman about the Pierre Yovanovitch Mama Bear chairs that anchor the room. Originally, we were just going to do two, but she insisted on four. When she gets excited about something theres no stopping her!The custom carpet is by Stark, and the Paula Swinnen cocktail tablewith a potted porcelain hollyhock by Vladimir Kanevsky on topis from Bernd Goeckler Antiques. Tucked underneath an 18th-century chinoiserie console is another Karl Springer bench. Above it is a painting by Willem de Kooning. On the back wall is a modest size painting by Marc Chagall.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Living RoomKaren FuchsSweeping floor-to-ceiling views of the Potomac only enhance the couples seminal art collection. The custom sofas were designed by Aman & Meeks, as was the Egyptian-style daybed. They sit everywhere in this home, and red wine is no problem at all, says Meeks with a laugh. Weve used a lot of Perennials fabrics, so theres no reason to be worried!Between the sofas is a pair of Silas Seandel Biomorphic tables. The mushroom table is from Maison Gerard, and in the far left corner is an 18th-century carved wood lotus blossom sculpture. To the left of that is a drawing by Fernando Botero, and across the room is a painting by Jonas Wood.6Dining RoomKaren FuchsFormal dining room or well-curated gallery at Art Basel? The couple can seat up to 16 for dinner at this oak table custom designed by Aman & Meeks. Overhead is a chandelier the clients commissioned directly from artist Michele Oka Doner.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Dining RoomKaren FuchsSpread across the surface of the table is a collection of small sculptural works by artist Beth Katleman. Beth is a friend, and our client had seen her work displayed at a Dior boutique and loved it, says Meeks. And its set up there all the time, even when theyre eating: It tells a story, and you can actually play with it.On the way to the kitchen, to the right is a painting by Robert Rauschenberg and to the left a work by Timothy Curtis.8KitchenKaren FuchsThis was a total gut renovation, shares Aman. Like the rest of the home, she wanted it really clean, with white lacquered cabinetry. Above the bar is a work by Tokyo-based artist Shun Sudo, and nearby the appliances is a work by Julian Opie. The barstools are by Studio Vondom. Its a spot where the grandkids have breakfast and hang out.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Primary BedroomKaren FuchsShe wanted purple, purple, purple, so we said lavender, lavender, lavender, jokes Meeks. Were not big primary color people!It wasnt a difficult compromise given the outcome of the couples light-filled sanctuary. The custom four-poster bed was designed by Aman & Meeks, and both its headboard and bed scarf are embroidered with butterflies and other colorful insects. Its very Schiaparelli, says Meeks.The pair of Roberto Rida lamps were some of the first pieces the designers purchased for the project. We actually designed the room around them, adds Aman. The antique Lucite table is by Marie-Claude de Fouquires, and the pair of 1960s stools were a find at Incollect.10Primary BedroonKaren FuchsThe views of the Potomac dont disappoint in any room of this expansive penthouse, least of all in the primary bedroom. The pair of aluminum Lotus nesting tables are by Franck Evennou, and the potted porcelain hydrangea is by Vladimir Kanevsky. Over the custom sofa is a sterling silver leaf glass-paneled art piece is by Anne Peabody.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Primary Dressing RoomKaren FuchsAman & Meekss clients have the art of dressing down to a science in this spacious closet.12Primary BathroomKaren FuchsOur very good friend Robert Lee Morris did the chandelier mobile for us, shares Meeks. Hes known more for jewelry design but has been doing a lot of lighting fixtures for us. To the left of the room is a playful wall sculpture by another friend of the designers, Beth Katleman.