Our Team
Peggy Fisher
Design Director
From the age of eight, Peggy was sewing out of her mother’s scrap bag,honing nascent space planning skills by figuring out how to create a doll’s dress (and later a garment for herself) out of less than enough fabric, if it was conventionally planned. But thinking outside the box and perseverance paid satisfying rewards.
She became hooked on the adventure of discovering what might be accomplished if constraints were viewed as an opportunity or a challenge.
Studies in music, art, history, art history, and architecture were explored, eventually culminating in a degree in interior design, and a partnership of life and work with Ken Fisher.
Ken Fisher
General Contractor
From the age of 12, Ken Fisher was building multiple tree houses – or additions to his already built tree houses – near his family’s home in northern New Jersey. The Boy Scout training matured to Eagle Scout status, bolstered by much free time roaming the woods. And building. He was always looking at how things were built and what was the best way to build. No one ever fell out of one of his tree houses, and no one ever fell through one. He was a good builder and reveled in the art and the science of it. After college, he lived in Vermont for several years pursuing greater carpentry skills – dismantling old barns, re-using the timbers to construct new residences or additions to them. Early on, he was involved in converting a barn into a solar heated home.
After remodeling a home for the father of a man whose son lived in McLean, Virginia, he was offered a project by the son. Moving to McLean, he got a building contractor’s license and built the project. His next job was a referral to the client’s friends. As it turns out, referrals proved to be a regular occurrence for him – and a solid strategy to build his business. Ken’s philosophy is that his buildings should look well, function well, and stay in place for at least 100 years.
The entire house should be thought through so that the end result is beautiful and meaningful. It should be pleasing to all the senses – sight, touch, sound. It should be comfortable and healthy. It should function beautifully and easily, flow in a meaningful way and respond efficiently to the needs of those it shelters. Intuitive interior and exterior lighting extends invitations and meaningful purpose, increases safety, reveals collections, accents displays, opens vistas. By functioning beautifully at many levels, Habitable Art is achieved.
Many times, an existing house can function very well if the space is re-purposed, the use of it re-imagined, with or without an addition. Sometimes only a small addition, incorporated into the greater whole, can increase the function of the whole house resulting in a greater value of finances and resources. Organic solutions that arise uniquely out of each client’s needs and preferences are celebrated and enjoyed for many years.
It’s like finding space under your own roof, that space that no one has given much thought to because it was just there. With a little ingenuity and imagination, it can turn into something quite satisfying. Habitable Art finds design solutions that resonate deeply; so satisfying they never go out of style, since they were never based on anything fleeting. Each project takes on its own ineluctable logic.
Sabrina Blowers
General Manager
What do you love most about your job? Working with "creatives" and wearing lots of hats. There's never a dull moment.
What aspect of your job makes you the proudest?
Systematically overhauling Fisher Group on occasion to create a healthier, better functioning
company. The results benefit clients and employees alike.
What was the first project you built and/or designed?
From what I remember, it was a Popsicle stick house in Brownies. It did not go well.
Let's just say there is a reason why I don't work in the design or production departments.
Give us a few details about things that we may not know about you, such as other passions/interests. I have lots of interests. Some of my favorites -- reading, Bikram yoga, cooking, traveling, barefoot running (and races), theater, music, art shows, hiking, snow shoeing and anything else I can pack into a weekend.
What's your dream project? It would also be really great to participate in a historic renovation and a full platinum LEED project.
Monica Kohn
Designer
What do you love most about your job?
Honestly, the people I work with. Everyone just works well together and I think the end result of that culminates in happy clients.
What aspect of your job makes you proudest?
That each project is like its own unique Monet painting, with hundreds and hundreds
of small details coming together to create a beautiful masterpiece.
What was the first project you built and/or designed?
I was definitely a creative child. I can remember building intricate houses with
cardboard boxes: two stories, skylights, multi-room contraptions decorated to the "T" with Crayola Markers.
Give us a few details about things that we may not know about you.
I have a passion for cupcakes and decorate them for every occasion. Here's a partial list of some recent themes: Halloween brain, Easter, Elmo, 4th of July, baby showers, and Star Wars. I love spending time with my family. I'm also studying to become a member of the Delta Society so my dog and I can join visiting animal programs at hospitals and rehab centers.
What's your dream project?
That would be to build my four-year-old's dream playroom -- think giant indoor trampoline, zip-line and a lagoon filled with mermaids. Children have this limitless creativity that's so inspiring. They have this "anything is possible" mentality. Actually, we say that a lot here at Fisher Group.....
Lauren Miller
Designer
What do you love most about your job?
I love that design is a collaborative process that brings professionals together for a common goal. In addition, I love that design has the ability to positively enhance the lives of others in a very direct and powerful way.
What aspect of your job makes you proudest?
I am proud to work with a collaborative team of people who are committed to and believe in their work.
What was the first project you built and/or designed?
One of the coolest things I ever built was a tipi. With the help of my dad and sister we made a tipi out of bed sheets, tree branches, and rope. Towering 10’ high, it became our summer fort.
Give us a few details about things that we may not know about you.
In addition to my passion for interior design, I also love traveling, being outdoors, and doing almost anything that’s physically active – running, biking, hiking, rock climbing…you name it.
What’s your dream project?
My dream project would be the opportunity to design and build my own home.
Michael Lawrence
Carpenter
What do you love most about your job? Building different things.
What aspect of your job makes you proudest? Seeing the finished product.
What was the first project you built and/or designed? A toy box.
Give us a few details about things that we may not know about you. I really like doing hardwood floors.
What is your dream project? To build my own house.
Chris Van Beek
Project Supervisor
What do you love most about your job? Making clients' remodeling dreams come true and seeing projects built from concept to punch out.
What aspect of your job makes you proudest?
A client who after the job has been finished is a raving fan of the Fisher Group!
What was the first project you built and/or designed?
I turned a standard bicycle to custom in 5th grade.
Give us a few details about things that we may not know about you.
I love the outdoors: canoeing, camping and motorcycles.
What’s your dream project?
My dream project would be to supervise the complete restoration of the C.O. Canal. The water would flow the whole way to Cumberland; it would have barges to rent overnight. I might even build some of the locks while waiting on my subs.
William McGrath
Architect/Designer
What do you love about your job?
Our stress free office. And being able to shop at Bloom next door.
What aspect of your job makes you proudest?
Earning glowing approval from clients and staff.
What was the first project you built and/or designed? Snow forts.
Give us a few details about things that we may know about you.
I'm a pretty decent cook. About 20 years ago, I completed the first year of two at New England Culinary Institute. I've worked at the Ritz Carleton in Naples, the Oxford Inn in Maryland, the Baltimore Museum of Art Cafe and have been a volunteer cook
at Cornerstone House in Washington. And believe it or not, I'm a long distance biker.
What's your dream project?
If the availability arose, I'd love to renovate a 1940's duplex on Colonial Terrace in Rosslyn or build a shipping container
house in Arlington or Loudoun County.
Rod McCoy
Project Supervisor
What do you love most about your job?
Helping clients change their physical environment in a way that helps them live better.
What aspect of your job makes you proudest? When someone says, "I love that!"
What was the first project you built and/or designed?
A Pinewood Derby miniature race car, Cub Scouts, circa 1962.
Give us a few details about things that we may not know about you.
I like fishing, baseball, the zoo after 5:00 pm, the occasional expensive cigar, single malt scotch and doing whatever with family.
What's your dream project?
I've worked in some great places, but missed working on the White House by only a couple of degrees of separation. I think
the crown molding in the formal dining room could use my help.
Whether working with the Design Team or our Field Team, the Entire Team at Fisher Group LLC, is devoted to making your experience as informed, integrated, and comfortable as possible.
Our Certifications
- National Kitchen and Bath Association—Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD)
- National Association of the Remodeling Industry—Certified Remodeler (CR)
- Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), U.S. Green Building Council, Certified Green Remodeler (CGR)
Membership in this 3rd party marketing company ensures that we receive accurate
feedback from our client surveys. This is our "grade card" allows us to continually
improve our service.
American Society of Interior Designers
National Association of The Remodeling Industry—Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC), Certified Green Professional (GCP), Certified Aging in Place (CAPS)
National Kitchen & Bath Association—Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD)