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Douglas Burton of Apartment Zero Tours DC in Design
How many times have you heard the Washington, DC, area described as a drab, boring array of old-fashioned architecture and uninspired landscapes? Probably too many times to count. To counteract this unfair reputation, I've compiled my top picks for this area's commercial and garden design below. It's time to exchange those outdated stereotypes for a more refreshing outlook!
The Institute for International Economics
1750 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC With its unapologetic facade and playful co-tenancy with its neighbors, this super-elegant structure offers sleek and cool design; a welcome respite from the surrounding monoliths. Inside sits a gorgeous Henry Moore sculpture.
Embassy of Finland
3301 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Reserved and quiet, the building is a lot like the people it represents, yet underneath its polite exterior is a sophisticated and passionate soul. The embassy is a refreshing exercise in understatement combined with boldness, self-confidence and simplicity.
The Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane, Rockville, Maryland Having heard a recent jazz concert in this arena, I must say the acoustics will blow your mind. But what really inspires is the light and airy design. Its purity of form provides the perfect backdrop for the performances taking place inside–one's eye can relax so that the focus becomes the music.
Japanese Garden at the Hillwood Museum and Gardens
4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC This is one of my favorite annual pilgrimages from the wall of deep purple hyacinths to a curving field of tulips and a house of orchids that blooms year round. This formal garden and Japanese waterfall are sure to soothe the soul.
Dumbarton Oaks
1703 32nd Street, NW, Washington, DC To experience spring in DC without a trek to this Georgetown garden spot is to miss out on one of the season's main pleasures. Start in early March for the vibrant wall of forsythia, stay throughout April for the acres of tulips and go back in June for the roses; right now, you'll enjoy purple and white wisteria buzzing with bees.
L Street & Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC At the corner of a nondescript downtown block sits a quiet yet elegant sculpture by one of the 20th century's most impressive women: Louise Nevelson. Her "Sky Landscape" commands the corner of L Street and Vermont Avenue and shows that not all DC's public art lives within the compound of the National Mall.
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC Its overbearing exterior opens to one of the liveliest, eye-catching interiors in DC. With a strong point of view and natural light that seems to come from heaven, the space plays beautifully with proportion, taking Neo-Classical architecture and making it modern in every way. But the icing on the cake is the sculpture "Bearing Witness," by Martis Puryear, standing at attention outside in the courtyard with a sure foot in the ground.
Offices of The Pan American Health Organization
525 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC.
PAHO's new, modern headquarters was designed by Uruguayan architect Román Fresnedo Siri and built with financing from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on land donated by the U.S. government. The organization moved to this distinctive building in 1965.
Glen Echo Park
Cabin John, Maryland
First opened in 1891, this recently renovated gem is only a short distance from Georgetown. A vibrant mix of theater, dance, artists' studios, glass and pottery workshops and more, this national park property boasts the Art Nouveau-style Spanish ballroom, where patrons can strut their stuff on the dance floor. It's this step back in time that captures my heart. The fact that the original design was kept intact speaks to the importance of historic preservation.
House of Sweden
2900 K Street SE, Washington, DC When it comes to architecture, this dramatically back-lit structure–half-embassy, half-exhibition space–has put DC on the map. Designed by Swedish star Ingegard Raman, it uses a mix of interesting, unorthodox materials but the cut-glass waterfall entrance is what really makes it sparkle. Mostly known for her work for Orrefors, Ms. Raman has also exhibited her furniture at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and once appeared at Apartment Zero's showroom to showcase her limited-edition glass creations.
The Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian American Art Museum
National Mall, Washington, DC When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown, slip in here for a quick dose of Zen. Quiet even when crowded, the acoustics in this space–along with the stream of natural light breaking through Norman Foster's glass ceiling–are incredible, offering
weary visitors an opportunity to meditate on what it means to be a Modernist.
Park Hyatt Washington, DC 1201 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC Like a streamlined sports car, this hotel interior, newly renovated by Tony Chi, is hard and fast on the outside but soft and sexy on the inside. Don’t forget to pop your head into the Blue Duck Tavern’s translucent glass boxes; they’ll transport you to another world. Chill, relax and rejuvenate in a setting that is meant to inspire.
AFI Theatre
8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Maryland Saved from the wrecker's ball by community effort and landmark designation, the historic Silver Theatre is a unique public-private partnership. An ambitious project of Montgomery County and the American Film Institute, the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is the anchor of an unprecedented redevelopment effort.
Douglas Burton is the principal of interior design firm Apartment Zero in Washington, DC. For information about his services, go to www.apartmentzero.com.
THE 2010 INTERNATIONAL
CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE FAIR
DC designer Lisa Adams shares her discoveries
from the floor in New York
The 22nd Annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair, known to the cognoscenti as the ICFF, was held in May in New York City.Established to showcase contemporary furniture, it exhibits a wide range of products. Booths display items from sinks to fireplaces and from cars to piggy banks.This show has come a long way from its first years showcasing student models and a few manufacturers’ prototypes.
This year, the ICFF did not limit itself to contemporary, despite its name.The crystal chandeliers from Baccarat, each twinkling with the manufacturer’s signature ruby crystal, are not contemporary but formed a stunning exhibit (see photograph).Baccarat is trying to position its chandeliers in the contemporary market and exhibited many beautiful crystal pieces to show how they can be mixed with modern.
Not only were more traditional pieces on display, but also products not normally associated with a furniture fair.Bicycles, including the Public D, below, the so-called “mass transit for one,” were on sale everywhere. The Public D is available in one, three and eight speeds and in wonderful colors:cream, blue, orange and chartreuse. It retails from $600 to $1,150.See www.publicbikes.com
A company named Molo makesa paper product that can be formed into walls, seats, tables and counters.It can be folded flat and shipped out by FedEx.It is strong enough to be used as a room divider or table.In addition, you can purchase a dimmable LED light that snakes through a little indentation in the base of the installation so that the whole of it glows from inside.Its luminosity makes it an ideal light fixture.As you can see from this photograph of the installation at the fair, this product is available in white and paper bag brown. Versions of this product are made of Tyvecfor greater strength and of craft paper, a lighter-weight option.For more information, visit www.molodesign.com
QisDesign makes a number of small light fixtures, including this sculptural, glowing Crystal Light.Composedof eight polygons that can be snapped together to make different sculptural shapes, it gradually changes colors or can be programmed to remain more static.A remote controls the color options.This product retails for $835 and is available through, www.QisDesign.com.The photograph shows two of these light fixtures snapped together.
The Chair Factory, a New York showroom and distributor, displayed a translucent chair called the Giusippina.This chair looks like your grandmother’s antique, with a twist: It is made of a plastic-like substance.It is available as translucent in clear, grey and purple or as a solid in white, black and red.Made for the hospitality market, the Giusippina chair is very durable and can be used inside or out.It is also traditional and contemporary at the same time.And, it stacks!This chair retails for $375 and is available from www.thechairfactory.com
Lisa Adams, ASID, president of Adams Design, Inc., in Washington, DC, has attended the ICFF for nine of the last ten years. She has noted a change from its beginnings as a small show displaying sometimes “bizarre and phenomenal” prototypes to a fair of huge magnitude with products in all categories—not all contemporary—certainly not all furniture. “The ICFF now teems with buzz,” says Adams. “Attending the Fair are representatives from many countries showing off high design. Students are trying to move their projects into the marketplace. Shop owners are looking for new product, architects and designers search for pieces they can use in jobs now or in the future, and members are the press from all over the world are taking photographs and interviewing. It is a modern version of the medieval country fair, located in Manhattan where life is in the fast lane!”
The Halls of Fame Design House
The Washington Design Center unveils a striking new design house to the public May 21st
After hosting more than 25 design houses on its below-ground concourse level, The Washington Design Center has made a dramatic change. A recently completed space on the Center’s fifth floor not only introduces a new eight-room design house space but also another welcome element into the mix: natural light.
Members of the press were invited to tour The Halls of Fame Design House on May 18th, showcasing rooms created by members of the Design Center’s Hall of Fame. These seasoned local designers were tapped to create luxurious yet livable rooms using the wide array of furnishings, fabrics, wall coverings and materials available in Design Center showrooms.
The results, as you’ll see from the photos below, offer inspiration to anyone with a penchant for good design. For an even better perspective, visit the show house yourself. It’s open Friday, May 21st through December 4, 2010. For more information, visit www.dcdesigncenter.com. —Sharon Jaffe Dan
Portico, Frank Babb Randolph, Frank Babb Randolph Interior Design
Inspired by Greco-Roman culture, the portico combines a center table that Frank Babb Randolph designed for Niermann Weeks with benches and chairs by David Iatesta. A stucco wall treatment by Lenore Winters Studio lends the space an outdoor feel.
Foyer,Kelley Proxmire, Kelley Proxmire Design
The designer envisioned a glamorous Park Avenue apartment, finding inspiration in turquoise vases she purchased at the Charlotte Moss Townhouse in Manhattan. She offset that vivid color with a clean, crisp black-and-white color scheme which included a faux treatment on the floor based on a David Hicks-style octagonal motif. Crystal lamps, mirrors and an oversized gilded chandelier add a measure of glitz.
Family Room, Rita St. Clair, Rita St. Clair Associates, Inc.
Rita St. Clair’s goal in the family room was to “take people’s personal chaos and try to organize it.” She and her team succeeded in style, creating a room for a well-traveled family displaying maps, artwork and mementoes collected from trips abroad. An antique-style rug from Galeria, a coffee table purchased in Italy and vibrant fabric from Donghia complete the picture.
Library, Nestor Santa-Cruz, Gensler
Santa-Cruz selected a powder-blue shade from Farrow & Ball’s archive collection as the “neutral” background in his library. It beautifully offsets an eclectic collection of art and antiques blended with modern pieces and grounded by a reproduction 1930-style rug from Stark.
Living Room, David Herchik and Richard Loomis, JDS Designs, Inc.
The design team mixed modern and retro elements in the living room. Opposing sofas display contrasting batik linen and waxed linen fabrics by Rubelli. Unexpected touches, from the overscaled Donghia chair to a painting of a Filipino feather dancer, “create a different point of view every day,” says Herchik.
Dining Room, Victor Shargai, Blair Riggs and Rahman Seraj, Victor Shargai and Associates, Inc.
Inspired by the rooms described in 20th-century British mystery novels, Shargai and his team created an interesting dining room where residents would not just enjoy meals but also spend time reading and reflecting. After selecting an aubergine paint color by Farrow & Ball, they discovered the perfect carpet from Stark as a counterpoint. Photographs made during the recent snowstorms in Washington adorn the walls.
Master Bedroom, Olvia Demetriou, FAIA, and Melinda Nettelbeck and team, Adamstein Demetriou
Faced with an irregularly shaped room, the designers created architectural elements and niches to define the space around the furnishings. “We wanted it to be warm, inviting and seductive,” says Demetriou. Luminous accents in the Odegard rug, Donghia pillow fabric, and wall covering add a glamorous foil to the neutral furnishings.
Garden Room, Michael Roberson, Michael Roberson Interior Design
Michael Roberson brought the outdoors into the Design Center in this garden room complete with faux-turf flooring and a window box of live plants. A mix of indoor and outdoor furnishings—all upholstered in outdoor fabric by Century—invite relaxation. Roberson created the montage on the wall with flower photographs taken in her own garden.
2010 DC Design House: Press Day
APRIL 1, 2010
Yesterday’s beautiful weather made it the perfect occasion to debut the 2010 DC Design House to the press. With invite in hand, I along with art director Becky McClimans decided to make an afternoon of it – leaving the office a bit early to trek over to 3911 Bradley Lane and see the transformation of this historic home first-hand.
Arriving at the front door and peering into the completely re-designed home was a treat for the senses. Shazalyn Cavin-Winfrey’s impressive entry way and grand stair well made a stunning first impression, we had to stop and take it all in…from the entry we could see a glimpse into Barry Dixon’s vividly imagined conservatory, a hint of Victoria Sanchez’s warm and luxurious library, Nestor Santa-Cruz’s elegant reception room, and Frank Babb Randolph's modern meets classic living room…and this is just what was visible from the front door, there was SO much more to see!
This is an unbelievable house, brimming with the finest interior design visionaries in the industry. Touring this house is an experience that you will not want to miss.
Enjoy the preview pictures below – we hope to see you there! All proceeds from ticket sales go to support the Children’s National Medical Center. -- Christina Ricks
GUEST BLOG
Curb Appeal: Five Steps to a Great First Impression
By Merle Thorpe, AIA
We grew up hearing the axiom: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. The same also is true about your house. With spring in the air, now’s a perfect time to think about ways to boost your home’s curb appeal while subtly expanding the way you enjoy your home—without a costly addition.
One of the goals of this project (pictured below) was to subtly reinvigorate and enhance the curb appeal and entry sequence of this center hall Georgian colonial. The front yard and front façade “makeover” integrates five discrete improvements. Scanning the “before” and “after” photos, can you spot the changes?
BEFORE
AFTER
� The shutters were removed, to draw more attention to the original limestone sill and keystones of the window surrounds.
� The overgrown shrubs were removed, and replaced by low-growth evergreen plantings, to draw more attention to the beautifully constructed and maintained Flemish bond brick masonry walls.
� The original brick walkway was replaced by generously spaced dry-laid fieldstone pavers.
� The traditional front door assembly was replaced with double French doors.
� The cornice above the front door was replaced by a projecting portico supported by freestanding columns.
Each of these improvements is relatively straightforward and economical. But the best thing is, such changes can be implemented all at once, or sequentially. You get to choose to make these improvements together or in stages, as your time and budget allow.
For example, let’s say you wanted to start slow, by removing the shutters. This is especially appropriate if your house has distinctive detailing around the windows. Here, removing the shutters accentuates the keystones above the windows and the window sills, which are made of limestone and in good condition. You can get a painter to remove the shutters when they paint window sashes and trim.
Next, replace the overgrown foundation shrubs with smaller plantings. For this house, it made sense to replace shrubs with slow-growing English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) since boxwoods are prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic, and historically appropriate for Georgian-style homes. Look at how the boxwood “sentinels” stand on either side of the front door; they anchor the ends of each wall plane. The sentinels are clipped low so they never stand taller than the bottom of the windowsills. A low, tight hedge of English boxwood between the sentinels finishes off the foundation plantings. The overall effect is one of structure, with a taut and unfussy design. Plus, the plants are easy to maintain.
Your next step might be to replace the original brick walkway with dry-laid fieldstone pavers. This can be a more expensive improvement, but stepping stones have a calming and welcoming impact—and suggest a pastoral counterpoint in an otherwise urban setting. Dry-laid fieldstone pavers are set in compacted dirt and stone dust with enough grass growing between them to create a “stepping stone” effect. The overall result is subtle and elegant.
The most substantial curb appeal makeover you can make involves the front door assembly and cornice. As the “before” shot shows, many mid-20th century colonials were built with traditional solid doors, storm doors, and sidelights assemblies. What you might consider doing, as we did here, is replace these traditional elements with double French doors and a projecting portico.
Why put money into double French doors and a front entry portico? After all, you enjoy these upgrades in the same way you would a new family room or remodeled kitchen. But these improvements—if made in the context of adding a privacy hedge and garden gate at curbside—have a truly transformative effect on your front yard. They convert an underutilized part of your property into a private garden and in the process expand your family’s living space. In this context, the double French doors and projecting portico introduce garden-like elements, which provide a coherent and graceful endpoint as you traverse the new front garden.
Making improvements like these not only enhance the curb appeal (and potential property value) of the house but expand the possibilities for how you enjoy your home. With spring in the air, now’s a perfect time to get started.
Step into The Washington Design Center for the next six months and the first thing you’ll see is a bold, sophisticated new lobby vignette in a dramatic palette of white, black and red. Created by Bethesda-based Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design, the space reflects her approach to design, which she describes as “fresh, tailored traditional.” It also reflects the Design Center’s interest in showcasing the work of venerable designers. Each year, two designers are tapped to redecorate the lobby—the criteria is that they must be members of The Washington Design Center Hall of Fame, which requires, among other accomplishments, a minimum of 15 years of experience in the field and a portfolio of published work.
Proxmire fit the bill on all fronts. She set out to create a stylish space that would function as a meeting ground for clients and their designers, with seating arranged to accommodate multiple groups. She says her greatest challenge was creating wall covering in the right scale to fit the lobby’s 20-foot-high ceilings. Proxmire found her inspiration in David Burke Townhouse, a restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper East Side: a window frame on the wall with an inset mirror and Roman shade. She immediately envisioned it on the wall behind the sofa and “once I had the window in mind, the rest just fell into place,” she says. Installed, the frame is 120 by 84 inches. Decorative panels by Fine Art Finishes adorn the surrounding walls.
Proxmire approached the project carefully. “I tried to be restrained,” she says. “Everything that went into the room was thought out.” In addition to its crisp palette, her design introduces a variety of textures, including wool, cotton, silk, sisal and even patent leather. Everything, from furnishings and fabrics to lighting and accessories, came from 11 showrooms in the Design Center. “It was great fun,” Proxmire says. “The whole project was collaborative.” --Julie Sanders
RESOURCES
Kravet: Skirted sofa with knife-edge pillows; Westport chairs; White Marcy side chairs; Barnstable chairs; Trim on embroidered pillows; Fabric on Roman shade, pillows & box pleats, ultrasuede on benches.
Lee Jofa: Cooper benches.
American Eye: Currey & Co. table lamps with black shades, Salvations McDowell coffee table, Antique Designs Parson’s end tables in Poppy Red by Benjamin Moore:
Brunschwig & Fils: Black Madison end tables.
Ebanista: Montecelio brackets.
Fine Art Finishes: Custom art panels.
Henredon: Nadine chair-side tables, black urns.
Hines (Samuel & Sons): Cord trim for white embroidered pillows, fabric for Pinafores on white chairs, trim for Roman shade.
Michael Cleary: Round Malabar dining table.
Niermann Weeks: Crillion chandelier with Parisian gold leaf finish, quatrefoil cabinet with cherry finish.
Osborne & Little: Fabric for sofa pillows.
Rist: Zoffany white wallpaper.
Stark: Black sisal carpet.
W. C. Fowler Carpet: Binding of carpet with red patent leather.
Kevin Chadwick: Custom artwork in niche.
GUEST BLOG:
Expert Advice on Kitchen and Bath Updates
By Ricardo Ramos, Allied Member, ASID
Many homeowners are interested in remodeling their kitchens or bathrooms but are not sure where to start, particularly during these trying economic times. Here is some advice on how to proceed with a kitchen or bath upgrade, wisely and without breaking the bank.
Do I need to hire a design professional?
Absolutely. Kitchen and bath renovations require not only good design skills but also experience in taking dimensions, scheduling, making sample requests, ordering the right products, construction management and collaborating with different trades. Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most complicated areas of a home and present numerous challenges, from the selection of materials and their application to maneuvering gas lines, electricity and plumbing. On top of these technical issues, you have to consider style, finishes, lighting, surfaces, hardware and, most important, appliances.
Few homeowners have the time it takes to plan and manage the process from start to finish. It can be a full-time job that cannot be coordinated remotely.
How do I find the right designer?
First, ask your friends and family. Referrals are the best tool. On the other hand, there are very reliable shelter magazines that showcase designers’ work by the way of photos in articles or through ads that designers place. Finally, you can always check with local chapters of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) or The Washington Design Center to help you find designers who are both trustworthy and highly qualified.
Once you do this homework, interview the candidates who you feel would match your style. Remember that an experienced and well-educated designer will have skill and talent and need not to stick to a particular color or style. He or she will design for you and your family—not for themselves.
Studio Ramos recently renovated this kitchen, providing new granite countertops and appliances and a faux-painted window wall by Faux Creations.
How do I chose my contractors?
Once you hire a designer, let him or her recommend the tradespeople who are right for your job. Most designers have developed great working relationships with trades whom we trust. We select our working crews based on many things, from budgets and value to scheduling and the deadlines they can meet. In addition, we select contractors based on their ability to execute the vision and style of each individual project.
Is it possible to stick to my budget?
Your designer should make every effort to stick to your budget. But homeowners must remember that remodeling comes with what I call the “Pandora’s Box,” which refers to the unknown problems that may lurk behind a wall. Designers and general contracts will not be able to anticipate every issue until the wall or the floors or the plumbing lines are opened. All too often, unexpected issues must be resolved before continuing with a job. This is why I encourage my clients to have “reserve money” on hand to cover any of these very special surprises.
Finishing Touches
After the construction phase is completed, we have to deal with the installation of new cabinetry, finishes and appliances. One must be sure to “measure twice and cut once.” That is my constant reminder to everyone I work with. It only takes a small effort to do this and can save you a tremendous amount of money and headaches.
New furniture includes chairs upholstered in Stroheim and Romann fabric and a frosted-glass table by DIV Furniture in New York.
Once the cabinets, finishes and appliances are installed, we move forward to the Punch List (a “to-do” list). I always remind my clients to let the trades and general contractor finish the job—and not to try to coordinate the work they are doing. If something is not going right, let your designer or general contractor know. It is essential that one person be the carrier of messages so that communication and work flows through the proper channels. By being very clear about who does what, and when, the project can flow smoothly and get done as planned.
Ramos applied iridescent tiles by Mosaic Tile Company to the backsplash and sink area. He also selected whimsical new cabinet hardware.
Once the work is completed, you should have the kitchen or bath of your dreams. As I always say: “Creative design becomes your living space.”
When it comes to finding inspiration, some designers start from the ground up. That was the case for designer Nestor Santa-Cruz, IIDA, when he was tapped to create a dining room vignette in the DC showroom of Timothy Paul Carpets + Textiles. A long-time devotee of Timothy Paul’s carefully honed collections, Santa-Cruz sketched out his idea in a few minutes one Saturday morning after seeing newly arrived Iranian carpets in the shop.
Following the lead of classic modern architects Alvar Aalto, Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe, Santa-Cruz decided to pair the rugs with modern, clean-lined furnishings in his dining room vignette. “The ‘Tribal Modern’ concept was really based on the fact that classic modern architects and designers have always used these types of rugs in their interiors,” says Santa-Cruz. “The rugs have an informal aesthetic, and that quality makes them perfect companions to modern or traditional furniture, as a way to soften and tone down the overall effect.”
In his vignette, Santa-Cruz arranged a “patchwork” of several rugs to ground his design. A modern table by Danish architect Poul Kjaerholm and “Y” chairs by fellow Dane Hans Wegner complete the look, combined with “X” oak chairs from Timothy Paul Home.
Whether your furniture is modern or traditional, Santa-Cruz has advice for homeowners who want to weave a bit of “tribal” into their décor. “Think sophisticated rather than souvenir-ish and stick to one zone of the world. For example, stay Moroccan, Indian, Navajo or Turkish within the room in selecting your stronger ‘tribal’ elements. Then think of what other style you like or prefer,” he explains. “’Tribal Modern’ doesn't have to be paired with only rectilinear classic modern pieces; it could very well be ‘Tribal Modern’ if you mix it with, say, French Directoire furniture, or English brown furniture. But look for color, texture and proportion to tie it all together. And make the art support the big idea.”
One could argue that when used wisely these rugs become art. Whatever their origin, the evoke another place and time. Says Santa-Cruz, “These types of rugs make you think of travel, faraway places and the exotic. They bring a certain fun to both urban or country interiors.”
The “Tribal Modern” vignette will be on view at Timothy Paul Carpets + Textiles through mid-March. You can visit the showroom at 1404 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC; www.timothypaulcarpets.com
—Sharon Jaffe Dan
CREDITS
Rugs: From a collection of Moroccan, Persian, and Turkish Tribal rugs at Timothy Paul Carpets + Textiles. Floor lamp: Disc'o Floor Lamp by Nestor Santa-Cruz for Timothy Paul Carpet + Textiles. Danish Stool, Table and "Y" Chairs: Furniture From Scandinavia by Annette Rachlin. X chairs and Tableware: Timothy Paul Home. Painting: Designer's Collection. Photography: Angie Seckinger.
The Art of Abstraction
If you haven’t received it already, look for a private tour of renowned artist Sam Gilliam’s home in the Spring 2010 issue of HOME & DESIGN.
Just as we were going to press with the issue (in the midst of a blizzard), we got word that Sam Gilliam is participating in an upcoming lecture at the National Gallery of Art. It was too late to stop the presses, so we are sharing it with you here…
In honor of African American History Month, Gilliam joins two other distinguished artists, Melvin Edwards and William T. Williams, to discuss action in the work of African American artists.
Artist Sam Gilliam and Gallery Owner Annie Gawlak's Home read more
“About Abstraction: A Conversation with Melvin Edwards, Sam Gilliam, and William T. Williams”
will take place on Sunday, February 21, at 2 p.m. in the East Building Auditorium. Ruth Fine, curator of special projects in modern art at the National Gallery of Art, will lead the discussion. The lecture is presented free of charge, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit http://www.nga.gov/programs/lectures/
When a Rug is More than a Rug
HOME & DESIGN traveled to the World Bank for the December 10 opening of the Faces of Freedom exhibit curated by RugMark USA. Dazzling rugs hung from the upper level of the President’s Gallery while stunning photographs by U. Roberto Romano took viewers behind the looms and inside the lives of the carpet weavers of South Asia.
GoodWeave certified rugs by Rosemary Hallgarten Inc. and Creative Matters Inc. hang over the Faces of Freedom photographs.
Romano is an award-winning human rights educator, filmmaker and photographer. The 50 photographs that make up the exhibition were taken during visits to India, Nepal and Pakistan from 1996 through 2007. “Most of the images you see here are a celebration and an affirmation that hope is not extinguishable and that dreams of a better future are always realizable, no matter how long deferred,” he said.
Event attendee examines images depicting child labor
in the rug industry. Photos by Brendan Hoffman
Romano’s images showcase the incredible value behind the GoodWeave certification symbol. The images of the children tug at your heart and make you believe in this extraordinary program that rescues children from the horrors of child labor in the carpet industry and provides them with the opportunity to embark on a new life, something many of us take for granted. The GoodWeave label is the best assurance that the rug you purchase is child-labor free.
The ten contemporary rugs on display were handmade in Nepal and India. They were designed by the creative teams at CariniLang, Creative Matters, KOOCHES, elson and company, emma gardner design, Odegard, New Moon, Rosemary Hallgarten, Stile BK, and Warp & Weft, which are among GoodWeave’s nearly 70 North American licensed importers.
The exhibition is on display at the World Bank, 1818 H Street, 12th floor, Washington, DC, through January 31, 2010. Contact the World Bank Art Department to set up a tour. For more information on the exhibit, visit FacesofFreedom.GoodWeave.org.
Every year, HOME & DESIGN polls hundreds of industry professionals to find out whom they consider to be the past year’s leaders in architecture and design—as well as those who are beginning to make their mark. The winners of the survey were featured in HOME & DESIGN’s 2010 Sourcebook—and celebrated at a special event held in Architectural Ceramics’ fabulous Chevy Chase showroom on December 8, 2009.
More than 150 honorees and guests attended the reception, including Hall of Fame architects Hugh Newell Jacobsen, David Jameson and Stephen Muse; Hall of Fame designers Barry Dixon and David Mitchell; and Hall of Fame kitchen designer Jennifer Gilmer. Also in attendance were Eleanor McKay, CEO of Niermann Weeks (best furnishings to the trade); and 2009 Hall of Fame designers Skip Sroka, Barbara Hawthorn and Justine Sancho; and 2009 Hall of Fame architect Mark McInturff.
Following the award presentation by HOME & DESIGN publisher Tod Herbers, attendees had plenty of time to network, mingle, sample top-flight wines and browse the wide selection of tile, flooring and other surface materials on display at Architectural Ceramics, which was awarded best tile dealer.
Despite freezing rain outside, guests lingered well into the evening, feting their colleagues in style.
Hall of Fame kitchen designer Jennifer Gilmer and Hall of Fame architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen.
HOME & DESIGN editor in chief Sharon Jaffe Dan with Up and Coming designer Joe Ireland.
Photos by Bob Narod.
Purchase your ticket to the Georgetown Jingle today! Proceeds from the Georgetown Jingle support the pediatric cancer wing at Georgetown University hospital. The event, this Sunday from 4-8pm at the Four Seasons in Georgetown, promises to be a fun-filled opportunity to kick off the holiday season and continue the fight against pediatric cancer!
David Iatesta’s hard-working, inspired staff wrote about how their sculptural offering, Driftwood (see the following post), was snatched up just as it appeared in the Four Seasons lobby and donated back to the hospital’s pediatric oncology unit. However, certain details make the story even more moving: When the doctor—a guest at the hotel--who made the purchase came down and discovered a lobby full of one-of-a-kind Christmas trees, his question was, “which tree is the most expensive?” When the Iatesta tree was pointed out to him (significantly higher in price than any other at $15,000), he said “I’ll take it.”
This generous gesture seems to epitomize the unusual spirit infusing the Georgetown Jingle this year. As Matt Quinn, one of the lead designers of Driftwood, explains, “This has really brought the design community together.” He describes unprecedented enthusiasm and cooperation from vendors in The Washington Design Center, and designer Brad Weesner of Brad Weesner Design, agrees. He points to the matching up of designers with individual young cancer patients as a big reason for this year’s shift in mood. “Being partnered with kids makes all the difference,” he says. “Designers can be a back-biting bunch, but all of that is gone this year.”
Dr. Aziza Shad, chief of Pediatric Oncology at Georgetown Hospital, was also struck by the pervasive atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. But she was most fascinated by its result: “The trees captured the essence of each child,” she says in wonder. “You can see the kids reflected in each tree.”—Julie Sanders
Georgetown Jingle's Interior Designer: David Iatesta
When we set out to create our bid for a Jingle tree, David already had his entire concept in mind. Why not create something truly Christmas “Green” by using the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay—reclaimed driftwood.
Many a summer day was spent collecting driftwood in all shapes, sizes, and conditions from the endless tributaries of the Chesapeake. The perfect trunk for the tree came from a 9-foot-long salvaged cedar log that had been wonderfully weathered to a silvery gray. It was not only beautiful but also strong, providing the strength needed to support the hundreds of driftwood branches that were later affixed to it.
The construction of our tree was truly an artistic endeavor. The placement of each branch was meticulously planned to create the illusion of a real tree. Once all the branches were installed, we had to conceal the many brackets and screws anchoring them to the trunk. With our skills as finishers and faux finishers, we were able to mold putty over the hardware and blend the patches with paint to match the driftwood colors.
The next obstacle was the lack of electrical outlets in the center of the Four Seasons lobby. Our solution was tiny LED lights on thin painted wire powered by 20 battery packs concealed by the hand-made tree skirt. The pale blue lights were further enhanced by thousands of dollars worth of European crystal hanging from the branches.
David and our entire staff spent more than 500 man-hours creating this work of art. Thank you to all of them for their time and effort.
Because our tree was so non-traditional, we were unsure who might be interested in purchasing it. That question was answered the morning after the frenetic installation at the Four Seasons Hotel. Dr. Alexander Karp of Palantier Technologies purchased the tree that morning for the full asking price and donated it back to our patient. He reminds us all that this is truly the season for giving.
Everyone at David Iatesta, Inc. is proud to be a part of the Georgetown Jingle and humbled to have the opportunity to help the children in these programs.
May you all have a blessed and wonderful holiday season.
Georgetown Jingle Interior Designer: Camille Saum
I love that moment when I’m standing in front of a plain green tree, as it dares me to come up with a design that is beautiful, breathtaking and unique for the Georgetown Jingle. It’s the same feeling I have when designing a room – I enjoy the creative challenge of creating gorgeous, show-stopping interiors. This year, the ornaments on my tree are set off with 40 yards of silvery ribbon – used not as bows, but literally twisted and entwined throughout my tree.
As I work, I’m practically disappearing into the foliage to achieve the special effect of a tree that’s been decorated from the inside out. I am frequently asked if I start with a plan but I prefer to call it a vision. I start with an idea of the impression I want to achieve and, like a painter, I instinctively balance color, form and texture, until an inner voice calls out, “Stop!” I think it’s vital that every creative endeavor allow room for this kind of serendipity. When I review fabrics and paint colors with clients, I watch to see their eyes light up – then use those choices to create a room that reflects their own innate vision.
In this hectic holiday season, I find enormous pleasure in decorating the Georgetown Jingle tree, and am honored to join the many people in
our community who support the pediatric program at Georgetown University Hospital.
Camille & Cinzia
~May your days be merry and bright!
Camille Saum Interior Design www.camillesaum.com
As I write this I feel like a kid on Christmas Even, for this is the week that all of the designers who are participating in the Georgetown Jingle will be installing their trees in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown.
Yep! After a summer of planning and collecting all of the magical ornaments, ribbons, lights and greenery tomorrow is the day that it all comes to life. I went down to my stockroom today to make sure that my boxes were all labeled and taped up tightly, for they are FILLED to the brim with the magical elements for my tree Aspen Holiday.
Gorgeous oversized sugar pine cones
Gosh, whatever can be in these boxes that I’m guarding so closely? Well, the idea of my tree is to bring natures elements onto the branches that are encrusted with hundreds of tiny white lights. Picture yourself curled up with a cup of hot cocoa looking out onto a snowy mountain range, and draw your cozy tartan plaid blanket closer. Yes, now you’ve got it! Snow covered branches and bird nests, oversized sugar pine cones and puffy snowflake ornaments will make you feel as if you’re on your own Aspen Holiday.
Natural dried berry ornaments
The feeling continues with yards and yards of plaid ribbon garland, iced twig clusters and festive holly stems all in a traditional red and green palette. There will be nary a branch on this glorious tree that is not bedecked with gorgeous natural elements, and it’s all designed with one special little boy in mind.
My friend Nicholas is the inspiration for my tree this year, for not only does he have the magic of Christmas in his heart, he is one of the bravest little boys I have ever met. Nicholas was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 1 ½. The day that he and I first met we posed for our photo for The Jingle and I held him in my lap, being cautious of the ports in his chest that were used for his chemotherapy treatment. To see this little boy who has endured so much, and to meet his wonderful parents made me realize just how lucky I am to have a beautiful, healthy daughter. So I took that spark in Nicholas’ eyes and translated it into a tree design that truly evokes the magic of a Traditional Christmas.
Lynni & Nicholas
It is a pleasure and an honor to work on this amazing project, and if anything it has taught me that to give is truly to receive. We can all do so much to help others, regardless of our circumstance in life. Thank you for all of your support for The Georgetown Jingle, and I look forward to showing off my tree to you all at the Gala.
Georgetown Jingle Interior Designer: Karen Luria
Holiday on Ice
This year I took a different approach to the Georgetown Jingle tree challenge. “Holiday on Ice” manufactured by Spectrum Limited is a sleek, sculptural 'tree' that measures 7.5 feet tall by 4 feet at the base and is made out of 3/4" clear acrylic. For the holidays, there will be a pair of ladies, white, size 6 ice skates donated by Riedell Skates and autographed by skating icon, Scott Hamilton, suspended mid-air in the center of the tree.
For use throughout the year, the 'tree' is light-ready and converts into a sculptural floor lamp. The simple, elevated base upon which the ‘tree’ is placed will be covered with a muted cherry, alligator embossed, leather hide manufactured by Groove Leather.
For those of you interested in bucking the usual holiday designs, I offer three holiday tips:
1. Rather than using a traditional tree skirt, use tulle (bridal veil) to give a snowy, less heavy effect to the tree; it is a very cost effective option.
2. In place of traditional foliage, eucalyptus is a good option. It comes in a variety of colors, adds a wonderful fragrance to the area and there are none of the traditional ‘needles’ to clean up. Bunch the branches together and use colorful, wired ribbon to hold and attach the swags.
3. Decorate window sills with rose balls for a ‘pop’ of color.
The trees and vignettes will be unveiled on Wednesday, December 2 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Washington. I hope you’ll join us in celebrating the holidays and the incredible patients the Jingle supports, like my beautiful and inspiring partner Becky W.
Georgetown Jingle Interior Designer: Paul Corrie
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the holidays and this celebratory time of year are about being thankful for our abundant blessings that we have. I was fortunate enough to have met Bridget back in August, and I found her energy and spirit to be so inspirational that I wanted to take those qualities and show how they can translate into the holiday season.
Paul & Bridget
When it comes to the holidays, I like to focus on family and friends, laughter and love, and memories and traditions. It's never too late to start a new tradition, and the photo of Bridget and I together made me think about traditions that families can start. Take, for instance, a personalized Christmas ornament from Cafe Press. I think an absolutely lovely tradition would be to create memories annually by taking or creating images, converting them to black and white photos, and customizing ornaments for your Christmas tree. Imagine an entire tree of black and white photos, where family members could gather and reflect on years past with wonderful memories and times in their lives. To me, this is what the holidays are all about.
The season also brings about feelings of warmth and togetherness. Ornaments that shimmer, glow, and reflect light evoke those sorts of feelings in individuals. I recently came across this beautiful ornament from the Paper Source. It has an aged finish, which I always like because I think it shows history and familiarity, and the glass glitter sparkles when it's next to the lights.
The holidays wouldn't be the same if there wasn't greenery and life and certain scents that make us feel wonderful. I really like the Rosemary trees from Whole Foods, which can be displayed in various environments and make a wonderful addition to any tablescape. They represent life and give off the most elegant scent and are sure to please company at this time of year.
As I like to say, design is not just for interiors, but it's a lifestyle.
~Happy Holidays from Paul Corrie Interiors to all of you! www.paulcorrie.com
WINTER NIGHTS DREAM Georgetown Jingle Interior Designer: Darren Miller
My inspiration for this years Holiday mantle at the Four Seasons is the exploration and wonderment of nature. It is important to me to create something unexpected and whimsical for my new friend and patient Malachi. He’s a special young man and I look forward to sharing my
creation with him.
Darren and Malachi
A winter nights Dream is the thought and wonderment of my Holiday mantel design. Like many children and as a child myself I found the elements in nature interesting and curious. Exploring the woods and hidden places where I grew up as child were fun and always rewarding.
My over all design is just that! Using elements one would find on a walk through a forest in the winter under a star lit night with only a candle at hand. Exploring by candlelight sheds a new light on what you see and find! Found objects will include many natural antlers that have been shed by families of deer over a long period of time and different size and shaped pinecones resting on the forest floor are just a tease of what’s in store.
Please be sure and join And Beige (AB) at this year’s celebration of hope and wonderment at the Four Seasons and stop by to see the lobby’s mantel design for a Winter Nights Dream.
~ Darren Miller, Darren Miller and Beige Purchase a ticket today
Design for a Cause
A special event on November 19th at Roche Bobois’ Friendship Heights showroom married fine furniture with interior design—for a cause. Three local interior designers were given one of the showroom’s classic Marie Antoinette chairs from the Les Provinciales collection and asked to reinvent it as a work of art. Designers Barbara Hawthorn, Joe Ireland and Catherine Hailey unveiled their creations during a festive cocktail reception where guests were asked to vote for their favorite chair. The winning creation was announced at the evening’s end.
A silent auction of the redesigned chairs will benefit the Georgetown Jingle. This family-friendly fundraiser on December 13th at the Four Seasons, Washington supports the pediatric oncology programs at Georgetown University Hospital. For more information, visit www.georgetownjingle.com. —Sharon Jaffe Dan
Guests mingle in the expansive Roche Bobois showroom and peruse the company’s stylish collections.
And the winner is: “A Touch of Frost” by Catherine Hailey of Hailey Design. She received the most votes for her chair, which is dressed up in embossed Edelman leather with nail-head trim, handmade jewel feet and a high-gloss, white-lacquer finish.
Joe Ireland of J. D. Ireland Interior Architecture and Design named his chair “Chinoiserie in Blue.” It is upholstered in “Tea Time,” a modern take on toile by Rubelli; the fabric was donated by Donghia. Ireland embellished the seat back with mother-of-pearl sequins and birds.
Barbara Hawthorn of Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd. celebrated the season with her chair entitled “La ‘Belle’ Chaise.” Hawthorn commissioned decorative painter Lisa Tureson of Faux Creations to paint the chair’s original muslin with the music and lyrics of “Jingle Bells” in a nod to the upcoming Georgetown Jingle. Istvan Szabo of Aristocraft Upholstery trimmed the chair with wreaths of crystals, ribbon and bells, adding a festive touch; the chair also boasts its own matching floor mat and jingle bell pillow.
Georgetown Jingle – Designed to Fight Childhood Cancer – Blog Series:
The Georgetown Jingle, taking place on December 13, 2009 at the Four Seasons in Washington DC, is a holiday extravaganza and philanthropic event that celebrates the fashions of the holiday season and supports families battling cancer. This unique and fun event brings together designers, businesses and families for an evening of design, fashion, and unique culinary experiences in the five-star, five-diamond atmosphere of the Four Seasons Hotel Washington. The event, designed with families in mind, features a winter wonderland of Christmas trees created by celebrated designers; tastings from DC Metro restaurants; a children’s workshop complete with Santa; and a silent auction full of fabulous gifts.
SEVEN HEAVENLY HOLIDAY TIPS FOR DESIGN
Interior Designer: Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey
Like everything else in Texas, decorating for Christmas has always been a BIG deal. I witnessed women transform dining rooms into miniature holiday villages complete with fake snow and mini streetlamps, in spite of the fact that no one could eat in the room for a month! I remember my mother collapsing on the bed after decorating a Christmas tree in every room in the house, including the bathrooms. Each passing year is etched in my memory like a number on the doors of an advent calendar. The anticipation of what my mother would dream up was one of the season’s best surprises. From china dolls, to birds and feathers, these magical themes have provided unlimited inspiration for my clients and me. I am thrilled to share some of my tenets for holiday design this holiday season.
Use What You Love
Garlands can have the same impact of a decorated tree in every room – without the expense. My design below is inspired by the client’s fondness for pink, green, and purple and my love of butterflies.
Create Variety and Texture
Use items in a variety of shapes and textures. On this garland, the glittered snowflakes and the butterflies create a soft contrast to the light-catching balls.
Avoid Absolute Symmetry but Strive for Balance
Symmetry can be boring whereas harmony and balance draw your audience in. Force yourself to create groups of 3 or 5. Play with placement.
Go Big
The best designs involve risk, go bigger than you think you can for more impact. In the garland above the oversize 6” balls create the WOW factor.
Build Cohesion Throughout
Use elements from your larger focal points throughout. I put the festive butterflies in the chandelier as well as the orchid to build theme and cohesion from space to space.
Think Outside the Box
Gathering gifts in an unpredictable place such as this bench has an element of surprise when you enter the room. Who says ALL the presents have to go under the tree?
Believe
Insert your inner child into every gift you wrap and every decoration you put together this year. There is nothing better than seeing love come through in even the simplest of tasks.
This year for the Georgetown Jingle we are celebrating the “inner child” of all pediatric cancer patients in our designs. By raising money and awareness we hope to make a contribution in finding a cure.
Hayden, pictured below, celebrates five years of remission thanks to the tireless work of Dr. Shad. Shad’s research helped provide Hayden with a bone marrow transplant through a cord blood donor. Hayden, and children like her, are the season’s greatest inspiration and I hope you will join us in celebrating their stories on December 13th.
Shazalynn and Hayden
~Shazalynn Cavin Winfrey
SECRET GARDEN
Interior Designer: Sarah Wessel
The inspiration for my tree comes from one of my favorite books, The Secret Garden. This book was first published in 1912 and tells the story of how the discovery of a secret garden changed the lives of two unhappy and withering children. The garden had been locked up and neglected for many years, until it was discovered by a little orphan girl, Mary Lennox and her sickly cousin, Colin. In the process of restoring the garden, both children gained strength and courage. As the garden began to bloom, the children bloomed too. The changes, growth, and renewal that had brought the long neglected secret garden back to life had also changed the lives of the children.
Recently, I had the pleasure to meet someone who like Mary Lennox, has so much strength and courage. Wayniece has been a patient of Dr. Shad at Georgetown University Hospital. Her beautiful smile doesn't show all of the pain she has had to endure during her illness. She is quite an inspiration. This year the Georgetown Jingle benefits two pediatric oncology programs at Georgetown University Hospital-the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program and the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Program.
Sarah & Wayniece
Please come out to the Jingle and support the amazing work being done at Georgetown. Happy Holidays!
~ Sarah Wessel, Sarah Wessel Designs, Ltd. www.sarahwesseldesigns.com
CHILDREN'S TEA PARTY
Interior Designer: Wendy Danziger
My children have always been the light of my life, inspiring me to be the best role model I could possibly be. What a special prize to walk with them and then later to watch them venture through all of life’s stages!
Naturally, when my assistant, Mary Biletnikoff , suggested using a Children’s Tea Party as the theme for our tree for the Georgetown Jingle, I wholeheartedly agreed.
Some of my fondest memories are of childhood tea parties my own Mother planned. I had the good fortune to carry on the tradition with my own children, Meredith and Jonathan. Even my little granddaughter, Cori has a tea set; it might be plastic, not porcelain, but at least she knows the game!!!
Our tree will certainly be as elegant as a tea party should be; however, look for some informal items as well, such as faux sparkly strawberry iced cupcakes wrapped in silver foil and tea cups filled with pink tulle and teabags.
The tree is dedicated to Katie Chapman, my lovely friend and patient at Georgetown University Hospital. Katie’s enthusiasm is just one of the many things about her that makes her so appealing.
Wendy & Katie
Katie, I hope you are as delighted by this tree as I am delighted to have met you!!! I am truly touched by the opportunity to be involved in this great event.
JOY TO THE WORLD
Interior Designer: Michael Roberson
I have been involved with the Jingle since its beginning and always enjoy the process of designing a tree or table top, of creating something different each year.
This year I had the privilege of meeting a beautiful young woman named Tyeshia, a patient of Dr. Shad, who has been fighting Leukemia and its effects for almost nine years. Now, after a successful stem cell transplant, things are looking up for her. We had a chance to talk and, among other things, I discovered that her favorite Christmas Carol is “Joy to the World,” and that she loves color and fashion.
Tyeshia & Michael
So, this year my contribution to the Jingle, named for her favorite carol, will be a fashionable celebration of color. Created of multicolor glass ornaments, a trio of trees stand on tall glass bases. Scattered around them are very large spherical “ornaments” wrapped in ribbons of many colors. I collect ribbons from many sources, including Michaels. I believe that with a good selection of ribbons you can always come up with a beautiful gift wrap or decoration on short notice.
If you have the winning bid it could light up your holiday for years to come. Please make time to catch the holiday spirit and meet the faces of these remarkable children who are battling cancer. All trees and displays will be in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel starting Wednesday, December 2nd.
~Michael Roberson, Michael Roberson Interior Design www.MichaelRoberson.com
My inspiration for the Jingle this year was the idea of stars and light. A star can mean hope. Wishing upon a star can be powerful if you mean it. A star can mean wonderment. Often at my home( we live far away from city lights) you can just look up and marvel at nature’s magnificence above your head. A star can mean way finding. The finding of one’s way using the stars relates not just to maritime journeys, following the north star when you are lost, and finding our way reminds us of the power of this blanket of light.
A star can mean light. The beauty of light in all its forms and its ability to uplift and delight, is a driving force for many of my projects, shaped from this inspiration. My tree this year is made of crystals encased in Lumicor® acrylic sheets. Formed into one tall triangle, the crushed crystals play with and refract the LED light from within.
Kara is my star this year. She is indeed a survivor of cancer, and she is one of the miracles of Dr. Shad’s work at Georgetown University Hospital. She and her family endured what many of us can only imagine. But within seconds of meeting Kara, you know that her illness never defined who she was going to become. She is a beautiful, grounded and open person. I am looking forward to getting to know her better – she is interested in interior design – so you know we already get along famously!
Brad and Kara
Having wanted to volunteer for something meaningful for many years, it is with wonderment that this charity seemed to have somehow “found me.” The work at Georgetown University Hospital has always impressed me, and to learn of Dr. Shad and her team’s successful work, and all those who work so hard for this makes me very proud to be a part of the Jingle again this year. Meeting Ryan last year, getting to know Tim, meeting Marilyn Porter, the Amey family and others has been a profoundly rewarding experience.
A NORDIC CHRISTMAS
Interior Designer: Jerry Begley
Rosebud. That iconic touchstone object from Citizen Kane has form-function beauty and the cinematic advantage of being filmed in swirling snow to great effect, leaning against a door or wall, if memory serves me well. For me, as a child of the sixties in Los Angeles, my Rosebud was an aluminum Christmas tree illuminated by a rotating plastic gel turning it from red to orange to green to blue. Technicolor at home when the TV was still black and white, it dazzled with the simple statement of saturated color. I used to sit transfixed by that tree.
That tree is my earliest color memory in a world of white walls, carpet and furniture opening onto white-hot concrete pool decking and a pale blue pool. Deep color was to be found elsewhere: either out on Ventura Boulevard in the bright orange GTO’s and olive green Mustangs or at Christmas with these colorful trees.
Over the years my trees have taken all sorts of shapes and sizes and colors. Their spirit reflects the places that I have been and the people that I have known. From this love of the ritual, and the trial and errors of 40 years of tree-trimming, I offer the following advice:
1. Live Trees. You have to cut the base fresh and, as Martha says, you really do have to drill three holes 4” deep up the center of the trunk BEFORE putting the tree in water. If you are not willing to do this, do not buy a live cut tree!
2. Pre-lit Artificial Trees. These are the salvation of marriages and of the skin on your fingers. They are the only way to go today in the 21st century.
3. Ornaments. Focus on what every child focuses on… the BASE. That’s where the toys are to be found. Select a beautiful purpose-made skirt or make your own. The red velvet ones with the white fur make it look like your tree has landed on Santa, thereby deflating him. Santa is fat, not flat. That’s bad Karma. Our skirt here is made by Carmen Oliva, Washington’s finest seamstress. She sews like an Angel. That’s good Karma. Remember that the skirt is a tree ornament of another kind!
4. Ornaments. Homemade. Gifts. Vintage. In our family it is a tradition that the parents give an ornament to each child and the children to the parents in return. Themes develop over time that are discovered rather than appropriated. I always receive a White House ornament from a client who works there; it is my favorite gift because it marks our long standing friendship.
5. Ornaments. Sensing a pattern here? It is all about the ornaments! The more personal the better.
At the Georgetown Jingle, our tree “A Nordic Christmas,” honors another of my long standing friendships, that with Helge Brink, Denmark’s leading designer of beautiful handmade glass and silver ornaments. We bring the white tree as a foil for the dark Nordic winter and also in tribute to my Los Angeles Christmases of my youth. Helge’s clear, silver, blue, turquoise and green ornaments populate our white tree. At no time of year do most of us consider with such care the decoration of our homes. At no time of the year is it clearer why we do this: to honor our friends and family in the celebrations of the Season. Helge and I join our partner in this effort, Daniel R. (in remission!) to benefit Georgetown University Hospital’s pediatric oncology programs. Our mix of modernity and tradition was inspired in the first instance, as it should be, by Daniel’s very own bold, fun, modern yellow-frame sunglasses.
Jerry and Daniel
~ Jerry Dawson Begley, Dawson Begley Design
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Interior Designer: Gloria de Lourdes Blalock, Blalock Interiors
Often times, when I am asked about where my inspiration comes from for a holiday tree, a typical answer for me usually ties my thoughts to nature. It is in those elements found on the garden’s ground and in the branches high above the bird’s nest…that I gather both my color palette, as well as my materials.
The theme for this year’s holiday tree is “Let There Be Light” and will showcase some of the holiday décor available from Pottery Barn on a beautiful ten foot Sugar Pine tree. This title provides the association I have always felt is inherent between the words ‘light’ and ‘hope.’ For if we shed light on the issues associated with finding a cure for cancer, then we have equally put hope in the hearts of many. The many individuals that make the Georgetown Jingle such a success are doing just this. They are all pillars of light carrying the hopes for a cure in their tireless efforts to fundraise for this amazing event.
This year I am also blessed to add another source of inspiration for my tree. Her name is Eliza, and she is a beautiful and brave little girl who battled with Lymphoma when she was only weeks old. Today, thanks to the care of doctors, such as Dr. Aziza Shad at Georgetown University Hospital, Eliza is a healthy little girl whose cancer has been confirmed to be in full remission. Her parents know that their story is one of exceptional triumph over adversity, but not all stories have such happy endings. This is why I am proud to be participating in the Jingle for the third straight year in a row. My team and I will cast our spell upon ‘Let There Be Light’ and in its wake leave a trail of hope for the smiling faces and the tender hearts of our young heroes it has chosen to enlighten!
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If you haven’t received it already, look for a private tour of renowned artist Sam Gilliam’s home in the Spring 2010 issue of HOME & DESIGN. 
As I work, I’m practically disappearing into the foliage to achieve the special effect of a tree that’s been decorated from the inside out. I am frequently asked if I start with a plan but I prefer to call it a vision. I start with an idea of the impression I want to achieve and, like a painter, I instinctively balance color, form and texture, until an inner voice calls out, “Stop!” I think it’s vital that every creative endeavor allow room for this kind of serendipity. When I review fabrics and paint colors with clients, I watch to see their eyes light up – then use those choices to create a room that reflects their own innate vision.
