Home & Design

A Seamless Blend May/June 2011

The owner of a 1990s house in Northwest DC wished to retain the home’s traditional architectural detailing while introducing a clean-lined, minimalist design scheme throughout. He called on interior designer Jessica Mowery to do the job, which included an overhaul of the master bath.

Mowery gutted the space to create an expansive spa environment. The owner wanted the room to feel masculine, so the designer chose wide, dark marble floor tiles and textured stone walls. She contrasted these two elements with a bright white, Corian-topped sink and attached Silestone vanity. White marble subway tiles work as the backsplash, and Mowery furnished the space with a Lucite stool by Kartell that can be pulled up to the vanity area.
An adjacent walk-in closet provides plenty of storage. Mowery added recessed lighting by Contrast and bath accessories—including vases by Italian designer Rina Menardi—from Contemporaria to complete the look.

BATH DESIGN: Jessica Mowery, MOW design studio, Silver Spring, MD. CONTRACTOR: RL Contractors, Lorton, VA. PHOTOGRAPHY: Stacy Zarin-Goldberg, Olney, Maryland.

Where To Find It
FIXTURES: Hansgrohe, Kohler through Ferguson, Silver Spring, MD. TILES: Stone Source, Washington, DC. SINK & VANITY: Corian & Silestone, custom by MOW design studio, fabricated by Designer Surfaces Unlimited, Frederick, MD.

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**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

A Timeless Design May/June 2011

Savena Doychinov was charged with updating a non-descript, 35-square-foot master bath in a Falls Church, Virginia, townhouse, while also adding as much storage and countertop space to the tiny room as possible. Other goals for the project included uniting the bath and adjacent bedroom visually to make the space feel more like a master suite; modernizing the bath to create a timeless look; and enlivening the décor by giving it architectural definition.

Doychinov began by installing two floor-to-ceiling recesses to hold glass shelving, both for storage and for decoration. She also replaced the tub with a shower, adding a two-level niche and cladding the back wall in aqua glass tiles inspired by the headboard in the bedroom. Dimmable lighting contributes to the mood as does a range of materials, including custom-cut limestone wall tiles, a wall-hung vanity with a stainless-steel vessel sink and hardware and cherry veneer panels behind the recessed area.

KITCHEN DESIGN: Savena Doychinov; PROJECT MANAGER: Dimiter Doychinov, Design Studio International Kitchen & Bath, LLC, Falls Church, VA. PHOTOGRAPHY: Bob Narod, Herndon, Virginia.

Where To Find It
FIXTURES: Toto, Grohe through JCR Distributors, Dallas, TX. CUSTOM VANITY: Adelphi Kitchens, Robesonia, PA. LIGHTING: WAC Lighting through Y Lighting. LIMESTONE FLOORING & WALLS:  Marble Systems, Fairfax, VA.

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**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

 

Indulgences MAY/JUNE 2011

 

WHEN IN ROME

The Portrait Suites envelops guests in style and romance in the heart of the Eternal City. Its swank interiors designed by Michele Bönan feature marble bathrooms, black-stained French oak millwork and views of Monte Mario and the Spanish Steps. From about $740. designhotels.com/portrait_suites

LONDON CALLING

The brand new Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane recently opened its doors near Hyde Park. It boasts a glass-walled rooftop spa with views of the city, plus 192 elegant rooms and suites and a restaurant, Amaranto, serving afternoon tea with Italian flair. From about $600. fourseasons.com

TROPICAL ESCAPE

The W Retreat & Spa Bali—Seminyak mixes cutting-edge design with local influences. Its luxurious villa retreats offer refreshing pools while its 24-7 AWAY Spa pampers guests in a pure oxygen-filled lounge before treatments. From $388 with breakfast through June 30. whotels.com/baliseminyak

LET THE SHOW BEGIN

Dining becomes theater—literally—at Sensorium,a pop-up restaurant housed in a 36-foot geodisc dome near National’s Park stadium. Artists choreograph performances in sync with the presentation of a 12-course repast created by chef Bryon Brown. Dazzling dishes may include an oyster medley or pork belly with sautéed asparagus and a potato ring. $150 per person through May 22. sensoriumdc.com

GOOD LIBATIONS

Bartender Brennan Adams has introduced fruit-laced cocktails at DC’s Masa 14 just in time for warmer weather. Choices include lychee lemonade, which pairs lychee purée and a splash of Bacardi Razz, and a cherry-margarita or a cherry-tequila smash, both containing tequila that’s been infused overnight with dried cherries. 1825 14th Street, NW; 202-328-1414. masa14.com

CAPITAL INFUSION

Manelle Martino, whose great-great-grandfather was a tea grower, is keeping the tradition alive with Capital Teas, a shop offering 120 loose teas from around the world plus teapots and accessories. After opening her first location in Annapolis in 2007, she is now expanding her empire with new outposts in National Harbor, Bethesda’s Wildwood Shopping Center and Georgetown, with Dupont Circle coming soon. capitalteas.com

SET SAIL FOR SUMMER

Designed by Bruce King in 1995, the Hinckley Sou’wester 70 is still turning heads in harbors around the globe. Its minimal, six-foot, six-inch draft enables the graceful 70-foot yacht to anchor almost anywhere. Below deck, Hinckley configures the cabins, salon, galley and dining areas according to captain’s orders. hinckleyyachts.com

COVER-UP INTRIGUE

Gottex’s Aquarelle Flower Cover-up brings high fashion to the sands with its deep caftan neckline, loose three-quarter sleeves and imported Italian silk. $398. It complements a matching strapless one-piece bathing suit, $178. neimanmarcus.com 

 

RAISING CANE

Nothing conjures up the heyday of stylish travel like the proper handbag. Two Tiffany creations, the Eliza bucket tote, $695 and the Avery top handle bag, $895, combine classic caning, natural grain leather and palladium-plated solid brass hardware. Both made in Italy. tiffany.com


**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living.  Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.

 

 

 

 

Best in Show May/ June 2011

The 2011 design competition organized by the Baltimore- Washington Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) welcomed close to 100 entries from area designers. Sponsored by Home & Design, the contest invites experienced area professionals to judge each submission; this year, the jury included Ernesto Santalla, AIA, LEED AP, of Studio Santalla, Inc.; Barbara Hawthorn of Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd.; Skip Sroka, CID, ASID, of Sroka Design Incorporated; and Sharon Jaffe Dan, editor in chief of Home & Design. Submissions were held to the NKBA’s high standards of design, safety and functionality, and the winners, whose work is featured below, combined those standards with style and flair.

A Warm Welcome  read more
Garden Spot   read more
Galley Green  read more
Contemporary Cool   read more
Light & Airy  read more
A Seamless Blend  read more
A Timeless Design  read more

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

 

The Green Scene May/June 2011

Determined to push the limits of green building, architect Marcie Meditch decided to design a home that would generate as much energy as it consumes. The fact that there was no client on board didn’t stop her from going forward with the project as a spec home. Meditch approached Nash Construction, which has a proven track record in green practices, to build her zero-energy home on a lot in Bethesda that backs to a community center and park.

First, the outdated house on the property had to come down; neighbors were invited to salvage building materials during demolition. “People took windows, flooring, plantings and sliding glass doors,” Meditch recalls, “so we were able to recycle the house back to the neighborhood.”

Another lucky turn came a few months after construction had commenced. Ann Luskey, an ocean conservationist, heard about the project and decided to buy the home before it was finished. “Ann was very committed to the idea and was a perfect buyer as far as I was concerned,” says Meditch. Also an interior designer, Luskey got to work with Meditch selecting surfaces, finishes and materials that were not only stylish and modern, but eco-friendly.

A year later, the completed five-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot house embraces all of the tenets of green building. It is designed to keep energy needs—and consumption—as low as possible with its ultra-insulated skin and high-performance windows. Solar panels fuel most of the electricity and hot water—and cycle surplus energy back into the power grid. A geothermal system efficiently keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer, while zoned heating and cooling can shut down in certain rooms when not in use. Energy Star-rated appliances and lighting help reduce energy needs.

Landscaping also plays an integral role in the plan. A green roof and rain garden help minimize storm water runoff while strategically planted trees as well as solar window shades and a large trellis screen out the summer sun.

The home’s LEED certification is pending and hopes are high that it will receive the highest rating, Platinum. But what makes Meditch most proud is the fact that there are no clues—aside from solar panels on the roof—that distinguish the zero-energy house from any other stylish new home in the area. “Most people were surprised that it is as inviting and comfortable as it is,” she says. “There’s a lot of behind-the-wall things that we did, but it looks just like a regular house. There’s no reason why any house can’t be this way with a little bit of thoughtfulness up front.”

ARCHITECTURE: MARCIE MEDITCH, AIA, and JOHN MURPHEY, AIA,
Meditch Murphey Architects, Inc., Chevy Chase, Maryland.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTuRE: JOAN HONEYMAN, Jordan Honeyman Landscape Architecture, LLC, Washington, DC. CONSTRUCTION: Nash Construction, Marshall, Virginia. STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: ROBERT SILLMAN & ASSOCIATES, Washington, DC. Photography: ANICE HOACHLANDER, Hoachlander Davis Photography, Washington, DC.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features. Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.

Moment of Zen May/June 2011

Yoga takes on deeper meaning when practiced in a sustainably designed guesthouse overlooking Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. This idyll in the woods with an arced wall of glass was built by the owners of a DC yoga studio as an offshoot of their vacation home on the same five-acre property.

Architect Jim Burton built the main house as an “early try at sustainable design” 17 years ago. When its current owners approached him about adding another bedroom onto the home, they discovered that zoning laws would not permit an addition, but building a separate, freestanding structure was okay. So they asked Burton to design a guesthouse where they could accommodate friends and family and enjoy yoga sessions with views of the surrounding wilderness.

With the project confined by regulations to a mere 600 square feet, the architect had to make the most of every inch. Compact in form yet graceful in line, the completed structure embraces nature in its design as well as its modest carbon footprint. In fact, the yoga studio became the first LEED for Homes Gold Certified House in the southeastern U.S.

The clients requested that Burton and interior designer Michelle Timberlake get inventive with their use of materials—and they happily complied. The studio’s exterior walls and roof are constructed of curved, prefabricated SIPs (structural insulated panels). Its base is clad in TX Active pollution abatement cement, a product that actually cleans the air, in its first-ever usage in the U.S. In lieu of drywall and paint, interior walls are sheathed in stretched canvas and coated with a beeswax and resin finish.

The curved window wall takes advantage of passive solar energy and also creates wider volume in the main living space, while Burton “pinched” the ends of the structure to conserve precious square footage in secondary spaces such as the doorways, mudroom and bath. “Not only is the arc tracking the passive solar quality of the sun moving across the sky,” says Burton, “but it also reveals panoramic views towards the valley and the rock ledge and the trees. It all works in harmony.”

Panels in the reclaimed poplar floor open to reveal three built-in beds in the main living space. Moveable furnishings have organic lines that mimic the curves of the architecture. Wool upholstery adds punches of color, but there is otherwise no superfluous ornamentation.

“We talked about the idea of not having any artwork in the project so that there are no metaphysical distractions in the space,” says Burton. “It’s all about the nature, the light, the material, the detailing of the building and the people.”

ARCHITECTURE: JIM BURTON, AIA, Carter + Burton Architecture & Interior Design, Berryville, Virginia. INTERIOR DESIGN: MICHELLE TIMBERLAKE, ASID, IIDA, Carter + Burton Architecture & Interior Design. CONTRACTOR: CHARLES SNEAD, Boyce, Virginia. Photography: DANIEL AFZAL, Alexandria, Virginia.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features. Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.

May/June 2011

The white shingle-style model home on Bradley Boulevard in Bethesda has generated considerable buzz since its debut last fall. Designed by architect George Myers of GTM Architects, the spacious five-bedroom residence boasts a welcoming front portico, an oversized gourmet kitchen and luxurious bathrooms. But there’s more beneath the stylish amenities and architectural detail than meets the eye.

Dubbed the Bradley Green Home, it is a modular house constructed in half the time it would take to build a typical custom home. It takes advantage of practical green-building methods such as geothermal heating and cooling, solar-powered hot water and a rainwater-collection and -irrigation system. Designed with a tight building envelope using high-efficiency windows and insulation, it is expected to be 40 percent more energy efficient than a traditionally built home (its LEED certification is pending).

New Classics by Sandy Spring Builders—an affiliate of Sandy Spring Builders, which has a 30-year-track record of building upscale homes in the region—developed the model. “The house shows that you can take a beautifully designed, architecturally detailed, well-constructed home that is along the lines of what many people are looking for in a new home,” says Mimi Brodsky Kress, one of New Classics’ principals, “and incorporate sensible, practical green features.”

New Classics partnered with Haven Homes, a Baltimore-based company that creates energy-efficient, air-tight modular homes, to build the Bradley Green Home using George Myers’s design. It was completed in less than 16 weeks from foundation—half the time associated with typical construction techniques. Since finished modules were transported to the site in a single day, the builders avoided the material waste and transportation costs involved in conventional building. The shorter construction time also reduced prolonged disruptions and noise pollution in the neighborhood. The Bethesda Green Home is now serving as a model for similar homes to be built throughout the region.

In the backyard, a small, freestanding guesthouse with French doors flanked by columns is also open for tours. The home was designed by architect Russell Versaci for Retreats, LLC, a venture he launched last year with Sandy Spring Builders. The company has introduced a line of systems-built cottages that range from 475 to 1,100 square feet in size. Delivered to home sites in just 45 days, they can serve myriad purposes, from offices and studios to guesthouses and in-law suites. Also based on modular construction, Retreats are energy-efficient and minimize waste as well as construction time.

The Bradley Green Home and its Retreat have struck a chord among consumers and sales of similar models are on the rise. Kress attributes their success to an educated public who can differentiate between “feel-good green” and “practical green.”

“Practical green is something like the geothermal heating and cooling,” she explains, adding that while these alternative methods cost more than traditional systems, the payback and tax credits are worth the investment. “With rain harvesting, you’re saving on your water usage but you’re also recycling nature’s rainfall. You’re helping the environment and you’re saving money in utility bills and in consumption.

“As we did our research and looked into things,” Kress concludes, “it made a lot of sense.”

MAIN HOUSE ARCHITECTURE: GEORGE MYERS, AIA, GTM Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. RETREAT ARCHITECTURE: RUSSELL VERSACI, Russell Versaci Architecture, Middleburg, Virginia. CONTRACTOR: NEW CLASSICS BY SANDY SPRING BUILDERS, Bethesda, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: URBAN COUNTRY, Bethesda, Maryland. LIVING RETAINING WALL: FINE EARTH LANDSCAPE, INC., Poolesville, Maryland. LANDSCAPING: CLEARWATER LANDSCAPE, Ijamsville, Maryland.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features. Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.

Going GREEN May/June 2011

Space Saver
1. Caroma’s Invisi Series II wall-hung toilet features Smartflush technology, which conserves water through a high-efficiency, low-flush system, saving as much as 330 gallons of water a year per person. With plumbing hidden inside the wall, it is ideal for smaller bathrooms. caromausa.com

A Refined Process
2. Sina Pearson Textiles’ new Global Village Collection of indoor/outdoor fabric uses a polypropylene fiber by-product of the petroleum refining process that would otherwise be incinerated. A GreenShield finish is designed to repel moisture in the most environmentally sound way; the fiber and yarn can be recycled without harmful effects to the environmt.ensinapearson.com

New and Different
3. Kirei Board is a strong, lightweight, durable substitute for wood—usable for furniture, cabinetry (such as the bathroom vanity pictured here), casegoods and other interior design elements. Made from reclaimed sorghum straw and no-added-formaldehyde adhesive, it creates an unusual, modern look. kireiusa.com

Low Impact
4. Earthcrete tubs from Sonoma Cast Stone are made with a recycled, concrete-like material that is lighter than regular concrete. It utilizes no river rock and 87 percent less river and delta sand, which results in a lower impact on local waterways. Tubs are available  in a range of colors; embedded heating coils are optional. sonomastone.com

Sculpted Surfaces
5. Architectural Systems, Inc.’s Sculptured Collection offers ultra-textured MDF wall panels made with no-added-urea formaldehyde. Packaged in 100 percent recycled cardboard, these panels come primed in white or unprimed for a natural wood appearance; custom finishes are also available. Pictured here in a room by J. Britto Designs. archsystems.com

The Real Thing
6. NewStyle Hybrid Shutters from Hunter Douglas offer the color and grain pattern of real stained wood with the strength, stability and uniformity of manmade materials. Available in stained and painted finishes and 11 frame styles, they are highly energy efficient and GreenGuard Indoor Air certified.
hunterdouglas.com

Well-Oiled
7. With the petroleum industry under increasing pressure to go green, eco-minded designers are making a statement by turning formerly utilitarian oil drums into recycled furniture. Pictured here, a vibrantly hued stool that is part of a series of Mobil and Texaco oil drum pieces. peoriaemporium.com

Sustainable Seating
8. Discovered on an old military base in Hungary, these vintage stools from the 1940s had plastic backs that were split and faded with time. Retrofitted with reclaimed pine and oak taken from demolished buildings, they now provide durable, recycled seating made from completely sustainable materials. europe2you.com

Great Outdoors
9. Designed by John Reeves for Henry Hall Designs, the Cast Outdoor collection is made of 100 percent recycled aluminum with a durable zinc plate patina finish and FSC-certified teak wood. The collection includes a rectangular dining table and side chairs (pictured), square and round tables in a range of sizes and a bench. henryhalldesigns.com

Friendly Fire
10. Morso’s wood-burning stoves are eco-friendly and energy efficient. The emission of particles during burning is reduced to a minimum through refined combustion technology and advanced purification systems; the stoves are made using 98 percent recycled materials. Pictured here, a wall-mounted stove in cast iron. morsona.com

Color Scheme
11. Mythic paint—the only latex paint that is non-toxic with zero VOCs—has  launched a high-end line called Mythic Black Label. Serving as both paint and primer, it’s available in 1,232 colors and in semi-gloss, satin and matte finishes. It features the company’s New Color Capture Technology, which provides richer, more lasting pigments. mythicpaint.com

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

A Mindful Approach May/June 2011

After 20 years working with clients, John Heltzel has become an expert listener. His practice encompasses new construction and remodeling in equal amounts; it includes four architects on staff, and they design in a variety of styles and sizes. One thing never changes, however: the emphasis Heltzel and his team place on listening.

“What separates me is that I take a mindful approach to the process,” Heltzel says. “I enjoy working with people, being attentive both to what the client wants and what the lot dictates.”

In fact, much of the firm’s business comes from clients who hire them to finish projects that were begun by another architect. “They just didn’t get it,” a client will tell Heltzel. “They weren’t listening.” Heltzel prides himself on hearing what his clients have to say—and educating them when necessary.
That attitude applies not only to the vision for a project but also to its cost. Heltzel started out as a carpenter and was inspired to go back to school after a few years in that end of the industry. “Because of my experience, I’m aware of project costs,” he explains. “I am able to accurately and carefully walk clients through to a realistic budget.”

Facts & Stats
John F. Heltzel A.I.A., PC, does a combination of residential and light commercial work.
SPECIALTIES: Heltzel is a LEED-certified architect practicing mainly in Northern Virginia.
INQUIRIES: John F. Heltzel A.I.A., PC, 9389 Forestwood Lane, Manassas, Virginia 20110; 703-330-6170; heltzelaia.com email: [email protected]

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features. Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.

HOME&DESIGN, published bi-monthly by Homestyles Media Inc., is the premier magazine of architecture and fine interiors for the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia region.

The company also publishes an annual H&D Sourcebook of ideas and resources for homeowners and professionals alike. H&D Chesapeake Views is published bi-annually and showcases fine home design and luxury living in and around the Chesapeake Bay.

The H&D Portfolio of 100 Top Designers spotlights the superior work of selected architects, interior designers and landscape architects in major regions of the US.

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