LIGHT SHOW The polished-brass Jasmine pendant by Mitzi, an offshoot of Hudson Valley Lighting, sports an eye-catching, “open-cage” design. Available in two sizes; $198 and $248. hudsonvalleylighting.com
BOLD STATEMENT Part of Christian Lacroix Maison for Roche Bobois, the Maison Lacroix Chair makes a bold statement. The beech chair is upholstered in graphic Cabanon fabric, with legs finished in contrasting brass. $1,470. roche-bobois.com
CHIC CURVES At 60 inches wide, the Bacharach Settee by Jonathan Adler is ideal for small spaces. The curvaceous seat is upholstered in Rialto Ash velvet and paired with an architectural, brushed-brass base. $3,950; jonathanadler.com
DC-native Jennifer Mabley and husband Austin Handler, owners of the Hamptons, New York-based interiors firm Mabley Handler, have designed a new furniture collection for Kravet. Putting a sophisticated spin on the casual beach-house style, the line includes upholstery, case goods and occasional furniture that blend fabrics, woods, and metals to stunning effect. The collection also includes grass-cloth wallpaper that can be applied to bar tables, mirrors and more. At Kravet in the Washington Design Center.
accessories. “The collection has a very individual spirit,” the designer says. “Some compositions may seem an odd amalgam, but that is highly deliberate. I am prone to contrasts, opposites and the tension between classical and modern. I like juxtaposing things that might otherwise never be placed with one another.”
Though a lawyer by training, Carter was always fascinated by design and shifted gears about 20 years ago to launch a successful interiors practice. He has written two best-selling books, and his eponymous boutique—located in a pre-Civil War carriage house in Shaw—reflects his timeless appeal and gathered sensibility.
“In this age of ‘instant,’ the home should remain a bastion of tranquility that expresses the individual,” he says. “No two homes should ever be the same.” The collection is available exclusively at Baker in DC’s Cady’s Alley. bakerfurniture.com
Nantucket Vibe
James McDonald designed a sprawling traditional home with comfort and charm to spare
Historic Charm
Ballard Mensua brings a 1913 DC home into the 21st century
Classic Haven
Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects designs a warm and inviting shingle-style home
Form & Function
John F. Heltzel AIA updates the 1980s, Mediterranean-style home indoors and out
Craftsman Contemporary
Thomas Manion artfully blends styles in an open, light-filled home
Classical Influence
Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton Architects design a Palladian-style villa amid Virginia’s rolling countryside
English Country Style
James F. Rill, AIA, renovates a mundane rambler with charming results
Modest Growth
EL Studio transforms a cramped bungalow with a modest, well thought-out addition
Modern Magic
AV Architects + Builders designs a sprawling contemporary home to take advantage of its picturesque locale
Smithsonian Craft2Wear showcases cutting-edge couture and one-of-a-kind jewelry from October 5 to 7.
More than 60 designers will display their clothing, jewelry and accessory collections—ranging from classic to avant-garde—at the Smithsonian Craft2Wear show. Exhibitor Janice Kissinger “builds” her own textiles and fashions by hand without sewing.
Held at the National Building Museum, the juried event begins Thursday, October 5, with an evening reception (admission: $50), then continues all day on the 6th and 7th (admission: $15). Proceeds benefit Smithsonian museums and programs. smithsoniancraft2wear.org
James Beard Award-winning chef Frank Ruta’s latest hot spot, Mirabelle, is just two blocks away from his former kitchen at The White House. Georgia-based Norris Design Studio decked out the chic interiors, from the entry vestibule with tufted-leather walls to the chic dining room. The menu offers a fresh take on French classics. After dinner, a floating dessert cart tempts diners to sample the creations of pastry chef Aggie Chin. 900 16th Street, NW; 202-506-3833. mirabelledc.com
Rising Star
Ryan Ratino, the former executive chef at Ripple and a 2017 Rammy award-winner for rising star, is slated to open his own restaurant, Bresca, in fall 2017. It will celebrate the European movement of “bistronomy,” putting a less formal, “bistro” spin on traditional French gastronomy. Ratino says the menu—featuring cured ocean trout and sea urchin linguini —“will create new traditions that everyone can enjoy.” 1906 14th Street, NW; brescadc.com
To many, relaxing by the pool is almost as enjoyable as diving in on a summer day—particularly when screened from the sun’s hot rays. Increasingly, homeowners planning a pool project choose to incorporate a shelter into their overall plan. Options range from simple pergolas and pavilions to elaborate pool houses decked out with kitchens and bars, audio-video systems, baths and changing rooms.
Pros advise clients to consider everything from functionality and size to positioning and style when designing a poolside shelter. “More and more people are looking for shade as opposed to the full-on sun around swimming pools,” says Charles Owen of Fine Landscapes. He recommends sitting structures on the western side of the pool for maximum shade as the sun sets.
While pergolas with comfortable seating can serve as ideal social and dining areas for pools sited close to the house, says Mike Prokopchak of Walnut Hill Landscape Company, a pool house “provides amenities for a ‘destination’ pool located farther away.”
However, Owen cautions homeowners against trying to fit too many features into a pool structure. “Don’t bite off more than you need,” he advises. “Assess what the absolute need is beyond creating shelter from sun and rain. Having a little fridge is not a bad thing, but whether you need running water or a bathroom—those are secondary considerations.”
Sponsored by the Maryland Building Industry Association, the annual Custom Builder Awards honor architecture, construction and remodeling projects in the Greater Washington, DC, area. Following is a list of all 2017 MBIA winners; Gold-Award winners are pictured here.
GOLD—Sandy Spring Builders, LLC. Architecture: GTM Architects. Photography: MBK Photography.
CUSTOM CONTEMPORARY HOME
GOLD—Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC. Builder: Menditch Homes, LLC. Photography: Stu Estler Photography.
CUSTOM TRANSITIONAL HOME
GOLD—Sandy Spring Builders, LLC. Architecture: GTM Architects. Photography: MBK Photography.
SILVER—Chuck Sullivan Homes. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC.
CUSTOM GREEN HOME
GOLD—Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders. Architecture: Custom Design Concepts. Photography: BTW Images.
SPECULATIVE TRANSITIONAL HOME
GOLD—Laurence Cafritz Builders. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC. Photography: Stu Estler Photography.
SILVER—Three Brothers Land Co. Architecture: Claude C. Lapp Architects.
BRONZE—R&R Custom Homes. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC.
SPECULATIVE GREEN HOME
GOLD—Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders. Architecture:
Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders. Photography: BTW Images.
SILVER—Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders. Architecture:
Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders.
CUSTOM HOME under 3,500 square feet
GOLD—Douglas Construction Group. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC. Photography: Doug Monsein.
CUSTOM HOME 3,500-5,000 square feet
GOLD—Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders. Architecture: Lessard Design, Inc. Photography: HomeVisit.
SILVER—Finecraft Contractors, Inc. Architecture: SevenFiveThree Development.
CUSTOM HOME 5,000-7,500 square feet
GOLD—Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC. Builder: Sandy Spring Builders, LLC. Photography: Stu Estler Photography.
SILVER—Washington Metropolitan Homes. Architecture: Claude C. Lapp Architects.
BRONZE—Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders. Architecture:
Custom Design Concepts.
CUSTOM HOME 7,500-12,500 square feet
GOLD—R&R Custom Homes. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC. Photography: Stu Estler Photography.
SILVER—Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC. Builder: Sandy Spring Builders, LLC.
SPECULATIVE HOME 3,500-5,000 square feet
GOLD—Foxhall Homes. Architecture: Architecture Collaborative. Photography: HouseLens, Inc.
SPECULATIVE HOME 5,000-7,500 square feet
GOLD—Washington Metropolitan Homes. Architecture: Claude C. Lapp Architects. Photography: Structure Photography.
SILVER—Douglas Construction Group. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC.
BRONZE—Chuck Sullivan Homes. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC.
SPECULATIVE HOME over 7,500 square feet
GOLD—Castlewood Consulting, LLC. Architecture: Castlewood Consulting, LLC. Photography: HomeVisit.
ADDITION over 2,000 square feet
GOLD—R&R Custom Homes. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC. Photography: Stu Estler Photography.
RENOVATION over 2,000 square feet
GOLD—Sandy Spring Builders, LLC. Architecture: Glenn Chen Fong, AIA, PLLC. Photography: MBK Photography.
Perfect for city life, Stromer’s ST1 X electric bike uses technology to create a smooth and carefree cycling experience. Innovations include touchscreen control, a motor powering speeds up to 28 mph and an app that manages anti-theft protection, GPS-localization, and fitness information. Under power, the German-made bike can travel up to 93 miles between charges. Its sleek frame comes in orange, charcoal, and white. $4,999. stromerbike.com
Color Your World
Samsung’s new line of QLED TVs introduces the company’s latest technology, which creates 100-percent color volume. This means the screens can express all colors at any level of brightness. Other improvements include a single transparent cable that integrates input from other devices. Available in four models, the TV can be flush-mounted or displayed on a stand. From $2,500. samsung.com/us
Touch + Go
Chic and functional, the Brooklyn AC LED Task Lamp brings style and efficiency to a workspace or bedside table. The lamp cradles and charges cell phones; it also boasts two USB ports for charging other devices. Available in brushed-aluminum or black-slate with three touch-activated brightness settings. $250. luxledlights.com
Home & Design celebrated the launch of its July/August 2017 Designers issue with a party at Best Tile on June 14th. Guests mingled and browsed the Rockville showroom’s array of kitchen, bath and surface materials.
The Washington Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art advances the practice and appreciation of classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts. Every other year, the chapter holds a design competition to recognize fine classical work in the region.
The awards are named after John Russell Pope (1874-1937), a New York-based architect who designed significant classical buildings in Washington, DC, including the Jefferson Memorial and the National Gallery of Art. After a jury of experts selected this year’s winning projects, the chapter announced the 2017 awards at a gala held on April 21 at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. The winning projects are pictured above; for more information, visit classicist-washington.org.
NEW RESIDENTIAL DESIGN over 5,000 square feet Jones & Boer Architects. Chain Bridge House.
NEW RESIDENTIAL DESIGN under 5,000 square feet Jones & Boer Architects. West River House.
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION OR ADDITION over 5,000 square feet Barnes Vanze Architects Inc. Addition to a Pope House.
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION OR ADDITION under 5,000 square feet Donald Lococo Architects. Kalorama Renovation.
INTERIOR DESIGN Patrick Sutton. New Life for a Storied Home.
COMMERCIAL/INSTITUTIONAL Glavé & Holmes Architecture. Christopher Newport Hall.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION Historical Arts and Casting. U.S. Capitol Dome Restoration.
OTHER WINNERS
Ecclesiastical over 3,000 square feet: McCrery Architects. St. Mary’s Help of Christians Church.
Ecclesiastical under 3,000 square feet: O’Brien and Keane Architecture. Mary’s Chapel.
Artisanship-Ironwork: Iron Masters. Iron in the Classical Tradition.
Artisanship-Stone: Marmi Natural Stone. Monumental Staircase.
Student Awards: Parker Hansen, Notre Dame, Debate Theater for the National Mall; and Michael Rabe, Judson University, Shipbuilding Museum.
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE
Award of Excellence Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect, Q Street residence, Washington, DC. Jones & Boer Architects, West River House, Harwood, Maryland.
Award of Merit
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect, House on Solitude Creek, St. Michaels, Maryland.
Jurors’ Citation
Kube Architecture, Salt + Pepper House, Washington, DC.
David Jameson Architect, Wildcat Mountain House, The Plains, Virginia.
Kube Architecture, Casa Abierta, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Donald Lococo Architects, Historic City-House Renovation, Washington, DC.
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
Award of Excellence Bonstra | Haresign Architects, The Sanctuary, Washington, DC.
Award of Merit Barnes Vanze Architects Inc., Addition to a Pope House, Washington, DC.