Home & Design

Harbor City From its beginnings in 1649 as a Puritan community on the Severn River to its present status as an international sailing mecca, Annapolis has been welcoming guests for centuries. The town boasts an array of seasonal activities, shops, and history—much of it revolving around the riches of the river and the nearby Chesapeake Bay.

With a cornucopia of American architectural styles, Annapolis is commonly called a “museum without walls.” Color-coded, octagonal markers help visitors find 240 well-preserved, historic structures across the city. For example, red means Georgian (1715-1800) while yellow highlights distinctive early 20th-century styles, from Beaux Arts to Craftsman.

To get the lay of the circles, streets, and waterways, head first to the Visitors Center for an acclimating tour of the city by trolley or five-passenger electric vehicle. Two central circles mark the oldest section of Annapolis: State Circle surrounds the circa-1772 Maryland State House, which once served as our nation’s capitol building and is in legislative use today. Located in Church Circle, St. Anne’s Church dates back to 1858. From these circles, Annapolis divides into roughly five scrollable main areas, each of which will tickle both your fancy and your taste buds.

CITY DOCK/MAIN STREET
For the busiest and most touristy part of town—and views of the harbor—follow Main Street toward City Dock, which overlooks Ego Alley. This narrow strip of water offers boat owners a chance to strut their stuff for the crowds at surrounding coffee shops and restaurants, provided they don’t get themselves stuck navigating the maritime traffic. No boat? Set sail with the Woodwind or Woodwind II, 74-foot staysail schooners that offer two-hour sails in the bay and around the Naval Academy, and overnight stays in the warmer months.

The poignant Kunta Kinte/Alex Haley memorial commemorates the spot wherein 1787, Kunta Kinte and 97 other slaves debarked in Annapolis Harbor from the ship Lord Ligonier. The memorial depicts a life-sized bronze statue of Haley reading to a group of children and points toward the Chesapeake Bay—the road his ancestor traveled to get here. Visitors can also read excerpts from Haley’s influential novel, Roots, and more, on 10 markers along Compromise Street. The site hosts an annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival in September with live music, food, and vendors.

An Annapolis institution, the always-hopping Chick and Ruth’s Delly makes its own donuts, along with colossal shakes, crab eggs Benedict and an array of Maryland politician-themed sandwiches. At Preserve, husband-and-wife Culinary Institute of America grads Jeremy and Michelle Hoffman celebrate pickled and fermented foods with offerings from a glazed beef rice bowl to house-made specialty pickles. Drop by for happy hour specials to pique your palate. Overlooking the dock, Iron Roosters serves breakfast all day, along with house-made pop tarts.

Shopping in this area of Annapolis ranges from nautically themed Sperry shoes to fashions by Lily Pulitzer. Want to immortalize your own piece of the shoreline? Head into Nautical North for custom wall charts and gorgeous 3-D maps of your favorite property or body of water. And from November 25 to December 17, take advantage of local artisans displaying their wares, from art and jewelry to gifts and holiday décor, at the Here A Pop-Up Shop at 186 Main Street.

Centrally located lodgings offer walking access to the sites and a chance to sleep in historic digs. Gibson’s Lodgings offers a Georgian main mansion, plus two other 19th century-themed homes and a breakfast that includes a waffle station. Historic Inns of Annapolis features three history-rich homes with Victorian flair on or near State Circle.

Not far from City Dock, the U.S. Naval Academy is open for walking tours of its impressive campus on prime waterfront real estate. Its domed main chapel houses four gorgeous Tiffany windows and the stunning marble crypt belonging to John Paul Jones, known as the father of the U.S. Navy. For something truly unusual, take a few minutes to wonder at the intricate, otherworldly sculptures of ships carved out of bone by French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars, on view in the Naval Academy Museum.

For those who can’t get enough of Annapolis’s varied architecture, a two-hour, local architect-led tour of the city, ArchiTrex
highlights the most notable historic buildings; tours run the second and fourth Saturdays from City Dock, May through September. The Annapolis Yacht Club hosts sailboat races every Wednesday night from late April through August. More than 100 crews vie for weekly honors.

MARYLAND AVENUE
This charming, bustling street, which stretches northeast from State Circle, is a must-see destination for anyone interested in home design. Its eclectic community of designers and their shops offers myriad visions for your home, from nautical to vintage to traditional.

Lured by affordable finds? Evergreen Antiques and True Vintage will set your heart aflutter with its furnishings and clothes. Try sunny, airy Be Home for that perfect accent pillow or light fixture, and if cottage chic floats your boat, check out the furniture, gifts, and accessories at A Touch of Fancy. If your taste trends toward repurposed and vintage furnishings, Barefoot Dwelling’s (barefootdwelling.com) unique finds and inventive ideas will make you smile. Don’t miss Natalie Silitch for handpicked antiques and whimsical, one-of-a-kind pieces that don’t stay long in her shop, including water-themed wall art and stuffed mermaids.

Serve your own spread of the Chesapeake’s bounty in a nautically themed platter or bowl from The Annapolis Pottery right on State Circle. Old Fox Books & Coffeehouse is the place to pick up a great read or enjoy a conversation over coffee. If the weather’s nice, hang out with the handsome suit of armor on its inviting deck.

THE DESIGN DISTRICT
Keep walking out West Street from the circles and you’ll hit the Annapolis Design District, an eclectic, up-and-coming neighborhood with an industrial mix of car dealerships, consignment stores, and home-design showrooms. Design junkies will love letting their imaginations wander through the latest innovations at large showrooms such as Kitchen Encounters, proffering a range of cabinetry options plus design services, and Walterworks Hardware. In Home Stone offers shoppers two full-service showrooms featuring a tantalizing array of tile and granite.

The Design District boasts 12 colorful, eye-catching murals created by street artists with Urban Walls Brazil over the last two years to beautify this grittier area. The annual Art in Action—Fall Street Festival celebrated the murals’ unveiling in September.

WEST STREET
Dubbed the Arts and Entertainment District of Annapolis, West Street fans westward from Church Circle. Catch a show at Ram’s Head On Stage; the coming line-up includes eclectic acts, from the jazzy strains of the Stanley Clarke Band to Judy Collins’s soulful crooning to Jim Belushi’s comedy. The Annapolis Shakespeare Company performs works of the Bard and other masters on the main stage and in a smaller black box theater.

In the spirit of European cafés, 49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar & Gallery epitomizes the artsy mix of food, wine, and conversation to which this section of Annapolis aspires. When the cold sets in, satiate your craving for sweets at the Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival on December 3rd at the intersection of West and Calvert Streets.

Farther up the way, Sailor Oyster Bar specializes in oysters and craft cocktails in a casual, industrial setting. Featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Miss Shirley’s Café will make you a morning cocktail (a mimosa, sangria or their own spicy Bloody Mary) and fill you up with their Southern skillet or chicken ’n waffles (open only through lunch). Drop into the hip and happening Ceremony Coffee Roasters for a needed jolt of energy.

Galleries abound as you walk this neighborhood. The Annapolis Collection Gallery focuses on the paintings and photography of seven Annapolitan masters, with an array of styles from historical recreations to Asian brush painting. Pop into painter Nancy Hammond’s colorful studio to check out her annual Annapolis poster.

Overnight visitors who prefer larger venues will enjoy O’Callaghan’s Irish ambiance or Loews’ modern conveniences.

EASTPORT
For a funky, independent vibe, follow Compromise Street across the bridge at Spa Creek and into an area dubbed “the Maritime Republic of Eastport” in 1998, when the bridge to Annapolis was closed and Eastport “seceded.” Since this tongue-in-cheek incident, the bridge has reopened, but many locals still fly a flag commemorating that event. Or, you can take the water taxi from City Dock to arrive in style, May through Labor Day.

Despite its smaller size, Eastport offers a host of superb dining options. Head to Lewnes Steak House for hearty meats in a traditional, chop-house setting. Craving that perfect crab cake? Boatyard Bar & Grill is a hopping spot for crab and other local delicacies. Located in one of Eastport’s many Craftsman-style homes, Vin 909 never disappoints with its organic farm-to-table focus and fine wines. Sample the wild boar meatballs, local sea scallops or brick oven pizza.

Living up to its description as quirky, Eastport hosts several outside-the-box events each year. You can test your—ahem—skills at the annual .05 K race across Spa Creek Bridge. (Yes, you read that right.) Or cheer residents on during the annual tug-of-war contest with the other side of Annapolis, which spans the width of the river each year. The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, which won a USA Today reader’s choice award for Best Holiday Parade last year, will again illuminate the waters on December 9.

Other Eastport activities to note: The Annapolis Maritime Museum hosts an annual Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning to mark the Spring Equinox and celebrate the opening of boating season when socks become superfluous. The 2018 festivities on March 24 will feature live music, an oyster-shucking contest and oysters served in myriad styles. Feeling adventurous? Tour the city by water at night on a LED-illuminated paddleboard tour that leaves from Eastport, of course.

Amy Brecount White launches her search for nautical views and delicacies from Arlington, Virginia. Photos courtesy of visitannapolis.org.

Ask the Pros Landscape Design How do you protect a waterfront property from erosion and flooding?
There are three main methods we use to protect and control erosion and flooding: riprap, bulkheads and retaining walls, and vegetation. Vegetation is the most common. Vegetation absorbs rainwater that can cause surface erosion. Roots—especially the deep roots of trees and shrubs—bind the soil, strengthening and stabilizing sloped areas. Native plants also help the overall coastal ecosystem.

Bulkheads and retaining walls are also effective, preventing runoff by forcing the water to soak into the soil. Retaining walls can be made of wood, segmented wall stone or natural stone. If you have multiple walls, terracing can be created that will allow you to install lawn and/or plantings.

Riprap, which embeds stones into a slope or spreads them loosely on the surface, slows or diverts flowing water at the water’s edge. This is a high-cost alternative and creates an unnatural appearance, making it less popular than the other options. —Jeff Crandell, Scapes, Inc., Lothian, Maryland

Ask the Pros Architecture What factors do you consider when siting a house so that its natural surroundings are paramount?
Our approach to siting a house is always based on the particulars of that site. Our goal is for the home to feel rooted, inevitable, timeless. We search for aspects of the site that stimulate creativity, whether they be views, topography, landscape features or micro-climate factors like prominent winds, harsh sun, extreme temperatures or precipitation. Often, aspects of the site that might be considered limiting—a narrow lot or extreme slope, for example—become a point of departure for a beautiful architectural response.

Sustainability is critical. Pursuing passive strategies, such as the orientation of a house relative to the sun’s path, can save both first and life-cycle costs. Passive strategies can easily rival mechanical or electrical systems. —Alick Dearie, AIA, NCARB, LEED BD+C, Grid Architects PC, Annapolis, Maryland.

Builder: Joseph Braun, No Worries Carpentry, Great Cacapon, West Virginia. 

Ask the Pros Builder When building near the bay, what factors should homeowners consider to prevent delays or setbacks due to permitting issues?
When building on a waterfront lot, it is critical to consult with the proper professionals to ensure that the permitting process goes as seamlessly as possible. A civil engineer and architect should be engaged to determine allowable building area based on critical-area requirements and waterfront setbacks. Additionally, a soils engineer should be consulted to determine the elevation of the water table, as this may have a bearing on the type of foundation required for the structure and the ability to construct a lower level due to potential limitations regarding mechanical and electrical codes.

With professional help, unwanted surprises can be avoided and homeowners can maximize the allowable size of their house and ensure its optimum location. —Andrew Lehner, Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland

Architecture: Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, LEED AP, Purple Cherry Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Landscape Architecture: Kevin Campion, ASLA, Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. 

Ask the Pros Interior Design How does designing the interiors of a waterfront home differ from the way you design spaces in other locales?
In my view, there is no real difference in designing a waterfront home versus other locales. I might incorporate more coastal accents, colors of the sea and lighter fabrics, but the same areas of importance always apply. I start by learning how the client will live in the space. Then I design the layout in AutoCAD, taking into account all focal points—including water views. I try to marry function and comfort in every design, regardless of location. Lastly, selections of fabrics, finishes, lighting, and artwork are made with an understanding of the client’s likes and dislikes.

Coastal style is popular because of its fresh, calming palette, but achieving that style is possible in any locale. The process is the same in all designs, regardless of a water view. —Wesley Thompson, Simply Wesley, Annapolis, Maryland   

Color Me Cool
Federal Brace’s Eco-Lucent LED lighting system offers energy efficiency via a color-changing light strip. Recessed under cabinets or toe kicks, it includes an IR remote with dimmer, a 24-volt power source and extra cables for multi-system connections. federalbrace.com

Scandinavian Style
Color authority Pantone has partnered with e3Light to launch a six-piece lighting collection inspired by Scandinavian design. Pictured above, the Castor pendant has a steel shade in a sanded-matte finish. Available in two sizes and three hues. lightcolorlive.com

Fluted Glass
Vintage perfume bottles inspired the Riviera pendant collection by Kichler. The fluted-glass fixtures can hang singly or in clusters, and are available locally at Ferguson with hardware in Brushed Nickel or Olde Bronze. kichler.com; fergusonshowrooms.com

Arms Akimbo
The Akimbo Linear Suspension fixture from Tech Lighting conjures leafless winter branches with its jagged lines and asymmetrical shape. Edison-style bulbs add an industrial vibe. Available in a black or antique-bronze finish. techlighting.com

Light of Day
Ketra has created a line of LEDs that mimic natural light—bright during the day, soft at night. The integrated system operates via an app. Above, S38 lamps in recessed cans illuminate a bath with a natural glow. Available through Integrated Media Systems. ketra.com; imsva.com

Minimalist Look
With its clean-lined, sloped profile, the Neutrino outdoor sconce from LBL Lights conveys a minimalist look while directing light up or down. The dimmable aluminum fixture comes in Graphite or Bronze and measures six by four and a half inches. lbllights.com.

Husband-and-wife team Francisca Villarroel Alonso and Antonio Alonso met while studying architecture at Catholic University and have lived in Northern Virginia for more than 30 years. Taking their cue from Francisca’s father, architect Melvin Villarroel Roldán—a designer of luxury hotels and resorts in Europe and around the world—they launched AV Architects in 2001 with the idea of bringing resort-style living to the DC area. “We wanted to give our clients the feeling of being on vacation every day of the year,” Francisca says.

The couple added a building component to their business model in 2003. Today, the firm employs seven staff members, more than half of them trained architects. “Our focus is architecture and design,” Francisca says. “Even when they are doing project management and working on site, our staff still brings an architect’s perspective to the job.”

She adds, “The build part is a bonus so that our clients don’t have to go through the stress of finding a builder.”

AV Architects + Builders concentrated on renovations for its first eight years, then evolved into designing and building custom homes. Today, the firm develops properties as well. AV Architects + Builders works with the same team of subcontractors on all its projects. “Some of them have been with us since the start,” Francisca says. “We are very loyal to them and consider them part of our team.”

According to Francisca, her firm’s business philosophy sets it apart. “In the design phase, we create the vision for the house, select the materials and nail down the cost of the project to the last penny,” she explains. “So when we move to the build stage, there are no allowances and change orders. We communicate with our subcontractors during the design phase to make this possible.”

AV Architects razed a small rambler on a quarter acre to accommodate the Falls Church house showcased on these pages. The owner specified something classic yet fresh and modern, so “we decided to do a spin on an Italian villa,” Francisca says.

The home’s exterior is clad in brick veneer with a pastel coating that resembles stucco and trimmed with brick accents. The shingle-and-metal roof is gently pitched in Mediterranean style. Practical, low-maintenance features include aluminum-clad windows, PVC trim and oversized gutters that channel rainwater runoff into a bio garden located at the lowest point in the property.

Inside, the house encompasses an open-plan kitchen/dining area/great room and a master suite on the main floor; two upstairs bedrooms with en-suite baths; and a finished lower level. Conveniences such as a Control4 whole-house automation system ensure the resort-style ease of living that AV Architects + Builders prioritizes in its work.

COMPANY FACTS & STATS

AV Architects + Builders complete four to six major renovations and about two custom homes a year. Renovations start at around $300,000, while custom homes begin at $900,000. The firm is a Class A general contractor and works with a team of 40 subcontractors.

Inquiries: AV Architects + Builders; 9903 Georgetown Pike, Suite 201; Great Falls, Virginia 22066
703-865-5065 • avarchitectsbuild.com • [email protected]

Architecture, Construction & Interior Design: Francisca Alonso and Antonio Alonso, AV Architects + Builders, Great Falls, Virginia. Landscape Design: Rossen Landscape, Sterling, Virginia. Art Consultation: Broadway Gallery—Fine Art & Custom Framing, Alexandria and Great Falls, Virginia. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.

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