A great design team is a little like a dating coach—architects and interior designers objectively assess the attributes and shortcomings of a house with the end goal of presenting the most charming version of it to the world. Fortunately, for a gracious 1925 Georgian Revival abode on a sleepy block in Chevy Chase, DC, there were a lot of positives to accentuate. The home had well-proportioned rooms and period details aplenty; all it needed was a thoughtful refresh.

The homeowners, both lawyers with two now-grown children, began an update six years ago but backburnered it: At the time the kids were juggling busy high school schedules, then covid happened. When the teens left for college, the couple decided the time was finally right. “We became empty nesters, so of course we decided we needed more space!” the wife jokes. Relying on the recommendations of their long-term contractor, WT Construction, led them to engage Hill & Hurtt Architects and J.D. Ireland Interior Architecture + Design for the renovation.

Originally, the residence boasted a traditional layout with a central stair hall flanked by a living room on one side, dining room on the other and a small-by-today’s-standards kitchen at the back. Building a new rear addition gave the family an enlarged jewel-box cookspace with a window-filled conservatory that serves as both breakfast nook and lounge.

Elsewhere, room designations shifted to suit the rhythm of their day-to-day life. “How they had been using the house came to define the design,” says architect Eric Hurtt. For instance, working from home through the pandemic made the couple realize they needed a dedicated office, so they converted the dining room to a study. Across the hall, the former living room became the dining room, and the living room moved to the original kitchen space. Removing a shallow coat closet better connected the entry hall to the living room, and opening up the walls surrounding the staircase exposed the bottom steps, allowing them to generously spill out into the hall. “The clients were interested in maintaining some of the original architectural elements, but the spaces felt separated from one another,” notes Hurtt. “It became a question of how to open it up while keeping some of the detailing that felt true to its era.”

New windows, flooring, trim and wall finishes replaced the old, but still honor the home’s century-old framework. In the entry hall, walls were made thicker to allow for the addition of pocket doors and a built-in niche to house hats, scarves, dog leashes and shoes. Such millwork upgrades met their match in artisan surface treatments thanks to designer Joe Ireland, who injected the first-floor rooms with a hefty dose of main-character energy.

Starting the moment guests walk in the front door, the mood is whimsical and welcoming. Osborne & Little’s Orchard, a nostalgic vine print, playfully winds up the walls. “It’s got a 1930s vibe with a little nod to Hollywood Regency, but in a very pared-down way,” says Ireland. The wallpaper establishes the palette for the entire project: “Every color in that paper you can find throughout the house.”

Shades of deep plum and turquoise echo in the dining room where the combination of Holly Hunt wall covering and a Trapezi hand-blown glass chandelier bring big-time drama. The atmosphere is heightened by the addition of new casement doors which lead to an old side porch now used as an exercise room. The arched openings feature opaque, sandblasted glass, so when the porch lights are on, the dining room takes on a romantic glow. The doors are just one example of the many collaborative efforts between architect and designer. “Having another party who understands what the design opportunities are really takes a project to the next level,” observes Hurtt.

The home’s pièce de résistance, the new kitchen/conservatory, is awash in Benjamin Moore’s Garden Stone, a shade of chartreuse pulled from the island’s marble slab. “We picked this wild stone that has arsenic green and raspberry running through it, and that became the springboard for the space,” enthuses Ireland. Wanting the island, which is painted a deep berry hue, to feel like a piece of furniture, he sourced and refinished vintage Eastlake dresser hardware from the 1890s. “We wanted it to feel like it had been there all along,” he adds.

The adjacent living room takes a quieter tack, with soft peachy walls and ivory furnishings. “With all the pattern going on throughout the house, we ended up doing a paint color instead of another wallpaper so it would read as calm, light and airy, yet still full of interest,” explains Ireland.

It’s no surprise that such lively interiors were the result of the client giving Ireland creative license. “This was one of those dream projects where they let us go crazy,” he confides.

“A lot of wallpaper and darker colors wouldn’t have been my natural inclination, but it turned out fantastic,” concludes the wife. “In the end, you just have to trust your design team.”

A large corner lot in Potomac hosts a historic house dating to 1900, though parts of it go back even further: The home’s den was once an original cabin constructed on the property in the early 19th century. Behind the house sat a barn, which at one time accommodated six horses. Over the years, the barn had been altered, suffered a fire and was rebuilt, while its function evolved from stable to studio to most recently a game room. The owners, empty nesters with sons who were graduating college, anticipated the need for an entertaining hub to host family and friends.

“Because it had barely functional plumbing and wasn’t heated or cooled, it wasn’t a good hangout place for gatherings,” relays architect Eric Carle, who was tapped to replace it with a new addition that would connect to the existing garage. On the now-complete exterior, white lap siding visually ties all of the buildings together, while board-and-batten paneling, barn doors and gas lanterns lend a farmhouse vibe. Inside, a soaring double-height space contains a bar, multiple seating areas and a billiards room with an exercise loft upstairs. Interior designer Stacey Saidy, a longtime friend of the family, evoked a traditional English Country aesthetic with rustic finishes and cozy furnishings. Says Saidy, “It’s an open, airy enclave that provides them the flexibility to scale the space for intimate gatherings and large-scale celebrations alike.”

Architecture: Eric Carle, Runningdog Architects, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Renovation Contracting: Gibson Homes, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. Interior Design: Stacey Saidy, Bethesda, Maryland. Landscape Design: Caroline Ervin Landscape Design, Washington DC. Automation: A.B.E. Networks, Rockville, Maryland. Text: Michelle Brunner. Photography: Kaan Ozturk.

Every two years, the Washington Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art holds a design competition recognizing 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.

Selected by a jury of architects, the 2025 award-winning projects were announced at a gala held on May 2 at The Sulgrave Club in Washington. This page showcases residential awardees and list non-residential winners. For more information, visit classicist-washington.org.

Residential, New Construction over 5,000 square feet Wouter Boer Architects Inc. St. Michaels Retreat, St. Michaels, Maryland. Working with a large property that overlooks San Domingo Creek, Boer drew on a traditional five-part composition with glass hyphens to allow for water views. Shiplap siding nods to the coastal setting and large divided light windows impart an underlying sense of proportion. Elongating the columns simplifies and modernizes the façade. Inside, trim is non-existent and rooms are painted white so the interior focus remains on the waterfront views. Builder: Horizon Builders. Structural Engineer: Ehlert Bryan. Landscape Architecture: Arentz Landscape Architects. Photo: Maxwell MacKenzie.

Residential, New Construction under 5,000 square feet Wiedemann Architects LLC. Gatekeeper’s Cottage at Skipton Heritage, Queen Anne, Maryland. Combining 1930s English architectural forms with brick and limestone details, the new one-bedroom gatekeeper’s cottage of the Skipton Heritage Estate expertly mirrors the property’s main residence, which once belonged to Charles W. Kellogg. Recreating historical details, such as arched doors and finials, bonds the 1,450-square-foot cottage to the main house. Drawing on Arts and Crafts motifs, the interiors feature a palette and finishes that are inspired by nature. Builder: Winchester. Photo: Anice Hoachlander.

Residential Renovation Charles Paul Goebel, Architect, Ltd. Avondale, Easton, Maryland. Built in the 18th century, this estate saw substantial expansion in the 1920s, but suffered from a series of insensitive additions in later years, leaving the home vacant for a decade. This renovation sought to correct those misguided alterations, which stripped the interiors of their historic finishes. Upgrades include a new sweeping staircase and updated building systems. On the 20-acre property, a non-historic guest cottage, several outbuildings and a boat house were modified to match the character of the main house. Builder: Dewson Construction. Interior Design: Weeth Home. Landscape Architecture: Jordan Honeyman Landscape Architecture. Photo: Keyanna Bowen.

Interior Design, Residential Erica Burns Interiors. Bull Run, Middleburg, Virginia. Nestled into the Virginia countryside, this elegant manse boasts interiors that effortlessly fuse traditional and modern design. Plaster walls and stone flooring lend a sense of patina and evoke local history while providing a timeless backdrop for globally inspired furnishings. Jewel-toned accents, layers of varying textures and a range of natural materials work together to create a refined palette. The result is a sophisticated country house that welcomes at every turn. Architecture: Thomson & Cooke Architects. Builder: Thorsen Construction. Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

Landscape Kimmel Studio Architects. Cloverfields, Queenstown, Maryland. To honor the history of Cloverfields, a Colonial Maryland estate built in 1705, the Cloverfields Preservation Foundation undertook an extensive renovation of the site. Archaeological findings and even the use of ground-penetrating radar informed the restoration of the estate’s once-lost garden. Reflecting classical design principles, the project successfully recreates the estate’s garden at its peak in 1784 with nearly 700 boxwoods, over 6,000 perennials, 85,000 bulbs, topiary fruit trees and medicinal plants. Restoration Contractor: Lynbrook of Annapolis. Landscape Installation: McHale Landscape Design. Photo: Jennifer Hughes.

Landscape Arentz Landscape Architects. Woodside, White Post, Virginia. A 160-acre farm in Clarke County, Virginia, is comprised of an equal mix of cattle pasture and rolling woodlands with the Blue Ridge Mountains looming in the distance. To marry a contemporary stone home to this bucolic setting, a meandering drive winds through wooded lands before arriving at the entry; additional gardens were added by the pool and rear of the property. Scaled for entertaining, the outdoor spaces form a seamless connection between interior and exterior. Architecture: Carter + Burton Architecture, PLC. Builder: Horizon Builders. Photo: Roger Foley.

Non-Residential Winners

Artisanship

McCrery Architects; Baptismal Font at the Church of the Holy Spirit

Artisanship

Pellettieri Stone Carving; Decorative Stone Carvings on the Façade of St. Rita Catholic Church

Commercial

David M. Schwarz Architects; The Orion Amphitheater

Design & Craftsmanship

John Canning & Co., Ltd.; Mellon Auditorium Restoration

Ecclesiastical Richard Williams Architects. All Souls Memorial Garden at Washington National Cathedral For the All Souls Memorial Garden at the National Cathedral, Richard Williams Architects restored a cloistered garden to allow for the burial of cremated remains. The design honors landscape architect Meade Palmer’s 1968 Garth Fountain Courtyard centered on Japanese American sculptor George Tsutakawa’s abstract bronze fountain.

Follies

Steven W. Spandle Architect LLC; The White House Tennis Pavilion

Historic Preservation

3North; Warm Springs Pools

Interior Design, Commercial & Residential

Thomas Pheasant Interiors; The Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room Redecoration

Institutional

Perkins Eastman Architects; Garvey Hall

Urban Design

Michael Watkins Architect; West Weber

Urban Design Christian Zapatka Architect, PLLC. Georgetown Urban Design Project In Georgetown, architect Christian Zapatka transformed two empty lots, a derelict structure and an abandoned garage into three attached brick townhouses which seamlessly fit into the fabric of the streetscape.

Patrick Sutton’s Tailored Interiors (Simon & Schuster; November 2025) profiles seven different homes located in DC, Maryland, the Delaware shore (left) and Wyoming. Each one highlights the Baltimore interior designer’s skill as a visual storyteller, crafting personal abodes that reflect their location and showcase his deftness in a variety of styles. Told in the engaging words of author Vicky Lowry.

Merging East and West sensibilities, Tashiding is a 100-acre property west of Baltimore, owned by Douglas Hamilton, Jr., former chairman of The Walters Museum, and his wife, Tsognie Wangmo, who is Himalayan royalty. Hamilton (far left) and photographer Norman Barker (left) collaborated on Tashiding: Beyond Earth and Sky (Oro Editions; September 2025), a delightful tour of the impressive grounds the couple has cultivated for more than a decade.

Hot Hybrid Mercedes’ latest hybrid model, the 2025 AMG E 53 combines exceptional performance with efficiency. The enhanced 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged engine and synchronous electric motor provide a combined output of 577 horsepower. Design packages let you customize both the exterior and interior for the ultimate personalized experience. From $88,000. mercedes.com

Bespoke Bike Weighing just under 22 pounds, Ponomarets Bikes’ new Eidolon model is the world’s lightest custom eBike with an electric-assist range of 60 miles. Handcrafted in Germany and made to order with a locally manufactured carbon-fiber frame, the two-wheeler embodies quality and craftsmanship. $14,660; ponomarets.com

Cutting a striking silhouette on the Denver skyline, the new Populus hotel creates a mindful hospitality experience through biophilic design and sustainability. AD100 architecture firm Studio Gang conceived the sculptural exterior, inspired by the towering white trunks of local Aspen trees. The hotel’s 265 guest rooms, brought to life by Wildman Chalmers Design in partnership with Fowler Architecture & Design, honor the Rocky Mountain landscape with warm colors, organic materials and undulating forms. Restaurants under executive chef Ian Wortham include Pasque, serving elevated seasonal cuisine, and Stellar Jay, where flame-kissed cooking sizzles in a rooftop setting. Rooms from $299. populusdenver.com

A melting pot of modern American cooking and Black culinary traditions, Marcus DC is the latest from chef/restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson. Global dishes reflect his journey from Ethiopia to Sweden as well as a lifetime of curiosity and travel. Cross-cultural creations include mambo-sauced roast chicken and cured salmon with goldenberry broth, fennel and a teff crisp. Executive chef Anthony Jones, a Maryland-native, brings local flavor to the mix with a dish inspired by his favorite Calvert County crab shack. Interiors by Kamille Glenn of dsgnrswrksp employ tactile materials, bold patterns and vibrant hues. An abstract collage by Baltimore-born artist Derrick Adams commands the dining room. 222 M Street, NE; 202-280-2288. marcusdc.com

For Dior’s Fall/Winter ready-to-wear collection, creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri drew on the brand’s longstanding heritage as well as iconic pieces from the annals of fashion history, though her primary inspiration came from the androgenous title character of Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando. Take the embroidered dress seen here, which features a modern version of an Elizabethan ruff collar. With runway looks sporting wearable layers in velvet and brocade, such Gothic-leaning styles are perfect for the darker days of fall that lie ahead. Price upon request. At CityCenterDC. dior.com

Anyone who’s ever strolled through Somerset, Maryland, has undoubtedly been seduced by its small-town feel and eclectic mix of architectural styles—two reasons why “For Sale” signs are a rare sight in the neighborhood which borders Washington, DC. When interior designer Marika Meyer learned of a 1949 center-hall Colonial coming to market from a friend of her mother’s, it felt like a gift from the real estate gods. But the elderly owner didn’t have email, so Marika put pen to paper explaining that her family was outgrowing their Bethesda digs and that she and her husband Michael were looking for a forever home where they could usher their sons, Grayson and Colin, through the teen years into adulthood. It struck a chord with the owner who herself raised two boys in the house, so she invited the family over. “I couldn’t believe the letter in the mailbox worked!” laughs Meyer. “The house was perfect—it had plenty of space, it just needed some love.” 

Among the abode’s selling points were good flow and even better bones, but past renovations needed to be peeled back and rethought. In the early 1990s, the owners had blown out the rear of the house for an ill-conceived addition that contained an enlarged kitchen and great room, and later that decade a three-story L-shaped annex was put on to make room for an expanded basement, a main-level family room and a primary suite upstairs. After 30-plus years, those updates felt tired, so upon closing the deal, Meyer brought on architect Peter Miles of The Drawing Board, Inc., to address some of the more problematic areas and finesse the rest. 

“For starters, if you are a lover of symmetry, the kitchen addition was awful,” avers Miles. “The cooktop was in the island, which was centered under the opening to the addition, so half the cooktop was in the old house and half was in the new space, and the ceiling height changed partway through.” 

The awkwardly stitched-together “Frankenkitchen” had another problem: Because its shed-style ceiling sloped dramatically downward, the view outside was compressed to a sliver that didn’t do the scenery justice: Lush and private, the verdant rear yard borders the town’s tennis courts. “Peter understood right away that the whole back needed to be windows,” says Meyer.  

“We needed to make it feel like you’re stepping out into the garden,” adds Miles.

Now a conservatory-inspired kitchen with a raised ceiling connects seamlessly to the outdoors. Enlarging the cook space also meant rethinking the layout. Meyer’s husband, a serious cook, wanted space for guests to congregate while he prepares meals. The new arrangement is an entertainer’s dream with an ample island and a cozy banquette for everyday dining. 

Smaller changes throughout the home also yielded a big impact: Passageways were reoriented and enlarged; what was once the original tiny mid-century kitchen became a butler’s pantry; and utilitarian spaces such as a new powder room and coat closet were carved out of the main-level floor plan. White oak hardwood was installed to match the existing floors, which were restained. Future, longer-term projects currently on deck include updates to the library, upstairs bedrooms and baths. 

With the first-floor renovations mostly complete, it was time for Meyer to dress the spaces in her signature style. If many of the furnishings look familiar, it’s because they’ve migrated from her previous house, which was profiled in this magazine in 2022. Beloved treasures, such as a T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings palm frond coffee table, chinoiserie mirror, elephant garden stool and dining chairs backed with Schumacher’s Imperial Trellis fabric, reappear in the mix. “I love vintage pieces for many reasons, but for these houses that were built in the 1940s, it has a lot to do with scale.” Her affinity for timeless furnishings with a bit of patina runs in the family. “I was mostly inspired by my maternal grandmother, who was a decorator in Washington, and who was also named Marika,” she shares. “Her personal style was heavy on the classics. For this house, I loved the idea of a return to tradition, but in a way that felt fresh, light and updated.”  

Of course, there’s always room for brand-new traditions to take hold, too. After surveying the living room post-renovation, Meyer wondered, “What can I do to make this room compelling?” The answer: Farrow & Ball’s Lotus wallpaper. A long-time favorite of the designer’s, the art nouveau-inspired paper wrapped the dining room walls in the old house. “It was exactly what this living room needed,” she observes. “I think that pattern has become our family’s love language. As soon as it went up, one of the boys walked in, smiled and said, ‘Now it really feels like home.’”

RESOURCES

DINING ROOM

Wallpaper: schumacher.com. Trim Color: Mizzel by farrow-ball.com. Dining Table: vintage. Side Chairs: vintage. Side Chair Seat Fabric: perennialsfabrics.com. Side Chair Back Panel Fabric: schumacher.com. Green Host Chairs: vintage. Chandelier: visualcomfort.com. Chandelier Fabric: marikameyer.com. Window Treatment Fabricator: JK Drapery; 703-941-3788. Window Panel Fabric: schumacher.com. Window Panel Tape Trim: fabricut.com.

LIVING ROOM

Wallpaper: Lotus by farrow-ball.com. Sofa: vintage. Sofa & Accent Pillow Fabric: schumacher.com. Chairs: vintage. Chair Fabric: cowtan.com. Existing Coffee Table: vintage Robjohns-Gibbons. Table: Custom by marikameyer.com. X-Bench: Vintage Dorothy Draper. Lamp: vintage. Lamp Shade: ballarddesigns.com. Portrait: vintage.

BUTLER’S PANTRY

Mirrored Cabinetry: Kevin Smith. Fabric Roman over Sink: pennymorrison.com.

KITCHEN

Ceiling Paint: Iceberg by benjaminmoore.com. Pendant Light: urbanelectric.com. Cabinet Maker: stuartkitchens.com. Range: bluestarcooking.com.

BREAKFAST ROOM

Banquette: livenupdesign.com. Grasscloth: thibautdesign.com. Tulip Table: allmodern.com. Chairs: vintage. Chair Fabric & Artwork: marikameyer.com.

POWDER ROOM

Wallpaper: Lee Jofa by kravet.com.

“For as long as I can remember, I have always loved the act of making a home feel personal,” says interior designer Julia Longchamps. But it was only while taking a furnishings elective during the last semester of earning her fashion degree from F.I.T. that she wondered if she chose the wrong major. “I figured I’d work in sports apparel for a bit,” she recounts. “Then I realized the corporate world wasn’t for me.”

When she and her husband acquired a fixer-upper on Kent Island, it only reinforced her passion for interiors—and inspired her to want to better understand construction documents. Because she already held a design degree, she decided to attend community college between the births of her three children to master software programs such as CAD and SketchUp.

Since then her eponymous firm has grown to include two other designers. Of her clean-lined, classic aesthetic, Longchamps says, “I think it’s ever-evolving. The foundation of my work is updated traditional, then we bring in furnishings with modern or organic textures that you can easily switch out over the years.” That pragmatic approach has won over clients: “When they say, ‘This is a thousand times better than anything I could have imagined for my family,’ that is the best feeling. It’s like I’ve cracked the code.”

Interior Design: Julia Longchamps, Julia Longchamps Design, Stevensville, Maryland. Architecture: Ratcliffe Architects (Hunt Valley). Contracting: Benhoff Builders (Hunt Valley); One Source Contracting, LLC (Annapolis).

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but what does it take to launch an interior design business? For Cindy Eyl, the answer was her tight-knit Arlington neighborhood. “I’ve always loved design,” she shares. “But growing up in Manassas, people didn’t really hire designers so it didn’t seem like a viable pathway.” Opting for a career in education, she spent 15 years teaching high school social studies. Buoyed by the encouragement of friends and neighbors on her street, she decided to pursue her passion and earned a degree from the New York School of Interior Design. As a tribute, she christened her firm Jefferson Street Designs.

With a constant curiosity and an appreciation for all things aesthetic, Eyl describes her design style as layered, eclectic and most of all, inviting. “I don’t ever want a room to feel stuffy,” she says. She finds inspiration everywhere, including hotels, restaurants and in her travels to places like Vietnam (she’s part Vietnamese), where she first spied the antique conical hats that now grace her living room wall.

Today, her boutique design firm employs two other designers and counts many of those original supporters as repeat clients. “They pushed me to start this journey,” she says. “It’s not just the street I live on; it’s a community.”

Interior Design: Cindy Eyl, Jefferson Street Designs, Arlington, Virginia. Architecture: Fotiu Architects (36th Street). Contractor: Marks-Woods Construction Services (36th Street). Stylist: Kristi Hunter (36th Street). Photography: Jenn Verrier; Angela Newton Roy (36th Street).

CAFTAN CHIC Interior designer Meg Braff has teamed up with Sue Sartor on a capsule collection of summery block-print dresses and hand-loomed, embroidered silk caftans. In juicy shades of watermelon and chartreuse, the pieces effortlessly embody Palm Beach style. $695 each. suesartor.com

ARM CANDY Heritage design house Schumacher has joined forces with Pamela Munson for a series of limited-edition handbags using the brand’s iconic prints. Crafted of handwoven straw with embroidered details, the cheekily named Lady Bag will elevate any summer ensemble. $495. pamelamunson.com

GIVING SHADE Named for the iconic French actress, Krewe’s Brigitte sunglasses take a classic cat-eye silhouette and sass it up with a scallop-edged frame. Made of lightweight acetate, the handcrafted sunnies ensure you can go incognito in style—just like Bardot. $335 at Krewe Union Market; krewe.com

Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon’s passion for horticultural pursuits can be seen in the extensive gardens and botanical library of Oak Spring, her former home in Upperville, Virginia. Thanks to a new collaboration with heritage brand de Gournay, the beauty of Mellon’s natural world is captured in six hand-painted wall coverings and select porcelain pieces.

To bring the collection to life, de Gournay’s artisans found inspiration in manuscripts from Mellon’s own library as well as in plants and flowers on the property. Espalier, a trellis motif dotted with apples and pears, pays homage to specimens still thriving in her garden today.

Though she passed away in 2014, Mellon’s legacy lives on in the verdant spaces she designed—she helped plan the White House Rose Garden at the request of Jackie Kennedy. Now, plant enthusiasts can bring her garden-inspired artistry into their own homes. degournay.com

Located in the new SIXTY DC hotel, Casamara splashes onto the Dupont Circle dining scene, inspired by the coastal cuisines of Spain, France, Italy and Greece. Regional flavors meld together in homemade pastas and dishes such as branzino crudo and harissa roast chicken, while Old World tapestries, marble floors and earthy tones lend the space a golden patina. 1337 Connecticut Avenue, NW; 202-410-1313. casamaradc.com

Those seeking serenity may just find it—along with killer views—at the new 107-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica. Originating from the Chorotega word for “lush garden,” Nekajui is perched atop a cliff on the Peninsula Papagayo, which means guests enjoy panoramic Pacific vistas. Highlights include a 27,000-square-foot spa, treetop private rooms, surf school, golf, nature tours and artisanal coffee pour-overs made from local beans. Rooms from $1,225. ritzcarlton.com

BLOOM AND BOARD Specifically engineered for paddlers of all levels, the lightweight and stable BOTE Breeze Aero inflatable paddleboard sports an eco-friendly deck material made from algae that’s been harvested during harmful blooms to help restore aquatic ecosystems. $799. At REI stores; rei.com

GRAN TURISMO The 2025 all-electric, midsize BMW i4 Gran Coupe features a sleek package with updates to its four- and six-cylinder engines, color finishes and headlights. Inside, the modern dashboard with touch display helps you stay connected with the latest tech, including the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Starting at $57,900. bmw.com

LISTEN UP Bang & Olufsen has partnered with Italian natural stone brand Antolini on a series of stylish speakers. Available in natural quartz or fossilized wood finishes, it’s the rare speaker that looks as good as it sounds. Each speaker is made to order; price upon request. bang-olufsen.com