James Beard-nominated chef Mike Friedman of The Red Hen in DC has migrated to Bethesda, opening Aventino to rave reviews. GrizForm Design Architects conceived the 130-seat restaurant sporting a marble-clad bar and murals by Lissy Essman. The menu salutes traditional Roman cuisine with a nod to the city’s Jewish heritage. 4747 Bethesda Avenue; aventinocucina.com

Sharron Braylock’s mom decorated their Baltimore home to the nines. “She had a very opulent, luxe and colorful style—and still does,” attests the daughter, who was drawn to beautiful interiors at a young age. “But at the time,” she admits, “I didn’t know that design was a discipline and that you could decorate for a living.”

It wasn’t until she was in college studying mortuary science that Braylock had an epiphany. “A friend told me she was in an interior design program—and I shifted gears,” she recalls. “That was a drastic change.” After studying design, she landed jobs with a kitchen-and-bath firm and a homebuilder, where she ran a design center and helped clients select finishes for new abodes.

Braylock launched Studio One Design about 10 years ago and hasn’t looked back. Today, the Charles Town, West Virginia, designer runs the firm with a project manager. She recently completed a gut renovation for a family of five in Warrenton, and is now designing an ADA-compliant home for a client’s parents complete with a Peloton room and a basement whiskey bar.

“I approach every project wanting to genuinely make the biggest impact on how clients experience their homes,” Braylock affirms. “No matter where we live, we all want the same thing. And that’s comfort and refuge.”

Interior Design: Sharron Braylock, Studio One Design, Charles Town, West Virginia. Text: Sharon Jaffe Dan. Photography: Markus Wilborn.

After earning a finance degree and spending five years as an investment consultant in Virginia, Emily Vaughan realized her passions lay elsewhere. A lifelong fascination with interiors led her to a job in the Alexandria studio of designer Maria Crosby Pollard, where she learned the business inside and out. “I couldn’t have had a better mentor, and I got to experience every facet of the industry,” Vaughan asserts.

Eventually, the Pennsylvania native decided to take the next step, launching her eponymous firm. “I wanted to work on jobs where I’d have creative ownership,” she notes. Recent projects include a Spring Valley makeover for repeat clients who had outgrown the Petworth row house she’d designed.

Vaughan jump-starts a project by getting to know a client’s personality and aesthetic. “I consider whether they can handle bold pieces, or if they want to pull back,” she explains. “In terms of making a home feel like its owners, I bring in a mix of new and vintage and texture and color. All of those layers come together to represent who a person is.

“I think we are all deeply impacted by our environments,” says the designer. “I want to help clients create spaces where they feel both at home and also inspired.”

Interior Design: Emily Vaughan, Emily Vaughan Interiors, Bethesda, Maryland. Contractor: Monumental Contractors, Washington, DC. Text: Sharon Jaffe Dan. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg (Spring Valley); Laura Metzler (Petworth).

The Patuxent River, Maryland’s longest waterway, meanders through miles of farmland and scenic terrain on its path to the Chesapeake Bay. A DC-area attorney fell for the tributary and its environs during a yacht charter with college pals. “We rented a boat in Annapolis, sailed down to the Patuxent and then went upriver,” he recalls. “I fell in love with the geography—rolling hills line this gorgeous, winding waterway.”

As it turned out, the journey was serendipitous. The lifelong sailor and his wife, a physician, had been toying with the idea of acquiring a waterfront family getaway, so they narrowed their sights on properties fronting the Patuxent. “We were trying to find a place that was close to nature, where we could get away from the city but that was still easy to reach, even for a day trip,” explains the doctor.

A search ultimately led them to Lusby, a pastoral hamlet north of Solomons, where a vacant, one-acre property was on the market offering vast water views at one of the Patuxent’s widest points. “It feels almost like you’re on the sea,” marvels the wife.

The duo acquired the land and set out to design a serene retreat that they could enjoy with their two teenage kids, extended family and friends. “We wanted to focus on the expansive view and also wanted the home to be modern,” she continues. “The idea was to combine those two elements so that even when we were inside, we’d always feel like we were in touch with the water.”

They turned to architect Jacob Weaver, interior designer Darlene Molnar and builder Julian Johnson to make their vision a reality. Weaver situated the now-complete dwelling far enough from the shore to satisfy set-back regulations but close enough to retain towering pine trees that shade the front façade. Low-maintenance Nichiha panels clad the freestanding, three-car garage and 4,000-square-foot main residence. The architect established open, airy interiors where generous glazing forges a strong connection to the site. “We took advantage of opportunities that the views presented to get panoramas of 180 degrees or more,” he avers.

Guests arrive in a bright foyer where tall windows near a floating staircase filter daylight into the home. To the right, a shared home office lets the busy professionals keep up with work while a guest suite awaits on the left, beyond the stairs. The main attraction lies straight ahead: An open great room comprising the kitchen, living and dining areas faces a mesmerizing blue horizon sure to wash away the cares of the day.

Aside from a splashy poster in the foyer, a subdued palette that includes walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and pale oak floors gently embraces residents like a perfect, white shell afloat in a dazzling marinescape.

The simple backdrop was born after a careful and deliberate discovery period. Taking inspiration from conversations and photos the couple shared on Pinterest, Molnar embraced an airy, minimalist vibe. “They wanted it to feel like an oasis, an escape. That is what’s behind the calm palette,” reveals the designer. “We were going for an indoor-outdoor feel, but in an elevated way.” She curated furnishings with sculptural lines in organic materials and textures, from a limestone coffee table to leather-bound chairs. The end result leans decidedly Scandinavian.

“Darlene captured a cozy, modern feel that’s not at all cold,” reflects the wife. “She also helped us pick fittings and finishes—cabinetry, hardware and lighting—which created seamless interiors.”

Black accents add gravitas—especially in the kitchen. “Black cabinets anchor the space so that it’s not all white,” says Molnar. “And concrete pendants and stools lend an industrial touch without going overboard.”

The second floor harbors bedrooms and a shared bath for the owners’ son and daughter, plus the primary suite. In the latter, a black four-poster bed and simple nightstands appear to float in a cloud-white aura with river views providing a living art show.

Clearly, Weaver and Molnar heeded their clients’ wishes for a refuge where they could decompress, far from their busy schedules in DC. “Creating situations that reduce stress was an important part of our architectural design,” says Weaver. “In the owners’ room, we tried to get that zero-edge view so that when they’re in bed and look out, they just see water.”

Parents and kids are delighted with their southern Maryland escape, which came with a dock in a protected cove nearby that’s now stocked with kayaks, a Boston whaler and other water toys. “We are constantly being pulled there,” says the dad. “I occasionally sneak away in the middle of the week to work there for a day. It’s such a peaceful place.”

His wife agrees, “With the busy lives we lead, there’s something so lovely about pulling up in just an hour and a half and being able to immediately release all the tensions of the week.”

The Patuxent River, Maryland’s longest waterway, meanders through miles of farmland and scenic terrain on its path to the Chesapeake Bay. A DC-area attorney fell for the tributary and its environs during a yacht charter with college pals. “We rented a boat in Annapolis, sailed down to the Patuxent and then went upriver,” he recalls. “I fell in love with the geography—rolling hills line this gorgeous, winding waterway.”

As it turned out, the journey was serendipitous. The lifelong sailor and his wife, a physician, had been toying with the idea of acquiring a waterfront family getaway, so they narrowed their sights on properties fronting the Patuxent. “We were trying to find a place that was close to nature, where we could get away from the city but that was still easy to reach, even for a day trip,” explains the doctor.

A search ultimately led them to Lusby, a pastoral hamlet north of Solomons, where a vacant, one-acre property was on the market offering vast water views at one of the Patuxent’s widest points. “It feels almost like you’re on the sea,” marvels the wife.

The duo acquired the land and set out to design a serene retreat that they could enjoy with their two teenage kids, extended family and friends. “We wanted to focus on the expansive view and also wanted the home to be modern,” she continues. “The idea was to combine those two elements so that even when we were inside, we’d always feel like we were in touch with the water.”

They turned to architect Jacob Weaver, interior designer Darlene Molnar and builder Julian Johnson to make their vision a reality. Weaver situated the now-complete dwelling far enough from the shore to satisfy set-back regulations but close enough to retain towering pine trees that shade the front façade. Low-maintenance Nichiha panels clad the freestanding, three-car garage and 4,000-square-foot main residence. The architect established open, airy interiors where generous glazing forges a strong connection to the site. “We took advantage of opportunities that the views presented to get panoramas of 180 degrees or more,” he avers.

Guests arrive in a bright foyer where tall windows near a floating staircase filter daylight into the home. To the right, a shared home office lets the busy professionals keep up with work while a guest suite awaits on the left, beyond the stairs. The main attraction lies straight ahead: An open great room comprising the kitchen, living and dining areas faces a mesmerizing blue horizon sure to wash away the cares of the day.

Aside from a splashy poster in the foyer, a subdued palette that includes walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and pale oak floors gently embraces residents like a perfect, white shell afloat in a dazzling marinescape.

The simple backdrop was born after a careful and deliberate discovery period. Taking inspiration from conversations and photos the couple shared on Pinterest, Molnar embraced an airy, minimalist vibe. “They wanted it to feel like an oasis, an escape. That is what’s behind the calm palette,” reveals the designer. “We were going for an indoor-outdoor feel, but in an elevated way.” She curated furnishings with sculptural lines in organic materials and textures, from a limestone coffee table to leather-bound chairs. The end result leans decidedly Scandinavian.

“Darlene captured a cozy, modern feel that’s not at all cold,” reflects the wife. “She also helped us pick fittings and finishes—cabinetry, hardware and lighting—which created seamless interiors.”

Black accents add gravitas—especially in the kitchen. “Black cabinets anchor the space so that it’s not all white,” says Molnar. “And concrete pendants and stools lend an industrial touch without going overboard.”

The second floor harbors bedrooms and a shared bath for the owners’ son and daughter, plus the primary suite. In the latter, a black four-poster bed and simple nightstands appear to float in a cloud-white aura with river views providing a living art show.

“The owners wanted it to feel like an oasis, an escape.” —Darlene Molnar

Clearly, Weaver and Molnar heeded their clients’ wishes for a refuge where they could decompress, far from their busy schedules in DC. “Creating situations that reduce stress was an important part of our architectural design,” says Weaver. “In the owners’ room, we tried to get that zero-edge view so that when they’re in bed and look out, they just see water.”

Parents and kids are delighted with their southern Maryland escape, which came with a dock in a protected cove nearby that’s now stocked with kayaks, a Boston whaler and other water toys. “We are constantly being pulled there,” says the dad. “I occasionally sneak away in the middle of the week to work there for a day. It’s such a peaceful place.”

His wife agrees, “With the busy lives we lead, there’s something so lovely about pulling up in just an hour and a half and being able to immediately release all the tensions of the week.”

Architecture: Jacob Weaver, LEED AP, Jacob Weaver Architecture, Harwood, Maryland. Interior Design: Darlene Molnar, NCIDQ, ASID, LEED AP ID+C, Darlene Molnar LLC, Reston, Virginia. Builder: Julian Johnson, J. Johnson Enterprises Inc., Hollywood, Maryland. Styling: Limonata Creative.

After purchasing a modern farmhouse already under construction in Arlington, repeat clients called on designer Andrea Houck to make it feel like home. Once she selected interior finishes and lighting, Houck got to work outfitting the residence with furniture and art, repurposing many pieces from their former residence.

Two busy professionals with one teenager still at home, the owners often host gatherings for their grown children, extended family and friends. “We developed flexible furniture plans to accommodate frequent crowds,” notes Houck. The generous, 7,900-square-foot house designed by architect Warren Ralston includes a living and dining room and an open family room-kitchen on the main level, five bedrooms upstairs and a lower level with a bar, party spaces and a guest room.

Houck’s interior scheme celebrates the home’s woodland views. For example, wall coverings in natural fibers, from cork to linen and abaca, evoke an organic feel.

“My clients wanted inviting, low-key spaces for daily living with enough sophistication to support high-level entertaining,” she reflects. “Comfortable, transitional-style furniture upholstered in luxurious performance fabrics helped us strike the right balance.” The following Q&A details the designer’s approach.

What inspired the look you were after?
We showed the clients three design schemes and they picked one that we called “the natural world.” It was fitting because the house sits on a wooded lot, which is in large part why they were drawn to it. Once they landed on that design, it was easy to start the project. We chose organic elements such as the custom family room cocktail table and consoles, literally made from slices of a tree.

Trace the story behind the cocktail table design.
I dreamed up the table and matching console with help from brothers Shawn and Ryan McCuen at Michael James Furniture in St. Michaels, Maryland. I sent them a sketch, but the tricky part was finding the right piece of wood. We landed on a slab of spalted maple because it had so much character. I specified stainless-steel legs instead of wood since I wanted the table to have an edge; mixing materials is always more interesting when you can pull it off.

How did you nail the home’s color scheme?
I knew blue was a big hit with my client. We picked a family room rug at Galleria Carpets with beautiful blues, grays and a bit of periwinkle, then presented the blue Hickory Chair sectional. Some people wouldn’t have had the nerve to go for that color, but I think it works because it’s a big room and helps connect to the kitchen. Blue also appears on dining room chairs and in the breakfast room wall covering and upholstery.

Tell us how the living room came together.
I found the painting by Ning Lee on a trip to Charleston and the homeowners fell in love with it. The chairs came from their former house and I placed them on a new rug, also from Galleria Carpets. The moody paint colors had already been selected so there was definitely some serendipity there. The room has a smoky elegance; it’s a great spot to enjoy morning coffee or read because it’s a little cocoon.

Why is original art crucial to a successful interior plan?
Art gives you a window into the homeowner’s personality. When a client values art and includes it in their home, it makes the difference between an A and an A++ project. It’s the cherry on top.

How did you elevate the dining room?
We surrounded the new Chaddock Furniture table with existing chairs re-covered in fabrics by Romo. A white-on-white wallpaper by Innovations adds a layer of texture that I think is vital to any project, while the tray ceiling is covered in blue Romo grass cloth with a metallic thread running through it. The crystal chandelier gives the space a bit of bling.

Explain your philosophy on repurposing furniture.
I tell clients to invest in quality because high-end furniture can always be repurposed, especially with the help of a designer. I remember during a presentation by designer Alexa Hampton, she mentioned that her father re-covered a favorite sofa five times. If you start with good bones, you can re-cover anything.

In this Arlington home, we refinished the client’s former dining table and placed it in the foyer where it makes a perfect entry piece. When the owners entertain, they open up the leaves and it becomes a buffet.

Share some examples of spaces in the home that revolve around nature.
In the breakfast room, the matching Romo wall covering and drapery fabric echo the landscape outside. The pattern is very fluid, like a watercolor painting with a lot of texture in it. And the owners’ bath celebrates organic materials with the custom, wood-fronted vanities and accent wall of book-matched porcelain in a Calacatta motif. The architect and builder did an amazing job on that space.

What are the benefits of working with repeat clients?
There’s a comfort level that allows you to take more risks and push the envelope because you already know each other. And there’s a rapport, which speaks volumes.

How do you like to unearth surprising finds?
My favorite time to browse is when I travel. On a trip to Charleston, I discovered a giant basket that looks like a bird’s nest; it ended up in a client’s DC home.

Name a design pet peeve.
Many people say, “I want neutrals with pops of color,” but I’m not sure they know what that means. When done correctly, people can get in a lot more color, so I’d like to see that catchphrase go away.

Share some of your signature moves when hosting a party.
To me as a southerner, it’s not as much about the look as how it makes guests feel. I always buy fresh flowers and arrange them low on the dining table, and I like a mix of plates and flatware—I’m not matchy-matchy.

What hot product are you excited to try?
I’m in love with Aux Abris wall coverings. My favorite patterns are Batik, Floratique and Garden of Eden.

Architecture: Warren C. Ralston, AIA, Ralston Architects, Chantilly, Virginia. Interior Design: Andrea Houck, ASID, A. Houck Designs, Inc., Arlington, Virginia. Builder: Vine Custom Homes, Arlington, Virginia.

Just before a sea of cherry blossoms heralded the arrival of spring, another Japanese sensation created a buzz in downtown Washington. The Arcade, an upscale, membership-based lounge, opened in February next to its glamorous sister restaurant, Shoto. Designed by Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Tokyo-based Studio Glitt, the late-night spot is a study in contrasts, marrying a dizzying array of Japanese electronics with organic elements like bonsai trees and leather-clad booths crafted of cedar from the nation’s Akita forests. A wall of Pachinko slot machines, purchased from a collector in rural Japan, animates one lounge area (above), where the ceiling is adorned with doors salvaged from 1970s-era Japanese dwellings. On the right, Japanese trinkets and good luck charms peek out from built-in shelves.

The Arcade will welcome the world’s top DJs to spin sets on a state-of-the-art DAS Audio sound system. The drinks-only menu focuses on high-end bottle service with an expansive list of Champagnes and premium spirits.

Interior Design: Noriyoshi Muramatsu, Studio Glitt, Tokyo, Japan. Text: Sharon Jaffe Dan. Photography: Rey Lopez.

GIORGETTI’S DRIVE SOFA, designed by Carlo Colombo, pairs a streamlined seat with walnut canaletto feet; leather or cloth upholstery can be detailed in leather piping. Find at the new Salus Homes showroom in Bethesda. salus-homes.com

STICKLEY FURNITURE’S MARTINE COLLECTION recasts mid-century lines with soft curves and graceful arcs. The assemblage includes a bar cabinet/armoire, a solid-cherry vanity/desk and an upholstered accent chair. At Belfort Furniture. belfortfurniture.com

HOLLY HUNT’S EON DRAWER CABINET is part of the new HH40 line, which marks the brand’s 40th birthday. Made in the U.S. in an oak, walnut or lacquered (pictured) finish, the piece boasts four or six soft-close doors and solid-brass hardware. hollyhunt.com

ROCHE BOBOIS’ ACCOLADE ARMCHAIR, designed by Antoine Fritsch and Vivien Durisotti, delivers comfort in a sculptural silhouette. Upholstered seats and backs in bi-density polyurethane foam embrace users atop a metal base; available in four color pairings. roche-bobois.com

POLTRONA FRAU’S DUO CABINET reinterprets a classic 1950s sideboard. Spacers between the base and top lend a sleek, modern feel. Configured as a high chest or low credenza (pictured above), the solid-wood piece comes in ebony, natural walnut or inlaid walnut, with a contrasting maple interior. poltronafrau.com

LIGNE ROSET’S BISCOTTO PEDESTAL TABLES marry contrasting hues of cut and polished marble. A 16-inch-tall model combines white and beige stones while a 13-inch-tall version mixes gray and beige. Finished with a water-repellant treatment. ligne-roset.com

MERIDIANI’S PLINTO TABLE pays homage to the architectural plinth. Its monolithic base and light metal frame support a minimalist top. Find in an array of shapes, sizes and finishes—from marble (pictured above) to lacquer and wood—at the new Meridiani showroom in Glover Park. meridiani.it/en

GREEN FRONT NOVA in Manassas showcases Lane Venture furniture that revolves around entertaining indoors and out. Charlotte Dining Chairs, offered in multiple upholstery options, are pictured above with the faux-stone-topped Palisades Dining Table. greenfront.com

Casual looks in CH Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2024 collection lean into a palette of pearl and black. Pictured: The Oversize White Shirt ($525) in poplin offers a fresh take on a classic silhouette. Shown in python skin, the Doma Insignia Satchel ($2,235) comes in an array of leather hues. The CH Sparkling Bracelet ($240) adds a touch of glam. At CityCenterDC boutique. chcarolinaherrera.com

When an outpost of Pastis, New York’s lauded French bistro, landed in DC’s Union Market District in January, it imported more than steak frites and onion soup gratinée from its Manhattan sibling. Interiors by Ian McPheely of Paisley Design NYC feature the familiar red-leather banquettes, subway-tile walls and Parisian style that grace its predecessor. A full cocktail menu and wine list round out the action. 1323 4th Street, NE; 202- 471-1200. pastisdc.com

CREW UP The Ergatta elevates full-body rowing workouts with technology and a competitive edge. Handcrafted in the U.S. out of cherry or oak (depending on the model), the machine is equipped with a water-filled flywheel for resistance and offers users an interactive, game-based digital experience. From $1,699. ergatta.com

ADVENTURE MODE Samsung has introduced Odyssey Ark, the world’s first 55-inch, 1000R curved gaming screen, designed to deliver cinematic picture quality, immersive surround sound and a flexible interface to avid gamers. The Ark Dial, an exclusive controller, lets users quickly manipulate a variety of settings while four speakers and two central woofers produce rich, realistic sound. From $1,799; samsung.com

MOLTEN SOUND With a simple, organic form inspired by lava rock, Pantheone Audio’s Obsidian speaker combines high-end design and acoustic performance. The Alexa-ready device, handcrafted of resin, streams high-resolution audio thanks to its powerful internal woofer and two silk dome tweeters. Available in black and white. $1,399. pantheoneaudio.com

Riva, Maryland, resident David Sites hasn’t missed a day out on the water since December 30, 2022. No matter what the weather brings, the amateur photographer takes off in one of his two boats for a daily outing on the South River, often reaching the Chesapeake Bay. Photos captured on his iPhone have earned him thousands of Facebook and Instagram (@motoxdms) followers—along with a number of magazine covers. Every morning, Sites takes a shot of the river (above) from a deck off his bedroom. This sunrise scene on March 1, 2024, reminded him that spring was on the way. “It was a beautiful morning,” he recalls. “I feel blessed to wake up to this view every day.” Photo: David Sites

HIRSHHORN MUSEUM
Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960
Through April 20, 2025
To mark its 50th anniversary, the Hirshhorn has mounted an ambitious exhibition documenting the evolution of modernism and the emergence of abstraction. Alongside 270 works by icons such as Francis Bacon, Georgia O’Keeffe and Pablo Picasso, pieces by 19 contemporary creators are on view. This juxtaposition demonstrates how many of the artistic ideas explored between the groundbreaking years of 1860 and 1960 remain relevant today.
hirshhorn.si.edu

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART
Do Ho Suh: Public Figures
April 27 to April 29, 2029
To commemorate its 100th anniversary, the museum commissioned a sculpture by contemporary Korean artist Do Ho Suh that upends the conventional notion of a monument and its focus on heroic individualism. Installed on the Freer Plaza facing the National Mall, Suh’s piece consists of a massive plinth that, instead of supporting a vaunted subject, is held aloft from below by a multitude of individual figures. asia.si.edu

HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS
Fragile Beauty: Art of the Ocean
June 8 to January 5, 2025
Hillwood celebrates the sea in an exhibit displaying works in its permanent collection, from seascapes to pieces hewn from marine materials. Accompanying artworks by contemporary creators raise awareness about the dire state of the earth’s waters. hillwoodmuseum.org

THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION
Up Close with Paul Cézanne
April 18 to July 14
A special installation unveils a restored landscape and self-portrait by renowned post-Impressionist Paul Cézanne, along with five other works by the artist. Patrons will glimpse details that had been obscured over time and learn about the painter’s process. phillipscollection.org

NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania
Through March 1, 2025
This immersive exhibition aims to articulate Frank Lloyd Wright’s creative vision by presenting realized and unrealized residential, commercial and civic projects the architect designed for sites in Pennsylvania between the 1930s and the ’50s. A meticulously researched animated film takes visitors on a virtual tour of five unbuilt structures; models are also on display. nbm.org

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM
Pattern and Paradox: The Quilts of Amish Women
Through September 2
The bold, graphic aesthetic of Amish quilts captured the eye of the 20th-century art world. Highlighting a number of these iconic textiles created between 1880 and 1950, this show explores how the women makers and their traditional communities reacted to such “worldly” attention. americanart.si.edu

Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women
May 31 to January 5, 2025
Works from the SAAM’s permanent collection demonstrate how fiber art, an often-dismissed art form, can be as powerful, meaningful—and subversive—as other media. Thirty-four pieces on view at the museum’s Renwick Gallery range from quilts, tapestries and rugs to twisted and bound sculptures. americanart.si.edu

RESTON TOWN CENTER
Tephra ICA Arts Festival
May 18 to 19
The streets of Reston Town Center brim with handmade art and craft at this annual event, now in its 33rd year. More than 200 artists from 25 states will exhibit at the show, which also features food trucks and a concert. tephraica.org/festival

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART
Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork
Through early 2026
In Japan, modern metalwork pays homage to age-old practices while forging innovations in materials and techniques. More than a dozen vases, vessels and sculptures in an array of metals illustrate this convergence of new and old. asia.si.edu

THE KREEGER MUSEUM
Here, in this little Bay: Celebrating 30 Years at the Kreeger
June 1 to October 5, 2024
Named for a work by Victorian poet Coventry Patmore, this commemorative exhibit reflects on human interactions with the natural world. Notable Impressionist paintings in the museum’s permanent collection inspired this look at how working en plein air has evolved since the 19th century. Viewers will examine thought-provoking photographs, paintings and sculptures created by modern-day artists from around the world who now live in DC, Maryland and Virginia. kreegermuseum.org

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains
June 1 to January 20, 2026
Native American narrative art may document battle scenes on buffalo hide or record trade history on muslin cloth. This exhibit displays historic examples of the genre by 14 indigenous artists, along with more than 50 works by contemporary Native American artists, commissioned specifically for this show. americanindian.si.edu

When a couple built a dream home on former farmland, little did they know that a few years later they’d be tending crops and livestock of their own. BarnesVanze Architects designed their modern English Country residence—which incorporates an 1880s log cabin that remained on site. Now restored, it serves as a pool house overlooking the grounds.

Landscape architect Jennifer Horn balanced old and new in the team’s five-acre master plan. Phase one, a clean-lined pool and terrace, was completed just before the pandemic.

As they sheltered at home with young kids, the owners welcomed new dogs, then chickens. Eventually, Horn and landscape contractor Justin Spittal of Planted Earth were called back to outfit the backyard with a fenced-in garden complete with raised beds, a greenhouse and a stucco-clad pavilion designed by BarnesVanze. As the menagerie expanded, CarrMichael Construction built not only a chicken coop but also a reclaimed-wood barn to house alpacas, miniature sheep and cows.

Throughout the three-year project, recalls Spittal, “not a square inch was an afterthought; everything was coordinated with the entire team. The result is a magical place that’s a regular stop for garden tours and family holidays.”

The owners spend more time than ever outdoors, tending their garden and animals. “The project has given them an education in horticulture, botany and environmental awareness,” notes Horn. “It fostered a passion that will give the family joy for the rest of their lives.”

Award: Grand, Outdoor Living Area (Planted Earth). Landscape Architecture: Jennifer Horn, RLA, Horn & Co., Arlington, Virginia. Landscape Contractor: Justin Spittal, Planted Earth, Sykesville, Maryland. Architecture: BarnesVanze Architects, Washington, DC. Builder: CarrMichael Construction, Oakton, Virginia.

Following a major renovation, the owners of a 20-plus-acre parcel in Clarksville, Maryland, enlisted J&G Landscape Design to reimagine their lackluster front garden to better reflect the look of their elegant home. The team did such a fine job that, four years later, J&G principal Jeff Potter was called back to overhaul the dated backyard.

Existing conditions were less than optimal. “The 1980s, kidney-shaped pool, brick patio and circular spa were old and tired,” he recalls. “They didn’t fit the architecture of the home. And everything was boxed in by fencing, with no sight lines of the beautiful property.”

Potter and his team retrofitted and enlarged the existing pool into a clean-lined rectangle and equipped it with a shallow sun shelf complete with bubblers. An expansive travertine terrace grounds the pool area and joins a covered patio completed during the renovation. An outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill makes al fresco entertaining a breeze. 

Topiary and colorful beds brimming with boxwood and hydrangea—the wife’s favorite shrubs—soften the hardscape. “We kept the plant palette fairly simple because the space carries itself,” says Potter. 

Terrace seating overlooks a verdant lawn planted with Steeplechase arborvitae; a gentle slope extends to bucolic farmland. With the fence now gone, notes the designer, “you can appreciate and experience longer views of rolling hills opening up to a larger landscape.” 

Award: Heritage, Outdoor Living Area. Landscape Architecture & Contracting: Jeff Potter, PLA, ASLA, CPH; Matt Purdy, PLA, ASLA; Paul Jester, PLA, ASLA, LEED GA, J&G Landscape Design, Inc., Spencerville, Maryland. Pool: Keith Robbins, Pires Construction, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Masonry: J&G Landscape Design, Inc., and Matt Cocozzella, Stoneworks, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland.

It all started when an architecture student landed a summer internship in a home-based firm overlooking scenic Lake Barcroft. Among the perks were lunchtime jaunts on the boss’s boat. Enthralled by the Falls Church community where eclectic houses rim the sprawling reservoir, the young architect vowed that he too would live there someday.

More than 30 years later, he and his wife, also an architect, decided the time had come to sell their Arlington Colonial and build a custom home on Lake Barcroft. When their two sons left for college, they asked a real estate agent to keep an eye on potential properties—and finally, a gem popped up.

The sloped, wooded parcel just shy of an acre enjoyed a dramatic vista of the lake and came with its own dock. The duo acquired it with plans to overhaul the outdated, 1960s-era ranch-style house on site. “Three additions made it look almost like an army barracks,” recalls the husband. Small, closed-in rooms and a kitchen that faced the street rather than the lake did little to endear them.

The new owners—he works in healthcare design and she in museums—selected MCDStudio to spearhead the redo. Principal architects Matthew McDonald and Jennifer Verbeke were excited to take on the challenge—especially for two fellow architects.

Their clients envisioned a modern, airy retreat with lake views from every possible room. Ensuite bedrooms for both sons, a guest room and a screened porch were also on the list, along with a ground-level bedroom planned so they could eventually age in place.

“When we first walked the site,” McDonald remembers, “we anticipated working with the existing house. But as we started going through the options, the scope grew organically.” Ultimately, the team decided to preserve the foundation and three of the walk-out basement’s walls, but otherwise start from scratch.

The generous site allowed them to expand the footprint in strategic spots. “The plan became more linear because we had the luxury to fan it out and create almost an amphitheater-like lookout toward the lake,” Verbeke notes.

A spirited dialogue began as she and McDonald collaborated with the architect-clients. “We had a lot of studies flying among the four of us,” says Verbeke. Ultimately, they landed on a two-story scheme that revolves around a double-height foyer. A sculptural staircase with a built-in bench lies to the left of the entry while an ensuite bedroom (currently occupied by the husband’s mother) is situated to the right.

The entry hall extends on axis to soaring windows overlooking the lake. In the glassy rear of the home, an open dining area and kitchen unfold, as well as a deck and screened porch. Added on at an angle along the left elevation, a garage and family room were positioned to minimize the home’s mass from the front and capture optimal lake views in the family room. A new butler’s pantry and mudroom provide extra utility and storage.

On the new second level, a bridge connects the sons’ ensuite quarters and the owners’ bedroom; all three enjoy water vistas. A guest room, media and game rooms and a second mudroom occupy the lower level, along with the wife’s studio. At 6,552 square feet including the garage, the project doubled the size of the original abode.

With clean lines and simple forms, the exterior takes cues from the original home’s mid-century roots. Low-maintenance Nichiha panels clad the façade; black-framed Weather Shield windows and doors add contrast.
Inside, Falls Church designer Karen Sasaki configured the kitchen and curated finishes, lighting and furniture. “I went for a clean, uncluttered look, influenced by the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic of the neighborhood,” she explains. In the family room, custom walnut built-ins detail a striking fireplace wall. And in the kitchen, a blue, hand-fired backsplash by Sonoma Tilemakers echoes the shimmery lake below.
Thrilled with their waterfront perch, the owners are enjoying a new connection to nature. “We see bald eagles, osprey, Canada geese and herons,” marvels the husband. “Every night, I go out on our bedroom balcony and just take a breath.”

DRAWING BOARD

Q&A with MCDStudio architects

How do you help clients decide whether to renovate or start anew?
Matt McDonald: The decision often comes down to a cost-benefit for the client. Unless owners are dead-set on a new house, we usually begin by planning to renovate. In some jurisdictions, renovation will allow you a larger project because if you start anew you can’t build as much on the lot.

What factors drive window and door selections on homes with lots of glass?
Jennifer Verbeke: Energy-efficient windows are a baseline for us; we’re not going to look at products that don’t get that right. In addition, we try to select manufacturers whose components look like they all came from the same place. We make sure, for example, that the widths and styles of the window and door frames are all related.

What are best practices when designing a screened porch?
Matt McDonald: Choose a spot that’s easily accessible from the main house. Incorporating ceiling fans and/or heaters will extend the amount of time you can use a porch in the DC area. Also, be sure to install a screen under the structure to prevent mosquitoes from flying up through the deck boards.

French connection:  On a recent Côte d’Azur holiday, Annapolis artist VICTORIA LARSON says she found so much inspiration in the architecture, gardens and seascapes that "a collection naturally spilled out.” Her Cap Ferrat wallpapers include, from left, Zephyr, Beatrice and Vista. victoria-larson.com

Bright lights:  Washington interior designer ZOE FELDMAN has fashioned a 26-piece lighting collection for Mitzi, an online retailer. The line encompasses lamps, sconces, pendants, flush mounts and chandeliers—all of which embody Feldman’s aesthetic of modern classicism. mitzi.com

Sculptural perch:  Virginia artist Jomo Tariku’s Meedo Chair distills two strong African symbols—the Afro comb and the ceremonial seat. It’s shown in ash-black with orange trim; Tariku unveiled a bronze version at Design Miami in December. jomofurniture.com; wexlergallery.com

Winsome menagerie:  DC-based Laura Cheung Wolf of Lala Curio introduced Oriental Fantasy at Paris Déco Off 2024. The line of bespoke wall coverings features Giraffa (pictured), a joyous safari motif hand-embroidered with wooden beads and sequins. lalacurio.com; ruefour.com

Magic carpet ride:  Madeleine Mitchell, a veteran of Doris Leslie Blau, has launched an eponymous atelier selling new and antique rugs—and designs of her own. Above: a custom wool carpet in a geometric motif, handwoven in Morocco. Interior Design: Vivian Braunohler. madeleinemitchelldesigns.com