Newfangled design trends are considered ahead of their time—until, suddenly, they’re not. Case in point:  the sunken living room.

One homeowner considered hers a hip twist on tradition when she purchased her brand-new Bethesda townhome back in 1999. But almost 20 years later, she and her husband found this relic—and the rest of the abode—sadly out of date. The floor plan was choppy, the kitchen small and inefficient. And although they’d established a lush garden behind their end-unit residence, a shortage of windows meant they could barely enjoy the view.

In typical townhouse parlance, the front living room led to a dining room; a separate kitchen and family room followed in the back. “We never used the living room and used the dining room only on holidays,” recalls the wife. “And the house was dark because everything was closed-off.”

She and her husband, who have grown children and grandkids, first considered moving. But nothing they saw on the market could beat their home’s location—a few minutes from downtown Bethesda and the husband’s dental office—or their private backyard oasis. So they decided to renovate, hiring designer Skip Sroka to reimagine the entire three-level abode and craft contemporary spaces that would suit their lifestyle now and in the future.

On his first visit, Sroka was full of ideas. “The house had the right amount of space, decent ceiling heights and nice views, but it was all builder-grade,” he explains. “They wanted a higher level of finish.” He presented several plans that would gut the original interiors, open up the main level and introduce more functional space.

The owners opted for a ground-floor layout that delivers an expansive living room on the entry side of the home; beyond, a spacious kitchen/dining room and breakfast nook—with plenty of new windows—celebrate views of the garden. “We created and simplified volumes of space,” says Sroka. Architect Carib Daniel Martin was tapped to complete final drawings and contractor Joel Flax to handle the build-out.

In the completed project, two deep, arched doorways dividing the living room and kitchen/dining area establish sight lines from the entry to the backyard. Within the walls flanking these arches, Sroka and Martin cleverly concealed two upgrades on the owners’ wish list: an elevator and a walk-in pantry.

Channeling his clients’ aesthetic, Sroka accentuated the interiors with crisp millwork and rich textures and finishes. “Some of the architectural vocabulary gives you the sense that this is a larger home even though the space has not increased at all. When you walk in, there’s a great stone fireplace with a big built-in on each side,” he points out. “It creates a statement and gives you a sense of place.”

The wife, an avid cook, loves her chic and efficient new kitchen, designed in collaboration with kitchen designer Mikayla Proctor. Ceiling moldings complement the Wood-Mode cabinets and delineate the kitchen and adjacent breakfast room. A central island/bar caters to grown-up guests and grandchildren alike. Its surface, which resembles natural marble, is actually stain-resistant quartz in a three-inch-thick slab, a material also used on the backsplash. “The kitchen’s lines are super-clean, but we wanted it to be timeless,” says Proctor. “It also has a touch of glam.”

In the dining room, additional Wood-Mode cabinetry in a dark-wood finish is tucked into a niche so that it resembles built-in furniture. And a handy bar, with additional storage below, doubles as a coffee station and serving buffet.

Another dramatic improvement transformed a dated, three-story stairway. “It had a million colonial-style, wooden spindles,” Sroka laments. “I urged my clients to change them out to glass.” Painting the trim, wooden steps and risers white also helped set a clean, contemporary tone.

Other deft moves reconfigured the upper and lower levels. A laundry room was relegated from the second floor to the basement to enlarge the guest room and its en-suite bath upstairs. And downstairs, ample new storage space was carved out along with a gym.

The elevator ascends directly into the revamped master suite. Sroka applied wallpaper on the tray ceiling for subtle, tone-on-tone texture. Elegant bedside tables of his own design rest beneath mirrors that reflect light throughout the space.

Here and throughout the home, the designer balanced the wife’s preference for smoky, natural hues with the husband’s penchant for brighter colors. Though some of the owners’ existing furniture was reupholstered after the makeover, they also invested in new finds. From the sculptural alder-wood breakfast table designed by Sroka to the bed upholstered in luxurious Kravet chenille, these recent acquisitions speak to refined style and comfort.

The owners sing the praises of Sroka and their newly transformed home. “Skip understood what we were looking for and made the square footage as usable as it could be,” marvels the wife.

Both are glad they decided not to move. “We hear the stories about how people fix up their house before selling it,” the husband recounts. “Why not fix it up and enjoy it?”

Renovation Architecture: Carib Daniel Martin, Carib Daniel Martin Architecture and Design, Kensington, Maryland. Interior Design: Skip Sroka, ASID, Sroka Design Inc., Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Mikayla Proctor, Amy Collins, LLC, Glen Echo, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Joel Flax, Joel Flax Associates, Rockville, Maryland.

RESOURCES

KITCHEN
Pendants: hudsonvalleylighting.hvlgroup.com. Countertops & Backsplash: marblexinc.com. Stools: arudin.com through michaelclearyllc.com. Stool Fabric: robertallendesign.com. Cooktop: subzero-wolf.com. Corner TV Cabinet: tvliftcabinet.com.

BREAKFAST ROOM
Table: srokadesign.com through atrium-interiors.com. Chair Fabric: brentanofabrics.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.

LIVING ROOM
Built-in Design: srokadesign.com. Fireplace Surround: marblexinc.com. Lounge Chair: michaelclearyllc.com. Lounge Chair Fabric: donghia.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com. Lamp: reginaandrew.com. Floor Lamp: robertabbey.biz.

DINING AREA
Table: centuryfurniture.com. Chairs: arudin.com through michaelclearyllc.com. Chair Fabric: norbarfabrics.com. Chandelier: Clients’ collection. Drapery Fabric: cowtan.com. Drapery Fabrication: designerworkroom.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com. Bar Backsplash: daltile.com.

STAIRCASE
Runner: carpetimpressions.com. Glass Panels: riverglassdesigns.com.

MASTER BEDROOM
Bed & Bench: bernhardt.com. Fabric on Bench & Head/Foot of Bed: kravet.com. Night Tables: srokadesign.com through atrium-interiors.com. Tableside Lamps: visualcomfort.com. Mirrors: centuryfurniture.com. Chairs: leeindustries.com. Chair & Ottoman Fabric: donghia.com. Ottomans: srokadesign.com; fabricated by stewartfurniture.com. Round Table & Lamp: vanguardfurniture.com. Ceiling Wallpaper: kravet.com. Drapery Fabric: norbarfabrics.com. Drapery Fabrication: designerworkroom.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.

MASTER BATH
Ceiling Light: robertabbey.biz. Chair: hickorychair.com. Chair Fabric: donghia.com.

Many mid-Atlantic beach houses riff on Nantucket style, with shingled façades, pitched roofs and turrets. In a sea of such traditional homes, a new Rehoboth Beach escape captivates passersby. Its clean lines, flat roof and pared-down elevations celebrate a look prevalent on the opposite coast: Palm Springs Modern.

The owner, DC dentist Gary Seiden, bought a corner lot in this community a mile from the ocean as seagulls fly. His vision was to build a weekend retreat where he could relax and entertain. “I wanted a Palm Springs house with a courtyard and a pool,” he explains. “And I wanted everything on one level so I could open up my bedroom door and jump right into the pool.”

By the time he was ready to design and build more than 10 years later, most homes in the neighborhood had been completed. He reached out to DC-based architect Tom Kamm, who had designed one of its few modern ones, for an interview. They clicked and Kamm landed the job.

Architect and client share an affinity for the Palm Springs Modern vernacular. “My family had a home in Palm Springs so I’m really familiar with it, as is Gary,” relates Kamm. Not only is the nation’s highest concentration of Mid-Century Modern architecture found in this California hot spot, but its annual Modernism Week draws thousands for tours of its iconic buildings.

Kamm and his partner, architect Kelly Saunders, based their design of Seiden’s house on the typical Palm Springs desert-courtyard home—noted for its simple geometry and abundant walls of glass. Their plan consists of three wings arranged in a U shape, embracing a pool/garden courtyard. The main entry wing houses the living and dining rooms; a floating stair and catwalk lead to three guest suites tucked away in a volume cantilevered above it. A second wing contains the master suite, complete with a dressing room, bath and outdoor shower. A third holds the kitchen, butler’s pantry, family room and carport. And a party-ready lower level awaits overflow crowds.

Glass doors and folding NanaWalls lead to the courtyard and pool. Bands of pale brick, the architects’ answer to Southwestern adobe, and dark-stained wooden doors, stairs and overhangs break up expanses of glass and crisp, white stucco. “It was about creating an outdoor room defined by the form of the building, but the outdoor room is as strong as any of the interior spaces,” explains Kamm. “I’m always focused on the notion of transparency versus privacy. Each side of the courtyard has its own massing and its own physical characteristics.”

During the design phase, interior designer Rex Rogosch and landscape architect Jennifer Horn joined the team, collaborating on plans to achieve the streamlined look and carefree attitude the owner was after. A visit to Seiden’s DC row house, which is full of bold, modern art, helped Rogosch get the ball rolling. “I wanted everything to be architectural, but also to feel inviting,” says the designer. “I didn’t do anything too strong because I knew art was going to be a focal point.”

For the main wing, Rogosch designed two chaises with sculptural profiles that, like the glass cocktail and dining tables, reinforce an open feel. He likens the room’s geometric chandeliers to an art installation. “They’re beautiful from all angles,” he notes. Seiden chose the artwork, including large pieces acquired at Art Basel in Miami.

Horn also took cues from the architecture. “Gary wanted the landscape to reinforce the forms Tom and Kelly worked on, so we tried to use plantings in a muscular, linear way,” she explains. Low screening walls, overflowing with native shrubs and grasses, echo the lines of the house and connect it to the landscape.

Since desert species weren’t an option in humid Delaware, “We looked at plants that have a form that you might see in California but can handle a completely different environment,” Horn says. “And we thought about how plants would look in winter because Gary wants to enjoy the home all year round.” In the courtyard garden, she softened masonry edges with freeform little bluestem and thread leaf amsonia—a species that reminds her of seaweed. “We wanted to be a little wild in the planters,” she says.

Enjoyment is key for Seiden and his husband, who retreat to Rehoboth almost every weekend. “When I arrive in the summer,” Seiden says, “I jump in the pool immediately.” And come fall, the Baltimore native watches Ravens games on one of the living room chaises, facing the TV and fireplace.

From the low-maintenance landscape and outdoor guest shower to the window shades raised and lowered at the touch of a button, every element of the four-bedroom, eight-bath home revolves around relaxation and easy entertaining. A butler’s pantry boasts a beverage fridge and icemaker so guests can pop in for a cold drink. Rogosch points out that his simple color palette means furniture can be moved around “and it all happens to work together.”

Seiden loves sharing his getaway with friends. “In my beach house, you’re allowed to bring in sand. You’re allowed to bring your kids. I’m not finicky about what’s going on,” he insists. “I feel super-blessed that I was able to do this.”

Architecture: Thomas A. Kamm, AIA, and Kelly Saunders, AIA, LEED AP, Kamm Architecture, Washington, DC. Builder: Garrison Homes, Lewes, Delaware. Interior Design: Rex Rogosch, r Squared Design, Lewes, Delaware. Landscape Architecture: Jennifer Horn, RLA, Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture, Arlington, Virginia. Landscape Contractor: Green Acres Landscaping, Arlington, Virginia. 

SOURCES

THROUGHOUT
Windows: andersenwindows.com. Nanawall Folding Glass Wall System: bsdshowroom.com. Home Automation:  sound-fx.net.

LIVING ROOM
Chandeliers: sonnemanawayoflight.com. Sofas: Custom rsquareddesign.net . Sofa Fabrication: joybird.com.

DINING ROOM
Table & Chairs: bontempi.it.

KITCHEN
Kitchen Cabinets: bsdshowroom.com. Pendants: tomdixon.net.

BEDROOM
Bench & Headboard: Custom by rsquareddesign.net . Bed Fabrication: joybird.com. End Tables & White Desk: modloft.com. Bedding: avasahome.com. Carpet: karastan.com. Wall Sconces: sonnemanawayoflight.com.

OUTDOOR
Water Feature:  fountaincraftmfg.com. Outdoor Furniture: teak.com.

When attorneys Betsy Karmin and Manny Strauss traded the Bethesda home where they raised their two daughters for a penthouse in Kalorama, they decided to start with a blank slate. First, they called on Sandy Spring Builders to overhaul the outdated interiors, which encompass a kitchen, dining room, living area, office and master suite on the main level, with a loft and roof deck above. Then they tapped interior designer Joanne Fitzgerald to make what was an empty shell their own. “They were divesting themselves of all the hand-me-down furniture they had for their whole lives and were starting from scratch,” says Fitzgerald.

“We wanted that feeling of calm beauty you get from a Japanese garden, so when you walk in you have this sense of wanting to take a deep breath,” says Karmin, who visited Japan with Strauss before they embarked on the re-do. “But we also wanted it to look upscale, urban, cool and hip.”

Working with cabinet and stone selections the couple had already made for the kitchen and master bath, Fitzgerald presented them with plans that marry comfort and a shot of “glam.” Her subtle palette not only creates a soothing vibe but also lets stunning views of the Washington Monument and Taft Bridge take center stage.

Now that the job is complete, the owners’ grown daughters enjoy staying over on Murphy beds in the loft. Strauss and Karmin also love to entertain guests in their chic city haven—and on its renovated roof deck. “We just pull out the margaritas,” says Karmin, “and feel like we’re on vacation.”

EXPLAIN HOW THE COLOR PALETTE CAME ABOUT.
Before the project got underway, my clients discovered the work of artist Mindy Weisel and bought four of her colorful glass pieces. We wanted them to be front and center, flanking the fireplace. We decided on a neutral palette so the pieces would sparkle.

HOW DID YOU CREATE A SENSE OF DRAMA?
We knew the fireplace needed to be a dramatic focal point when you step into the space. One of my favorite ways to accentuate a fireplace wall is to create a “tower” of stone; we surrounded this one with dry-stacked black quartzite. Once the fireplace was done, we pulled the thread all the way through the house. We stained the white-oak floors black, painted the orangey oak spiral staircase black and selected black finishes for the furniture. This created drama because all of these elements sort of talk to each other.

WHAT CRITERIA DROVE YOUR FURNITURE SELECTION?
My goal was to make the home look like it had evolved. I can’t stand a space that looks like everything was trucked in the same day and it all matches perfectly. Our goal was for each piece to have a personality of its own but to work with the ensemble. Each item should be exciting, but not so exciting that it takes up too much attention. For example, the acrylic table in the loft almost looks like a piece of art.

HOW DOES TEXTURE ACCENTUATE THE AESTHETIC?
Metal accents on the furniture, shimmery textures and rich, glossy wood finishes lent themselves to the glam feeling we were after. On the Powell & Bonnell chair in the seating area, there’s an exquisite Romo satin—and we also used the satin for a kidney pillow on the facing chair, which is covered in rich, supple mohair. The fabric on the sofa is quiet, but it also has a slightly sexy shimmer.

WHY IS ART SO INTEGRAL TO A FINISHED PROJECT?
Art makes all the difference in the world. There’s nothing that makes a space more interesting and individual than the art people collect. It’s always such a pleasure to work with clients who already have excellent art collections or appreciate original art. When people say they need help finding art and they don’t want to spend a lot of money, I say go down to Torpedo Factory and find art that makes you happy.

WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGES?
There are no straight walls in the home because of the angles of the building. The bedroom was particularly problematic since the window wall has an incredible angle. A sofa—one of the only pieces the owners kept from their previous home—was perfect along that wall. And drapes behind it also help minimize the angle.

WHAT TOOK YOUR CLIENTS OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONE?
I showed them Phillip Jeffries’ beautiful Bloom wallpaper for the powder room. At first they said, “That’s not really what we envisioned.” But I told them this room could be a tiny jewel box if we could just introduce a little flavor and color. Finally they agreed, and now they love the space. They call it “Joanne’s powder room.”

HOW DID THE LOFT’S BLUE COLOR SCHEME EVOLVE?
Hardwood Artisans, who made the Murphy beds, offers a blue cabinetry finish. It dawned on me that instead of more expected colors, this would put a twist on the rest of the scheme. Plus, the loft is like a tree house. I thought, “How cool to walk up to this ethereal ‘sky space’ and find a gorgeous blue that verges on hyacinth?” We found the blue rug, which is a work of art on its own and echoes the blue shade downstairs in the powder room.

WHAT DESIGN ELEMENT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED?
Using standard “ceiling white” paint is a lost opportunity. Painting a ceiling in a unique color brings subconscious warmth and interest to a space.

NAME A PRODUCT YOU CAN’T WAIT TO TRY.
I just discovered an eco-friendly surface called Iron Moss by Neolith. It looks just like iron and would be great for kitchens, baths or fireplace surrounds.

WHAT AFFORDABLE FIND DELIVERS HIGH IMPACT?
One thing that’s getting more accessible is really interesting tile. There are tiles that mimic wood, tiles that mimic linen and beautiful encaustic-cement tiles. They’d all make an enormous impact in a renovation.

EXPLAIN YOUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH WALLPAPER.
Today’s wallpapers are breathtaking. What you can get for the price and style it brings to a house is amazing. It’s really great when they’re washable and are going to last for 10 years.

IS THERE A TREND THAT YOU DREAD?
I’m worried that shabby chic is coming back. That’s not a style I ever loved.

Interior Design: Joanne Fitzgerald, Gatéga Interior Design, Washington, DC. Contractor: Sandy Spring Builders, Bethesda, Maryland. Deck Renovation: Landis Architects/Builders, Washington, DC.

When the owners of Hidden Harbor Marina in Deale, Maryland, tapped Devin Kimmel to design a freestanding bar on site, the Annapolis architect decided to go nautical. Critical-area laws ruled out siting the bar directly on the waterfront, but another idea dawned on him: “floating” it within view of the water and boatyard in a retrofitted boat.

As luck would have it, they discovered Southern Belle, a 1960s deadrise oyster boat, languishing in drydock. “She had an elongated shape, flat sides and great horizontal lines, which made her ideal for a bar,” Kimmel recalls. The owners bought the 39-foot Belle and the architect had its cockpit outfitted with the inner-workings of a bar. Teak counters were installed on her sides and a coat of sealant preserved her weathered patina.

Kimmel also designed an open-air, Tidewater-style boat shed to enclose the bar. It’s built with wood salvaged from a century-old tobacco barn nearby that, he says, “makes it look like it has some history to it.” A firepit lures guests on chilly nights.

Opened in 2017, the bar became an instant hit at the marina, which also encompasses the Anchored Inn. “You’re surrounded by boats and you can see the water when you sit there,” reflects Kimmel, principal of Kimmel Studio Architects. “It just feels like the Chesapeake Bay.”

The Boat House Bar is open from March through November; theboathousedeale.com.

The new owners of a home on Gibson Island hired landscape designer Annabelle Sailer to update the property, perched on a bluff, and improve access down to the Chesapeake Bay. After removing overgrown grasses and shrubs, Sailer planted the slope with three sustainable species: mountain mint, little bluestem and evening primrose, which erupts in pink blooms every May. “These are all native plants that support a wide variety of biodiversity,” she explains. “They attract tons of bees and butterflies.” Along existing stairs, the designer installed new rail posts and rope handrails. A hammock near a shady crape myrtle, she marvels, “offers expansive water views.”

Landscape Design & Photography: Annabelle Sailer, Annabelle Sailer Garden Design, Annapolis, Maryland.

Lafayette 148 New York, a purveyor of high-end, customized women’s apparel and accessories, recently opened its first DC-area store in Tysons Galleria. Though most of its sales happen online, storefronts allow discerning buyers to touch, try on and customize the company’s signature knits, leathers and woven pieces—all fashioned in a state-of-the-art workshop in Shantou, China. The early spring collection includes the Esma Pencil Skirt in Italian lambskin ($998), the Luther Jacket ($698) and the silk Scottie Blouse ($448). lafayette148ny.com

Passementerie—a catch-all name for the tassels, trim, fringe and pom-poms that dress up drapes and upholstery—is akin to jewelry for the home. So it wasn’t a stretch when New York textile and wall-covering designer Lori Weitzner, who creates passementerie for Samuel & Sons, decided to create a line of jewelry and accessories under her eponymous brand.

“I’ve always loved jewelry. Even as a little girl, I’d go into my mother’s jewelry box and try on all her pieces,” says Weitzner. “I thought, ‘If I can design it for the home, why not for people?’”

Launched in December, her collection features necklaces fashioned from gossamer metallic strands, suede bracelets encrusted with shimmery baubles and eye-catching clutches embroidered with tiny glass beads.

“It’s all very textile-infused, with techniques like beading, embroidery and special-stitching,” explains Weitzner. Made by hand in India and the Philippines, the pieces are priced between $95 and $305 each.

In style, they run the gamut from romantic to edgy. “We wanted both older and younger people to enjoy the collection, so we were determined to find that balance,” Weitzner reflects. “I want all wearers to feel beautiful—and individual.” shop.loriweitzner.com

FREE-WHEELING FASHION
Badgley Mischka Home’s Senso bike takes the designer duo in a new direction. It unites high-performance, carbon-fiber components with embellishments such as a 24-carat gold-leaf finish and a handlebar and saddle sheathed in fine Italian leather. $25,382; badgleymischkahome.com

DATA DRIVEN
The aerodynamic Elemnt Bolt GPS Bike Computer syncs with an array of cycling sensors and apps. At just 2.2 ounces, the handle-mounted device places an array of functions, from navigation to performance tracking, at a rider’s fingertips. $250; wahoofitness.com

LIGHTING THE WAY
Developed by Google engineer Zach Vorhies, Zackees Turn Signal Gloves improve biker safety and visibility. Pressing the thumb against a sensor on the index finger activates bright, blinking LED lights to indicate a turn. Made of breathable mesh spandex with leather palms, the gloves are machine washable and recharge via USB. $74.95; zackees.com

When the owners of Punjab Grill decided to bring an authentic Indian experience to Washington, they took the concept quite literally. This new, 4,700-square-foot restaurant was outfitted entirely with carved-stone friezes, hand-finished fretwork, inlaid marble and custom furnishings—all crafted by artisans in India and expedited to DC in five shipping containers.

Jaipur-based Amit Krishn Gulati and Grupo7 Architecture + Interiors in DC collaborated on the design. “We built every element from scratch and it’s been humbling to watch it come to fruition over the past two years,” says Karan Singh, CEO of Punjab Grill US (the company also operates outposts in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Bangkok).

Chef Jaspratap Bindra, who hails from Punjab, regales diners with regional classics and creations bearing a global twist: Tiny rounds of naan stand in for blinis in his caviar service and a riff on burrata pairs the Italian cheese with spiced eggplant and heirloom tomatoes. The journey is a feast for the palate—and the eyes. 427 11th Street, NW; 202-813-3004. punjabgrilldc.com

Designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning firm Herzog & de Meuron, the new 10-story, 360-room Conrad Washington, DC brings a new level of luxury to CityCenterDC; think rooftop bar and in-room espresso machines. Rottet Studio spearheaded the property’s minimalist interiors; Falling Flowers, a dramatic light installation by Preciosa, graces the second-floor gallery. Rates from $329. conradwashingtondc.com

A painting by Sibel Kocabasi makes a powerful first impression in the dining room of a grand Bethesda home. With a pattern that suggests ice floes reaching toward a distant horizon, the abstract work is a harbinger of what’s to come inside this one-of-a-kind residence.

The owners invited McLean-based designer Barbara Hawthorn to decorate the home in clean, contemporary style. She zeroed in on natural materials and motifs that resonated with her clients, both scientists. From mixed metals to exotic woods, luxurious textiles and semi-precious stones, Hawthorn wove organic accents throughout the interiors.

But first, she had to set the stage. The recently completed spec home’s gracious proportions, generous windows and mature, three-acre landscape won over the owners from the start. But its dark finishes, iron lanterns and ornate millwork had to go. They bought the five-bedroom, Tudor-style property while conceding that a makeover was a must.

“We basically had to strip out everything and start fresh,” Hawthorn recalls. “But I could see beyond the heavy-handed stuff. I loved the sense of light and seeing through, like Palladio’s enfilade, to beautiful views from north, south, east and west.”

She introduced clean, crisp crown molding and simplified the overdone ceiling details to create the right backdrop for contemporary furniture and art.

To help outfit the home in the style she and her clients envisioned, Hawthorn then tapped into a network of artists, artisans, gallery owners and tradesfolk. Her mission: to acquire original paintings and sculpture; custom furniture, rugs and window treatments; and state-of-the-art lighting and automation for every room in the house.

“Barbara collaborated with us on the redesign and everything else,” says the husband. “It went well beyond the normal furniture side of it.”

As the designer reveals, “My clients like things that are unique rather than stock or store-bought. Therefore, we created just about everything from our own imaginations.” She commissioned artist Barton Rubenstein’s “Let it Flow,” a stainless-steel sculpture with undulating forms, to set a dramatic tone in the foyer. The artist and Hawthorn collaborated on its base—made of semi-precious white quartz that they shattered on site to approximate floating ice.

Furniture maker Keith Fritz crafted numerous pieces for the home, including the dining room table. With a base of interlocking circles in a Santos rosewood veneer, it’s a sculpture in its own right. And in the adjacent gallery, abstract works by Campbell Maloney represent the words “Less” and “More” in niches typically reserved for more conventional fare.

Textiles add a sense of luxury. In the sunroom, for example, metallic threads shimmer in the Romo sofa fabric, the carpet and the mantel’s mosaic tile. “We were playing with light, iridescence and reflection,” Hawthorn notes.

In the library at the opposite end of the foyer, decorative painter Paula Checkosky transformed standard, builder-grade cabinets with fine grain and detailing. Massive windows celebrate the landscape.

The great room and kitchen overlook the backyard, complete with a pool for themselves & for their dog (to keep dog cool in hot weather ), pool house and manicured gardens. Stairs near the kitchen lead to a lower level and its spacious sitting room, home office and gym.

Hawthorn designed several pieces for the great room, including a game table, fabricated by Keith Fritz in burled ash. A second table of her design in the breakfast room echoes an octagonal dome in the ceiling above.

A dome on the upper-level landing evolved into a conversation piece. “Because they’re scientists and love the cosmos,” says Hawthorn, she proposed a light installation mimicking a night sky. Fabric for the dome was gilded and stretched and LED lights installed behind it to create an imaginary constellation based on images she researched on her laptop. “Everything had layers of meaning,” reflects Hawthorn, “to make the house personal, to tell a story.”

The master suite is an oasis of calm, its white furnishings playing up a painting by abstract expressionist Paul Jenkins. The sitting room displays a work by Sam Gilliam while a large collage by that artist commands a rear stairwell. The owners gravitated to the work of Gilliam and other Washington Color School artists such as Leon Berkowitz and Paul Reed, all of whom are represented in the house.

“Barbara suggested a lot of things I never would have thought about,” attests the wife. “She helped us to see what’s possible—the sculptures, the artwork. We’re so pleased with everything and I cannot imagine the top of my back stairs without a Gilliam. It makes you sing every time you see it.”

Reflecting on the finished project, Hawthorn says, “It was a creative person’s dream. My clients inspired me because they gave me an opening that said, ‘We want you to be creative.’ If you have the right community of artisans,” she adds, “anything is possible.”

Interior Design: Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd., McLean, Virginia. Renovation Contractor: Josh Cooper, Old Dominion Trim Specialists, Arlington, Virginia. Home Automation: Avi Benaim, A.B.E. Networks, Rockville, Maryland.

RESOURCES

DINING ROOM
Table: keithfritz.com. Chairs: niermannweeks.com. Chair Fabric: nancycorzine.com. Chandelier: allan-knight.com. Rug: maslandcarpets.com. Drapery Fabric: lelievreparis.com through starkcarpet.com. Drapery Fabrication: gretcheneverett.com. Painting: sibelkocabasi.com through bethesdafineart.com.

FOYER
Chandelier above Stair: hudsonfurnitureinc.com. Metal Scupture: rubensteinstudios.com. Sculpture Base Stone Supplier: gramaco.com. Consoles: keithfritz.com. Mirrors: niermannweeks.com. Glass Sculptures on Consoles: calebnichols.com. Large Painting: Leon Berkowitz through bethesdafineart.com. Rug: hollyhunt.com. Dome Gilding: splashbypaula.com.

SUN ROOM
Sofas: allan-knight.com. Sofa Fabric: romo.com. Pillow Fabric: donghia.com. Coffee Table: ebanista.com. Rug: therugcompany.com. Painting above Fireplace: johnmatthewmoore.com. Accent Tile on Mantel: bfceramics.com. Shade Fabric: fischbacher.com. Shade Fabrication: gretcheneverett.com.

LIBRARY
Sofa: donghia.com. Sofa Fabric: fabricut.com. Arm Chair: victoriahagan.com. Coffee Table & Arm Chair Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Faux Painting: splashbypaula.com. Acrylic Console & Dictionary Stand Designs: Custom by barbarahawthorninteriors.com. Acrylic Console Fabrication: allan-knight.com. Acrylic Dictionary Stand Fabrication: spectrumcollections.com. Rug: dorisleslieblau.com. Sofa Pillow Fabrics: dogwoodfabrics.com, osborneandlittle.com. Shade Fabric & Fabrication: hartmannforbes.com. “Striped” Painting: tombollesart.com through merrittgallery.com. Floor Lamp: portaromana.com.

GREAT ROOM
Sectional, TV Console, Coffee Table, Game Table & Bench Designs: Custom by barbarahawthorninteriors.com. Sectional Fabrication: aristocraftupholstery.com. Chair & Ottoman ferrell.mittman.com. Sectional, Chair & Ottoman Fabric: romo.com. Rug: hollyhunt.com.  TV Console & Coffee Table Fabrication: atrium-interiors.com. Acrylic Console & Game Chairs: spectrumcollections.com. Shade Fabric & Fabrication: hartmannforbes.com. Shade Fabric Accent Band: sabinafaybraxton.com. Game Table Fabrication: keithfritz.com. Large Painting: barbaraj.info. Small Paintings by Benches: Dan Kuhne through bethesdafineart.com. Bench Stone: gramaco.com. Bench Fabrication: marblex.com. Bench Fabric: casamance.com.

BREAKFAST AREA
Table Design: barbarahawthorninteriors.com. Table Base Fabrication: ar2designstudios.com. Table Stone Fabrication: marblex.com. Chairs: liaigre.com. Chandelier: bbitalia.com. Shade Fabric & Fabrication: hartmannforbes.com. Shade Fabric Accent Band: sabinafaybraxton.com. Desk Chair: plexi-craft.com. Painting over Desk: tombollesart.com through merrittgallery.com.

UPPER LANDING
Diptych: paulreedart.com through bethesdafineart.com. Constellation Design: barbarahawthorninteriors.com. Constellation Installation: brilliantceilings.com. Painting in Hall: rdelatorre.com through merrittgallery.com.

MASTER SITTING ROOM
Chairs & Ottomans: niermannweeks.com. Chair & Ottoman Fabric: manualcanovas.com. Drapery Fabric: larsenfabrics.com. Drapery Fabrication: gretcheneverett.com. Table: nuevoliving.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Shelf Design: barbarahawthorninteriors.com. Shelf Fabrication: artisangroupservices.com. Painting by Shelf: Sam Gilliam through bethesdafineart.com.

MASTER BEDROOM
Sofa, Chair, Ottoman, Bed & Nightstand Designs: barbarahawthorninteriors.com. Bed Fabrication: keithfritz.com. Headboard Fabric: romo.com. Bedding Fabrics: pierrefrey.com, osborneandlittle.com, romo.com, clarke-clarke.com. Bedding Fabrication: gretcheneverett.com. Sofa Fabrication: aristocraftupholstery.com. Drapery & Sofa Fabrics: larsenfabrics.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Drapery Fabrication: gretcheneverett.com. Chair & Ottoman Fabric: andrewmartin.co.uk. Acrylic Side Table: munizplastics.com. Large Painting: pauljenkins.net through bethesdafineart.com. Bedside Lamps: portaromana.com. Night Stand Fabrication: keithfritz.com. Floor Lamp: johnrichard.com.

DRESSING ROOM
Millwork Design: barbarahawthorninteriors.com, atriuminteriors.com. Millwork Fabrication: atriuminteriors.com. Countertop Stone: Crema Marfil marble. Countertop Fabrication: marblex.com. Rug: bellbridge.com. Wallpaper at back of Cabinets: phillipjeffries.com.

Just back from his restaurant, Tosca, on a Friday afternoon, Paolo Sacco has traded a Canali suit for jeans. He and his life partner, interior designer Martha Vicas, chat with guests in the sleek kitchen of Sacco’s new home.

The fading sun dapples pale white-oak floors and stone countertops with light. Interiors are crisp, full-bodied and culled from nature, just like the Rhone blend Sacco and Vicas are pouring. Surrounded by furnishings in soft, neutral shades, visitors can’t help but feel an urge to linger.

Perhaps it’s the wine? After all, a centerpiece of the home’s main level is a glass-enclosed, temperature-controlled wine room that displays bottles of red from floor to ceiling. “I didn’t want the wine to be in a dark cellar in the basement; I wanted it to be visible,” Sacco explains. “It inspires me and makes me smile every time I come home.”

The design team was initially skeptical about giving the wine tower such prominence. But Sacco won them over with his vision and attention to detail. Like Tosca, his venerable mecca for Washington power brokers, his home serves up hospitality and style con brio—with a vivacity that Italians somehow pull off without trying.

Sacco, who previously lived in a Kalorama condo, decided to build a new house because he couldn’t find what he liked on the market. “I wanted a stucco house because stucco brings me back to where I’m from,” he reveals, adding that in Italy, most people live in apartments or small houses and therefore he longed for open interiors where he and his 16-year-old son could entertain guests with ease.

After purchasing a property in the Palisades, he put together the team who would make his dream a reality. Architect Mark Giarraputo of Studio Z Design Concepts drew up the plans. Also onboard was builder Geoffrey Kuck of FWI Development. Kuck first introduced Sacco to Martha Vicas, who orchestrated the interiors.

“We came up with a casual, European country house,” says Giarraputo. From the foyer, the open layout leads past the dining room to a great room facing the kitchen and a casual breakfast area, which spills out to a loggia. “It all flows together and gives Paolo the ability to entertain year-round,” the architect notes.

Vicas helped Sacco articulate and achieve the interior look he was after. “Paolo wanted it to be homey, which first I interpreted as more traditional,” she recalls. “But soon it became clear that he’s a contemporary person at heart. Paolo is drawn to earth colors so we kept things toned down, adding bright accents here and there.”

Rich, elemental materials and refined textures convey an aura of calm and authenticity. Phillip Jeffries wall coverings, one featuring nail head-trim and the other in raw silk, bring subtle definition to the foyer and dining room, respectively. A custom fixture by Roll and Hill adds an industrial edge above the dining table. “All of the main-floor spaces encourage gathering and are certainly not formal,” says Vicas.

The lower level includes a guest room, media/game room and gym where, Sacco says, “I try to keep up with the food and wine.” The second floor houses another guest room, his son’s bedroom and the master suite. The latter features a luxurious bathroom, a sitting room and a dressing room designed by Vincent Sagart of Poliform | sagartstudio, who also collaborated on the kitchen.

“As a restaurateur,” Sagart observes, “Paolo understands how a beautiful environment can affect your mood.”

While planning the kitchen design, Sacco discovered Lacanche ranges. “I fell in love with their colors and vivacity, so I ordered one,” he relates. In the finished space, Italian-made Poliform cabinets in an oak finish and honed rhodonite countertops let the classic stove in pale blue-gray take center stage. “I wanted to keep the kitchen minimal,” Sacco notes. “The colors and joyful aspects were also important to me.”

In lieu of a typical breakfast nook, a high table next to the kitchen invites guests to gather while Sacco cooks. “On a nice day,” he says, “you can have a drink first, then move outside for dinner. I wanted the flow to be open.”

Sacco’s dinner parties are “almost an extension of Tosca,” he reveals. “I try to bring the same flavors home. I want people to relax, enjoy good food, good wine and good friendship.”

Born in Caserta near Naples, Sacco worked at restaurants in Milan and London before venturing to New York in his 20s. He arrived in the capital after employers offered him a position at Bice in DC; in 1997, Sacco opened his own place, Terrazza, in Friendship Heights (both have since closed). He launched Tosca in 2001—and presidents and politicos have flocked there ever since for enduring hits such as radicchio, poached pear and Gorgonzola salad and braised short-rib ravioli.

Sacco attributes Tosca’s staying power to consistency and an understanding of boundaries. “We’ve probably had every member of Congress in the restaurant and they get treated like everybody else,” he observes. “We try to stay true to our mission to serve good, fresh food in a nice environment, with a great sense of hospitality.”

A self-described “history buff,” Sacco considers Bob Dole his most extraordinary patron. The former senator, who was wounded in action during the liberation of Italy, tells Sacco war stories whenever he dines at Tosca. “At 95, Dole fondly remembers the people, the towns and his experiences,” Sacco marvels. “It warms me because this is somebody who fought for my country and 74 years later I’m here, talking to him. I have a personal connection with him; he’s very special to me.”

Architecture: Mark Giarraputo, AIA, Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. Interior Design: Martha Vicas, M.S. Vicas Interiors, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Vincent Sagart, Poliform | sagartstudio, Washington, DC. Lighting Design: Illuminations, Washington, DC. Builder: Geoffrey Kuck, FWI Development LLC, Washington, DC. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.

On a cold January day, designer Lauren Liess’ dining room is awash in summer’s glory. Roses, tulips and proteas proliferate on the wooden table. But Liess isn’t on the clock. Rather, she’s hosting friends at a flower-arranging fête thrown by local start-up Bouquet Club.

The company was launched in November by interior designer Liz Levin and floral designer Tess Finnegan after they collaborated on a couple of classes for charity auctions and received rave reviews.

Bouquet Club parties combine a workshop experience with social time for improving social media shares and are customized to any occasion, from birthdays to bridal showers and corporate retreats. Vases, tools and premium flowers in a pre-selected palette are provided. “These are not grocery store flowers,” notes Finnegan, who has wholesale relationships as owner of DC’s Green Hydrangea Flowers.

“Tess shows you, stem by stem, how to build an arrangement, and you leave with the skills to replicate it at home,” says Levin, who brings insights on color theory and texture to the table.

The partners suggest that Bouquet Club guests also reap other rewards.“The phones are down and people are engaged and thinking in a different way,” says Finnegan, a former trial attorney.

Levin agrees, “In this touch-screen era, making something creative is pretty scarce. There’s a sense of being connected to other people—and feeling joyful.”

Bouquet Club parties are $100 per person for a minimum of 10 guests (refreshments not included). Coming soon: public “pop-ups” for individual attendees. bouquetclub.com.

Dior Men’s Summer 2019 ready-to-wear line draws inspiration from the life and work of Christian Dior. Modern twists on his oeuvre include a vintage-effect calfskin bike jacket ($4,200) with a pocket reminiscent of Dior’s signature saddle bag. Blue-striped pants in technical canvas (price on request) and beige nubuck boots ($1,200) set a light tone for the coming thaw. dior.com 

Old + New Occupying a restored 19th-century French hospital, The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tel Aviv opened last year in that city’s historic waterfront neighborhood. Architects Ramy Gill and John Pawson collaborated on the project, which marries antiquity and modern minimalism. The Chapel lounge is set in a 19th-century sanctuary and the sleek lobby reveals a 13th-century Crusader’s wall excavated under the site. Meanwhile, the hotel’s 120 rooms and suites feature custom furniture, smart technology and stellar views. Rates from $596. marriott.com

PENN QUARTER HOT SPOT
Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj’s latest venture, Olivia, recently debuted in DC’s Penn Quarter. Chef Matt Kuhn’s rustic Mediterranean menu is inspired by the flavors of Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Italy and Greece. Look for abundant vegetarian and seafood options—such as Mediterranean Stone Bass Crudo. Interiors by Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates evoke the region with hanging lanterns and Moorish motifs. Private dining rooms include The Stateroom and The Iberian Room. 800 F Street, NW; 202-347-4667. oliviawdc.com

SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Guapo’s, a local mexican mainstay, opened its ninth location on the georgetown waterfront last year, introducing a new brunch menu. Dc designer ernesto santalla animated the interiors with ceiling “clouds” That improve acoustics and a palette of raspberry red, orange and plum. 3050 K street, NW; 202-844-5777. guaposrestaurant.com

RUM DIARIES
Mixologist Todd Thrasher celebrates all things rum at his new distillery in District Wharf. The Potomac Distilling Company produces Thrasher’s Rum on site and offers rooftop dining and three bars—including a Polynesian-style tiki lounge. 1130 Maine Avenue, SW; 202-900-4786. tikitnt.com