Pappe, which translates to “brother” in Punjabi, is an apt name for the new restaurant three friends opened together on 14th Street, NW. Vipul Kapila, chef Sanjay Mandhaiya and chef Shankar Puthran—who frequently met for dinner at Mandhaiya’s Saffron in Northern Virginia—realized their dream last spring. Melissa Funkey designed the interiors (above) using draped fabrics to evoke the street markets of Delhi and Jaipur. The menu, focusing on Northern Indian fare, includes such delicacies as paneer tikka Achari and lamb Vindaloo (left). 1317 14th Street, NW; 202-888-8220. pappedc.com
ELECTRIC ATTITUDE
In 2019, Porsche’s first all-electric sports car, the Taycan, will go into production. Previously dubbed the Mission E, the concept car features two permanently activated, synchronous motors generating an output of over 600 horsepower, and a lithium-ion battery that will enable it to drive for more than 300 miles on a single charge. porsche.com
SCREEN TIME
Bang & Olufsen has partnered with LG Electronics to create the BeoVision Eclipse, merging B&O’s renowned acoustic controls with LG’s OLED technology. A TV and music system in one, the Eclipse integrates Internet radio with music- and video-streaming services. A motorized floor stand even moves the TV around the room for optimal viewing. From $10,990. bang-olufsen.com
MAPS ON THE GO
Garmin’s new fenix 5 Plus series brings full GPS functionality to your wrist. The multi-sport watch helps bikers and runners map out routes and offers music storage, playback and a contactless payment system. Its fitness-tracking features include training stats and a Pulse Oximeter to gauge altitude acclimation. From $700. garmin.com
The National Museum of Women in the Arts celebrates the work of Rodarte from November 10 to February 10, 2019, in its first-ever fashion exhibit. Launched in 2005 by Los Angeles-based sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy, Rodarte blurs the lines between art and fashion with its feminine, otherworldly creations. More than 100 complete looks will be on view. nmwa.org
Following a multi-million dollar renovation, Geneva’s 150-year-old Hotel de la Paix has reopened as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva. Located on the shore of Lake Geneva, the property sports an elegant lobby (right) and 74 guest rooms. The Grace Kelly Suite was named after the Princess of Monaco—once a regular guest at the hotel. It features Art Deco-style furnishings and gold-leaf gilding. In addition to two restaurants, a Philippe Pascoët chocolate shop is located on site. Rates from $455. ritzcarlton.com
The moment he set foot in the apartment— located in a recently completed building along DC’s U Street Corridor—a Washington resident in search of a new home knew it was right for him. Its high ceilings, abundant windows and spacious living/dining area cinched the deal for the association executive, who soon acquired it.
Realizing furniture from his former Dupont Circle condo would look dated and out of place in the modern residence, he enlisted designer Sophie Prévost of ColePrévost to help him outfit the interiors from scratch. “It didn’t have much character,” recalls Prévost, who recommended a few deft moves right off the bat. Reddish floors were refinished in pale blond. New lighting improved upon builder-grade fixtures. And custom millwork—from a large, white-oak unit in the living room to floating shelves in the study—would provide storage while displaying the owner’s books and ceramics collection.
The design scheme evolved organically as Prévost helped her client hone in on his personal aesthetic. This process of discovery, he says, yielded a few surprises. “When we started off, I thought I liked big, bold colors, drama and a little bit of edginess. But,” he admits, “I came to realize that while I like those things in other people’s homes, in my own I like something more tranquil and quiet—but not boring.”
With this clear mandate, Prévost presented him with multiple options. Rather than furnishing the apartment with off-the-shelf finds in one fell swoop, they sought quality and singularity over convenience. Their selections encompassed clean-lined furniture—including many bespoke pieces of ColePrévost’s design—richly textured fabrics and rugs and carefully curated modern art. “My client was always drawn to the better options because he has a good eye,” says Prévost.
They reviewed drawings of custom pieces together, refining ideas along the way. “It’s nice to have something that’s unique but also fits in beautifully with the theme of tranquility and subtle interest,” the owner remarks. “The shapes, textures and materials speak to me.”
Textiles and a warm color palette soften the furniture’s contemporary edge. Inspired by a brass floor lamp—the only element culled from his former home—Prévost started with a gold tone and paired it with masculine gray. Throughout the apartment, she tapped into variations of these shades, even applying color to the ceilings in the living room and study. “I love playing with color on the ceiling because I think it’s hardly noticeable but makes a difference in how a space feels,” she explains. “If the living-room ceiling were white, it would be really cold. If it were gray, it would be dark and gloomy. The yellow just gives it a glow.”
With a plethora of bars and restaurants practically at his doorstep, the homeowner says, “This has become the hot neighborhood. If I want to go out to the busyness of U Street, everything is in walking distance.”
But he also loves coming home to his completed apartment. “It has a great sense of brightness and light,” he reflects. “The way Sophie has it set up gives me a lot of open space. I use all of it. I can’t choose one favorite room over the others; the whole place is my favorite.”
Interior Design: Sophie Prévost, ASID, ColePrévost, Inc., Washington, DC. Custom Millwork & Furniture Design: ColePrévost, Washington, DC. Custom Cabinet & Millwork Fabrication: East Coast Woodworks, Stevensville, Maryland. Lighting Design: Hinson Design Group, Washington, DC.
As a July morning simmers on Maryland’s Gibson Island, golfers crisscross its rolling greens, summer campers hone their backhands on the tennis courts and moms cart water toys to the pool with toddlers in tow. Buttressed from the
pressures of city life, this 1,000-acre private isle rimmed by the Chesapeake Bay and Magothy River goes about its day without a care in the world.
After visiting a few years ago, a DC couple found the enclave near Annapolis impossible to resist. “It’s a secret little piece of heaven,” remarks the wife. “We were attracted by the proximity to Washington without having to cross the Bay Bridge.”
Soon after, she and her husband purchased a vacation home on one of the island’s tree-lined lanes. “We wanted a nice place to spend time with our daughter, family and friends—as well as an oasis so we could get away from the busyness of our professional lives in DC,” adds the wife, a political fundraiser whose husband is an executive at an education non-profit.
Despite its desirable location, the 1990 timber-frame house left much to be desired. Its rooms were dark and dingy and its kitchen and bathrooms screamed for an update. With minimal windows and outdoor living spaces, the vinyl-clad dwelling lacked a meaningful connection to its coastal environment.
Straight away, the owners created a clean slate by painting its mustard-yellow interior walls, wooden floors and pine beams a crisp white. Knowing a thorough overhaul would require professional help, they hired architect Jim Rill to upgrade what they found to be flimsy construction and instill the getaway with character and style.
Rill was confined to the home’s existing footprint by the community’s setback regulations. He cleverly created a bedroom for the owners’ six-year-old daughter by enclosing the two-story vaulted ceiling above the dining room. He designed a new wraparound porch—not only adding outdoor living space, but also bumping up curb appeal. A new screened porch complete with built-in heaters provides a year-round gathering spot.
“The outdoors is just as important as the indoors,” says Rill. “A room always feels bigger when you put a porch on it; the room flows outside and the outside comes in.”
During construction, Rill discovered that the home’s walls lacked structural support. “The original house appeared to be modular with walls just glued over the timber structure. None of the panels had framing—just foam and two pieces of drywall,” recalls the architect, who specified new framing during the renovation. “We also replaced all systems, windows, doors and hardware, so there’s not much left in this house that’s original.”
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As the plans crystalized, the owners tapped interior designer Nancy Harper to advise them on everything from material selection to furniture and art. The friendly architect-designer collaboration that ensued took the house in a decidedly “beachy” direction without going overboard.
Pale aqua accents on the exterior door frames, beadboard ceilings and even the new kitchen cabinets offer subtle reminders that the shimmering Chesapeake beckons nearby. “We wanted the vibe to be more soothing than bold,” says Harper.
The open kitchen was designed for easy entertaining. Cabinetry topped with no-fuss Caesarstone surrounds a large island with bar seating on one side and a pull-out work table on the other.
New French doors flood the adjacent dining area with light. Along with added windows in the kitchen, they forge a connection to the outdoors. Efficient circulation between the interiors and porches was part of the plan, as the homeowners host a steady stream of guests who settle into two extra bedrooms with en suite baths, one on the ground floor and another upstairs. “That was the biggest driver for our decision-making as we’d consider, ‘How does this work for guests?’” reports Harper.
Working with the owners’ existing furniture (some acquired with help from a previous designer), Harper tied it all together via a judicious selection of fabrics, accessories and art. “Though both clients come from traditional backgrounds, she is drawn towards the modern,” says Harper. “It was a matter of threading the needle on being sleek and sophisticated but still comfortable and kid-friendly.”
Approachable and not stuffy, the home now makes a perfect base for the owners, who live there full-time between May and September. Both parents work at home and commute to DC as needed. This leaves plenty of time for sailing, fishing, canoeing, paddle boarding and swimming in the island’s freshwater lake—followed by a rinse in their new outdoor shower tucked behind the carport where the family stores their golf carts (the preferred mode of transport among Gibson Islanders).
For the owners of this utterly chic retreat, arriving on Gibson Island—a world away from their DC neighborhood—is an instant balm. “It is calm and quiet. We can ride our bikes wherever we want,” says the wife. “Our daughter can be a kid there and run around and be safe. It’s a breath of fresh air.”
Renovation Architecture: James Rill, AIA, Rill Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Interior Design: Nancy Harper, Studio Miel, Washington, DC. Landscape Design: Christopher J. Dow, Gibson Island Corporation, Gibson Island, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Thorsen Construction, Alexandria, Virginia.
RESOURCES
PORCH
Sofa & Chairs: southernhomeinc.com. Swing: ballarddesigns.com. Sofa, Swing & Chair Fabric: sunbrella.com. Stools: palecek.com. Throw Pillows: nomiinc.com, onekingslane.com. Bar Cart: serenaandLily.com. Fan: minkagroup.com. Planter: shopterrain.com. Flooring: fiberondecking.com.
LIVING ROOM
Sofa & Skirted Chair: leeindustries.com. Console, Rug, Wooden Armchair, Ottoman, Side Tables & Lamps: Owners’ collection. Ottoman: oomphhome.com.Chair Fabric: archivenewyork.com. Throw Pillows: Victoria-larson.com, Victoria Larson, marikameyertextiles.com, lakeaugust.com. Ceiling Paint: benjaminmoore.com. Chandelier: shadesoflight.com. Painting: jamiekirklandart.com through gallery-orange.com. Drapery Fabric: pindler.com. Fabrication: Leslie Pease
ENTRYWAY
Hallway Mirror & Pink Console: Owners’ collection. Rug: georgetowncarpet.com. Carpet Design: mcnamara-design.com. Pillow: archivenewyork.com.
KITCHEN
Countertops: graniteworksmd.com. Cabinets: crown-point.com. Stools: bungalow5.com. Macaroon Painting: Stella Leblanc through gallery-orange.com. Flooring: trinitytile.com. Hood: subzero-wolf.com. Paint Colors: benjaminmoore.com.
DINING ROOM
Table: zgallerie.com. Chairs: bungalow5.com. Chair Fabric: sisterparishdesign. Cushion Fabric: nomiinc.com. Pillow Fabric: sisterparishdesign.com, radishmoon.com. Lighting: pelledesigns.com.
OUTDOOR SHOWER
Tile: missionstoneandtile.com. Shower Head: outdoorshowerco.com.
MAIN-LEVEL GUEST BEDROOM
Bed: leeindustries.com. Headboard Fabric: pindler.com. Bedding: leontinelinens.com. Side Tables: onekingslane.com. Bedside Lamps: janabekdesigns.
GIRL’S BEDROOM
Beds: crateandbarrel.com. Bedding: potterybarn.com. Throws: vintage. Throw Pillows: johnrobshaw.com. Sconces: schoolhouse.com. Drapery: sisterparishdesigns.com, samuelandsons.com. Fabrication: Leslie Pease. Bench Fabric: serenaandlily.com. Poufs: Owners’ collection. Rug: mohawkflooring.net. Installation: rickscarpetandflooring.com.
MASTER BEDROOM
Bed & Side Tables: Owners’ collection. Side Table Decoration: mcnamara-design.com. Bedding: leontinelinens.com. Throw Pillows: johnrobshaw.com, quadrillefabrics.com. Throw: jonathanadler.com. Sconces & Floor Lamp: circalighting.com. Armchair: bungalow5.com. Drapery Fabric: quadrillefabric.com. Drapery Fabrication: Leslie Pease.
MASTER BATHROOM
Countertop: caesarstoneus.com. Vanity: crown-point.com. Lighting: rh.com. Shower Tile: annsacks.com. Shower-Floor Tile: architecturalceramics.com.
Purchased for weekend getaways, a tiny 1970s-era cottage near Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland was starting to feel cramped and awkward to its DC-area owners and their two kids. So they turned to architect Greg Uekman for help. Assuming a teardown would be in order, he recalls, “When I visited the site, I realized they had bonded with the house and wanted to work around what was there.”
Taking inspiration from rural homesteads augmented over time with additions and outbuildings, Uekman developed a plan that would double the original home’s 800 square feet. A new roof mimics the lines of the original, now covering an enlarged master bedroom on the second floor. While the footprint of the main building remains the same, a new guest room is housed in a separate structure connected via a glass bridge. Red-cedar siding recalling a barn exterior, a new wraparound deck and an outdoor ski closet near the front entry clad in standing-seam metal put a modern spin on the “homestead” vernacular.
The owners love sharing their improved retreat with friends and family. “When I think of what the house is all about,” Uekman concludes, “it’s joy.”
Renovation Architecture: Gregory Uekman, AIA, Uekman Architects, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. Contractor: Stan Eggleston, Eggleston Construction, Oakland, Maryland.
From the outside, it’s easy to assume that the Foursquare-style house built in 1919 has a storied American past. After all, its first resident, Daniel Calhoun Roper, was FDR’s Secretary of Commerce.
But this brick manse is actually a bastion of Finland, having housed 14 Finnish ambassadors to Washington since that nation acquired it in 1946. Once visitors cross its porticoed threshold today, they find interiors that celebrate all things Finnish, from iconic mid-century furnishings and art to a poolside sauna—home to occasional meetings of the Diplomatic Finnish Sauna Society (more on that later).
The residence has seen numerous renovations and expansions over the years. In 1959, a wooden porch was enclosed and a backyard pond was converted into a swimming pool—later joined by a log-covered sauna.
A 2006 makeover extended the dining room, created a sun-filled wing called the Winter Garden and built a patio with stone walkways descending to the pool terrace, where a modern sauna building replaced the original.
Throughout the decades, traditional interiors reflected the home’s vintage. But Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs eventually decided that the residence was due for an update. In 2013, the Ministry and Finland-based interiors firm Protest Design Oy launched a makeover aimed at capturing the spirit and breadth of Finnish design and art today. They focused on elements crafted from organic, renewable materials to reflect the Finns’ love of nature.
“We felt the original architecture stood fine on its own—only the lighting needed a little update,” says interior architect Marko Nenonen of Protest Design Oy. “But the residence was furnished with classic art and furniture, which we thought was a little pompous and didn’t say much about today’s Finland. We wanted to create a vibrant and layered interior by mixing art and design pieces from different eras, as if someone had collected these items over a long period.”
The project was completed before Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi arrived in DC in 2015. “I really love the house,” she says. “My favorite room is the Winter Garden. It’s so peaceful and you can see how nature changes all the time. Of course, there are the gray seasons but they’re not very long here in Washington.”
On a tour of the residence, Kauppi remarks, “We’re a small nation but we really have the whole range of creative talent. I like to say that everything in here—furniture, textiles, design, art—is Finnish. The only thing that is not is this carpet—and it’s Swedish,” she quips, pointing out the foyer rug in a nod to her Nordic neighbor.
Small meetings often take place in the front sitting room, furnished with mid-century classics by Alvar Aalto. “Aalto is the most famous architect in terms of functionalism,” the ambassador says. “He’s a good example of an architect who designed furniture, lamps, vases and more.”
Like the residence itself, she explains, much of the furniture and art on display represents a bridge between Finland and the U.S. For example, a table and chairs by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen grace the Winter Garden while Womb Chairs by his son, Eero Saarinen, dot the living room. A boy when his family immigrated to the U.S., the younger architect would later design Washington Dulles International Airport.
“The other thing I love is that we have a lot of works of art and design by women,” Kauppi continues, “not only contemporary but from the 19th and 20th centuries—really avant-garde women artists in their time.”
Kauppi hosts more than 100 events a year at the residence, welcoming heads of state, diplomats, politicians, journalists, expats, artists and musicians. The house, she says, helps facilitate diplomatic connections. “It’s about exchanging views and learning about each other, but it’s also very much about telling the story of Finland through the building, through the interior decoration, even through the food.” The ambassador welcomed a new chef in August after his predecessor was tapped as official chef of Finland’s president, Sauli Niinistö, who has visited the Washington residence four times during Kauppi’s tenure.
Recently, Kauppi held a luncheon for female ambassadors to welcome new colleagues from Germany and Moldova. “We are good friends,” she said of the loose-knit group of about 20. “The beauty of our sisterhood is that we know that, no matter where we are, we can rely on each other. It’s a great source of strength.”
One of the most coveted invitations, though, is a meeting of the Diplomatic Finnish Sauna Society. An embassy press officer launched the group in 2008 to celebrate the Finns’ reverence for turning up the heat together: In a country of five million people, there are an estimated three million saunas.
The Society hosts casual evenings at the ambassador’s residence and at the nearby embassy, which boasts a sauna of its own. “We always have some kind of program, then you go to the sauna and then you eat,” says Kauppi. “It’s a platform for connecting in an informal setting.
“We love nature and we love authenticity,” she continues. “Saunas are a place where you relax and pause. It’s very much about people being genuine. You cannot pretend anything if you are naked in a sauna. That’s the beauty of it.”
Whether a visitor comes for a steam, a concert or an official tête-à-tête, Kauppi welcomes them with warm hospitality and lack of pretense. “Every time I host a simple event or corporate event here,” she vows, “I say that in this house the tradition is that you can talk openly, frankly—and in a good atmosphere.”
1/ SMOOTH TRANSITION 
Great Falls clients hired Charles Owen of Fine Landscapes Ltd. to create a “transition” garden connecting an excavated portion of their English basement to the pool and spa level above. A central lawn is encircled by stonework and curved retaining walls. One highlight of the garden is a waterfall formed out of concrete, Carderock bluestone veneer, rock-faced coping and large natural boulders. When building a water feature, Owen advises, “the contractor should make sure it’s absolutely sealed to prevent water loss. And the recovery basin has to be large enough to account for splash and evaporation.”
2/ AU NATUREL 
Starting with a barren slope in a Great Falls backyard, Anthony Cusat of McHale Landscape Design created a true-to-life stream cascading over a bed of rocks. Bursts of iris, amsonia and pachysandra not only hide construction elements, but also add color and texture. Understanding the hydrology of a real stream, says Cusat, is crucial to creating a credible substitute. “Ensuring that storm water is managed and using stones and plants that are in scale is also essential,” he explains. “By buffering unwanted noise, adding to the ambience of a natural setting and providing an element for human and wildlife interaction, a water feature can be truly dynamic throughout the entire year.”
3/ SET IN STONE 
Though the massive granite fountain on his client’s McLean property may appear simple, landscape architect Howard Cohen of Surrounds, Inc., knows better. The granite base, custom-designed by Stone Forest in Santa Fe, was so heavy and wide that Cohen and his team had to build a basin to fit it. “The over-spray surprised us; we had to shift our plants back from the drip line more than we expected,” he recalls. Before embarking on a water feature project, Cohen cautions homeowners to consider the effects of wind and auto-fill systems. “Make sure you understand the effort it takes to keep a fountain running and looking good.”
4/ CLEAN GEOMETRY 
Kevin Campion and Meredith Beach of Campion Hruby Landscape Architects conceived a garden to complement their clients’ Bethesda home, designed by architect Robert Gurney. Stainless-steel fountains on a stacked-bluestone wall draw visitors along the path in front of the house. To prevent water from splashing out of the pool below, they installed underwater cylinders to “absorb” flow as it hits the surface. “A water feature needs to function like a good, reliable car,” says Campion. “It should not leak or look messy.” When executed properly, he adds, a water feature energizes a finished landscape. “Like no other element of a garden, water captivates, heals and refocuses.”
5/ SOOTHING SOUND 
A water feature behind a Falls Church home was conceived by Joseph Richardson of Joseph Richardson Design to buffer noise from neighboring properties in an attractive way. Wheat’s Landscape completed the installation. From a stone pedestal, water spills into a ceramic-tile runnel leading to a stone basin where three scuppers cascade water into a pool below; several valves were needed to control flow. “Many homeowners underestimate the complexity of these structures,” says Richardson. “Larger ones often need chlorination and filtration. Even with the best design and construction teams, water features sometimes take several rounds of adjusting to dial in the perfect flow and sound.”
6/ FAMILY FUN 
Michael Prokopchak of Walnut Hill Landscape Company designed a retreat in Annapolis for a large family who wanted to enjoy the outdoors together. Part of the plan was a water feature that would create a focal point as well as the soothing sound of falling water. Prokopchak installed three copper scuppers on a wall of custom-blended natural stone veneer. “Precise location and water flow were crucial to making sure it was elegant in terms of aesthetic and sound,” he says. “This water feature not only provides a visual element but also sound for relaxation—while drowning out unwanted noise.”
7/ PARTY AL FRESCO 
A dramatic focal wall was an important element of Ed Ball Landscape Architecture’s design for an outdoor entertainment space in Aldie, Virginia. Guests in and around the pool can watch TV and movies thanks to a special film installed inside a large, double-pane pool-house window. To create another point of interest, Ball says, “We installed a sheer-descent waterfall that cascades over a flagstone ledge planted with Virginia creeper. This softened the edges of the walls, stucco and stone.” Ball recommends top-notch filtration and cleaning systems for water features. “Make sure you’re spending money on the quality of the materials being used.”
Q&A WITH THE PROS
8/ WHAT TECHNICALITIES ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED? 
Water features, like this fountain in Leesburg, need to be designed and maintained properly to prevent them from becoming eyesores. Things like head pressure, distance, friction loss, etc., are important factors to consider. Algae control is often overlooked. Even moving water will start to develop forms of algae if proper controls are not designed into the system. —Josh Kane, Kane Landscapes, Inc.
9/ HOW DOES LOCATION AFFECT YOUR DESIGN? 
A waterfall should blend with the surroundings. Some of our waterfalls are more natural while others complement various design features, like this Bethesda swimming pool; we had lots of great ideas from the owners to inspire our design. It was a challenge because the neighbors’ properties drained into the location for the pool. We designed extensive drainage measures to divert rainwater from the area. —Bernie Mihm, Fine Earth Landscape
10/ WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE THE SOUND OF FLOWING WATER? 
Wall height and flow rate need to be taken into account to create the sound you are looking for. You also want the water feature to be in proportion to the pool and/or property to ensure that it isn’t over- or underwhelming. For this Edgewater, Maryland, project, the clients wanted to hear the soothing sound of flowing water, as well as to buffer the noise of the community traffic. —Jeff Crandell, Scapes, Inc.
11/ HOW DO YOU INTEGRATE A WATER FEATURE INTO A SMALL SPACE? 
This project fused a 21st-century garden with a renovated 19th-century Georgetown home. We transformed the garage into an integral element of the garden and found a perfect spot on one of its walls to install a cherubic marble angel fountain found by the client in Italy. This element broadened the feeling of space in this city garden. Water flows into a tinted-concrete basin framed by bluestone coping. —Katia Goffin, Katia Goffin Gardens
La Vie in District Wharf commands attention for its coastal fare and dramatic interiors by Alexandria designer David Anthony Chenault. The romantic conservatory bar (pictured above) evokes a hidden villa and garden with stools covered in green Christian Lacroix velvet and bronze blossom pendants. Highlights of the menu include a cold seafood bar, house-made pasta, and mussel pots. 88 District Square, SW, fifth floor; 202-560-5501. laviedc.com
Fall Color CH Carolina Herrera’s 2018 Fall/Winter Evening collection ushers in cooler nights with elegance. The flowing Pleated Crepe Skirt in bold red ($795) is topped with the crisp, white Bow-Detailed Silk Shirt ($535). Shown with the Metropolitan Insignia Clutch (price on request). Available at the CityCenterDC boutique. carolinaherrera.com
Tucked away on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, Villa Manzu makes an idyllic getaway for an extended family or group. Its eight suites boast lounges overlooking the sea, pools and a terrace where meals are served by a resident chef. Guests can roam the five-acre property, partake in a host of water sports or explore with one of the villa’s drivers/guides. $16,400 nightly for 14 guests; eight additional guests can be accommodated for $500 each per night. villamanzu.com
After 22 happy years spent raising two daughters in Potomac, interior designer Lauren Sachs and her husband were ready for a change. “We wanted to create a more urban lifestyle,” she explains of their decision to build a home near downtown Bethesda so they could walk or bike to shops, restaurants, movies and the Metro.
Sachs had already assembled an arsenal of ideas when they found the perfect lot near all the action. Inspired by years of travel—and holidays in memorable vacation homes—she and her husband channeled a vision for their future perch that was more Malibu than Maryland. “Aesthetically, we wanted a Mediterranean contemporary, something that would fuse in fairly well but not look like everything else in Bethesda,” says the designer. “We wanted a European feel with a California twist.”
Building a home from scratch, even for a designer, is not for the faint of heart, so Sachs hoped that the end result would be transformative. “Once we stepped in the door, we wanted the feeling of transporting ourselves to another place,” she reflects.
Though narrow and long, the flat lot they purchased perfectly suited the couple’s desire for one-level, indoor/outdoor entertaining. For help translating her vision into buildable plans, Sachs partnered with architect Warren Ralston. Together, they devised a layout to fit the shape of the lot.
A wide entry hall creates an axis through the public areas in front, with the dining room, staircase and family room to the right and the kitchen on the left. Aligned with the family room is a covered porch featuring seating and dining areas. The porch is embraced by the house on three sides; the fourth side spills onto a pool terrace stretching to the property’s rear lawn.
“Normally, exterior living happens behind the home,” says Ralston. “But right from the start, this dynamic outdoor-living zone was carved from the center of the house. By allowing it to be built into the architecture, you have more spaces that engage with what’s happening outside.”
Beyond the family room and porch, the main hall culminates at the ground-level master suite. A spa-like bath is tucked behind the bedroom, which opens to the pool in true resort style.
On the second floor, there is a guest suite, Sachs’ light-filled office and chic bedrooms for the couple’s two college-age daughters. The lower level contains another guest room and a man cave where Lauren’s husband Gene, a real estate executive, and his friends often gather to watch sports and play the world’s best courses on a virtual golf simulator.
For design inspiration, Sachs referred to photos she’d collected over the years of homes in far-flung locales, from Anguilla to Italy. Elements from these images came into play as she honed in on exterior forms and materials. The home’s simple volumes are clad in light-gray porcelain tile and stucco, with a dark metal roof and dark window mullions adding crisp contrast. Wood accents enrich the monochromatic planes. Says Ralston, “These subtle nuances allow the house to fit into the neighborhood and also distinctly set it apart.”
Interior architecture leans in a spare direction as well. “I’m big on details,” says Sachs, pointing out the frameless doors, recessed baseboards and light color palette she selected. “These were the foundation and I built on them.”
Subtle references to faraway destinations abound. “We’ve traveled all over and I am drawn to Moorish and Moroccan design, but I don’t want it to overpower,” she explains. In lieu of carpet in the entry floor, inlaid tile mosaics roll out a welcome. Backlit screens in an Eastern motif are built into the stairwell’s limestone walls. Kitchen cabinet doors mimicking weathered driftwood lend a California vibe. And step-banded panels of walnut wrap the dining room and family room in warmth and texture.
“Lauren’s style is so distinctly hers and she has a keen eye for interior millwork,” Ralston comments.
Architect and designer attribute the project’s success to their collaboration from day one. “The relationship of the builder, designer and architect is so imperative,” says Sachs, who was on site daily throughout construction.
Also important to the Sachses was keeping the project as eco-friendly as possible. They selected a geothermal heating and cooling system, sustainably harvested woods and a metal roof that would last a lifetime.
In the way of furnishings, Sachs focused on clean lines and comfort, with light fixtures making a bold statement. Some furniture was repurposed from her previous home—and she is still on the lookout for some new artwork and the perfect kitchen backsplash.
But with the lion’s share of the work behind her, Sachs began enjoying her home the moment she and her family moved in last year. Whether they’re spending time alone, celebrating a holiday with extended family or hosting a charity function, it makes a perfect setting. “The flow has been fabulous and we’ve had people here till two in the morning,” she marvels. “It has been better than we could have ever asked for.”
Architecture: Warren C. Ralston, AIA, W.C. Ralston Architects, Chantilly, Virginia. Interior Design: Lauren Sachs, L.S. Design, Bethesda, Maryland. Kitchen Design: Meghan Browne, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Builder: Greg Barger, superintendent, The Banks Development Co., Bethesda, Maryland. Landscape Architecture: Mark Finlayson, Wheat’s Landscape, Vienna, Virginia. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
RESOURCES
EXTERIOR
Exterior Tile: stonesource.com. Landscape (planting): wheats.com. Pool installation: alpinepool.com. Deck surface tile: stonesource.com. Decorative Pool Tile: architecturalceramics.com. Umbrellas: outdesigngroup.com. Lounge Chairs: outdesigngroup.com.
FOYER
Door: laurensachsdesigns.com. Console: bernhardt.com. Blue Stool: laurensachsdesigns.com. Inlaid Tile: marblesystems.com.
FAMILY ROOM
Sofa: bakerfurniture.com. Sofa & Blue & Tan Chairs Fabric: donghia.com. Chair & Pillow Fabrics: pollackassociates.com. End Tables & Table Lamps: salvationsaf.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Coffee Table: laurensachsdesigns.com.
DINING ROOM
Table: restorationhardware.com. Chairs: laurensachsdesigns.com. Chair Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Screen & Rug: olystudio.com. Mirror: westelm.com. Millwork Fabrication: heartwoodkitchens.com. Inset Sconce: arteriorshome.com.
BAR AREA
Table & Stools: laurensachsdesigns.com. Stool Fabric: janechurchill.com. Pendants: dominionelectric.com. Millwork: heartwoodkitchens.com. Countertop: glbtileandmarble.com. Wall Covering: omexco.com.
OUTDOOR LIVING AREA
Sofa & Chairs: centuryfurniture.com. Hexagonal End Table. Fabric: sunbrella.com. Rug: frontgate.com. Fireplace: laurensachsdesigns.com. Dining Table & Chairs: rh.com. Counter: caesarstoneus.com. Fan: dominionelectric.com.
OFFICE
Chandelier: madegoods.com. Flooring: theweberteam.com. Stools: davidedward.com. Stool Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Work Table: laurensachsdesigns.com. White Desk: ikea.com.
MASTER BEDROOM
Bed: Custom. Headboard: romo.com. Bedding & Pillows: bloomingdales.com. Art (Ocean Piece): Jill Pearlman; artregistrydc.com. Console: vanguardfurniture.com. Wallcovering on Room Divider: romo.com.
MASTER BATHROOM
Tub: ferguson.com. Mosaic on Tub: artistictile.com. Shower Tiles: artistictile.com. Cabinetry: laurensachsdesigns.com. Mirror & Sconces: dominionelectric.com.
POOL BATH/POWDER ROOM
Vanity & Pendant: laurensachsdesigns.com. Mirror Tiles: marblesystems.com. Sink: ferguson.com. Tile: marblesystems.com.
Raised by a single mother with “exquisite taste,” Los Angeles native Jeanne Griffin grew up loving architecture and design. But a career in design never dawned on her. She studied urban planning at U.C. San Diego, then landed a job as personal assistant to billionaire industrialist and art collector Norton Simon. Working in the Beverly Hills mansion he shared with his wife, actress Jennifer Jones, elevated Griffin’s artistic appreciation to new heights. It was only after she was hired to manage the renovation of a historic San Francisco Victorian for a well-known Hollywood celebrity that she decided to study design.
After she “fell in love with a gentleman from Virginia,” Griffin got married, moved East with her husband and enrolled in the fine arts program at the Corcoran. She launched her firm in 2013.
In her practice, a focus on function is key. “I ask clients, ‘In your ideal world, what would happen when you walk into this room?’” she says. “Pretty is easy. But pretty doesn’t mean anything if space doesn’t work for you.”
Interior Design: Jeanne Griffin, Jeanne Griffin Interior Design, Alexandria, Virginia.
Born in London to a British mother and a Jamaican father, Laura Hodges brings a global perspective to her work. Though her family eventually moved to Maryland, a lifetime of travel has honed her eye.
After a start in marketing, a passion for design inspired Hodges to earn a degree at the New York School of Interior Design. Soon after, she landed stints with acclaimed designers Jamie Drake and Thomas Jayne.
Now principal of her own firm, Hodges traded New York City for the charming Baltimore suburb of Catonsville, where she and her husband are raising two sons. It’s also where she recently opened Domain, a shop showcasing original art and sustainable, handcrafted furnishings made locally and abroad.
The designer takes a holistic approach to her work, focusing not only on aesthetics but also on how clients feel in their homes. “The biggest compliment I was ever paid,” she recalls, “was when a client said her home felt calm—and she felt calm in it.”
Interior Design: Laura Hodges, Laura Hodges Studio, Catonsville, Maryland.
As art director of her family’s Italian furniture brand, Patrizia Moroso has been commissioning cutting-edge creations from top international designers for decades. So when she visited Washington in May to discuss Moroso’s prolific 2018 collections, it was fitting that her talk took place in the Watergate Hotel. Fresh from a makeover by Ron Arad, the hotel’s public spaces brim with brightly colored furnishings that the London-based designer created for Moroso.
During a lively chat, Moroso touched upon color. “Pink is the color in Europe at the moment,” she declared. “But we’ve been using pink for years. We explore the world of color in a very wide way.” Moroso products are available through Apartment Zero. moroso.it; apartmentzero.com
ART INSTALLATION
An installation at Salone del Mobile 2018, designed in conjunction with Diesel, featured colorful indoor/outdoor Iron Maiden Tables.
NATURE'S BOUNTY
The Seku lounge chair by Sebastian Herkner evokes riotous colors found in nature; it’s part of Moroso’s M’Afrique collection.
HAND CRAFTED
Designed by Marc Thorpe, DayTrip is part of the same collection. Used as low tables or benches, the pieces pair surfaces handmade in Senegal with cushions produced in Italy.
