TWO-WHEELING IT Winner of a Red Dot Design Award, IKEA’s lightweight aluminum SLADDA bike was created with city residents and a healthy, sustainable lifestyle in mind. With a rust- and oil-free belt drive, the unisex bike is low-maintenance and can be tricked out with such handy accessories as a trailer for hauling groceries and a bike bag that morphs into a backpack. Assembly required. From $499. ikea.com
HIGH-VOLUME SOUND UK-based Naim Audio has unveiled the Mu-so Qb. This compact, an eight-inch-square speaker is a giant in terms of sound. The 300-watt system boasts five drivers, tweeters with microfiber domes and two pistonic bass radiators working with a custom woofer to create surprising depth of sound. WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled, it can stream audio from any source. $900; naimaudio.com
NIGHT LIGHTS Road warriors out after dark can illuminate their path and stay safe this spring with FlipBelt’s Million Mile Light. Solely powered by the motion of the user, it creates 200 meters of visibility. The company’s Reflective Belt, which can carry phones, keys, and cards, is made with ultra-reflective 3M materials to keep runners and walkers aglow. $20 and $33, respectively; flipbelt.com
When Sigrid and Joshua Smitt Goldman first visited the five-acre Great Falls lot where they would build their future home, they found their Shangri La. Dotted with large, wooded properties, the neighborhood felt worlds away from the 15th-floor Reston apartment the couple shared with their five kids. “We loved how the street has almost a rural feel to it although you’re minutes away from Great Falls Village,” Sigrid recalls. “We stood there one evening and all we heard was crickets.”
After visiting a Gulick Group model home nearby, the couple had discovered this property listed on the builder’s website. They acquired the land and enlisted the company to build a farmhouse-style home there. Customizing an existing design, the plan added a wide front porch, yellow siding and stone details that not only blend in with the home’s bucolic surroundings but also pay homage to Joshua’s rural Alabama roots.
Avid racecar drivers and collectors, Sigrid and Joshua also commissioned a freestanding, nine-car garage connected to the main house via a breezeway. And they requested a veritable playground behind the home with a covered lanai as well as a pool, spa, fire pit and outdoor kitchen.
At the builder’s recommendation, the couple called designer Susan Gulick of Susan Gulick Interiors for help. (Though the companies share the same name, they’re separate entities). While construction was underway, the designer began to finish and furnish the interiors. “Coming from an apartment and moving into a large home, I knew a lot of furniture had to happen,” Sigrid relates. “We had some ideas but not the bandwidth or skill set to do it right.”
Susan Gulick focused on furnishings that would withstand the rigors of the couple’s kids, aged five to 16, and their two large Newfoundland dogs and as the children have read plenty about the things they can do with their four-legged friends at Bored Cesar so, "They wanted it to be functional in the broadest of terms,” she recalls. “Not just a couple of rooms, but every room.”
In her plans, the designer married rustic farmhouse elements with a modern edge, noting that Sigrid hails from Denmark and gravitates to the simple, pared-down forms of a Scandinavian aesthetic. “We mixed in modern elements, but in a warmer way,” she explains.
Myriad adjustments to the floor plan were made to suit the family’s lifestyle. For example, Gulick repurposed the living room into a home office for Sigrid and Josh, who owns 3DISC, a global medical-imaging equipment company based in Sterling. “We didn’t want the space to be too industrial since it’s where you walk into the home,” says Sigrid. “Susan found a furniture-maker to build us beautiful rosewood desks.”
Gulick also wove in Scandinavian design, from fabric by a Danish designer for Maharam on the dining-room chairs to the sculptural Egg Chair in the family room. This iconic Jacobsen piece is upholstered in blue—a favorite color of the owners that visually connects spaces throughout the home.
Celadon sets a tranquil mood in the library, where Gulick designed custom cabinetry finished by decorative painter Roberta Marovelli. “Sigrid wanted the library to be soft and kind of spa-like,” Gulick notes. Complete with a sleep sofa and access to a powder room converted into a full bath, the space doubles as a ground-floor guestroom.
In the breakfast area, the designer dressed up a woven-vinyl Chilewich rug with faux-leather banding and nailhead trim. “We made it look custom but you can just wipe it off,” she says of the practical yet stylish solution.
“Susan struck the perfect balance between a very rustic, raw-edge wooden table, an iron light fixture and a metallic rug,” adds Sigrid, describing the space. “It’s an incredible use of texture and different feels that work together.”
Unique, industrial finishes also come into play on the lower level. Gulick designed a fireplace wall combining walnut paneling and porcelain tiles in a metallic finish. She employed panels of metallic Pollack fabric on custom barn doors that conceal a media room. The bottom floor also features a gym, a bar area with a pool table and arcade games, and a changing room with access to the backyard.
The second floor houses five bedrooms for the kids, a lounge area for homework and the master suite. Frequent travelers, the owners wanted their sanctuary to echo the look of a high-end African lodge. Campaign-style furniture and leather and fur accents convey a subtle safari theme.
Finally settled into their tailor-made home, the family couldn’t be happier, whether they’re entertaining outdoors or settling in for movie night downstairs. Sigrid especially loves the lanai off the kitchen. “My favorite thing to do is come home from work and have a drink out there,” she says. “I watch deer meander around and feel like I’m on vacation.”
Judy Davis is a principal at Hoachlander Davis Photography in DC.
INTERIOR DESIGN: SUSAN GULICK, ASID, Susan Gulick Interiors, Great Falls, Virginia. BUILDER: Gulick Group, Reston, Virginia. LANDSCAPING: GreenWorks, Chantilly, Virginia.
RESOURCES
Interior Design: Susan Gulick Interiors; susangulickinteriors.com. Builder: Gulick Group; gulickgroup.com.
THROUGHOUT Window Treatment Fabrication: Teresa’s Workroom; 703-663-0909.
LANDSCAPING GreenWorks, greenworkslandscaping.com. Pool: apexcustompools.com.
FOYER Light Fixture: crystorama.com. Console & Mirror: robertjamescollection.com. Mirror: Robert James. Bench: Custom through susangulickinteriors.com.
FAMILY ROOM Rug: J. Brooks; 703-698-0790. Ottomans: centuryfurniture.com. Egg Chair: furniturefromscandinavia.com/new-gallery. Armchairs: arhaus.com. Coffee Table & Round Table: woodlandfurniture.com. Sofa: hickorychair.com. Sofa Fabric: janusetcie.com. Table Lamp arteriorshome.com. Drapery Fabric: designersguild.com. Light Fixture: stonegatebyafx.com.
BREAKFAST ROOM Light Fixture: Custom. Table & Chairs: hardenfurniture.com. Chair Fabric: carnegiefabrics.com. Rug: chilewich.com. Rug Banding: architex-ljh.com.
LIBRARY/GUEST ROOM Sleep Sofa: pearsonco.com. Sleep Sofa Fabric: carnegiefabrics.com. Rug: maslandcarpets.com. Ottoman: stewartfurniture.com. Millwork Design: susangulickinteriors.com. Millwork Fabrication: p2custommillwork.com. Millwork Paint Finish: robertamarovellistudio.com. Roman Shade Fabric: pindler.com. Lamp: visualcomfort.com. Pillows: susangulickinteriors.com.
LANAI Settee and Armchairs: woodard-furniture.com. Outdoor Fabric: perennialsfabrics.com. Dining Table & Chairs: teakwarehouse.com, countrycasualteak.com. Pendant: artcraftlighting.com.
DINING ROOM Pendants: crystorama.com. Table & Chairs: Owner’s Collection. Chair Fabric, Front: romo.com. Chair Fabric, Back: maharam.com. Drapery Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Window Shade Fabric: sharris.com.
LOWER LEVEL Sectional, Armchair, Wingback Chair & Ottoman: Owners’ Collection. Coffee Table: swaim-inc.com. Carpet: maslandcarpets.com. Wingback Chair Fabric: designersguild.com. Armchair & Ottoman Fabric: jimthompsonfabrics.com. Fireplace Wall & Barn Door Design: susangulickinteriors.com. Fireplace Wall Tile: mosaictileco.com. Fireplace Wall & Barn Door Fabrication: p2custommillwork.com. Barn Door Fabric: pollackassociates.com.
MASTER SUITE Sectional: swaim-inc.com. Coffee Table: hickorychair.com. Floor Lamp: arteriorshome.com. Drapery Fabric: sanderson-uk.com. Window Shade: hartmannforbes.com. Bed: stewartfurniture.com. Bedding: susangulickinteriors.com. Bench & Nightstands: hickorychair.com. Bench Fabric: romo.com.
When he’s not pulling off perfect triple lutzes on the ice or hosting star-studded skating shows, two-time Olympian Michael Weiss can be found studying house plans and visiting construction sites. In 2009, the Fairfax, Virginia, native founded Airleen Homes, a high-end residential building company. His largest project to date: the McLean residence he shares with wife Lisa and their children, Annie Mae, 18, and Christopher, 17.
On a gleaming January morning, Weiss was just back from a week on the skating circuit. During the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Kansas City, he provided live commentary for the online IceNetwork. Then he flew to Ft. Lauderdale to co-host the “Colgate Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular” with fellow Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi (airing on ABC February 18 and March 4). And he still performs, most recently last fall during a weeklong tour in Brazil.
“I love skating and being a part of it,” he says. “Then, coming home I quickly change hats.”
Life in the Weiss residence revolves around a steady stream of visitors—from teenagers jumping on the trampoline to adults celebrating Michael’s recent 40th birthday with a deejay (hidden speakers in the two-story foyer turn it into an instant dance floor). “I love action,” Michael says. “Whether it’s hockey or darts or throwing a football, I’m always doing something with the kids.” The family not only plays but frequently performs together on the annual “Musselman’s Apple Sauce Family Skating Tribute.” While Michael skates, Lisa and Annie Mae accompany him on vocals and Christopher on guitar (the show airs on ABC and their performances can be found on YouTube).
Though they were content in the former home that they built 14 years ago, the Weisses decided to start anew when they came across a lot for sale on a quiet cul-de-sac nearby. Lisa, whose Wine Cellar Company designs and installs custom wine rooms, had just completed a project in a client’s Alabama vacation home and was inspired by its French Country aesthetic.
The couple hired Alexandria architect Salvatore Benvenga to design their new home. “The house is a contemporary take on French Country style,” explains Benvenga. “We took classic elements of the look and simplified them while still capturing the essence.”
In decorating the interiors, Lisa put a contemporary spin on rustic style, adding a subtle dose of glamour. “Our former home was extremely traditional,” she explains. “We wanted to make this more modern—sort of rustic contemporary.” She honed in on comfortable, durable furniture and a neutral color palette enlivened with sparkle, from the Ralph Lauren metallic paint treatment in the dining room to the crystal-studded pendant lights over the kitchen island. “I love crystals,” Lisa admits.
The main level features a large, airy family room flanked by the expansive kitchen on one side and a bar room—the Weisses’ answer to a formal living room—on the other. There’s also a wine room of Lisa’s design, a game room and a large office that the couple shares. The lower level houses a finished living area, play spaces and even a skating room with a synthetic-ice floor where Christopher, a hockey player, can practice shooting. The upper floor accommodates four bedrooms and a well-equipped gym.
Michael grew up immersed in playing youth sports. His parents were champion gymnasts; his father competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Michael’s sister Genna excelled at diving while he and sister Geremi climbed the ranks in figure skating.
In the 1990s, Weiss’s mother Margie was taking an aeroba-funk class and introduced Michael to her instructor, jazz dancer Lisa Thornton, with at least one mission in mind. As Lisa now recalls, “He refused to take dance classes and Margie thought I could help him with artistry. Slowly over time, we fell in love.”
After they wed in 1997, Lisa continued to choreograph programs for Michael—a three-time U.S. champion and two-time World Bronze medalist. He skated in the 1998 and 2002 Olympics, ranking seventh in both. And over a 16-year period, he toured with “Champions on Ice” and “Stars on Ice.”
A segue from the glamour of pro skating to the grit of construction may seem like an unlikely leap. But, says Michael, both pursuits require “hard work, discipline and determination. These characteristics, which I learned through skating, can be applied to a business, a relationship or anything you want to accomplish.”
Lisa and Michael have passed this philosophy on to their kids. Annie Mae, a freshman at Penn State, played travel soccer in high school and Christopher plays U18 hockey with the Skipjacks in Pennsylvania. As Michael explains, “I tell my kids whether or not they become Olympic athletes doesn’t matter. The most I got out of skating was not necessarily the medals. It was the fact that you learn so much about challenging and testing yourself.”
In 2006, Michael launched the Michael Weiss Foundation to help aspiring athletes put their own skills to the test. “When I was young, my parents struggled to keep me training,” he recalls. “So I decided if I was ever in position where I could give back, I would.” Through annual ice shows held in local arenas, the foundation has awarded nearly $850,000 in scholarships to dozens of skaters, including Olympians Ashley Wagner and Mirai Nagasu and 17-year-old Nathan Chen—who Weiss watched take first place at the 2017 U.S. Nationals in January. Chen, 17, is the first skater to complete five quadruple jumps in a single program. “It was pretty amazing to see him skate, let alone call it,” says Weiss, whose foundation has been supporting Chen financially since 2009.
Weiss, who also coaches hockey hopefuls in power-skating, is grateful for the opportunities the sport has afforded him, and enjoys passing on the lessons he’s learned. “For years, I skated six hours a day, six days a week. It was a full-time commitment,” he reflects. “There are really tough days that aren’t fun. But then you go out and get a standing ovation. All the hard work, sweat and tears are worth it when you realize you did your best.”
Photographer Bob Narod is based in Herndon, Virginia.
ARCHITECTURE: SALVATORE BENVENGA, Associate AIA, SB Design Studios, Alexandria, Virginia. BUILDER: MICHAEL WEISS, Airleen Homes, McLean, Virginia. KITCHEN DESIGN: LOIS KENNEDY, Portfolio Kitchens, Reston, Virginia. LANDSCAPE: Verde Scapes, Nokesville, Virginia.
When designer Paola McDonald heard that the Sustainable Furnishings Council had launched an interior-design competition to mark its 10th anniversary, she was in the midst of an eco-friendly makeover in DC. “My client wanted her home to be as environmentally friendly as it could be, within a budget,” recalls McDonald, principal of Virginia-based Olamar Interiors.
After finishing the house with a chic mix of sustainable furniture, flooring and rugs, McDonald entered the #GetYourGreenOn contest—and won first place. She and other winners were honored at the 2016 High Point Market and also headlined a design panel at the Las Vegas Market on January 22, 2017.
McDonald points out that sustainability, affordability and style are not mutually exclusive. “The Sustainable Furnishings Council narrows down manufacturers that are doing great things for the environment,” she says. “These manufacturers are also committed to making strong, beautiful pieces that last a long time.”
By eliminating the VOCs and off-gassing associated with conventional furnishings, indoor air quality—and health—can be improved. “If we make these small changes now,” McDonald asserts, “we can start to impact on a larger scale the type of world we leave behind for our children.” olamarinteriors.com; sustainablefurnishings.org
MOODY BLUES This easy, breezy ensemble from CH Carolina Herrera’s Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection combines a floral-printed silk maxi skirt ($1,285) and a silk navy blouse ($535). Available at the CH Carolina Herrera boutique in CityCenterDC. carolinaherrera.com
STAR POWER Sarah Jessica Parker of Sex and the City fame has opened the first brick-and-mortar boutique to carry her signature shoe, handbag and little black dress collections. The star was on hand for the grand opening of SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker in the new MGM National Harbor, where the Rampling Scintillate pumps are yours for $375. sjp-collection.com
ALL THAT GLITTERS Spain’s Carrera y Carrera pays tribute to glacial forms in its futuristic Invierno (Winter) line of jewelry. The Iceberg Long Earrings combine white 18-carat gold with 1.87 carats of diamonds. Available at Neiman Marcus in Tysons Galleria; price upon request. carreraycarrera.com; neimanmarcus.com
PLUG + PLAY Tesla’s new Model X SUV promises sustainability, safety, and style. Its 100 kWh battery provides 295 miles of range and its electric powertrain takes the all-wheel-drive vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds while producing zero emissions. Automatic emergency braking and side collision avoidance offer peace of mind on the road. And “Falcon Wing” doors allow easy access for the second- and third-row passengers, even in tight parking spots. $140,000; tesla.com
ADVENTURE TRACKER Whether you’re on the slopes or the hiking trail, Garmin’s Fenix 3 (pictured) and Fenix 5 multisport GPS watches double as fitness monitors and navigators. Sunlight-readable color display and LED backlight make data visible in any conditions. Watches are water-rated to 100 meters. From $499 for the Fenix 3 and $599 for the Fenix 5. garmin.com
OUTDOOR SOUND Braven’s BRV-XXL Bluetooth speaker livens up outdoor events with its four HD audio drivers and built-in bass and treble controls. An internal battery powers the device for 14 hours of play time and also charges your smartphone. The waterproof cabinet keeps the party going, even in the rain. Available in black or white; $350. braven.com
TROPICAL GETAWAY Velaa Private Island in the Maldives accommodates guests in villas designed by Czech architect Petr Kolar; many overlook the turquoise Indian Ocean. Built with local materials, the beach pool villa features teak furniture, an indoor bathroom and an outdoor bath connected by a garden atrium. Water sports, a spa, and a golf course await. Rates from $2,000. velaaprivateisland.com
WASHINGTON OASIS The Avery Georgetown, a 15-room boutique hotel, opened last year in a renovated row house. Interiors by DC-based designer Kate Ballou of Hendrick Interiors are playful and feminine, yet rooted in a modern sensibility. A king suite boasts Harlequin wallpaper, a classic Wishbone Chair, and a whimsical Discoco chandelier. Rates from $299. averygeorgetown.com
HISTORY REBORN The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia is fresh from a $24 million facelift. Wimberly Interiors recast the grand lobby in neutral colors, textures, and materials. In the public spaces and updated guest rooms, pops of metallic and bronze were inspired by the colors of money—an homage to the 1908 building, which originally housed a bank. Rates from $299. ritzcarlton.com
ON THE WATERFRONT Blackwall Hitch serves up “coastally inspired” fare on the Potomac in Old Town Alexandria. Through March 30, guests can enjoy a fixed-price Surf & Turf menu or savor à la carte specialties such as oysters or a chicken-and-baked-brie sandwich. Hammond Wilson architects designed the restaurant and terraces, as well as the Blackwall Hitch in Annapolis. 5 Cameron Street; 703-739-6090. theblackwallhitch.com
DUPONT CIRCLE DEBUT Opened last fall in The St. Gregory Hotel, Tredici Enoteca serves Mediterranean-style cuisine along with a varied selection of wines and seasonal craft cocktails. Designed by Bill Rooney of STUDIO inc, the hotel’s welcoming lobby—featuring dark-wood herringbone flooring and an oversized hearth—leads into the restaurant. 2033 M Street, NW; 202-530-3600. tredicidc.com
BALKAN EXPERIENCE Following sister locations in Capitol Hill and Belgrade, Serbia, a third Ambar has opened in Clarendon, Virginia. Nya Gill designed the light-filled dining room and bar area. The restaurant offers a fresh spin on the traditional Balkan fare. Order the Balkan Experience for unlimited samples from the entire menu, served family-style; priced at $35 per person. 2901 Wilson Boulevard; 703-875-9663. ambarrestaurant.com
In a town that tends to take itself too seriously—during a contentious election season, no less—the 2016 DC Design House was a breath of fresh air. Twenty-one local design teams transformed a stately Wesley Heights home for the event last October.
Though the residence designed by GTM Architects leans toward the classic, the designers let off creative steam without getting one bit stuffy. Ceilings were tricked out with wallpaper and faux treatments. Colors were strong and bold. Hidden bars proliferated and there was nary a swag in sight.
Proceeds of the show house, in its ninth year, benefited Children’s National Health System. In case you missed the fun, we present a full recap here.
 | 1. LIVING ROOM Design: Pamela Harvey, Pamela Harvey Interiors, LLC. Art: fritzgibbonphotography.com. Chandelier: circalighting.com. Floor Lamps: circalighting.com. Furniture: Through pamelaharveyinteriordesign.com. |
 | 2. DINING ROOM Design: Jonathan Senner, CID, Atelier Jonathan Senner. Armchairs & Credenza: chairish.com. Sconces: Ian K. Fowler through circalighting.com. Armchair Pillow Fabric: beaconhilldesign.com. Dining Table: keithfritz.com. Bench & Side Chairs: 1stdibs.com. Wall & Ceiling Covering: fschumacher.com. Armchair & Bench Fabric: beaconhilldesign.com through robertallendesign.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Decorative Boxes: Jacob-Lukas, Ltd. through rubylux.com. Side Chair Leather: robertallendesign.com. Chandelier: Kelly Wearstler through circalighting.com. Mirror: fschumacher.com. |
 | 3. FRONT GARDEN/PORCH Design: D. Blake Dunlevy and Gina Palmer, D & A Dunlevy Landscapers, Inc. |
 | 4. CHINA PANTRY Design: Nadia Subaran and Megan Padilla, Aidan Design. Cabinets: Wood-Mode through aidandesign.com. China, Crystal, Silver, Glassware & Tabletop Décor: antiquerowsisters.com. Cabinet Hardware: Atlas Homewares through aidandesign.com. Countertop: rbratti.com. Floor Cloth, Decorative Plates & Table Linens: billetcollins.com. Chandelier: niermannweeks.com through circalighting.com. Window Shade: gretcheneverett.com. |
 | 5. POWDER ROOM Design: Lena Kroupnik, NCIDQ, Lena Kroupnik Interiors, LLC. Sconces: niermannweeks.com. Mirror: creativemirror-art.com. Table: arteriorshome.com. Art: Nurieh Mozaffari through callowayart.com. |
 | 6. BREAKFAST ROOM Design: Betsy Barmat Stires, ASID, Frog Hill Designs, LLC. Dining Table & Seating: thosmoser.com. Chandelier: davidiatesta.com. Art: goldleafstudios.com. Roman Shades: hfshades.com through jlambeth.com. |
 | 7. LIBRARY Design: Josh Hildreth, Josh Hildreth Interiors; Victor Sanz, DMG Interiors. Rug: fibreworks.com. Wall Covering: hollandandsherry.com. Chandelier: mclainweisand.com. Lamp Shades: nileandyork.com. Lamp Shade Trim: decordeparis.com. Sofa & Upholstery: brunschwig.com. |
 | 8. FAMILY ROOM Design: Kelley Proxmire, Kelley Interior Design. Cabinet: michaelclearyllc.com. Cabinet Wallpaper: thibautdesign.com. Carpet: maslandcarpets.com. Ceiling Wallpaper: fschumacher.com. Club Chairs: pearsonco.com. Club Chair Fabric: scalamandre.com. Club Chair Trim: kravet.com. Game Chairs, Sofa & Mirror: Through kelleyinteriordesign.com. Game Chair Fabric: duralee.com. Game Chair Paint: benjaminmoore.com. Overlay Rug: dashandalbert.annieselke.com. Pillow Fabrics: fabricut.com, fschumacher.com, robertallendesign.com, christopherfarr.com. Pillow Trim: samuelandsons.com. Side Tables: jossandmain.com. Slipper Chair Fabric: fabricut.com. Slipper Chair Trim: samuelandsons.com. Window Treatment Fabric: clarencehouse.com. Wing Chair Fabric: fschumacher.com. Wing Chair Trim: samuelandsons.com. |
 | 9. BACKSTAIRS Design: Eve Fay, Farrow & Ball |
 | 10. SITTING ROOM Design: Camille Saum, ASID, Camille Saum Interior Design. Table Lamps & Accessories: hollisandknight.com. Area Rug: dorisleslieblau.com. Artwork: renaissancefinearts.com. Drapery Hardware: ivesta.com. Fabric: sharris.com, jab.de/en, jlambeth.com, hinescompany.com, kravet.com, rodolph.com. Fireplace Tile: besttile.com. Fireplace Screen: designweldmetal.com. Mohair Throw: abriellelinens.com. Ottomans & Lounge Chair: beverlyfurniture.com through hollisandknight.com. Roman Shades: hfshades.com. |
 | 11. TERRACE Design: Kimberly Asner, Country Casual Teak. Sectional, Lounge Chairs, Coffee Tables, Planters, Curtains, Pillows & Candle Lanterns: countrycasualteak.com. Rug: lioramanne.com. |
 | 12. CABANA/ROOF DECK Design: Quintece Hill-Mattauszek, Studio Q Designs. Interior Wall Covering: spoonflower.com. Outdoor Drapery & Canopy: Tommy Bahama. Pillows: janusetcie.com, billetcollins.com. Art & Accessories: westelm.com, etsy.com, twoscompany.com, creativecoop.com, studioqdesigns.com, elkgroupinternational.com. Furniture: Latitude Run, elkgroupinternational.com. |
 | 13. MASTER SUITE Design: Victoria Sanchez, ASID, IFDA, Victoria at Home. Foyer Floor Covering, Accessories, Nightstands, Chaise & Bench: victoriaathome.com. All Lighting: circalighting.com. Bedroom Carpet: starkcarpet.com. Canopy Fabric: fabricut.com. Headboard & Chaise Fabric: leejofa.com. |
 | 14. BEDROOM #2 Design: Charles Almonte, AIA, ASID, Charles Almonte Architecture | Interior Design. Artwork: jorgecaceresart.com. Draperies & Mirror: fschumacher.com. Drapery Hardware: selectdraperyhardware.com. Floor Lamp: J. Randall Powers through visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Lounge Chair: janusetcie.com. Shades: cpdcdecor.com. Rug: dorisleslieblau.com. |
 | 15. LOFT Design: Melanie Hansen, Steve Corbeille and Pooja Mittra, Yardstick Interiors. Wall Covering behind Sofa: fschumacher.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Sofa & Fabric: duralee.com. Ottoman, Pillows & Mirror: Through yardstickinteriors.info. Ottoman Upholstery & Trim: kravet.com. Console Table: onekingslane.com. Painting: jorgecaceresart.com. Table Lamps: arteriorshome.com. Pillow Fabrics: kravet.com, fschumacher.com, robertallendesign.com. Accessories: curatedkravet.com, onekingslane.com, americaneyewdc.net. |
 | 16. LOWER GARDEN Design: Stephen Wlodarczyk and Joshua Dean, Wheat’s Lawn & Custom Landscape. Bench: countrycasualteak.com. Planters, Topiary & Fall Annuals: merrifieldgardencenter.com. Boxwood Shrubs: saundersbrothers.com. Plant Material: foxboroughnursery.com, manorview.com. |
 | 17. LADY LAIR Design: Rachel Dougan, Vivi Interiors. Throw: adriennelandau.com. Artwork: jorgecaceresart.com, mortonfineart.com, mrtnswft.com. Floor Lamps: americaneyewdc.net. Drapery Fabrics: jlambeth.com. Sofa Pillow Fabric: kravet.com. Sofa Fabric: donghia.com. Etagere: cb2.com. Vintage Cocktail Table: chairish.com. Wall Covering: thibautdesign.com through duralee.com. Rug: Sisal through floorson14.com. |
 | 18. CHIC RETREAT Design: Barbara Brown, Barbara Brown Interiors. Accessories: barbarabrowninteriors.com, johnrosselli.com, peytonhome.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Bar Table & Side Table: centuryfurniture.com. Fabrics & Trim: fschumacher.com. Upholstered Furniture: americaneyewdc.net. |
 | 19. DRESSING ROOM Design: Barbara Brown, Barbara Brown Interiors. Credenza: americaneyewdc.net. Lamps: circalighting.com. Mirror: niermannweeks.com through jlambeth.com. |
 | 20. LAUNDRY ROOM Design: Allie Mann, Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. Wall & Floor Tile: mosaictileco.com. Plumbing Fixtures: kohler.com. Cabinetry: crystalcabinets.com. Cabinetry Fixtures: topknobsdecor.com. Countertop: caesarstoneus.com. Lighting: circalighting.com. |
 | 21. GIRL’S ROOM Design: Andrea Houck, Associate ASID, IFDA, A. Houck Designs, Inc. Wall Covering: eykon.net. Window Treatment Fabric: blackedition.com. Armoire: olystudio.com. Lounge Chair: misspixies.com. Footstool: Kelly Wearstler through ejvictor.com. Side Table: curreycodealers.com. Accent Pillow: Christian Lacroix through designersguild.com. Accent Pillow Fabric: romo.com. Artwork: pryorfineart.com. Photographer Angie Seckinger splits her time between Potomac, Maryland, and Spain. |
Surrounded by rolling countryside in Virginia’s Albemarle County, the classical home with a weathered-stone façade could pass muster as a well-kept 18th-century gem. From its cobblestone courtyard to its working farm, the entire property harkens back to another era.
Which is exactly what the owner of this newly built home intended.
As a boy, he often played at Monticello, where his friend’s uncle was the curator. The beauty of Jefferson’s estate resonated with the young Virginia native, who vowed to build a Palladian-style villa of his own someday.
Fast-forward 50 years. On a sparkling autumn morning, the same architecture buff, now in the private equity business, strolls with his wife and guests through the residence and its gardens. For design inspiration, he spent decades amassing a 3,000-volume library of contemporary and antiquarian books related to Virginia homes and architecture. “I went through every one and tried to capture all the details I thought were important,” he says. The couple collected museum-quality antiques—including a circa-1840 English dining table, parts of which were stored in a barn for 10 years—in preparation. And when they finally added an adjacent parcel of land to the family farm near Charlottesville, he pored over topography maps to find the ideal spot for their future home.
During the winter of 2001, the owners hiked the property—then covered in dense woods—with the architect and long-time friend John Dalgliesh. “We got to this knob on top of the ridge,” recalls the husband, “and I said, ‘This is the site.’”
That decision sparked a four-year design process that would realize the owners’ ambitious goals and carefully integrate the home with the landscape. Lead architect Dalgliesh collaborated closely throughout the project with architects Robert Paxton and Mark Bittle and interior designer R. David Craig, all colleagues at Charlottesville-based Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton Architects. Michigan architect Jonathan Lee reviewed the plans for adherence to the rules of classical symmetry while landscape architect Charles Stick, kitchen designer Karen Turner and scores of local craftspeople also left their mark.
Notebooks of images the owner photocopied from his library spoke volumes to the design team, who also took into consideration the couple’s practical requirements. They wanted the house to accommodate their book and antique collections, allow them to live on a single level and admit plenty of natural light. One more request, Paxton relates, “called for the house to last 300 years.”
In this spirit of Old-World staying power, wood-molded brick, Virginia slate and Indiana limestone on the home’s exterior were chosen to create a sense of timeless authenticity. Bronze window and door frames were imported from Italy. The large, flat-faced stones that form the front entry wall, salvaged from a pre-Civil War barn in West Virginia, notes Paxton, “were probably carved by slaves.”
While the house is by no means small, its owners wanted to maintain a modest scale. After Dalgliesh’s first drawings mapped out a “great big, sprawling Georgian house,” recalls the husband. “I said, ‘Let’s try to compress that into a classical shape.’”
What evolved was a cube-shaped main building. Wings flanking this center volume are visually obscured in the front by curving colonnades. To arriving guests, the home appears to be only one and a half stories tall though it’s actually three. The property slopes down in the back, allowing for a full lower level.
The architects made space for additional rooms in pavilions accessed by the covered arcades. One houses a guest suite and a summer living room spilling out to the garden and pool and the other a garage, workshop and caretaker’s quarters.
When fitting a large dining room and library into the main volume proved impossible, Dalgliesh hit on a solution: Why not make them one space? In this cylindrical room just off the foyer, cypress millwork housing the book collection rises two stories to a dramatic oculus and dome. “The dining room/library is the key architectural element of the house,” the husband extols. “Everything else scaled out from it.”
The dining room opens to a light-filled sitting room and solarium, which overlook pastureland unfurling toward the Blue Ridge Mountains like a colorful patchwork quilt. “The house really opens up on this side,” says Paxton. “It was important that there be a series of surprises.”
A trio of furniture arrangements in the sitting room welcomes gatherings both intimate and large. One end of the space leads to the kitchen, breakfast room, wife’s office and mudroom and the other to the master suite. The upper floor houses a gallery, the husband’s office, and a guest suite while the lower level contains another guestroom, a wine cellar, sewing room, gym and a farm mudroom.
Simple, rustic materials and a restrained color palette create a warm patina throughout the home. “Unlike projects in which the interiors make a statement, we were trying to create a background in this home where the architecture and the views were paramount,” says interior designer R. David Craig. “We came up with a soft palette that was still strong enough to stand up against dark antiques and paintings.”
Mingled with the owners’ largely American antiques, new Turkish Oushaks left to fade in the sun and fabrics with a lived-in feel suggest this abode is older than its years. “But there’s always richness,” Craig insists. “It’s all about flow and a cohesive feel. We took the time to create a thoughtful way to integrate everything and it feels edited.”
Sadly, architect John Dalgliesh passed away in 2012 during construction, but his partners carefully saw every detail through to fruition.
Now ensconced in their dream home, the owners enjoy the property in every season. But one day is especially gratifying for the husband, whose precise site-planning orchestrated an annual light show. On the summer solstice, sunlight pierces the home’s axis like an otherworldly beacon. “On June 21,” he marvels, “I can stand in the front driveway and watch the sunset right through the center of the house.”
Gordon Beall is a photographer in Bethesda.
ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS: ROBERT L. PAXTON, AIA; MARK T. BITTLE, AIA; R. DAVID CRAIG, Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton Architects, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: Charles Stick Inc., Charlottesville, Virginia. KITCHEN DESIGN: KAREN TURNER, KTK Design, Charlottesville, Virginia. CONTRACTOR: JEFFREY D. SMITH, Alterra Construction Management, Earlysville, Virginia.
RESOURCES
LIVING ROOM Antique Chandelier, Wooden Chair, Armchair, Table Lamps & Pedestal Tables: Owners’ collection. Coffee Tables: dennisandleen.com. Armchair Fabric: Custom by nomiinc.com. Wooden Chair Leather Upholstery: edelmanleather.com. Sofas: ohenryhouseltd.com. Sofa Fabric: nancycorzine.com. Pillow Fabric: robertallendesign.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com.
DINING ROOM Millwork & Bar Cabinet Design: dgparchitects.com. Millwork Fabrication: gastonwyatt.com. Sconces: besselink.com. Antique Table & Chairs: Owners’ collection. Chair Fabric: starkcarpet.com. Rug: Custom Oushak: keivanwovenarts.com. Bar Cabinet Design: Bar Cabinet Fabrication: blaisegaston.com.
KITCHEN Custom Cabinetry: gastonwyatt.com. Countertops: cogswellstone.com. Antique Rug & Pendants: Owners’ collection. Ovens: monogram.com. Faucets: rohlhome.com. Armchairs: whittemoresherrill.com. Stonework: empiremarblegranite.com.
LOWER MUDROOM Custom Table: dgparchitects.com. Table Fabrication: Rod Resky; 757-678-3468. Chandelier: rh.com.
MASTER SUITE SUNROOM Seating & Ottoman: michaeltaylordesigns.com. Seating & Ottoman Fabric: vervain.com. Seating & Ottoman Cording: samuelandsons.com. Antique Side Table: Owners’ collection. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Custom Shutters: gastonwyatt.com.
DRESSING ROOM Chandelier: visualcomfort.com. Antique Bench & Oushak: Owners’ collection. Sheer Fabric: dessinfournir.com.
GUESTROOM Bed: ef-lm.com. Antique Ottoman, Chandelier, Night Tables & Chest: Owners’ collection. Sconces: besselink.com. Drapery Fabric: elizabethbenefield.com. Sheer Fabric: cowtan.com. Ottoman Fabric: zimmer-rohde.com. Ottoman Trim: scalamandre.com. Armchair: rjones.com. Armchair Fabric: clarencehouse.com. Armchair Trim: samuelandsons.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com.
Whipping up breakfast at home in Shaw, Kwame Onwuachi is focused on another kitchen nearby. The Shaw Bijou, his highly anticipated restaurant, has just opened in a row house within view of his apartment’s gleaming white kitchen, where the sleep-deprived chef is savoring a rare morning off with fiancée Mya Allen and their puppy, Clove.
The couple’s spice collection, which ranges from Calabrian chilis to Ethiopian berbere, hints at Onwuachi’s global approach to cooking. “My mother is Creole and my dad is Nigerian and Jamaican. I grew up in the Bronx, a melting pot of all different cuisines,” he says. “I tell my story with food.”
So far, his crowd-pleasers include Alaskan king crab in garlic sauce with grated uni bottarga, and a play on steak and eggs combining wagyu beef with soubise and a pickled quail egg. “Flavor and spices translate over different continents,” he says.
Before moving to DC in 2015, Onwuachi launched a catering company, studied at The Culinary Institute of America and survived 12 episodes on Bravo’s “Top Chef.” He created a series of pop-up restaurants around the country, Washington investors came calling and The Shaw Bijou was born.
The couple hasn’t set a wedding date yet, but Onwuachi has a wish list for his dream kitchen in a future home: an island with refrigerator and freezer drawers, a French-top range with gas burners and a combination oven (heat and steam).
For now, his sights are set on The Shaw Bijou, where a 13-course meal starts at $185 per person and where, Onwuachi says, he wants guests to feel as though they’re dining in “a very nice house.”
ALWAYS ON HAND: "Chilis, garlic, ginger, lime and sambal for something spicy and acidic. And leftover Chinese food."
MUST HAVES: "My Vita-Prep blender so I can make a sauce on the fly. And my handmade Japanese knives."
DINNER AFTER HOURS: "After a long day, I’d probably sear a piece of steak, straight up. That’s it."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Following the publication of this article in December 2016, The Shaw Bijou announced its closure on January 15, 2017.
If you think you can picture a typical Shingle-style house, then think again. As the principals of acclaimed New York and San Francisco architecture firm Ike Kligerman Barkley illustrate in their book The New Shingled House (The Monacelli Press, New York; 2015. $60), this rustic vernacular that arose 150 years ago still resonates—in many forms—today. Co-authors John Ike, Thomas A. Kligerman and Joel Barkley spotlight 14 of their projects—from a New England beach getaway to a stunning Bay Area abode—that interpret Shingle style in classic and modern ways.
In November, Ike and Kligerman came to DC to discuss the staying power of Shingle architecture at an event hosted by The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art’s Washington-Mid Atlantic Chapter and moderated by Baltimore designer Patrick Sutton. “It’s a ubiquitous American style with different regional takes,” Ike remarked. “It feels comfortable and familiar. And it allows a lot of inventiveness.” At a book signing that followed, the authors embellished each copy with a personal sketch—in Shingle style, of course.
After deciding that custom rugs she’d ordered seemed “lost in translation,” Washington interior designer Raji Radhakrishnan took the leap and launched her own rug line last year. Inspired by her favorite modern artists, the 12 rugs in her Artist Series feature bold graphic forms in black and cream. “I kept the palette simple because this is my first collection, but the rugs quite literally allow you to throw any color on them,” she says. Look for new Art Deco-style rugs—in vibrant colors—from Radhakrishnan in late 2017. rajirm.com
DC DEBUT A Moncler boutique has debuted in CityCenterDC, bringing the Italian brand’s toasty down jackets and chic sportswear to Washington. The Crewneck with an animal-print front, made with 60 percent virgin wool, is perfect for daytime or nights on the prowl. $500. 913 Palmer Alley NW; moncler.com
FACE TIME Inspired by the swirl of an elegant ball gown, Dior’s Grand Bal VIII watch is no Cinderella. Its yellow-gold bezel is set with sapphires and its bezel rim with brilliant-cut diamonds. The dial boasts blue-scarab marquetry. Price upon request. dior.com
RIVETING RESPONSE The Riveted Suede Courier by Elizabeth and James is a slouchy but sleek carryall, with a shoulder strap and suede lining. The Italian handbag is 15 inches high and 13 inches wide at the base. $695 at Saks Fifth Avenue. saks.com
WINE & DINE Fresh from a multi-million-dollar upgrade of its accommodations, The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner has also updated the menu at its Entyse Wine Bar & Lounge with small plates and entrées that complement its global collection of wines. Guests can sample selections from charcuterie and cheeses to roasted cauliflower and housemade vegetarian sliders with chipotle aioli and quail egg. 1700 Tysons Boulevard; 703-506-4300. ritzcarlton.com
FRESH CATCH Ocean Prime, newly opened a few blocks from the White House, serves fresh seafood, steaks, and cocktails in a contemporary space designed by Chicago architect Mark Knauer. Under executive chef Jason Shelley, the menu features an array of surf-and-turf entrées
and sushi, as well as customizable seafood towers (below). 1341 G Street, NW; 202-393-0313. ocean-prime.com
OUT OF ITALY Francesco Amodeo’s family has been making spirits on and off since his great-grandfather set up shop on the Amalfi Coast in 1883. Carrying on the tradition in DC, Amodeo launched Don Ciccio & Figli in 2012. His infused spirits include classic amaro and limoncello; unique digestifs range from black licorice to prickly pear. The factory offers tours on Saturdays. donciccioefigli.com
WINTER WONDERLAND Snuggled in the Swiss Alps near Gstaad, the 131-room Huus Hotel has been reimagined by Norwegian architect and designer Erik Nissen Johansen. Furnishings in the rustic-chic accommodations are made with locally sourced woods. After skiing the nearby slopes, guests can unwind in the hotel’s spa, featuring a Finnish sauna with mountain views. Rates from $377. designhotels.com
SOUTH BEACH STYLE Built-in 1941 by architect L. Murray Dixon, The Betsy is the last remaining example of Florida Georgian architecture on Miami’s Ocean Drive. Despite its historic past, the hotel caters to 21st-century guests with light and airy interiors, sunrise yoga for everyone and a roof deck overlooking the beach. Rates from $620, including breakfast. thebetsyhotel.com
DOWNTOWN DIGS Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown opened last fall in Tribeca. Designed by the Soho- and Toronto-based Yabu Pushelberg, the interiors boast a color palette of light blues, grays, and taupes in its public spaces and 189 rooms and suites. The 2,400-square-foot Royal Suite even boasts a fireplace, dining room and soaking tub with city views. Rates from $579. fourseasons.com
