Called upon to design a modern Annapolis home with views of the South River, Katalin Farnady sought to create a seamless dialog between the interiors and architecture and the landscape and water beyond. “Designing a house with large glass surfaces embracing a boundless water view allows lots of natural light and reflection to reach the interior,” she says. While her clients requested a “light, modern” look, she offset the almost all-white furnishings with the warm wood of the floors and the SieMatic cabinetry. Black accents add contrast and drama and a black-and-white rug evoking a ripple effect in water ties it all together.
Interior Design: Katalin Farnady, Allied Member ASID, Farnady Interiors, Annapolis, Maryland. Architecture: Chip Bohl, Bohl Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Builder: Lundberg Builders, Stevensville, Maryland.
The main pattern in Zinc Textile’s new Kuba Cay collection was inspired by a traditional Congolese tribal cloth. The geometric motif created with jute and soft chenille yarns comes in 10 colorways. It pairs well with the complementary Bluff weave and Jetty and Shoreline chenilles (shown in solid-colored pillows, right), which are also part of the line. Available at Romo in the Washington Design Center; romo.com
The allure of Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay proved impossible to resist for a McLean couple whose son had graduated from the Naval Academy. Four years of visits and a vacation spent on the bay cinched the deal: The couple decided to build a weekend home near Annapolis that will eventually serve as their permanent residence when the husband, a business executive, retires in a few years. “We really like the activity here,” says the wife, “and it’s so beautiful.”
The pair fell in love with—and acquired—a waterfront property in the historic Bay Ridge community. Planning to tear down the outdated, 1920s-era stucco home on the lot and start anew, they assembled a team of local professionals for design and construction. Builder Guy Pilli, architect Cathy Purple Cherry, interior designer Arlene Critzos and landscape architect Kevin Campion collaborated to create a retreat that would blend timeless, traditional forms with a relaxed aesthetic befitting this beachy locale.
“We wanted a house that is casual and open, but also very nice for family and friends to enjoy,” says the husband. “And we wanted to utilize the views as much as possible. Why live on the water and not be able to see it?”
While the lot offers unobstructed views of the bay, a paved street separates it from the shoreline. This raised a question: Should the driveway and main entry be located on the water side of the property, where parked cars would block views, or on the opposite side, where there is also street access? The owners went for the latter option, making the water side of the home essentially its “backyard.”
Purple Cherry carefully sited the 7,500-square-foot home to create the largest possible footprint within the confines of critical area rules and setbacks. The architect also considered the owners’ affinity for the shingled homes found on Nantucket, with wide porches, cedar-shake roofs, and dormer windows. She honed in on a center-hall colonial floor plan that would locate a family room, dining room, kitchen and breakfast area to the left of the entry. The husband’s study and utility areas such as the garage, mudroom and powder room would occupy the right.
Abundant windows and transoms maximize views and brighten the interiors. “Natural light makes a huge difference to the happiness in a house,” says Purple Cherry.
The second floor harbors the master suite, a bedroom for the couple’s grandchild, the wife’s study and a TV room. A suite above the garage with separate stair access hosts guests, including their grown son and daughter. A lower level boasts another guest suite, a media room, a wine cellar and an exercise room.
Crisp millwork and precise symmetry bring a sense of order to the interior architecture. “I start a design by thinking how it needs to flow from inside to outside; there’s a logical connection,” says Purple Cherry. “For me, it’s about a natural reduction of chaos.”
When it came to furnishing the home, the owners’ guidelines were simple. “Always comfort, always good wood and always a quiet sophistication,” recalls Arlene Critzos. “It’s not over-decorated. It’s just at ease.”
The designer tempered a “cleaner traditional” look with subtle hints of coastal style. Punches of blue—on the dining-room walls and kitchen backsplash—enliven a neutral color scheme. “Until you go to the grandchild’s room, the house could be anywhere,” she says. “But when you see the crisp blue-and-white color palette and look out to the Chesapeake, it all fits together.”
The kitchen extends from the front to the back of the home. Kitchen designer Joni Zimmerman helped create a large, functional space where a breakfast area overlooks the bay on one side. On the other, a back kitchen features a steam oven, a second dishwasher, and a beverage bar. “I cook a lot and the kitchen is just dream,” says the wife. “It has great flow.”
The palette shifts to pale golden hues in the serene master suite, complete with wainscoting and a fireplace. As Critzos says, a “touch of sunshine” embellishes the master bath, with onyx tile inlaid in the shower and on the marble floor.
Landscape architect Kevin Campion designed gardens that surround the home with low-maintenance shrubs and native grasses. “We needed to create two front garden spaces, one functional and one ceremonial,” he explains. “The back porch is where the owners live when they’re outside due to the amazing water views.”
On the back porch, furniture was chosen for comfort and durability against high winds and brackish breezes. As Critzos observes, it’s best to be ready for all kinds of weather. “When you live on the water, it’s not just about the beautiful sunny days,” she says. “It’s also about beautiful storms, beautiful clouds—and beautiful four seasons.”
The owners attribute the success of the project to their team of talented design pros, all frequent collaborators. “They knew each other and were able to communicate to make sure they were taking care of the details,” says the husband. “They worked well together.”
He and his wife now enjoy spending long weekends and holidays in their new Annapolis retreat. “When we start slowing down to the speed limit to get into Bay Ridge, we begin relaxing,” the wife relates. “And once we’re there, we don’t want to leave.”
Photographer David Burroughs is based in Annapolis.
ARCHITECTURE: CATHY PURPLE CHERRY, AIA, LEED AP, CAS, Purple Cherry Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: ARLENE CRITZOS, JOYCE PEARL, SAMANTHA SOPP-WITTWER, Interior Concepts, Inc., Annapolis, Maryland. KITCHEN DESIGN: JONI ZIMMERMAN, CKD, CBD, Design Solutions, Inc., Annapolis, Maryland. BUILDER: GUY PILLI, Pilli Custom Homes, Millersville, Maryland. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: KEVIN CAMPION, ASLA, Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Annapolis, Maryland.
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT Flooring: realhardwoodfloors.com. Windows: loewen.com. Lighting Design: lightinglabx.com and interiorconceptsinc.com.
DINING ROOM Rug: Custom through interiorconceptsinc.com. Chandelier: visualcomfort.com. Decorative Painting: warnockstudios.com. Table, Chairs & Sideboard: theodorealexander.com. Chair Fabric: fairfieldchair.com. Table Lamps: eastenterprises.net.
KITCHEN Cabinets: signaturecustomcabinetry.com. Backsplash: inhomestone.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com. Breakfast Chairs & Bar Stools: stanleyfurniture.com. Pendants: troy-lighting.com. Breakfast Table: oldbiscaynedesigns.com. Breakfast Room Light Fixture: visualcomfort.com.
FAMILY ROOM Light Fixture: arteriorshome.com. Sofa, Side Chairs & Side Chair Fabric: leeindustries.com.
TERRACE Stone Table: elegantearth.com. Chairs: summerclassics.com. Chair Fabric: sunbrella.com. Swivel Chairs: braxtonculler.com.
HUSBAND’S STUDY Millwork: Litewoods; 410-349-4565. Desk: emersonbentley.com. Lamp & Light Fixture: stylecraftonline.com. Rug: helioscarpet.com.
LOWER LEVEL Sectional, Sectional Fabric & Pillow Fabric: leeindustries.com. Driftwood Wall Sculpture: creativecoop.com.
LOWER LEVEL HALL Demilune: bernhardt.com. Sconces: solarialighting.com.
KIDS’ ROOM Headboard & Shams: interiorconceptsinc.com. Headboard Fabric: duralee.com. Coverlet: amityhome.com. Dresser & Nightstand: stanleyfurniture.com. Lamp: surya.com. Drapery Fabric: duralee.com. Art: spicherandco.com. Mirror: bassettmirror.com.
MASTER BEDROOM Nightstand & Bed: stanleyfurniture.com. Bedding: easternaccents.com; legacylinens.com. Table & Floor Lamps: eastenterprises.net. Shutters: hunterdouglas.com. Chaise: leeindustries.com. Drapery: fabricut.com.
MASTER BATH Cabinetry: Through dsikitchens.com. Chair: taylorking.com. Shutters: hunterdouglas.com. Light Fixture: designersgalleryinc.com. Drapery: fabricut.com.
After grueling practices at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, defenseman Karl Alzner returns home to roughhousing of another kind. On afternoons when the team’s in town, he can be found chasing and be jumping around with daughter Stella, who turns two in December and cooing over son Anson, born in June 2016.
Fans would hardly expect to see the Cap’s “iron man,” who holds a team record for 458 consecutive games played, filling sippy cups or cradling a newborn in his downtime. But that’s exactly what’s happening when he and his wife Mandy—both tall, laidback and dressed in t-shirts and jeans—welcome a magazine crew into their Arlington home like old friends.
Since having kids, Alzner, 28, finds it easier to separate home and hockey. “I always make the reference to football,” he says. “They have 16 games and each one has much more significance than our 82. We’re going to have a bad game but the implications aren’t as steep. I can come home, hang out with Mandy and the kids and get my mind off hockey.”
The Capitals chose this Vancouver native in 2007’s first-round draft. Mandy, his longtime girlfriend from Calgary, also moved to the States and they wed in 2012. Two years ago, the couple purchased their Craftsman-style spec home, chosen for its traditional detailing, its backyard where dogs and kids could play and its open kitchen that could host crowds of all sizes.
After moving in, the Alzner instilled the home with their own personality. They painted its neutral siding a cheerful blue, landscaped the empty yard and built a flagstone patio for outdoor entertaining. Inside, they replaced builder-grade light fixtures, installed a home theater on the lower level and furnished the six-bedroom house with an eclectic mix of antiques, retail finds, and art depicting rural scenes, horses, and cows.
“We added a lot of warm wood tones and rustic pieces,” says Mandy. “I grew up in the country—hence the horses and the cows.” She and Karl also dabble in DIY projects, from upholstering benches to crafting the headboard and desk in their guestroom.
The Alzner share cooking duties in their spacious kitchen. Last summer, they grew vegetables in their backyard, and Karl often smokes meat in a Big Green Egg grill. “He’s really good at it,” says Mandy. They enjoy hosting Karl’s teammates for dinners but, Mandy laments, “I wish hockey players would sit down for a meal. When they come over they just sit in front of the TV and watch football.”
Given their neighborhood’s proximity to the airport and the iceplex, it’s no coincidence that other players have settled nearby. “A bunch of teammates all live in the area; we can walk to each other’s houses,” says Karl. These neighbors, including Nicklas Backstrom, Marcus Johansson, T.J. Oshie, Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik, all have kids under three. The families share toys, spend holidays together and hang out a lot. “We rely on the hockey family,” says Mandy.
Last May, Alzner was sidelined by a groin injury during a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After surgery and months of rehab, he was pronounced fit for the 2016-2017 season. “It was a little frustrating because summer’s the time I really like to get myself into good shape,” says Karl. “But I feel good now. I can’t wait to start.” As this issue goes to press, the Caps are gearing up for their October 13 regular-season opener—against Pittsburgh.
Alzner is optimistic about the coming season. “My hope is to be able to put up a picture of us holding a Stanley Cup,” he says. “That’s always the goal. Especially with how good a team we had last year, I don’t expect anything less. You have to have lofty goals in sports.”
He and Mandy, who also own a home near Calgary, have grown to love their adopted hometown. “Never in a million years did I think I’d live in Washington,” Karl admits. “It’s such a different experience living here than so many other cities, with its museums and all the architecture. It was a very pleasant surprise and I’m extremely happy.”
Committed to giving back to the community, the Alzner support local charities. Mandy spearheads the annual Canine Calendar, which features photos of Caps players posing with their own dogs and shelter animals; Taylor Winnik, the wife of Caps forward Dan Winnik, is the photographer. The 2017 calendar goes on sale November 18 at home games and online; proceeds benefit Virginia’s Homeward Trails Animal Rescue.
And through a program called So Kids Can, Karl and other players donate to a local charity for every Caps win; this season’s beneficiary is Martha’s Table. “Money helps, but being there and giving time to the charity is just as important. So we also visit the organizations,” says Karl. “It makes sense to give back to the city that’s given us everything we have.”
Photographer Bob Narod is based in Sterling, Virginia.
HAZEL’S DEBUT At Hazel, a new DC hot spot from the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, interiors feature items handcrafted by local artisans, from light fixtures by Rick Singleton to a mural by Kris Mullins that pays homage to the 9:30 Club next door. Former Tallulah chef Rob Rubba also gets crafty with the menu, which offers medium-sized dishes with a global influence. 808 V Street, NW; 202-847-4980. hazelrestaurant.com
OUT OF INDIA The Knightsbridge Restaurant Group has opened Bindaas, serving up Indian street food in Cleveland Park. James Beard award-winning chef Vikram Sunderam of Rasika fame has developed the menu of small dishes meant for sharing, from chaat to kebabs and wraps. A mural reminiscent of graffiti and light fixtures fashioned from baskets evokes the street life and marketplaces of India. 3309 Connecticut Avenue, NW; 202-244-6550. bindaasdc.com
DOWN-HOME DINING Homestead, a new restaurant in Petworth, specializes in seasonal comfort foods served family-style. Opened in a former 1922 row house, the restaurant salvaged original woodwork in its design. The menu features charcuterie boards and freshly baked bread. 3911 Georgia Avenue, NW; 202-627-2371. homesteaddc.com
ALL-AMERICAN STYLE Tuckernuck, an online retailer founded by two DC natives and catering to the prepster set, has opened its first boutique. The Georgetown shop carries “all-American” apparel, accessories and home décor by brands such as Barbour, Canada Goose, and Vineyard Vines. Pictured: Navy Plaid Scotland Wrap, $88; Legging Jean, $220; Barbour Tack Fedora, $89; Cork Ankle Boots, $379. 1053 Wisconsin Avenue, NW; tnuck.com
STELLAR VIBE Canadian jewelry designer Karen Konzuk views her work as wearable architecture. Inspired by kinetic sculptures of the 20th century, her new Stellar collection includes the Arcturus necklace—made of stainless steel and diamond dust embedded in black-tinted concrete. $570; konzukshop.com
GOING ROGUE Coach’s 1941 Glove-tanned Pebble Rogue Satchel makes a perfect carry-all for fall. With top handles and a removable strap, it can be worn on the shoulder or carried by hand. It features a suede lining and turns lock closure. $795; bloomingdales.com
Clearly, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art has staying power. In 2004, it won an American Institute of Architects Twenty-Five Year Award, given to landmarks that have withstood the test of time. Now, a major renovation and expansion bring architect I. M. Pei’s 1978 masterpiece into the 21st century with two new tower galleries, a rooftop terrace, and updates that display its collections in fresh and exciting ways.
The latest improvements were conceived by architect Perry Y. Chin, a longtime Pei associate, and protégé. As museum director Earl A. Powell III said at the gallery’s September media preview, “Perry continued the vocabulary of I. M. Pei.”
The renovation, which closed the East Building for three years, added more than 12,250 square feet of exhibition space within its existing footprint. Fumed, quarter-sawn oak replaced carpet on the mezzanine and upper levels to match the flooring of the West Building, while new stairways and an elevator improve circulation. Said Powell, “The visitor has many more choices for moving around the building.”
Curators took the opportunity to rethink and reinstall the East Building’s permanent collection, and the expansion made room for 150 additional works of art, now on view. The museum’s curator of modern art, Harry Cooper, marveled over the East Building’s new look, “We have a lovely play of light and a sense of openness.”
RENOVATION CONCEPT DESIGN: PERRY Y. CHIN, Perry Y. Chin, Architect, New York, New York. ARCHITECT OF RECORD: MARY KATHERINE LANZILLOTTA, FAIA, LEED AP, Hartman-Cox Architects, Washington, DC. LANDSCAPE: Oculus, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Baltimore, Maryland.
RETRO RAGE Celebrating the resurgence of vinyl, Crate and Barrel’s Listening Room collection features mid-century-style furniture; electronics, including Audioengine’s high-performance desktop speakers ($249); and a limited release of 75 remastered vinyl recordings through a partnership with Capitol Records. crateandbarrel.com
ROAD WARRIOR Jaguar makes its first foray into the SUV market with its 2017 F-Pace. The dynamic new design marries the aluminum-intensive architecture and driving dynamics of Jaguar’s XE and XF sedans with the versatility of an SUV. Leather seats and a full infotainment system are included. From $40,990, diesel; $42,390, gas. jaguarusa.com
AHEAD OF THE CURVE Samsung’s 9-Series Curved 4K SUHD TV takes television to a new level with its curved panel; quantum-dot color; dynamic brightness; and easy access to live TV, streaming content and apps. Available in 65-, 78- and 88-inch formats; from $4,000 for the 65-inch model. samsung.com
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum honored the recipients of its 17th Annual National Design Awards at a New York gala during National Design Week in October. First Lady Michelle Obama served as the honorary patron of the awards, originally launched at the White House in 2000.
The 2016 recipients include architect Moshe Safdie for Lifetime Achievement; Marlon Blackwell Architects for Architecture Design; Studio O+A for Interior Design; Hargreaves Associates for Landscape Architecture; Ammunition for Product Design; Opening Ceremony for Fashion Design; and Tellart for Interaction Design. Bruce Mau, an author, and designer, won the Design Mind award. And Make It Right, a nonprofit founded by Brad Pitt that builds homes for people in need, won the Director’s Award.
Museum director Caroline Baumann says that the Cooper Hewitt engages design lovers of all ages throughout the U.S. and the world via these awards. Nominations are submitted by the public and reviewed by a jury of design leaders and educators. Winners are selected based on the level of excellence, innovation and public impact of their body of work. “This year’s class of winners reflects design’s remarkable empathy for contemporary social concerns, from promoting workplace productivity to preserving vernacular traditions to encouraging civic engagement,” says Baumann. “These designers explore innovative materials and develop new models of problem-solving in pursuit of these goals.” For a gallery of winners, visit cooperhewitt.org.
VIVE LA FRANCE Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa offers laidback luxury overlooking Grand Cul de Sac Beach on the French isle of St. Barts. Paris designer Sybille de Margerie created its 46 rooms and suites while Michelin-starred chef Guy Martin takes the helm in the kitchen. A La Mer spa pampers guests, who can also work out in the fitness center. From $683, including breakfast. lebarthelemyhotel.com
PACIFIC COAST ALLURE Fresh from an $18 million renovation by New York design firm Krause + Sawyer, W Seattle features 415 revamped guest rooms and nine redecorated suites. Rooms offer stacked-wood walls backlit by LED lights, while in the Extreme Wow Suite, guests soak up views of the city from a Jacuzzi tub. From $299. wseattle.com
SPANISH HOLIDAY Interior designer Beatriz Silveira took inspiration from 1950s Scandinavian design in her makeover of Vincci Centrum Hotel in the heart of Madrid. In the reception area, Ariostea marble contrasts with natural oak furnishings; the light fixture is by Delightfull. Guests enjoy buffet breakfast, a lounge and close proximity to city attractions. Rates from $295. en.vinccicentrum.com
Despite its intriguing composition of glass, wood, and stone, the front façade of a Bethesda home barely hints at the magnitude of what’s to come. But inside the lofty foyer, where sunlight filters through a screen of mahogany slats onto a wall of hand-worked Antiga stone, it immediately becomes apparent that this is no ordinary teardown.
Floor-to-ceiling windows rim the entire first floor, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Rooms spill onto roof decks and terraces and open out to a porch, a pool and a pergola, all of which lure visitors into the landscape.
This is exactly what the owners had in mind when they hired architect Alan Dynerman to design the home on a two-acre property dotted with mature trees. Dynerman spent hours getting to know the clients and developing a picture of how they live. Early in the design stage, he also tapped landscape architect Lisa Delplace of Oehme, van Sweden, and interior designer Lisa Adams to collaborate on the project.
The clients, with children ranging in age from 7 to 16, envisioned a home that easily connects to the outdoors. “We spend a lot of time swimming and playing outside and wanted to be able to see the kids from the house,” says the wife. They frequently entertain friends and a large extended family, so having generous public spaces—including a dining room that seats 30—was key. As she explains, “Our goal was to create the house around the way we function every day.”
After a modest ranch home had been razed on the site, Dynerman positioned the new house to maximize natural light throughout the interiors and create myriad outdoor living areas. With its organic material palette and modern lines, his design would not look out of place on a rugged cliff in Northern California. “Construction, at least in a lot of stuff that I do,” explains Dynerman, “is a dance between the randomness of nature and the orderliness of building.”
From the foyer, the three-story structure unfolds in two directions. The wing facing the street houses an open living/dining room and a library on the main level, the master suite with a private roof deck on the second floor and a home office and gym above. An expansive kitchen and breakfast area connect the front wing to a parallel one housing the family room and garage. Children’s bedrooms and playrooms—and a large roof deck—occupy the levels above, while a lower floor houses guest rooms and more play space.
With the finished residence encompassing 20,000 square feet, Dynerman sought ways to create a sense of intimacy in large-scale spaces. “The clients wanted a very open ground floor with a lot of light and glass everywhere, but they also wanted privacy,” the architect reflects. “I came up with the idea of floating cabinets that allow light in above and below-—but at the same time, there’s a sense of closure. You don’t feel like you’re simply in a glass box.”
In addition to these floating cabinets that Dynerman employed on the main floor, the furniture plan also helps define open living areas. “While the finishes and furniture will stand up to use and time, they also had to be elegant enough to reflect the surroundings,” says designer Lisa Adams. From living room upholstery that mimics the palette of the stone chimney wall to hand-woven Odegard carpets, Adams and her clients selected pieces that not only soften the architecture but also add color and warmth.
Abundant built-ins and shelving eliminate clutter throughout the home. Small appliances are stored out of sight in the sleek kitchen and adjacent butler’s pantry, with their distinctive Austrian applewood cabinetry. And backpacks and sports equipment disappear in banks of built-ins near the back stairs.
The rear family-room wing leads to a large pool area and a porch that the family enjoys year-round; it’s heated for colder months but when weather permits they can slide one wall open completely.
Delplace wove a natural tapestry of plantings into the landscape plan, which includes an expansive lawn for impromptu soccer games, a tree house, a vegetable garden and even a sledding hill. Along the street, clusters of rhododendron, river birch, and native grasses practically hide the house from view. In the large side yard, a combination of evergreens and deciduous species connects the new landscape and surrounding stands of mature trees. “Given that the hardscape features are arranged in crisp angles that respond to the modern lines of the house, we were able to bring a fluidity into the landscape that ties both together,” Delplace says. “Our clients wanted to make sure it was a great place for kids to explore and have autonomy—while being beautiful as well.”
As Dynerman reflects, “The home wouldn’t be what it is without the building and landscape being as integrated as they are.” In fact, the clients and the entire design team agree that their open dialog ultimately made the project a success.
“It was a lot of fun. We all became a family,” says the wife. “I think that’s pretty rare.”
As Delplace concludes, “It was a great collaboration and it’s an incredible outcome to see the home be used and so loved.”
Photographer Paul Warchol is based in New York City.
ARCHITECTURE: ALAN DYNERMAN, FAIA, Dynerman Architects, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: LISA ADAMS, ASID, NCIDQ, Adams Design, Inc., Washington, DC. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: LISA E. DELPLACE, ASLA, Oehme, van Sweden, Washington, DC. BUILDER: Horizon Builders, Crofton, Maryland.
RESOURCES
Architecture: Dynerman Architects PC; dwarchitects.com. Interior Design: Adams Design, Inc.; adamsdesign.com. Landscape Architecture: Oehme, van Sweden; ovsla.com. Builder: horizonbuilders.com.
THROUGHOUT Windows: tradewoodindustries.com. Masonry: serrastone.com. Millwork: potomacwoodwork.com; themasterswoodshop.com. Pool Installation: alpinepool.com. Home Automation: atlanticcontrols.com.
EXTERIOR Pool Chairs & Chaises: brownjordan.com; americaneyewdc.net.
FOYER Chest & Art: Clients’ collection. Pendants: resoluteonline.com.
DINING ROOM Table: hudsonfurnitureinc.com. Dining Chairs: arudin.com through michaelclearyllc.com. Rug: stephanieodegard.com. Custom Light Fixture: elleellemurano.com. Sconces: hollyhunt.com.
LIVING ROOM Klismos Chairs: williamhaines.com through profilesny.net. Sofa & Other Chairs: donghia.com. Sofa Fabric: fschumacher.com. Coffee Table: roche-bobois.com. All Chair Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Rug: stephanieodegard.com. Floor Lamp & Round Table: hollyhunt.com. Pillow Fabric: fschumacher.com; pollackassociates.com; osborneandlittle.com.
KITCHEN Cabinetry & Custom Table: potomacwoodwork.com. Countertops: coldspringusa.com. Arne Jacobsen Chairs: furniturefromscandinavia.com.
FAMILY ROOM Sectional, Sofas, Sofa Fabric, Glass Table & Table Lamps: hollyhunt.com. Sectional Fabric: perennialsfabrics.com through hinescompany.com. Chairs: donghia.com. Chair Fabric: spinneybeck.com. Light Fixtures: steng.de/en. Custom Coffee Tables: James Marshall Woodworking; 301-831-3230. Pillow Fabrics: kravet.com; nobilis.fr through hollyhunt.com; jimthompsonfabrics.com through hinescompany.com; osborneandlittle.com.
Though spacious, the master bath in a 1990s-era DC residence did not appeal to the property’s new owners. A vaulted ceiling above the tub peaked at almost three times the height of the ceiling above the vanity area. The shower, enclosed in drywall, blocked light and made the room feel choppy. And outdated saltillo tile covered the floors, walls and tub deck. “It was overwhelmingly busy and looked like a Mexican restaurant inside a bathroom,” recalls designer David Waguespack of Case Design, who was called upon to renovate the space.
First, the designer addressed the proportions and layout by dropping the vault in favor of a tray ceiling. Along one wall, a vanity/makeup station by Shiloh Cabinetry replaced the original millwork. Centered on the opposite wall, a sculptural Victoria & Albert tub is flanked by a W.C. and a new shower, which are enclosed in frosted and clear glass, respectively. A dual-zone heated floor includes separate thermostats for the shower/W.C. side of the room and the vanity area.
“Lowering the ceiling helped with scale,” explains Waguespack, “and we created a lot more symmetry than before. Even though the bathroom is the same square footage, there’s so much more circulation space, and we more than doubled the amount of storage.” Tall cabinets at either end of the vanity store the wife’s jewelry and bath essentials.
Botanical wallpaper by Cole & Son, selected by the client, sets an organic tone, as does the elegant 12-by-12-inch Carrara marble tile from Architectural Ceramics, applied on the floor and shower walls. “You would think the stone would be cool and harsh,” observes Waguespack. “But with Carrara, the veining grounds you to the earth because it’s so natural.” On the shower floor, he designed a “rug” of tiny hexagonal tiles in matching stone, framed by a mitered border. A Crystorama chandelier with drop crystals adds a dressy touch.
BATH DESIGN/BUILD: David Waguespack, CKBR, UDCP, lead designer; George Bergling, project manager; Robert Campbell, lead carpenter, Case Design/Remodeling, Bethesda, Maryland. TEXT: Sharon Jaffe Dan. PHOTOGRAPHY: Stacy Zarin Goldberg.
RESOURCES
Design & Contracting: casedesign.com. Floor & Shower Tile and Marble Countertops: architecturalceramics.com. Vanity Cabinets: shilohcabinetry.com. Sconces: hudsonvalleylighting.com. Tub: vandabaths.com. Sinks: americanstandard.com. Sink & Shower Faucets: rohlhome.com. Chandelier: crystorama.com. Wallpaper: cole-and-son.com.
For more baths also see:
- Ode to DC
- A Simple Palette
- Touch of Glamour
When Alexandria homeowners called on designer Savena Doychinov to overhaul their master bath, she discovered an inefficient layout, an oversized skylight that made the room feel too hot or too cold and glass-block windows that fell short in the privacy department. As if that weren’t enough, she recalls, “The shower was the smallest size that’s legally possible—only 33 inches square!”
Once Doychinov completed her redesign, every vestige of the original bath—from the disused whirlpool tub to the builder-grade vanities—was gone. In their place, the owners now enjoy custom cabinetry, top-of-the-line plumbing and lighting fixtures and a refined material palette. “We wanted to create timeless elegance without it looking over the top,” says the designer.
To accentuate the room’s cathedral ceiling, she installed a round window above the new soaking tub. Custom maple vanities store toiletries and cosmetics—as does a custom built-in armoire on the adjacent wall. A spacious shower and separate W.C. are enclosed behind glass doors on the wall opposite the vanities.
“Every creature comfort that could be had, we installed,” says the designer, citing the heated floors; the TOTO toilet/bidet with its 43 settings; the steam shower; and the five-piece, brushed-nickel tub filler with hand-held spray.
More than 650 square feet of Turkish limestone—in Champagne and the darker Britannia shade—was painstakingly installed on the walls and on the floors in a diagonal grid. A curved limestone platform even rims the oval-shaped tub.
“It’s a classic bathroom in the sense that the stone goes all the way up to the ceiling,” explains Doychinov. “And when the sun enters through the windows, it glows and emanates warmth.
“There are touches of glamour, such as crystals hanging from the chandelier and sconces,” she adds. “It’s low-key, but the sparkle is there.”
BATH DESIGN & INSTALLATION: Savena Doychinov, CKD, principal; Dimiter Doychinov, project manager, Design Studio International Kitchen & Bath, LLC, Falls Church, Virginia. TEXT: Sharon Jaffe Dan. PHOTOGRAPHY: Bob Narod.
RESOURCES
Bath Design & Installation: customkitchenandbathdesign.com. Custom Cabinetry: adelphikitchens.com. Tub: produitsneptune.com/en. Shower System: grohe.com/us. Faucets & Bath Filler: santecfaucet.com. Limestone Countertops, Flooring & Wall Tiles: marblesystems.com.
For more baths also see:
- Bathed in Light
- Ode to DC
- A Simple Palette
Though the exterior façade of a couple’s Arlington home dates back to the early 1900s, its interiors have been rebuilt in a fresh, farmhouse style. BCN Homes completed the extensive renovation and in-house designer Claire Matthews worked with the clients to decorate their newly minted spaces-—including the master bath.
“The idea that they wanted to see an amazing focal point when they walk into the bathroom drove the design,” she recalls. “We looked and looked and tried a few concepts. When we saw a cherry-blossom mosaic at Architectural Ceramics, I thought it was a perfect nod to DC. We all loved it.”
Combining three stone varieties, the artistic motif was installed on a wall between the Victoria & Albert tub and the shower. Glass doors on either side of the shower open to custom his-and-her vanities built on facing walls. The gray QuakerMaid cabinets and trim echo the veining in the Calacatta Chablis marble flooring and shower tile, also supplied by Architectural Ceramics.
For continuity, the designer finished the bath with the same five-piece crown molding used in the home’s first-floor rooms and in the master bedroom. “The dentil molding combined with the modern mosaic gave the bath that mix of old and new,” she says.
Matthews custom-designed the lavatories herself, integrating Kohler sinks with marble countertops and backsplashes. “I drew the curve for each backsplash and had them cut,” she explains. Chrome legs beneath each sink were plated in polished nickel to match the Kohler fixtures used throughout the bathroom.
Double glass doors lead from the master bedroom into the tranquil bath. “There was no way we could do a solid door; we didn’t want to obscure the view,” says Matthews. A linen closet and enclosed W.C. are located on opposite sides of the space. In lieu of mirrors, windows over the vanities admit light— and let the owners enjoy the surrounding greenery.
ARCHITECTURE: Sejun Lee, BCN Homes, Arlington, Virginia. INTERIOR DESIGN: Claire Matthews, ASID, BCN Homes. CONTRACTOR: BCN Homes. TEXT: Sharon Jaffe Dan. PHOTOGRAPHY: Sejun Lee.
RESOURCES
Architecture, Interior Design & Contracting: bcnhomes.com. Mosaic, Wall, Shower & Floor Tile: architecturalceramics.com. Tub: vandabaths.com. Cabinets: quakermaidcabinetry.com. Plumbing Fixtures: kohler.com. Backsplash Fabrication: europastone.com. Sconces: hudsonvalleylighting.com.
For more baths also see:
- Bathed in Light
- A Simple Palette
- Touch of Glamour
For the past eight years, the DC Design House has been the premier design event of spring in Washington—until this year when it moves to the fall. The 2016 show house will take over the stately Wesley Heights home that most recently housed French Ambassador Gérard Araud while the embassy residence was under renovation.
Twenty local design teams will revamp interior and exterior spaces using a creative mix of furniture, fabrics, art, and accessories. Farrow & Ball is the exclusive paint sponsor.
“Visitors will see a great mix of styles in approachable, inspiring and inviting rooms that could actually be used and enjoyed,” says one of the design advisors, Michael Hampton of Michael Hampton Design.
Participating designers are Eve Fay, Gina Palmer, Blake Dunlevy, Jonathan Senner, Kelley Proxmire, Kimberly Asner, Josh Hildreth, Victor Sanz, Pamela Harvey, Camille Saum, Betsy Barmat Stires, Nadia N. Subaran, Megan M. Padilla, Lena Kroupnik, Victoria Sanchez, Charles Almonte, Andrea Houck, Allie Mann, Rachel Dougan, Quintece Hill-Mattauszek, Melanie Hansen, Pooja Bhagia Mittra, Steve Corbeille, Barbara Brown, Stephen Wlodarczyk and Joshua Dean.
“There’s a nice group of newer designers along with some veterans,” says DC Design House co-founder Skip Singleton. “And it’s quite a marquee house.” The five-story, seven-bedroom property is currently on the market for $10.8 million; it was designed by GTM Architects and built in 2010 by Gibson Builders.
Proceeds from the DC Design House benefit Children’s National Health System. The event has raised more than $1.5 million for the organization since 2008.
The show house is located at 2509 Foxhall Road, NW, and will be closed on Mondays. Home & Design is a media sponsor. dcdesignhouse.com
SEA CATCH Fresh seafood takes center stage at chef Michael Schlow’s new 30-seat Conosci, which recently opened within his larger restaurant, Alta Strada. In Conosci, designed by Edit Lab, beaded chandeliers illuminate a counter, where chefs work their magic on creations such as Japanese octopus with spicy citrus juice, yellow peppers, and pickled shallots. 465 K Street, NW; 202-629-4662. conoscidc.com
NEW LOOK IN OLD TOWN The Majestic in Old Town Alexandria is serving up new décor along with its seasonal bistro fare by chef/proprietor Gaby Hakman. Beckman Architects and designer David Anthony Chenault collaborated on the makeover, inspired by the Art Deco roots of the original Majestic Cafe, which opened on the site in 1932. Arteriors chandeliers hang over the bar. 911 King Street; 703-837-9117. themajesticva.com
LATE BITES Richard Sandoval’s Toro Toro now caters to the after-hours crowd with a late-night menu. Along with pan-Latin small bites and drink specials, night owls can enjoy the restaurant’s sleek décor by LW Design Group of Dubai. Tufted gold-leather couches and metallic chandeliers grace the sultry lower-level lounge. 1300 I Street, NW, 202-682-9500. richardsandoval.com/torotorodc
