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
TROPICAL GETAWAY Located near the Vietnamese port of Da Nang, Naman Retreat hosts guests in modern villas, some of which are clustered around an expansive pool. A full spa and on-site tai chi and yoga foster a relaxed vibe; the resort is a perfect jumping-off point to My Son Sanctuary and Marble Mountains, both World Heritage sites. From $250. namanretreat.com
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND Designed by Jeffrey Beers International, the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel blends urban glam with industrial style, as shown in its lobby bar and guest rooms. From its digital concierge to an interactive entrance wall, technology is one of the hallmarks of this 348-room Garment District hotel. Rates from $499. renhotels.com
A STAR IS REBORN The legendary Ritz Paris has reopened with much fanfare following a four-year renovation by the New York design firm Thierry W. Despont. The makeover preserved the property’s landmark façade and revamped the Grand Jardin. Inside, everything from the luxurious pool to Bar Hemingway has been painstakingly restored in period style. Rates from $1,345. ritzparis.com
STEP IN TIME Tiffany’s Art Deco Watches, part of the 2016 Blue Book Collection, combine a white-gold band with precious gems. Choose among pink and blue sapphires, diamonds and emeralds. From $75,000. tiffany.com
EMERALD STYLE Perfect for autumn soirées, CH Carolina Herrera’s Emerald green silk evening gown features a fetching bow detail. $1,150 in the designer’s CityCenterDC boutique. carolinaherrera.com
STONE AGE In a nod to nature, Christian Louboutin’s Paloma Malachite Patent Leather Tote sports a playful, faux-stone exterior. The nine-by-nine-inch bag has double handles and a removable shoulder strap. $2,000. saksfifthavenue.com
SPEED RACER With its sculpted body and aerodynamic profile, Mercedes Benz’s new AMG GT R is a sports car designed with a nod to the company’s motorsport models. Its V-8 biturbo engine powers from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. A nine-way adjustable traction control system lets this head-turner hug the road in style. Look for a mid-2017 debut; price to be determined. mercedes-benz.com
DANISH MODERN The new Oslo speaker by Denmark-based Vifa marries a simple, compact design with electrifying sound. The five-pound, Bluetooth-enabled device can be moved around the home or easily taken on the road. Its textile cover by Kvadrat comes in Sand Yellow, Ocean Blue, Anthracite Gray and Pebble Gray. $549; vifa.dk
SMART SHOES Using a built-in chip, Under Armour’s SpeedForm Gemini 2 Record Equipped running shoes track and store data including runtime, duration, distance, and splits. The shoe, which enables athletes to run device-free, sends data after workouts to smartphones and fitness monitors. $150. ua.com
During an early spring photo shoot, Sandra Meyer is a picture of calm as she scrutinizes throw pillows arranged on the family room sofas in her Bethesda home. “Too much color,” she murmurs, tossing a taupe one aside.
Serenity reigns in this open living space encompassing her kitchen and breakfast area. A black-and-white color palette, crisp architectural lines and no-fuss furniture convey a subliminal invitation: relax, breathe and linger.
While Meyer makes it all look effortless, “before” photos reveal how far she has taken the 14-year-old, colonial-style home she and her husband bought in 2013. Shifting the interiors from overdone and boxed-in to uncomplicated and open was a path that unfolded instinctively from the moment she first toured the house.
Like a warren of cubbyholes, all the rooms on the main floor were enclosed by interior French doors. “Every door had a transom or sidelite. It was very ornate and there was molding everywhere,” Meyer recalls. “But you just don’t get ceiling heights like these in a new build. The proportions worked and I knew if I opened up the doorways, I could fix these rooms.”
Having grown up in an 1860s Cape in Hingham, Massachusetts, Meyer developed an early appreciation for architectural integrity. “When you drive down Main Street in Hingham, it’s just breathtaking; there’s something about the homes and their proportions,” she marvels. In contrast, when a home “melds” too many styles and is “not done in a way I consider architecturally correct,” Meyer points out, “I want something different; I want something totally clean.”
This rationale drove the design of her family’s six-bedroom abode. She envisioned a restrained, pared-down look that would still relate to the home’s traditional roots. “I wanted to simplify,” she explains. “I took out moldings that didn’t fit and dialed everything back from the original cherry finishes.” Meyer achieved the contrast she loves with walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s crisp Moonlight White and existing floors stained a deep shade of chocolate. Removing the French doors and widening the openings into the dining room to the left of the entry and the smaller piano room and den to the right filled the spaces with light and established a sense of openness.
The entry hall leads back to the family room/kitchen/breakfast room. Where there was once a lopsided island, haphazardly sized windows and disjointed cabinetry, a sense of order now prevails. “Our driver was to do what the existing kitchen didn’t do,” explains architect Donald Lococo, who collaborated with Meyer on the kitchen redesign. “Where it was ornate, we made it restrained. Where there was color, we made it black and white.” Varied openings gave way to uniform, oversized windows and doors.
“I like balance and we definitely hit it from that standpoint,” says Meyer. She salvaged existing lower cabinets, but stained their raised doors a deep black. These are offset with white, flat-paneled cabinets on the perpendicular wall housing the refrigerator and storage.
The large new island and tall door frames create bold, modern scale in the space, while thick-slab stone countertops and simplified crown molding relate to the home’s classic language. “We swung the pendulum from one extreme to the other,” says Lococo, “but we had to dialog with the rest of house, which is a traditional venue.”
Meyer also reoriented the family room, now the perfect yin to the kitchen’s yang. She realigned an off-center fireplace on axis with the kitchen stove and hood and designed a wall of white cabinetry that relates to the white cabinets in the kitchen. The space functions well whether Meyer, her husband and teenaged daughters Zoe and Ella are sharing a casual dinner or the couple is throwing a party for 30. Guests filter in and out of the new French doors onto the screened porch and backyard patio.
Natural materials, a mix of modern and classically styled furnishings and elements with a decidedly industrial bent lend Meyer’s home a comfortable, collected appeal. Light fixtures with attitude make a bold statement in every public room, while sisals in the living and dining rooms and a silky Oushak in the master bedroom add softness and texture. The dining room—the only space in the home where the walls aren’t white—resembles a glamorous jewel box lined with ethereal clouds in the form of Cole and Son’s Nuvolette wallpaper. The jewelry includes a Julian Chichester mirror and sexy, open-backed chairs that Meyer designed and covered in gray velvet—legs and all.
The designer concedes that her home is more monochromatic and perhaps less “finished” than most of her projects. “I’m typically not a big color person though I use a lot of color for my clients,” she observes. And rather than adhere to a strict plan, she preferred to let her home evolve organically. “It’s more fun,” she says, “and I think you end up with a better composition.”
Reflecting on the transformation of what she once called her “least favorite house in the neighborhood,” Meyer is content with the results. “I wanted something different but not so ‘out there,’” she says. “At the end of the day, I want to come home to something kind of serene.”
Photographer Stacy Zarin Goldberg is based in Olney, Maryland.
INTERIOR DESIGN: SANDRA MEYER, Ella Scott Design, Bethesda, Maryland. RENOVATION CONTRACTOR: TONY PAULOS, The Block Builders Group, Bethesda, Maryland.
RESOURCES
Dining Room Wallpaper: cole-and-son.com. Drapery Fabric: pindler.com. Shades: conradshades.com. Chandelier: arteriorshome.com. Mirror & Table: julianchichester.com. Chairs: Custom by Sandra Meyer. Chair Fabric: romo.com. Sisal: prestigemills.com.
Foyer Light Fixture: apparatusstudio.com. Bottom Rug: maslandcarpets.com. Top Rug: timothypaulhome.com. Drum Table: madegoods.com.
Family Room Sofas: mgbwhome.com. Rug: meridastudio.com. Small Tables: julianchichester.com. Eames Chair: dwr.com. Built-in Design: Sandra Meyer. Floor Lamp: bobointriguingobjects.com. Marble Fireplace Surround: marblex.com.
Den Rug: crateandbarrel.com. Table & Upholstered Chair: domicilefurniture.com. Chair Fabric (Stripe): glant.com through hinescompany.com. Light Fixture: urbanelectricco.com. Table: Lamp: julianchichester.com. Round Ottoman: 1stdibs.com.
Piano Room Mirror: julianchichester.com. Chairs: olystudio.com. Sisal: prestigemills.com. Light Fixture: franceandson.com. Pedestal Table: fourhands.com. Prints: 1stdibs.com/dealers/david-bell.
Kitchen Architectural Consultant: Donald Lococo, AIA; donaldlococoarchitects.com. White Cabinetry Design: Sandra Meyer. White Cabinetry Fabrication: asticks.com. Light Fixture: apparatusstudio.com. Granite: Cambrian Black Brushed Marble & Binco Lasa Vena Oro Honed Granite Countertops: marblex.com. Stools: noirfurniturela.com. Hood: subzero-wolf.com. Orchids: Sandra Meyer. Copper Bowl: 1stdibs.com.
Breakfast Room Table: julianchichester.com. Chairs: fourhands.com. Flowers: Sandra Meyer.
Master Bedroom Bed: hickorychair.com. Bed Upholstery: romo.com. Area Rug: timothypaulhome.com. Carpet: rosecorecarpet.com. Chair & Ottoman: leeindustries.com. Antique Vellum Night Tables: 1stdibs.com/dealers/david-bell. Table Lamps: visualcomfort.com. Chandelier: arteriorshome.com. Round Table & Armoire: bolierco.com. Stacked Table: globalviews.com. Ottoman: fourhands.com.
Hall Lucite Console: cb2.com. Woven Seat: roostco.com. Vases: My sister in law – Linda Epstein
Kenneth Byrd knew he wanted to be an interior designer from the time he was a boy rearranging the furniture in his parents’ Virginia Beach home. He eventually settled in Richmond, where a background in visual merchandising and real estate led him to staging homes on the market. Then a developer hired him to oversee the renovation of a historic warehouse into luxury condos—a project that launched his design career.
He founded Kenneth Byrd Design in 2010 with a focus on both commercial and residential work. After a couple of years in Richmond’s historic Fan District, the firm moved to the “grittier” Shockoe Bottom area. Now the head of a five-person studio and a storefront (open by appointment), Byrd brings an unexpected, modern sensibility to the city’s traditional landscape. “We have an aesthetic that goes against the grain of traditional Richmond,” he says. “Our clients want that city edge.”
However, Byrd and his team approach historical projects with respect. “We don’t come in and strip down a 100-year-old home,” he explains. “We want to embrace the age of the home and celebrate its architectural features.
“Design is a collection of styles and flavors,” he continues. “I definitely like ‘old meets new.’ Space has more soul when things are collected, they come from different eras and everything has a story.”
Interior Design: Kenneth Byrd, Kenneth Byrd Design, Richmond, Virginia.
Nestled behind mature trees and a tall iron fence, Ryan Zimmerman’s home exudes tradition, with its stone-and-shingle exteriors and slate rooftop. Far removed from the action at Nationals Stadium yet only a 30-minute drive away, the Great Falls, Virginia, house appealed to Zimmerman and his wife, Heather, for its fine craftsmanship, move-in ready interiors and verdant, five-acre lot. “We both really liked the look of the home and also loved the location,” says the first baseman. “It’s tucked away at the end of the street and very quiet.”
The custom residence was designed by McLean architect Mark Sullenberger of Custom Design Concepts and built by The Galileo Group. When its original owner sold the property less than a year after its completion, the Zimmermans acquired it and moved in just before their two-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, was born. Their second daughter, Hayden Lynn, was born on June 2, 2016.
The couple turned to designer Alice Busch of Great Falls Distinctive Interiors for help furnishing the six-bedroom home. They wanted the décor to reflect the overall beauty of the residence, but practical considerations such as growing kids and their two dogs also came into play and they also wanted their home to be fully pet-proofed. For knowing what one needs to consider while pet-proofing his home, visit Bored Cesar.
Busch captured the comfortable, transitional look they were after with statement-making light fixtures, custom rugs and draperies and oversized, clean-lined furniture. “They wanted it to be functional first, not intimidating—and warm,” she explains. “They didn’t want anyone to feel it was so fancy they couldn’t sit, enjoy and put their feet up. Uncomplicated is who they are.”
The owners also had a home design game plan of their own to ramp up the home’s fun factor. The wish list included a man cave for Ryan featuring a wine cellar, gym, and home theater; a playroom; and an outdoor pool and pavilion. Busch and builder Matt Trunnell of Distinctive Building Group orchestrated the interior upgrades while Charles Owen of Fine Landscapes began the exterior makeover.
A chic entry foyer, which serves as a formal living room, greets guests on arrival. Along the rear of the home, a light-filled gallery leads to the dining room, kitchen and family room on one side and to Ryan’s study, the master suite and a nursery on the other.
The master suite opens to an outdoor terrace. From there, stepping stones lead to the infinity-edge pool and pavilion. “The materials of the pavilion take cues from the main house,” says Owen. “We used the same type of stone and slate roofing.” Decked out with a fireplace, distressed stainless-steel bar, grill, pizza oven and changing rooms, the pavilion makes a clutch party venue. Last year, the Zimmermans hosted a team dinner here to kick off the 2015 season and this summer is planning another cookout for players and their families at their home.
A Virginia Beach native, Zimmerman was an All-American third baseman at the University of Virginia. In 2005, he became the first draft pick in Nationals history and, along with Alex Ovechkin, is one of the longest-tenured athletes on DC’s four major-league sports teams.
Zimmerman represents the Washington community on and off the field. He recently supported a Nationals Dream Foundation initiative to build a turf field for Little League players in Southwest DC, and on April 9, threw the first pitch at Ryan Zimmerman Baseball Field with young players and Mayor Muriel Bowser in the stands.
A diehard sports fan, Ryan unwinds in his man cave—his “pride and joy,” says Heather—where he can watch the action on multiple TV screens at once. On display are signed mementos from his favorite pro athletes, including a collection of baseball bats hanging on a custom rack. Trunnell designed the rack and also built the fully equipped gym where Zimmerman works out with a trainer in the off-season.
Zimmerman is one of the few Nationals players to live in the DC vicinity year round. “Heather and I both love what this area has to offer,” he says. “Washington is a lot of fun, with everything you could want. At the same time, where we live you’d never know we’re only 15 miles from the city. And it’s so nice that Heather’s family lives in the area and my family is close by in Virginia Beach.”
Zimmerman’s mother Cheryl was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was 11. To help combat the disease, he launched the nonprofit ziMS Foundation in 2006. Through its annual fundraisers, the group has raised more than $2 million for the cause. “I have the platform to help find a cure, not only for my mom but for the many people affected by this disease all over the world,” says Ryan.
When he retires, Zimmerman plans to host ziMS Foundation events at his home. But for now, this peaceful spot offers the Nats star a welcome break from 2016’s grueling, 162-game schedule. “Because Ryan is in the public eye all the time, we wanted a little vacation at home and that’s what we found,” says Heather.
“The season is a grind,” Zimmerman admits, “so to be able to escape and get away from that every now and then is huge. The work we’ve done both inside the house and to the property truly provides a place to ‘get away.’”
Photographer Geoffrey Hodgdon is based in Deale, Maryland.
INTERIOR DESIGN: ALICE BUSCH, Allied ASID, Great Falls Distinctive Interiors, Inc., Ashburn, Virginia. RENOVATION CONTRACTOR: Matt Trunnell, Distinctive Building Group, Ashburn, Virginia. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: CHARLES OWEN, principal, and DONALD SMITH, project manager, Fine Landscapes, Ltd., Sterling, Virginia.
RESOURCES
Throughout Landscape Maintenance: rossenlandscape.com. Pool: townandcountrypools.com. Home Automation: atlcontrol.com.
Living Room Sofas, Coffee Table & Small Table: lillianaugust.com. Custom Rug: gfdii.com through silkroadcarpetandrugs.com. Painting, Floor Lamp & Table Lamp: johnrichard.com.
Dining Room Table: artifactsinternational.com. Chandelier: curreycodealers.com. Chairs: Custom by gfdii.com. Mirror: theodorealexander.com. Sideboard: lillianaugust.com. Table Lamps: johnrichard.com. Custom Rug: gfdii.com through silkroadcarpetandrugs.com.
Kitchen Bar Stools: theodorealexander.com. Table, Benches & Armchairs: lillianaugust.com. Armchair & Window Treatment Fabric: romo.com. Custom Window Treatments & Host Chair: gfdii.com. Chandelier: curreycodealers.com. Ceramics: globalviews.com.
Master Master Bed, Night Stands & Corner Chest: lillianaugust.com. Custom Bedding, Drapery & Ottoman Fabric: kravet.com. Lamps: johnrichard.com. Rug: dixie-home.com. Draperies, Custom Chairs & Ottoman: gfdii.com. Chair Fabric: robertallendesign.com.
Master Bath Chandelier: curreycodealers.com. Wallcovering: yorkwall.com.
Nursery Crib: brattdecor.com. Rug: dixie-home.com. Floor Lamp: johnrichard.com. Custom Chair & Ottoman: gfdii.com. Chair & Ottoman Fabric: duralee.com.
Play Room Rug: helioscarpet.com. Custom Sectional & Cabinetry Design: gfdii.com. Sectional Fabric: kravet.com.
It took a life-changing event—the sudden loss of her mother—to make Stephanie Gamble rethink her own life. The then-27-year-old biologist realized that “life’s too short. I asked myself, ‘What is it that you really want to do?’”
A longtime design aficionado, she decided to launch her own interiors firm and furniture shop. “I sat down and wrote a business plan,” Gamble recalls. “A year later, I opened a showroom and took clients.”
That was 12 years ago. Since then, she has completed dozens of residential projects and in 2006, expanded her store, The House Downtown, to a larger location in Baltimore’s Belvedere Square.
Gamble says the shop’s array of furniture, lighting, and accessories are an extension of the design aesthetic she brings to clients’ homes. “We are always classic but with a bit of an edge,” she explains. “My clients want their homes to look beautiful but also want them to function. I use fabrics and luxury in ways that are practical.”
Gamble has definitely found her passion for design. “I love fabrics; I could roll around in them,” she quips. “And I get super excited when vendors show me something really spectacular.”
Creating a client’s dream home “exceeds everything I ever wanted,” she continues. “But the biggest compliment of all is when they call you back to work on another house.”
Interior Design: Stephanie Gamble, Stephanie Gamble Interiors, Baltimore, Maryland.
CHARM CITY HOT SPOT Located in The Ivy Hotel, a restored 1889 residence in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, Magdalena dishes up a cross-cultural, ever-changing menu under the tutelage of chef Mark Levy. The restaurant’s five intimate dining areas—including the wine cellar—create a perfect backdrop for savoring dishes such as seared Ocean City scallops with local pork fritter and English peas in a truffle-honey-mustard sauce. 205 East Biddle Street; 410-514-0303. magdalenarestaurant.com
TURKISH DELIGHT With Istanbul-born chef Ilhan Erkek at the helm, DC’s new Ottoman Taverna has garnered rave reviews for its Turkish fare, from mezze and flat breads to traditional entrées. Atlanta-based Norris Design created the interiors, incorporating light wood distressed and stained to evoke sun-bleached homes on the Mediterranean. A mural featuring the Hagia Sophia church is a focal point in the dining room. 425 I Street, NW; 202-847-0389. ottomantaverna.com
LA DOLCE VITA Chef Jamie Leeds of Hank’s Oyster Bar fame celebrates Italy in her newest outpost, Hank’s Pasta Bar. The Old Town Alexandria restaurant serves homemade pastas (think fettuccini with white clam sauce, right), grilled meats and fish, and charcuterie. Designed by Maggie O’Neill and Warren Weixler of Swatchroom, the rustic interiors include a private dining room behind reclaimed barn doors. 600 Montgomery Street; 571-312-4117. hankspastabar.com
TROPICAL TREAT Guests at the Shigira Bayside Suite Allamanda resort on the Japanese island of Miyakojima enjoy heady ocean views from their suites—86 of which boast private pools. Travelers can loll on the beach, enjoy a round of golf or snorkel along nearby reefs. The resorts’ restaurants serve Japanese and Western fare. Rates from $444. nanseirakuen.com/en
MAGIC KINGDOM Since its 2014 debut, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World has brought a new level of luxury to Florida’s family-vacation mecca. Located just a few minutes away from Disney attractions, the resort features sumptuous guest accommodations, a spa, golf course and five-acre playground. From $479. fourseasons.com
BOHEMIAN GETAWAY Prague’s BoHo Hotel brings high style to a converted, early 20th-century post office building located near the city’s Old Town Square. Chic, modern décor in guest rooms and public spaces plays off the building’s vintage architecture. Perks include a restaurant, a state-of-the-art gym and a spa. Rates from $214. hotelbohoprague.com
