Shades of Gray
Steven Alan’s latest men’s collection takes inspiration from humble handmade ceramics and home furnishings. Highlights include the Hans Oversized Sweater ($345), the Oliver Pant ($295) and the Copper Scarf ($198). In Georgetown at 3319 Cady’s Alley, NW; 202-333-0250. stevenalan.com
Big City Scent
Bond No. 9’s New York Oud blends the resin of the tropical agar tree (also known as oud) with hints of saffron, orange zest and patchouli. It’s one of the company’s many unisex fragrances. $370 for a 100 ml bottle. bondno9.com
Eye Candy
These polycarbonate sunglasses by Porsche Design fold down to pocket size. Shown in Titan, the anti-reflection shades offer complete UV protection. $550; porsche-design.us
Test of Time
Worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 classic Le Mans, the Monaco automatic chronograph by Tag Heuer looks just as current today. Fitted with a durable sapphire crystal, it is water-resistant to depths of 100 meters. $8,700. bloomingdales.com
Italian Style
A highlight of Alfa Romeo’s return to the U.S., the brand’s 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio combines luxury, performance and sculptural, athletic lines. Equipped with a 505-horsepower bi-turbo V-6 engine, the sedan speeds from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Wrapped in ultra-premium leather, its interior boasts 3-D navigation and a Formula 1-inspired steering wheel. Look for a mid-2016 U.S. debut. $70,000; alfaromeousa.com
Good Vibrations
MSound spherical speakers by Hastings Tile & Bath amplify sound from any smartphone using passive vibration, eliminating the need for wires or electrical input. With its ceramic, water-resistant body, MSound is a perfect solution for bringing music to bathrooms, home spas, and outdoor environments. $895; an optional stainless-steel stand is $795 extra; hastingstilebath.com
Fast Track
Ski-Doo’s two-person Grand Touring SE brings speed, innovation, and comfort to the snowmobiling set. Its rear suspension lets riders negotiate all kinds of terrain, while adjustable skis adapt to a range of conditions. The model’s SilentDrive system reduces noise and vibration. Backrest and handles are adjustable and dual-heated seats keep riders warm. From $13,899; ski-doo.com
DC DEBUT
Award-winning chef Michael Schlow envisioned a stylish, mid-century cocktail party when he conceived The Riggsby, his new restaurant in the Carlyle Hotel. Interiors by Brian Miller of Edit Lab at Streetsense feature an inviting bar, a dining room with leather booths and brass finishes and American fare with a European twist. Think steak frites. 1731 New Hampshire Avenue, NW; 202-787-1500. theriggsby.com
LOVE NOTES
Chocolates from Artisan Confections are sure to kindle Valentine’s Day romance. Launched by Culinary Institute of America graduate Jason Andelman in 2006, the company creates handmade sweets using Valrhona chocolate and other top-flight ingredients—but no preservatives. Virginia locations in Clarendon and Mosaic District; artisanconfections.com
A NEW LOOK
The Source by Wolfgang Puck recently renovated its lounge and dining room with help from L.A. designer Waldo Fernandez. Custom furniture blends mid-century and Asian styles. To go with the new look, executive chef Scott Drewno introduced new menus, including a hot pot experience served at a special table. 575 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; 202-637-6100. wolfgangpuck.com
Tropical Escape
Set on French St. Martin’s Baie Longue, Belmond La Samanna caters to sun worshippers and active types alike. Those who can tear themselves away from the beach can play tennis, enjoy a spa treatment or embark on a snorkeling trip. Rates from $595 for a standard room to $3,395 for a three-bedroom cottage with private terrace. belmond.com
Austin Getaway
Hotel Ella in the Texas capital has restored the charm of a century-old Greek Revival home that was decorated in 1925 by Stanley Marcus of Nieman Marcus fame. Among its 47 guest rooms are Mansion Petite Suites featuring custom-designed furniture and French doors opening to a veranda. From $219. hotelella.com
Viva Las Vegas
Chef Alain Ducasse’s recently unveiled Rivea restaurant in the Delano Las Vegas serves modern French-Italian fare. Designed by Paris-based Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku, the main dining room boasts mahogany banquettes, a chandelier made with 15,000 spheres of hand-blown Murano glass and an illuminated “wave wall” that evokes the Mediterranean Sea. Rates from $200. delanolasvegas.com
A collection designed by Brown Davis Interiors and crafted by Indiana-based artisan Keith Fritz is bucking convention in the world of bespoke wood furniture. Tables, consoles, and nightstands are customized from exotic species that have been infused with color in a proprietary process that preserves the wood’s natural grain. “It’s not painted or stained,” explains Fritz. “It’s much like the way fabrics are dyed.”
The furniture designs fill a void Rob Brown and Todd Davis saw in the marketplace. “It has to do with the juxtaposition of clean lines and attention to detail,” explains Brown. From elegant emerald to sexy aubergine, he says, the palette “adds new energy to a room, whether it’s traditional or contemporary.”
The DC- and Miami-based designers have often collaborated with Fritz since meeting him in 1999. “I showed them pictures of furniture I had made in high school,” recalls Fritz. “Todd said, ‘If you could build a Bombay Chippendale secretary at 16, we’re sure you can build things for our clients.’” Before he knew it, Fritz had landed commissions to create two tables and a console for the Clintons’ DC and New York residences—both of which were designed by Brown Davis. Says Fritz, “Rob and Todd are amazing to work with and bring out the best in me.”
Their collection is available at New York’s John Rosselli & Associates (samples are on view), as well as at Michael-Cleary in DC. browndavis.com; keithfritz.com
After closing its Georgetown showroom in 2013, Ann Sacks, purveyor of fine tile, stone, plumbing, lighting, and accessories, will open a new location in DC’s Logan Circle on January 11, 2016.
“We consider Washington, DC, to be a key market for our brand because of its internationally diverse population,” says Ann Sacks president Ted Chappell. “Washington celebrates and preserves many different elements of design through its numerous architectural landmarks and beautifully landscaped public spaces.”
The state-of-the-art, 1,944-square-foot showroom will feature a digital media wall with a 65-inch screen that rotates designers’ installation images and videos. Vignettes and 448 tile designs will be showcased in an open floor plan for easy traffic flow. Also available: products by Kallista (left) and Robern which, like Ann Sacks, are divisions of Kohler Co. 1629 14th Street, NW. annsacks.com
Despite the wintry weather, homeowners can still find inspiration in the great outdoors. Lauren Liess, a Virginia interior designer and author of the blog Pure Style Home, helps readers infuse their homes with nature in her handsome new book, Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating. Abrams, New York, New York; 2015; $35.
How should homeowners select exterior materials to withstand the elements on a waterfront home?
First and foremost, look into swing-out casement windows and out-swing doors on the water side of the home. As you get driving rains and high winds, they will simply be blown shut, keeping the elements out of the home, as opposed to in-swing windows and doors that will be blown in and will let water into the house.
In terms of siding, it really boils down to personal choice and style. Most cement-board materials such as James Hardie products are very durable and don’t have rot issues like traditional woods. But in a waterfront setting, the preparation under the siding is most important. We utilize a “zip” system that installs a water barrier under the sheathing to block out moisture. —Aaron Drummond, TailorCraft Builders, Severna Park, Maryland
What guidance can you give homeowners on how to select windows and doors for a waterfront home?
Selecting exterior doors and windows is an important decision a homeowner has to make, and choosing solely based on price is a recipe for disaster. First, look for a manufacturer with a minimum 20-year track record. If you need a part 15 years from now, you want to be able to call them up and say, “This handle broke.”
Also, check the DP (design pressure) rating and material. We do work in the Outer Banks, where windows have to be rated for hurricane-force winds. We don’t need to meet those codes up here, but if the wind blows at 70 miles per hour during a storm, it’s nice to know your windows are not going to leak.
Not all windows are created equal. Vinyl windows are not the best application for waterfront homes; fiberglass and composite are the minima you should use. Vinyl-clad and aluminum-clad wood are the best choices. —David Miles, AIA, NCARB, The Drawing Board, Annapolis, Maryland.
In life, making bold changes often means discarding the past. But in the dramatic transformation of a family home, architect Robert Gurney broke new ground while still preserving what his clients held near and dear.
The owners built their Potomac rambler from the ground up 30 years ago. But by today’s standards, its interiors felt dark and compartmentalized, its layout was inefficient and its builder-grade windows barely glimpsed the adjacent woodland. As Gurney recalls, “The owners were considering a move downtown, but their three grown children said, ‘Don’t sell the house.’”
A teardown was also out of the question. “We have so many memories here,” the executive and his wife told the architect. “We don’t want to do that.” In the end, they simply asked him to “freshen it up.”
The plan Gurney presented, and his clients approved, far exceeded cosmetic changes. With the exception of the three original children’s bedrooms in the front portion of the home, he gutted and reorganized the entire ground floor, taking his clients’ directive to “open it up” to the extreme.
“The challenge was how to provide a whole new environment, yet maintain enough of the existing house so they still have those memories,” the architect explains. “It was a balancing act.”
By adding three glass “boxes” onto the back of the house, he created lofty volumes and uninterrupted views of the woods. Rooms were reordered not only to celebrate the site but also to introduce a functional floor plan that reflects the owners’ lifestyle.
The drama unfolds on arrival. In the foyer, guests enter an open living area where 14-foot-high ceilings and full-height windows reveal the scenery beyond. “I wanted the space to explode, to open up when someone comes in,” says Gurney. A light-filled dining room to the left of the foyer replaced a former study. Once isolated, the kitchen now plays a starring role with open access to the great room and the glass-enclosed breakfast area, which was previously sequestered in an octagonal, ’80s-style pavilion.
Strong horizontal axes bring clarity to the floor plan. The reconfigured master suite was shifted from the center to the back of the house for better views. From their bedroom, the owners walk straight through the living room and kitchen to their new home office. To create this space, Gurney moved the garage forward and extended the back of the home by 12 feet—the only addition he made to the original footprint.
Though the floor plan appears simple, orchestrating it was anything but, says Gurney. “It becomes a jigsaw puzzle—the program and light, the relationship with spaces and putting it all together.
“I set it up to be more user-friendly, so their daily use of the house was greatly enhanced,” Gurney continues. “The owners work in the study and live in the master bedroom, so that’s their ‘everyday’ space. The front of the house that they don’t really use is sort of its own wing now.” Besides a fresh coat of paint, the original bedrooms in this wing—which now host visiting children and grandchildren—and the home’s lower level remain untouched.
Landscape architect Kevin Campion designed simple, understated front and back gardens that relate to the architecture. Plantings help define the new entry while the undulating lawn in the backyard echoes the lines of Gurney’s glass volumes.
To furnish the renovated spaces, the owners hired interior designer Therese Baron Gurney. She frequently collaborates with the architect, who is also her husband. “As with almost all of our projects, it was my goal to create bases for function within Bob’s open plan,” she explains.
Baron Gurney complemented the architecture with clean-lined furniture in flexible, carefully conceived arrangements. In the great room, the clients can comfortably lounge on the sectional near the TV when they’re home alone, but the adjacent sofa and swivel chairs accommodate guests when they entertain.
Baron Gurney’s serene color palette took its cues from her clients, whose favorite shade is green. “I chose things that accentuated green, such as the custom wool rug in the great room that combines evergreen and eggplant,” she says. “But in general, we created pops of color on neutral palettes that are rich in texture.”
The organic, pared-down material palettes that the architect and designer selected embody a “less is more” mentality. Details, though spare, were carefully considered and painstakingly implemented by the builder, Added Dimensions, from the floating fireplace ledge fashioned from lava stone to the quarter-inch reveal that takes the place of traditional base molding throughout the project. “We work really hard to make details go away. It’s not about molding—it’s about the space and materials and light,” says Robert Gurney. “Added Dimensions pulled it off really well.”
The clients—and their children—love the bold new personality of their long-time residence. “It has definitely changed the way they live and work in the house,” concludes the architect. And best of all, it still feels like home.
Anice Hoachlander is a principal of Hoachlander Davis Photography in DC.
ARCHITECTURE: ROBERT M. GURNEY, FAIA, principal; CLAIRE L. ANDREAS and KARA R. McHONE, project architects, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: THERESE BARON GURNEY, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors, Washington, DC. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: KEVIN CAMPION, ASLA, principal; Meredith Forney Beach, project manager, Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: Added Dimensions, Takoma Park, Maryland.
A light snow covered a wooded Great Falls, Virginia, property in a lacy veil as a couple pulled into the driveway. On a whim, they’d followed “open house” signs here after going for brunch nearby. Having relocated from Chicago the previous year, they’d spent 18 months living in a DC apartment while looking for the perfect home.
Their hopes plummeted when they glimpsed the dark and dated 1950s rambler for sale. But the real estate agent on site convinced them it was worth a look inside, where they were greeted by a stunning view of the four-acre lot through a wall of windows in the open living/dining room. Looking past the saffron-colored walls, oddly placed chair rails and swag, they agreed the house had potential.
“We literally walked into a 1950s time capsule,” the husband recalls. “But it was solidly built and hadn’t been altered in any way.”
Taken by the house’s clean lines, simple layout and generous glass exposures, the couple bought the property in 2014 and hired interior designer Barbara Hawthorn to bring it into the 21st century. She embarked on a comprehensive, five-month makeover that would strip the interiors down to the studs, replace the original floors and windows, upgrade the electrical and lighting systems and overhaul the outdated kitchen and baths.
Hawthorn also redefined the interior architecture, removing moldings and wainscoting and concealing brick walls. “When I start a project, I can see ‘beyond.’ I look at the bones, I look at the structure, I look at the flow of a space and I get rid of all of the static,” she says.
The couple envisioned their new home as a soothing escape where they could recharge and unwind. “Their lifestyles are so busy, they realized they wanted a more bucolic setting, a retreat where they can really relax,” the designer explains.
To create this environment, she focused on a soft, neutral color palette; richly textured fabrics and floor coverings; and organic materials that would blend in with the natural surroundings. In the living room, a wall of tiles by Porcelanosa, billowing Stroheim drapes, and fabric depicting gingko leaves on new lounge chairs convey minimal, understated elegance. Serene blues impart a sense of calm in the master bedroom, from the grasscloth wallcovering to the damask bedding and luxurious drapes.
One of Hawthorn’s greatest hurdles was finding a way to meld the aesthetic her clients wanted with the pieces they each brought from their disparate collections. Married just three years ago, the homeowners both travel extensively. The husband, who spent decades in the diplomatic corps, has amassed a vast collection of Asian art and antiques. The wife, who grew up in Europe, has inherited a number of family heirlooms and antiques. “Making the antiques come together and live compatibly was a challenge,” Hawthorn relates.
Throughout the home, the designer expertly bridged the gap between styles. The squared-off, geometrical chairs in the living room stand up well to antique Korean chests flanking the fireplace. A pair of chairs and an antique desk from the wife’s collection introduce feminine lines in the bedroom, offsetting a modern armoire of Hawthorn’s design. “As far as my pieces go,” says the wife, “they were really important to me. They soften the Asian influences.”
Where possible, Hawthorn repurposed her clients’ furnishings and art, including a Japanese screen that she mounted on the living room wall and customized to conceal a TV. “To me,” says the designer, “what people have in their collections is what makes a house feel like home.”
On the lower level, she created an office for the husband with custom bookshelves to accommodate his impressive library. He also has room to display many of the mementos he’s collected abroad. Three guest bedrooms, a new guest bathroom, and a powder room welcome visitors in style.
When the couple travels these days, they can’t wait to return to their new “getaway” in Great Falls. “We just want to come home and ‘be,’” says the wife. “This is our haven, our retirement home, and our vacation home—all in one.”
Kenneth M. Wyner is a Takoma Park, Maryland, photographer.
INTERIOR DESIGN: BARBARA HAWTHORN, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, McLean, Virginia. RENOVATION CONTRACTOR: ROB LOAR, Loar Home Improvement, Mount Airy, Maryland.
A venerable grand dame on downtown Washington’s hospitality scene, the Morrison-Clark Inn has shed its Victorian mantle for a fresh new look. After the acquisition of a few neighboring properties, the inn recently underwent an expansion encompassing a six-story addition that nearly doubled its size. The project includes a new lobby, library, and 57 new guest rooms.
Hired to design the interiors, ForrestPerkins paid tribute to the inn’s history while integrating elements inspired by one of its former neighbors: a Chinese church. Guests now enter the inn through a carved limestone portal that was salvaged from the church. The new lobby features a hand-knotted wool rug with a dragon motif, bespoke red chandeliers and cascading sconces that evoke Chinese lantern blossoms. Behind the onyx reception desk, Raku clay kimono artwork by DC-based Marcia Jestaedt makes a bold statement.
“We tried to weave in connections to what the building was previously,” says ForrestPerkins president Deborah Lloyd Forrest. “They animate the space. There are also nods to the traditional style of the original hotel, but it is now much more current and energized. There’s a great vibe when you walk in the door.”
Housing a bar, intimate furniture groupings and a gateway to a new courtyard, the two-story lobby is a hub of activity. On its mezzanine level, a passage leads to the inn’s original 19th-century buildings, bridging past and present—precisely as the designers intended.
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN: PAUL HODGES, lead project manager, ForrestPerkins, Washington, DC. ARCHITECT OF RECORD: Architecture, Inc., Reston, Virginia. BUILDER: Forrester Construction, Rockville, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: KENNETH M. WYNER.
FREEFORM STYLE The Confetti Link Crystal Spike Bib Necklace joins colored crystal doublets with gunmetal chains to create a stunning geometric array. Available at Alexis Bittar in CityCenterDC. $375. alexisbittar.com
IN STEP Manolo Blahnik’s Zarina Embroidered Suede Boots make a bold statement with their four-inch stiletto heels and all-over crystal embroidery. They are a festive complement to chic holiday attire. $4,380. neimanmarcus.com
EAST MEETS WEST The Esprit Dior Tokyo 2015 collection reveals fashion inspired by “the new architecture of clothing” seen on the streets of the Japanese capital, says artistic director Raf Simons. The heather-gray crocheted dress and pink-silver sequined top are part of the ready-to-wear line. Price on request. dior.com
FORM MEETS FUNCTION Thiel Audio creates home-audio speakers that marry high-end performance with sleek design. The TT1 floor-standing speaker and TC1 bookshelf speaker are hand-assembled in the company’s new Nashville headquarters. Priced at $5,798 and $3,498, respectively. thielaudio.com
A CLASSIC RETOOLED Porsche has expanded its 911 Carrera range with four new GTS models. The 2015 Coupe boasts a 430 horsepower, 3.8-liter flat-six engine and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. The retooled exterior sports smoked Bi-Xenon headlights, chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes and center-lock wheels painted in glossy black. Its rear seat system can be omitted for a lighter-weight option. $92,600. porsche.com
HEAT WAVE Skiers can keep their hands warm with HeatTouch Inferno Gloves by Seirus. A flexible heat panel, activated by the touch of a button, warms the back of the waterproof leather gloves and also wraps around the fingers. $375. seirus.com
ADVENTURE TIME Giro’s Edit ski helmet—the lightest in the company’s collection—features an integrated GoPro-compatible camera mount that enables daredevils to film their downhill action with ease. Available in seven colors, including Matte Titanium. $180. giro.com
DESERT ROSE The new Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage brings style and luxury to Palm Springs, California. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Santa Rosa Mountains, the property features 244 guest rooms and suites—some with their own firepits—and a spa complete with a meditation mesa. One of three restaurants on site, The Edge Steakhouse serves up the gourmet fare and scenic views. From $219. ritzcarlton.com
ON THE WATERFRONT Marlon Brando’s longtime dream to create an eco-friendly resort on the Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa, 30 miles north of Tahiti, was realized with the recent debut of The Brando. Partners who worked with the actor before his death opened the all-inclusive resort last year. It is home to 35 villas, each with its own plunge pool, and a spa featuring holistic Polynesian-style treatments. From $2,686 per night. thebrando.com
CITY CHIC The Norman, a boutique hotel in the heart of Tel Aviv, recalls the elegance of the 1920s with its stylish guest rooms and suites, as well as it's public spaces. The 50-room property, which occupies two historic buildings, features a rooftop infinity-edge pool and several dining spots. From $400. thenorman.com
UNION MARKET HOT SPOT Working with Grupo7 Architecture + Interiors, chef Nick Stefanelli transformed a gritty produce warehouse near Union Market into Masseria, a study in urban chic. The open kitchen is offset by aqua glazed-subway tile; it’s the perfect backdrop for savoring spot-on Italian fare. 1340 4th Street, NE; 202-608-1330. masseria-dc.com
BETHESDA DEBUT Reston’s PassionFish has spread its fins, bringing a seafood-centric menu to downtown Bethesda. Gensler designed the interiors, where custom wall sculptures adorn tile walls. Menu highlights include a lobster roll and ceviche roll. 7187 Woodmont Avenue; 301-358-6116. passionfishbethesda.com
DOWNTOWN MAKEOVER Washington’s 701 Restaurant recently unveiled redesigned interiors by Martin Vahtra of New York-based Projects Design Associates. Banquettes are upholstered in Maharam fabric while decorative “egg” sculptures accent a wall in the main dining room. 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; 202-393-0701. 701restaurant.com
