Spa Day
Varnish Lane nail salon in Friendship Heights offers manis and pedis minus the foot baths. Dry treatments with all-natural creams and hot towels avoid possible infections from germs linked to traditional pedicure tubs. Light, airy interiors by local designer Lauren Liess create a serene atmosphere. 202-506-5308; varnishlane.com
FaceTime
Ferragamo’s special-edition buckle watch is embellished with four diamond markers and enclosed in a gold ion-plated steel case. The leather strap comes in fuchsia and orange ($1,395) or orange only ($995). bloomingdales.com
Stepping Out
Strike a bold pose in Valentino’s Rockstud sandal. These calfskin leather heels measure in at 3.5 inches high; platinum-finished studs add attitude. $1,045 at Hu’s Shoes in Georgetown. 3005 M Street, NW; 202-342-0202. husonline.com
Star Gazing
Paula Cademartori’s Fall/Winter collection of Italian leather goods captures the imagination with a playful mix of materials and whimsical motifs. The Kate bag is personalized with mosaics of laser-cut perforations and inlays of stars. $1,965; paulacademartori.com
English Country Style
Travelers exploring the Cotswolds will find luxury and plenty of charm at the Dormy House Hotel, where guest rooms and suites were designed by Todhunter Earle. The restored 17th-century farmhouse pampers guests in a Scandinavian-style spa with an open-air lounge, a fine-dining restaurant, and a pub. Guests can order a picnic hamper for a jaunt through the countryside, stroll into the nearby village of Broadway or take in a play in Stratford-on-Avon. Rates, including breakfast, from $375. slh.com/hotels/dormy-house-hotel
Holiday on the Sea
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic, Villa Dubrovnik offers breathtaking views of the Croatian port’s Old City, from its entrance to its 56 guest rooms and seven suites. The Romance Suite features its own terrace. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s private beach, indoor pool and fitness center, along with three restaurants on the premises. Rates from $350; villa-dubrovnik.hr
Miami Beach Revival
Ian Schrager of The Delano fame is back in Miami with the recent opening of the Miami Beach EDITION. Schrager touts this joint venture with Marriott as the “next-generation urban resort.” Designed by Yabu Pushelberg/I.S.C. Design Studio, the 3.5-acre enclave is a bold remake of the 1955 Seville Hotel. It boasts a lobby sheathed in white pearl Venetian plaster walls and Tropicale, a beachfront playground landscaped by Madison Cox. Accommodations are outfitted in a soothing beach-house vibe. Rates from $349. editionhotels.com/miami-beach
Cinema Experience
Bang & Olufsen’s new BeoVision Avant 85 delivers impressive video and surround-sound quality in the comfort of home. The company’s 85-inch flagship TV displays an “Ultra High-Definition” (4K) picture and a three-channel speaker system. A single remote seamlessly integrates the unit with consumers’ other systems, including game consoles and Apple TV. From $24,495; bang-olufsen.com
Speed + Style
Jaguar’s 2017 XE will be the company’s most aerodynamic model ever. Offering lightweight construction and streamlined style, the XE features an aluminum-intensive monocoque and an Ingenium diesel engine. It is capable of speeds from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The interior boasts a cockpit-like feel and an eight-inch touchscreen control. Coming to the U.S. in 2016. jaguar.com
Wireless sound
The world’s first in-ear Bluetooth headphones with motion-sensor technology, the new JBL Reflect Response headphones enable users to control audio with the wave of a hand. This feature is especially handy when listeners are driving or working out and trying to change music tracks or answer a call. Ergonomically designed for comfort, the headphones offer up to eight hours of wireless use at a time. Available in red, blue, green and black. $149; jbl.com
After a major renovation, the Waterworks showroom in Cady’s Alley opened its doors on March 26 to celebrate a new era. The company launched Waterworks Kitchen—a comprehensive collection crafted with the same quality and attention to detail as the bath lines for which Waterworks is known. “Creating a new kind of kitchen experience is a natural development,” said CEO Peter Sallick. “Our approach to the kitchen is the same as our approach to the bath: We provide a complete range of exceptional items that allow you to fully design and customize your space.”
Stunning kitchen vignettes show off American-made cabinetry, available in natural and richly painted finishes; an array of sinks in stainless steel, copper, stone and fireclay; iconic faucets and fittings; and myriad surfaces, from cement tile to stone, glass, wood, and terracotta. Fine linens, heirloom-quality pots and Lazy Susans crafted from reclaimed wine barrels are icing on the cake. 3314 M Street, NW; 202-333-7180. waterworks.com
Out of Asia
Mango Tree DC is serving contemporary Thai fare in CityCenterDC. Barcelona-based Lázaro Rosa-Violán Studio designed the interiors, which evoke Thailand with a European twist. Chef de cuisine Paul Kennedy focuses the menu on the country’s four main culinary regions; mango cheesecake makes a fitting finale. 929 H Street, NW; 202-408-8100. mangotreedc.com
California Dreaming
Summer House Santa Monica brings a sunny, Golden State vibe to North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose development. The second outpost of the eatery conceived by chef Jeff Mahin serves fresh, casual fare including Beach Bum Ceviche, sushi and steak frites. 11825 Grand Park Avenue; 301-881-2381. summerhousesm.com
Farm to Table
Owner Reese Gardner pays homage to his native Pennsylvania—the second state to ratify the Constitution—in his recently opened DC restaurant, Second State. Designed by Maggie O’Neill of SwatchRoom, the spot serves American fare and sources ingredients from local farmers with an emphasis on Pennsylvania. 1831 M Street, NW; 202-466-3010. secondstatedc.com
A biennial exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, “Organic Matters—Women to Watch 2015” examines the ways in which contemporary women artists view and treat nature in their work. Thirteen artists from the U.S., the U.K., Chile, France, and Italy were selected to exhibit in the show; their photographs, drawings, sculptures, and videos will be on view from June 5 to September 13.
A companion exhibit on the same dates, “Super Natural” showcases the ways in which artists past and present engage with the natural world. Including 50 works and installations by 25 artists, the show will juxtapose early work with bold, modern creations. For example, viewers can study the stark contrast between 17th-century Dutch artist Rachel Ruysch’s floral still life and large-scale collaged images in Maggie Foskett’s Rain Forest (1996).
Both exhibits promise an adventurous trek through the wild—free of mosquitoes and humidity. 1250 New York Avenue, NW; 202-783-5000. nmwa.org.
Sometimes unraveling challenges reap unexpected rewards. Such was the case when homeowners planning a new residence on Aberdeen Creek decided they wanted to live on the property during construction. They moved into the existing house on the lot while their new home was being built nearby; the original was then torn down and a new guesthouse built in its place. It was at this point that architect Scarlett Breeding’s plan cleverly connected the two structures with a bridge housing a home office with panoramic water views.
Not only does the bridge lend a unique signature to the Shingle-style home, it also beckons residents and guests to explore what lies beyond 4.4 acres of sweeping gardens that encompass both large spaces for entertaining and secret niches enveloped in greenery. “We designed a garden under the bridge to pull you in and draw you into this water view,” says landscape architect Kevin Campion. “It’s pretty dramatic.”
Throughout the property, the team created an outdoor aesthetic that reflects the architecture of the house. “The owners wanted a welcoming house,” says Breeding. “The gardens follow that—they’re much more informal.”
Campion agrees, “There’s a strong armature that runs along the back of the house. But then it’s adorned with naturalistic plantings.” The garden includes a pool, kitchen and dining area on the main terrace, rambling “rivers” of lawn that meander down to the creek and a sports court for the couple’s two kids.
From the house, a path of boulders leads to a secluded hot tub. Walnut Hill Landscape Company, which installed and maintains the landscape, “did a great job creating stairs that look like an outcrop—very informal and organic,” says Campion.
But nothing feels more organic than the sweeping Lord Baltimore hibiscus, switchgrass and Black-Eyed Susans that sway in the breeze along the banks of Aberdeen Creek.
Photographer Jay Stearns is based in Annapolis.
ARCHITECT: SCARLETT BREEDING, AIA, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: KEVIN CAMPION and BOB HRUBY, principals; MEREDITH BEACH, project manager, Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR: MIKE PROKOPCHAK, Walnut Hill Landscape Company, Annapolis, Maryland. BUILDER: BRET ANDERSON, Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.
Speed Demon
Jaguar recently unveiled its 2016 F-TYPE R Coupe at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. It boasts new all-wheel drive technology as well as convertible and manual transmission options. Both the coupe and convertible can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Available in spring 2015; pricing to be determined. jaguar.com
Crystal-Clear Sound
Craftsmanship meets the latest in technology with the Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones. Hand-assembled in Germany of precision stainless steel, they offer the largest transducer of any headphone on the market, creating a natural, dynamic listening experience. $1,500; sennheiser.com
Sweet Dreams
The compact Sound Oasis Bluetooth Sleep Sound Therapy System streams built-in therapeutic soundtracks for up to eight hours; 10 nature soundtracks are built in and others can be downloaded. It is 2.5 inches tall and has a USB-rechargeable battery. $60; soundoasis.com
Fresh Start
Mornings sound better with iShower2 by iDevices. This waterproof speaker can connect via Bluetooth with a mobile device or tablet up to 200 feet away, bringing music, phone calls, podcasts and more directly into the shower. $100; idevicesinc.com
After Dark
Kay Unger’s metallic lace-yoke cocktail dress combines a boat-illusion neckline with a V-back and an embellished sheath silhouette. $550; neimanmarcus.com
Perennial Pearls
Dior’s latest Mise en Dior necklace collection is sure to make a statement. This piece combines pearls in palladium, gold and pink-gold finishes on a ribbon chain. dior.com
Belle of the Ball
Kate Spade’s Evening Belles Feather Mimi clutch adds a touch of fun to any evening ensemble. Made of silk satin with 14-karat light gold-plated hardware, it includes a hidden chain strap. $398; katespade.com
Tropical Getaway
Opened in late 2013, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba occupies an enviable spot on pristine Palm Beach. Its 265 guest rooms and 55 suites boast balconies with views of the Caribbean Sea. The resort is also home to the island’s largest spa, plus four restaurants including Madero Argentinian Grill, featuring poolside dining (pictured). Rates from $629; ritzcarlton.com
Alpine Aerie
A five-minute walk from Switzerland’s St. Moritz ski resort, Giardino Mountain is housed in an old hotel that’s been dramatically transformed. Beyond its traditional façade, modern interiors unfold. Seventy-eight guest rooms and suites blend natural woods with tactile fabrics and offer stunning mountain views. A spa, two restaurants, and a children’s program round out the action off the slopes. Rates from $355; designhotels.com
Modern Update
Overlooking Thomas Circle, DC’s Donovan House, a Kimpton Hotel is fresh from a multi-million-dollar renovation. Inspired by the travels of its namesake, “Wild” Bill Donovan who founded the precursor to the CIA, the new interiors by Boston-based CBT are influenced by sleek Asian and European design. Rooms boast canopy beds swathed in Frette linens and minimalist workspaces. Weekend rates from $140; donovanhoteldc.com
On the Road
James Beard award-winning chef RJ Cooper of DC’s Rogue 24 has opened Gypsy Soul, a new restaurant in Fairfax’s Mosaic District. Cooper was inspired to create a spot where his wife Judy and their twins Ava and Bridgett (pictured with the chef, inset) could enjoy casual American fare made with ingredients from local farms. Interiors with cast-metal and leather accents pay tribute to Cooper’s love of motorcycle riding. 703-992-0933; gypsysoul-va.com
New Hot Spot
Matt Baker, formerly of The Occidental, is now executive chef at City Perch Kitchen & Bar in North Bethesda’s new Pike & Rose development. The concept menu by California chef Sherry Yard incorporates seasonal American fare, from rotisserie meats to raw bar seafood (pictured), along with handcrafted cocktails. 301-231-2310; cityperch.com
Just Dessert
Pastry chef Meredith Tomason (pictured), a veteran of Tom Colicchio’s Craft Restaurant in New York, has opened the RareSweets bake shop in the new CityCenterDC. Guests enjoy heirloom cakes, cookies, ice creams (inset) and breakfast pastries in a modern setting designed by CORE, featuring an open kitchen. 202-499-0077; raresweets.com
SHIFT INTO SPRING Adrianna Papell’s Split Front Shirttail Shift Dress makes a smooth transition into warmer weather. Uniquely detailed with a notched neckline and exposed back zipper, it comes in cobalt, red and black and regular and petite sizes. $118; nordstrom.com
SILK ROAD The Maison des Carres scarf playfully documents the creation of an Hermès silk square, from concept and creation to final sale. Made of hand-rolled silk twill, it is available at Hermès boutiques nationwide. $450; hermes.com
TWO-WAY STYLE MCM’s Petal Visetos reversible belt sports bright orange leather on one side and coated canvas on the other. It makes a bold and versatile statement, either way, you wear it. $295; bloomingdales.com.
TASTE OF PERU José Andrés celebrates Peruvian cuisine, along with its Chinese and Japanese influences, at the new China Chilcano in Penn Quarter. Designed by Spanish architect/designer Juli Capella, the colorful spot boasts a dramatic mural and red neon lighting that evokes ancient indigenous art. Featuring one of the largest pisco selections in the U.S., the bar serves a mean Machu Pisco. 418 7th Street, NW; 202-783-0941. chinachilcano.com
DOUBLE PLAY: KAPNOS TAVERNA Mike Isabella has opened a second Greek restaurant, Kapnos Taverna, in Ballston. He and executive chef/partner George Pagonis (a Season 12 “Top Chef” contestant) will run the new outpost, focusing on the cuisine of coastal Greece and its islands. (The DC Kapnos serves Northern Greek fare.) Streetsense designed the new restaurant’s rustic, Mediterranean-style interiors. 4000 Wilson Boulevard; 703-243-4400. kapnostaverna.com
SAFE HARBOR Azumi is making waves in the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. Though its name means “safe harbor” in Japanese, this new restaurant dishes up a daring menu crafted by native Tokyo chef Eiji Takase. Take, for example, the live Santa Barbara sea urchin. Interiors by Patrick Sutton. 725 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore; 443-220-0477, azumirestaurant.com
ITALIAN ESCAPE The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace debuts in April on a private island in the center of the city’s lagoon. Housed in a former monastery, the property’s 191 guest rooms and suites were restored and redesigned by Hirsch Bedner Associates and GA Design. A private boat service connects guests to the city’s many attractions (which include the requisite gondola ride). From $625, including breakfast. stregis.com
ZEN SANCTUARY Perched on the top six floors of a high-rise in the financial district, the new Aman Tokyo marries traditional Japanese design with modern style. Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, the 84-room property boasts three restaurants, a swimming pool and a sprawling wellness facility with dramatic views of the city skyline. Rates from $630. amanresorts.com
MODERN RETREAT Designed by GCA Architects Associates, Barcelona’s ABaC Restaurant & Hotel encompasses a new building integrated with a former home that historically served as the American Embassy in Spain. Today the 15-room property boasts sleek, modern guest suites with Bang & Olufsen TVs and sound systems and Hermès toiletries, a spa and a lounge adjoining a restaurant with two Michelin stars. Rates from $244. abacbarcelona.com
March 21, 2015, will mark the opening of a new building housing the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum. Designed by Hartman-Cox Architects, the six-floor, state-of-the-art structure recently earned LEED Gold certification. The building adjoins historic Woodhull House, which has been renovated as part of the museum.
Finally relocated after the 2011 announcement that it would join the GW campus, The Textile Museum will continue to showcase its collection of more than 19,000 objects. The complex will also house the Albert H. Small Center for Washingtoniana Collection and serve as a hub for arts education and special events.
The museum is located at 701 21st Street, NW. museum.gwu.edu
John Haslett had a clear vision in mind when he set out to transform a Reston penthouse from a builder-grade shell into a contemporary, Manhattan-style loft showcasing his art collection. The only catch: Much of the artwork—from paintings and sculpture to one-of-a-kind light fixtures and place settings—had yet to be created.
“I thought it would be a one-year process,” he reflects. “But that year turned into three because of my commitment to finding exactly what I wanted. If it didn’t exist, I found someone to build it.”
Unlike most homeowners who rush the design and build-out process, Haslett savored every moment. The financial-planning executive had recently retired to pursue a second career as a painter—though he hadn’t picked up a brush in more than 20 years. So he viewed this project as an opportunity to interact with artisans of all kinds, not only to realize his urban dream home but also as a refresher course in the creative process.
While Haslett purchased or commissioned art on whirlwind trips around the country, he entrusted the overall design of his two-bedroom penthouse to Alice Busch and Lucas Trunnell of Great Falls Distinctive Interiors, Inc. The mother-and-son team set out to create bespoke interiors that would reflect a level of refinement and attention to detail equal to their client’s art.
“With Alice’s more traditional background and her son Luke, who does more contemporary work, I thought they were a good combination,” Haslett explains. “Getting the best of both generations was going to meet the criteria I was looking for.”
From the entry hall, where niches in the Venetian plaster walls display works in blown glass, metal and ceramics, to the master bedroom with its suspended bed and metal “wave wall,” the completed residence is full of custom finishes and millwork fabricated by RKI, Inc. “We were inspired by a mix of materials such as wood, stone, and concrete,” explains Trunnell. “We wanted to make it feel like a very special environment that you would not see anywhere else.”
Delineating the living room’s two seating areas, a bulkhead in a faux-concrete finish provides a rough contrast to the Kravet sofas covered in soft chenille. Along one wall, horizontal stainless-steel reveals in the mahogany paneling align with grooves in the adjacent Delano marble housing a fireplace and flat-screen TV.
“We carried the exact reveal from the wood into the marble, continuing the linear pattern,” Trunnell remarks. “We worked with the millwork company and the granite studio to make sure it was all perfect.”
An abstract stainless-steel sculpture by Lyle London creates a focal point in the adjacent dining area, which boasts a Venetian plaster accent wall in lavender, one of Haslett’s favorite hues. In lieu of a traditional chandelier—which would have been impossible to center in the asymmetrical space—the team designed a custom fixture. Inspired by the clouds floating by outside his 21st-floor abode, Haslett commissioned California-based Lusive Décor to create a metal-mesh “cloud fixture” through which LED lights shimmer like stars.
The dining area is open to the kitchen, where a sleek bar of Trunnell’s design replaced a lackluster pantry. “The kitchen is one of my favorite rooms,” says Busch. “Behind the bar there’s a frosted acrylic back with LED lighting. John can create any color he wants.”
Once the penthouse was complete, Haslett resided there for a year before he purchased a loft in Chicago that now serves as his permanent home and studio. However, he still returns to the Reston apartment monthly for business meetings. “It feels like I’m in a luxury resort,” he says of his visits.
As he delves into painting, Haslett credits the renovation with helping him transition from a structured business environment to the “free-flowing” career of an artist. “For me, it was about drawing on the experience of these artisans and designers—and decades in their craft—to help me find my creative vision,” he reflects. “It was a learning experience that just happens to be a home.”
Photographer Bob Narod is based in Herndon, Virginia.
INTERIOR DESIGN: ALICE BUSCH, Allied Member ASID; LUCAS TRUNNELL, Assoc. AIA, Allied Member ASID, LEED AP, BD+C, Great Falls Distinctive Interiors, Inc., Ashburn, Virginia. CONTRACTOR: ROGER C. VASSILIADIS, RCV Real Estate, Great Falls, Virginia.
