A Maryland couple who’d grown tired of their outmoded 1980s master bathroom turned to designer Diane Taitt for help. The wife, a physician, wanted a serene retreat where she could unwind after long days at work. “She told me, ‘This is the one space in my house that is mine,’” Taitt recalls. “It was going to be her sanctuary.’’ The husband’s only request: that the décor reflect the soothing colors of his native Caribbean island, Anguilla.
Taitt devised a plan that would transform the ’80s throwback into a one-of-a-kind home spa full of custom finishes and features. After the original was completely gutted, Taitt created privacy without walls by enclosing the W.C. and a large shower behind panels of textured glass that leave the space light and airy. The panels are painted in a motif inspired by an ancient Turkish pattern symbolizing creation and infinity. “My clients fell in love with the concept,” she says.
They also love the shimmering surfaces and tiles that evoke the way sunlight dances on tropical seas. A crystal chandelier in the W.C. and silver-thread sconces above the dual vanities further reflect the light. “The room feels alive as you move,” says the designer.
Above the bathtub, porcelain tiles embellished with a subtle palm-frond motif echo the island theme. Against a tone-on-tone palette of soft grays and white, mosaic elements around the vanity mirrors add hints of Caribbean color.
According to Taitt, both homeowners were “ecstatic” with the results. However, the designer says that as far as being the wife’s private sanctuary is concerned, “she can’t get her husband out of the bathroom.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: DIANE S. TAITT, ASID, Associate AIA, De Space Designs, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: Maxine Schnitzer.
For two more amazing custom baths, see
When designing the interiors of an expansive new Rockville home, Marlene Weiss Alexander devised an outside-the-box plan for its powder room. “Every inch of this powder room is custom, even the lighting,” she says.
The designer and homeowner share a penchant for an organic aesthetic dressed up with a touch of glamour, so Alexander aimed to capture this spirit in her design. “It should feel glamorous but not overdone,” she explains.
The room’s focal point is a massive, 10-inch-thick ledge clad in eye-catching Pau Ferro wood that serves as a floating vanity top. “I wanted something extremely exotic because I knew it was going to be the star,” says Alexander, who had the lumber supplier make four trips to the house with slabs before she found one with the grain she desired.
A panel of mother-of-pearl wallcovering by Innovations creates a dramatic backdrop to the vanity, while stained cherry columns and a mirror with a smoked-bronze finish wrap around it for added effect. A pair of rock-crystal pendants by Wired Lighting, an oversized onyx sink by Stone Forest and Brizo wall faucets add sparkle and texture. Art and accessories—including a painting from Renaissance Fine Art and a B&B Italia vase—finish the space.
“I love powder rooms because they’re like jewel boxes. They can be dramatic and you won’t get sick of them because you can close the door,” says Alexander. “Though this is one powder room where I’d want to keep the door open.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: MARLENE WEISS ALEXANDER, Weiss-Alexander Design Group LLC, Washington, DC. ARCHITECTURE: GERI YANTIS, Sutton Yantis Associates Architects, Vienna, Virginia. BUILDER: NATELLI HOMES, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: GEOFFREY HODGDON.
For two more amazing custom baths, see
RAISING THE BAR
Republic in Takoma Park is serving up seasonal cocktails and a special happy hour bar menu, available weeknights from 3 to 7 pm. The new drinks contain homemade bitter-lemon syrup, including the Bitter Presbyterian—spiked with sour mash whiskey, Domaine de Canton, lime juice and mint. The bar menu features oysters, mussels, sandwiches and jerk-spiced sweet potato chips. 6939 Laurel Avenue; 301-270-3000. republictakoma.com
AMERICAN REVIVAL
José Andrés’s ode to American cuisine, America Eats Tavern, is expected to reopen in its new home in The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in early June. The menu will feature classics with a twist, such as cornmeal-crusted rockfish and peanut soup. 1700 Tysons Boulevard; 703-744-3999. americaeatstavern.com
GARDEN PARTY
Jardenea, the restaurant at the revamped Melrose Georgetown Hotel, has garnered attention for chef Nate Lindsay, whose new menu spotlights fresh seasonal ingredients. Standouts: rosemary-skewered Maine scallops and jumbo asparagus risotto. 2430 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; 202-955-6400. melrosehoteldc.com
TROPICAL RETREAT
Tucked into the Costa Rican rainforest, Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens welcomes guests to stay in private casitas with views of the nearby Arenal Volcano. The luxury property features a spa suspended in the trees, an infinity-edge pool and gourmet dining. Rates from $700; nayarasprings.com
CAPITAL GETAWAY
The third President would no doubt approve of the way his namesake hotel welcomes visitors. Throughout 2014, The Jefferson, Washington, DC treats guests in its specialty suites to a bottle of wine that reflects the suite’s theme. For example, guests in the Butterfly Suite receive a bottle of Domaine des Baumard, Clos du Papillon Savennière. Suites from $749. jeffersondc.com
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Celebrate nature—and enjoy a cooler climate—at Trout Point, a five-star lodge in Nova Scotia. The 100-acre estate invites guest to explore the Tusket and Napier Rivers by canoe or kayak, venture on nature walks or simply soak up the scenery in the hot tub. Two acclaimed restaurants on-site specialize in local seafood and grilled meats. Rates from $269; troutpoint.com
After earning a finance degree and working briefly in the corporate world, Christopher Boutlier was ready for a change. So he took a year off to renovate his condo. “I started with the bathroom, which turned out to be a nightmare,” he recalls. The frustrated homeowner enrolled in a drafting class so he could sketch out ideas for his contractor—and the rest is history.
“I loved it,” says Boutlier. “By the end of the semester, I had enrolled in GW’s interior design school.” During the three-year MFA program, he landed an internship with one of his professors, DC-based designer Lisa Adams, which led to a full-time job. “Lisa is an amazing person and taught me a lot,” he says.
Now principal of his own firm, Boutlier distills what he calls “the tools of design” and applies them to each client’s unique requirements. “I’m constantly challenged to move outside my comfort zone,” he explains, “but in the end, it’s so worth it. There’s a real sense of accomplishment when a project is done and the owners are happy.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: Christopher Boutlier, Boutlier Design, Washington, DC.
Designer David Mitchell recently planted 115 daylilies, 25 dahlias and 16 hydrangeas in his backyard—every one in white to offset the other plants in his garden, which are all lime green. He also grows beets, heirloom tomatoes, eggplant and Russian black watermelon. “Remember the old green color people used to paint shutters, that Southern green?” he comments when asked about the melons. “They’re that color.”
Even in his garden, Mitchell leaves nothing to chance.
From his front porch to the interiors of the 1930s Colonial he recently renovated in DC’s Shepherd Park, the designer has masterfully manipulated color, texture and scale to create bold, graphic spaces. Envisioned as a “guy’s house” for the “designer who would rather be kayaking than buying antiques on a Saturday,” Mitchell’s home celebrates the outdoors in shades of olive and khaki. But aside from the occasional baseball cap, this designer’s home is far more stylish and sophisticated than your typical man lair.
Mitchell was drawn to the home for its beautiful proportions and mint condition. “I liked the fact that it was from the 1930s—I like ’30s stuff. And I was going to be the second owner. No one had messed it up with stuff I was going to have to rip out,” he explains.
As soon as he purchased it, Mitchell embarked on an update that respected the home’s original vernacular. Other than a single wall that he demolished to make way for a larger master bath on the second floor, the designer left the existing floor plan intact. On the ground level, he introduced a modern vocabulary by raising the height of the doorways between rooms by 16 inches and updating the fireplace in the living room with a clean-lined marble surround. He ripped out the old wall-to-wall carpet, exposing original hardwood floors, and completed a total kitchen makeover. He also screened in a side porch, adding a beadboard ceiling and porcelain faux-wood floors to reflect the home’s period style.
As the dust settled, it became clear to Mitchell that the house called for a departure from his regular oeuvre. “I’m known for doing ethereal houses with lots of blue-grays and golden colors,” he says. But after testing his favorite robin’s egg blue on the foyer walls, he recalls taking a step back and saying, “‘Well, this doesn’t work.’ I was trying to turn the house into something it’s not.
“My house is more graphic than what we normally do. It has a Pacific Northwest feel to it,” he continues, “mixed with a little bit of Southern heritage. Getting it to work together was a challenge.”
In less experienced hands, rooms in the compact, 1,800-square-foot house could have wound up feeling cramped and smothering. But instead of filling his home with diminutive pieces, Mitchell tricked the eye by selecting furniture with substance. For example, a tall walnut desk and large George Smith armchairs bring weight and balanced proportion to the living room. “People are afraid of big things in a small space. But they work really well,” the designer observes. “You just have fewer of them.”
Nature plays a starring role in the décor of this home located a stone’s throw from Rock Creek Park. In the living room, framed photographs hung in a grid pattern depict birds, deer and landscapes—“all things I love about my neighborhood,” Mitchell says. Rather than artwork flanking the fireplace, ledges are reserved for seasonal displays of tree branches, hydrangea or pussy willows, which the designer arranges in mammoth vases. “They bring a green element into the room,” he says, “and flowers or branches become part of the color scheme.”
The palette of brown, ivory and green offers a bold contrast to Mitchell’s well-honed collections, which include antiques, fine-art photography, creamware and ceramics. “I look for paint to be a backdrop,” he explains. “A lot of people are obsessed with matching paint; I think paint is something you should play with a little more.”
The author of his own no-holds-barred blog, “David Mitchell Uncensored,” he is never one to take his work too seriously—especially in his own home. Mitchell happily admits to pairing rarefied antiques and designer pieces with affordable flea market and retail finds. “I love high-low stuff. In my living room, I have a pair of original André Arbus chairs and I also have a West Elm rug.”
Mitchell is as proud of the priceless still-life photograph of a bay leaf plant in his bedroom as he is of the oversized marine blueprints covering one of the walls in his second-level TV room, which doubles as a guest room. Each one, printed in orange reverse, cost $15. “I design this way,” he says of the mix. “I think it’s what makes design so interesting nowadays.”
He is also a master at combining disparate and unexpected objects. In his home you’ll find étagères and a coffee table from his own collection for Salvations Architectural Furnishings; stone-glazed Chinese stools; African bone bracelets arranged as a dining room centerpiece; and in the kitchen, a curved metal table on wheels that began life in a Victorian animal hospital.
In Mitchell’s kitchen, color gives way to a calming palette. Pale gray cabinetry and slabs of marble on the counters and walls create a timeless, classic vibe.
The room will change next year, when an addition will enlarge the kitchen and convert the screened porch into a new TV room, making way for a dedicated guest room upstairs. Mitchell will also build a deck. “As much as I’m into gardening, a little less green space is fine with me,” he admits. “This spring I did find genetically engineered grass that only grows three inches tall. We’ll see if it works.
“I love learning stuff,” he reflects. “There’s always something new to learn.”
Photographer Angie Seckinger splits her time between Potomac, Maryland, and Spain.
INTERIOR DESIGN: David Mitchell, David Mitchell Interior Design, Washington, DC.
After studying interior design at Marymount University, Christine Philp hit a “pivotal moment” in her career when she landed a job with acclaimed Washington designer Thomas Pheasant. Philp spent five years learning the ropes of the business under Pheasant’s wing (no pun intended)—an experience she values to this day.
“Being able to work around Tom taught me that you can find inspiration in anything,” she explains. “But along with the creative side, I learned that interior design is not just about furniture and fabrics. Execution and project management are also very important. So much goes on behind the scenes to make a project excellent.”
At the helm of her own firm since 2011, Philp says her highest priority is to encourage clients to find their own vision. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” she explains. “My job is to help clients figure that out. I try to see the world through their eyes and once I understand what’s important to them, we can make those things a reality.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: Christine Philp, Palindrome Design, Alexandria, Virginia.
ELECTRIC CHARGE
Porsche’s 2015 918 Spyder combines the ultimate in performance with the fuel-efficiency of a hybrid. This sleek, carbon-fiber model shifts between five modes—electric, hybrid, sport hybrid, race hybrid and hot lap. Even in electric mode, it goes from 0 to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds and can reach up to 93 mph. $845,000; porsche.com
ALL-OVER SOUND
Autonomic’s award-winning Mirage Audio System delivers seamless, high-fidelity audio streaming to multiple rooms from an array of music sources. The custom-installed system allows users to manage and sync playlists and integrate with all major online services, including Sirius XM 2.0, Pandora and Slacker Radio. Packages from $3,995; mirageaudiosystem.com
POINT + CLICK
The Penclic Bluetooth Mouse frees up computers’ USB ports and delivers a precision, pen-like response; it also reduces tension in the user’s arms, shoulders and neck. Compatible with Mac and PC, Penclic has a wireless range of up to 16 feet and a rechargeable battery that lasts for two months between charges. $89.95; penclic.se
UP A CREEK
Handcrafted in Winona, Minnesota, Sanborn Canoe paddles are made of grained western red and white cedar. These well-balanced, light-weight creations are not only works of art, but they also help power adventurers on short trips as well as longer journeys. Paddles from $135. bespokeglobal.com
FOUND TREASURE
In a stunning design, Tiffany’s Diamond and Sapphire Tassel Necklace combines a chain of diamonds with a sweep of deep blue precious stones. Price available on request. tiffany.com
LACE ME UP
Rebecca Taylor’s Lace Shift Dress for Nordstrom is sweet and summery. The A-line features intervals of lace and linen in soft blue and chartreuse. $495. nordstrom.com
MADE IN THE SHADE
Dior’s Multicolor Shield Sunglasses provide 100 percent UV protection in eye-catching style. The yellow-and-white frames boast multi-hued mirror lenses. $450. bloomingdales.com
After earning a degree in interior design, Michael Roberson spent 18 years creating window displays for Neiman Marcus in her native Texas and, later, her adopted hometown of Washington, DC. The experience not only taught her how to execute projects on time, but also how to infuse them with a sense of drama—a skill that still comes in handy today as she runs her own interior design firm.
Roberson’s studio occupies a light-filled wing in the Arlington home where she and her husband Rob, a retired technology management consultant, raised their son and now entertain three grandchildren. Just as she does for her clients, Roberson has distilled a fresh, clean-lined look in her home that captures her style in a carefree, seemingly effortless way.
The house and surrounding landscape have evolved over the years with the couple’s lifestyle and aesthetic. “Houses should be like people and families, and have generations,” says Roberson, referring to the mix of contemporary and antique furnishings and art that prevails throughout her interiors. “You don’t want it all modern—you want to mix things up. But most of all, it has to be comfortable.”
Between the enveloping forest of Donghia botanical wallpaper and the designer’s disarming Southern charm, visitors immediately feel welcome upon arrival in her foyer. There, a framed serigraph of a doll’s face “gives some people the creeps,” Roberson admits, “but I love it.”
She contends that her sizable art collection “varies hugely, but there’s always a rhythm to what appeals to me. Because I was an art student for so long, I respond to composition—but at the same time, I’m very intrigued by the lack of structure.” In the living room, French etchings and a Fritz Scholder work share space with a piece by Washington Color School artist Gene Davis. Beneath the latter, a modern, armless sofa of Roberson’s design is paired with an antique armchair that belonged to her grandmother and a coffee table made from a vintage Japanese hibachi.
“If anybody’s eclectic, I am,” says Roberson. “But I can truly say that everything I have, I love.”
Beyond the living room, a modern addition completed seven years ago enlarged and updated the kitchen and dining room and forged a stronger connection between the home and its lush backyard. Roberson, who enjoys “cooking and feeding people,” turned to architect Charles Moore to design the renovation, which would also include a bold staircase and a screened porch. Moore bumped out the entire rear of the home. On the main level, the new dining room is framed by a wall of windows and French doors that spill onto a balcony.
A long dining table allows Roberson to seat up to 20 for family dinners. A carefully designed lighting plan combines pendants and recessed lights to illuminate the tabletop without casting harsh light on diners. “It’s important to light the table and the perimeter,” says the designer. “You can see what you’re eating and everybody looks beautiful.”
Roberson designed her dream kitchen in space that once housed the kitchen and dining room combined. A picture of efficiency with marble countertops and easy-on-the-feet cork floors, it features enough cabinet space to store dishes and barware within easy reach, an 18-foot-long island that accommodates food prep and buffet meals, a six-burner Dacor range and an eat-in breakfast area. Roberson is so delighted with her new kitchen that she calls it her “playroom.”
A seating area for two between the dining room and the vaulted staircase is the owners’ favorite spot to read the morning paper or enjoy an evening aperitif. “We spend a lot of time right in this little corner,” says Roberson. “We call it the tower; it’s really magical.”
Though the designer happily entertains parties large and small in the sun-dappled addition, she also enjoys the interplay of light and shadow throughout her home. “I’m not afraid of a dark space,” she says, pointing out the library off the foyer painted in Duron’s Sealskin brown. “We turn a lamp on in there and it’s this cozy little safe place. And the living room is fairly dim. In the summertime, it’s so comforting to have that.”
The warmer months are also prime time to enjoy the lower-level screened porch, where two Niermann Weeks chaises with luxurious cushions beckon. “I sit out here in the summer and read for hours,” says Roberson. The screened porch opens to the family room, which was also revamped during the renovation. This cozy hangout is furnished with clean-lined furniture, folk art Roberson has collected around the world—including several Hokkaido bear sculptures—and a wall of bookshelves built by her husband.
Throughout her home, neutral colors derived from nature create a calm backdrop that offsets Roberson’s bolder art and accessories. She advises clients not to underestimate the power of a neutral palette. “People talk about natural colors being boring, but they’re not,” she insists. “I tend to think that my favorite colors—the greens and gray-browns and blue-grays—are the colors of nature. I think that, subconsciously, they anchor us in some way.”
Though she is thrilled with her updated house, Roberson is probably most content in her impeccably manicured garden. She nurtures her flower beds all spring and summer and often enjoys lunch under the shade of a favorite crape myrtle.
“Gardening occupies your mind without causing any stress,” she says. “It’s like painting with living things. I love that sense of quiet when you’re outside. When I come home and get out in the yard, it’s like a mini vacation.”
Photographer Morgan Howarth is based in Reston, Virginia.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Michael Roberson, ASID, Michael Roberson Interior Design, Arlington, Virginia. RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: Charles Moore, AIA, Moore Architects, Alexandria, Virginia.
The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum recently announced the winners of its prestigious 2014 National Design Awards. Winners in a variety of disciplines were selected by jury for the level of excellence, innovation and public impact of their work.
Almost all of the awardees hail from New York and California. The Architecture Design award went to LA-based Brooks + Scarpa, a firm noted for its cutting-edge work as well as for designing the first affordable housing project in the country to be LEED-Gold certified.
The New York firm Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors, founded in 1998 by Hollywood set designers Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, won the Interior Design award. An über-cool, industrial edge characterizes the company’s portfolio, which ranges from New York’s Ace Hotel to a newsroom and set for “Huffington Post Live.” The Landscape Architecture award went to San Francisco-based Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture, which focuses on sustainability in projects ranging from single-family homes to schools, affordable housing, public parks and institutions. New York-based Narciso Rodriguez won the Fashion Design award for his “modern-classic” apparel, while Etsy won the Corporate & Institutional Achievement award for building a marketplace that supports one million creative businesses.
During National Design Week from October 4 to 12, a series of special events will take place in New York and Washington, including an awards gala in New York on October 9. For more information, visit cooperhewitt.org
1. PAPER CAPER Handwoven from paper using a Korean technique, the Nut Case Baskets stow away belongings in style. Made in France, they are available at the new Calypso St. Barth boutique in Georgetown at 3307-B M Street, NW. $45, $65, $95; calypsostbarth.com
2. LOUNGING MODE The See! collection by JANUS et Cie features modular products that can be combined in myriad ways. Pieces, including the Open Wide Center Module ($3,030) and Open Wide Ottoman ($1,952), combine powder-coated aluminum frames and hand-woven fiber. janusetcie.com
3. TRAY CHIC AERIN for Lenox—a tabletop collection by Estée Lauder’s granddaughter, Aerin Lauder—incorporates natural elements in its designs. The Rectangular Tray in Beachgrass makes serving al fresco aperitifs a breeze. $90 at Nieman Marcus; niemanmarcus.com
4. ROPE TRICK These Nested Fisherman Rope Baskets, handmade in Indonesia out of rope and metal, bring a rustic, out-to-sea vibe to indoor and outdoor spaces. $500 for three baskets, which range from 15 to 27 inches in diameter. arcadianhome.com
5. ALL TIED UP The round Nina Mirror by Made Goods is swathed in hand-knotted rope, which imparts a nautical feel. Suitable for any room, it’s an ideal addition to a home on the water. $950; madegoods.com
6. REST EASY The Supra Bed by CB2 combines a whitewashed oak frame with a woven-cane headboard that envelops sleepers with its subtly curved form. Designed by Mermelada Estudio, the bed is available in king ($1,299) and queen ($1,099) sizes. cb2.com
7. NEST EGG The Serend Hanging Chair provides an airy perch. Woven by hand of resilient all-weather wicker, it has the relaxed, organic feel of an egg-shaped basket. From $820 at Restoration Hardware; restorationhardware.com
The Fun 11 Pendant by the late Danish designer Verner Panton creates an iconic focal point in any space. The light consists of hand-cut mother-of-pearl discs that cascade over a steel frame and create lilting sounds when ruffled in the breeze. Light shining through the layers produces an ethereal effect. Made in Denmark, the pendant is available at Design Within Reach showrooms in Bethesda or Cady’s Alley in Georgetown; $1,950. dwr.com
Paola Navone is most at home when she’s by the sea. So when the celebrated Italian designer and architect set out to create her Spring/Summer collection for Crate & Barrel, she took inspiration from many holidays spent on the Mediterranean, as well as her travels abroad.
Spanning more than 100 items from outdoor furniture to tableware and linens, the collection embraces three themes that Navone associates with summer: Party, Pic-Nic and Fish. The eclectic mix includes wavy glass Fish Vases, a Fish Chandelier comprised of vessels to hold flowers and ceramics imbued with the turquoise and white of the sea lapping against a pebbly shore. Sure to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to any home, Navone’s collection is available in stores or at crateandbarrel.com.
Fresh from a $1 million facelift, Sago Spa & Salon at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina offers a host of rejuvenating treatments based on the region’s natural remedies. It’s only fitting that the spa is named for Sago—a bay grass that nourishes the Chesapeake and its inhabitants.
The Deep Forest Ritual ($210) features an espresso-mud scrub, while the Tidewater Custom Facial ($135) utilizes a variety of sea-based products. 100 Heron Boulevard at Route 50, Cambridge, Maryland; 410-901-6590. chesapeakebay.hyatt.com
Wit & Wisdom, the Michael Mina restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, celebrated the arrival of spring by re-opening its popular outdoor dining venue, Wit on the Water. This hot spot overlooking the water in Harbor East features an 85-seat patio and a bar equipped with flat-screen TVs so Orioles fans won’t miss a single play. Executive chef Zack Mills, a Maryland native, serves up fresh seafood platters and regional classics, from crab cakes to rockfish. 200 International Drive, Baltimore; 410-576-5800; witandwisdombaltimore.com
Belmond The Inn at Perry Cabin makes an ideal launching pad in St. Michaels Getaway, Maryland, whether you are combing the area’s antiques shops, embarking on a day sail or simply lolling away the weekend by the pool. The property boasts a fitness center, luxury spa and gourmet restaurant, Sherwood’s Landing, which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. Guests also enjoy complimentary rental bikes for tooling around town. 308 Watkins Lane, St. Michaels; 410-745-2200. Rates from $408. perrycabin.com
TROPICAL GETAWAY
The Sanchaya—a luxe resort opening in June on the Indonesian island of Bintan—features sumptuous villas designed by Carl Almeida of P49 Deesign and shown in renderings. Guests can sunbathe on the beach, enjoy spa treatments or sample fare in the gourmet restaurants on-site. From $430; thesanchaya.com
BY GEORGE
A boutique hotel in the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, The George offers stylish accommodations (below) along with gourmet cuisine in its two award-winning restaurants, 50 Bistro and Pescatore. Complimentary mountain bikes let guests explore the city’s charms. Rates start at $255; thegeorge.com
TEXAS PRIZE
Designed by Washington-based ForrestPerkins, The St. Regis Houston has won a coveted International Hotel Award, sponsored by Virgin Atlantic. The five-star property treats guests to butler service, a spa and an elegant library (above) appointed with a marble fireplace surround and wall of inlaid veneer punctuated with shimmering Swarovski crystals. Rates from $259. stregishoustonhotel.com
HOT WHEELS
Commemorating its centenary, Aston Martin unveiled the Vanquish, featuring the AM11 Gen4 V12 engine—the most powerful in the company’s history. The head-turning model also boasts a sleek, carbon-fiber body, a deluxe sound system and streamlined seats clad in hand-trimmed leather. From $280,000. astonmartin.com
NEW DIMENSION
Hammacher Schlemmer claims its No Glasses 3D Tablet is the only one on the market to display 3D movies and images without requiring users to wear geeky glasses. The device can store up to 8 GB internally and supports USB drives and memory cards up to 32 GB. $350; hammacher.com
POINT + SHOOT
Hasselblad has unveiled its Lunar Limited Edition camera, releasing only 200 on the market. Crafted in Italy of lightweight titanium with a leather grip, the 24-megapixel DSLR boasts full video capability and an 18-55 mm lens. $9,900; hasselblad-lunar.com
TUNES ON THE GO
Libratone’s award-winning Zipp is a wireless speaker that, thanks to its round shape, delivers 360 degrees of sound. It works seamlessly with iPads, iPhones, iPods, Macs and PCs and its changeable wool cover comes in eight vibrant colors. $449; libratone.com
