A two-bedroom unit in The Representative, a 1970s-era high-rise in Arlington, checked all the boxes for Ken Kero-Mentz and Neil Cannon. Downsizing from a home in DC’s Mount Pleasant, the couple sought a roomy pied-à-terre in a building with a 24-hour concierge, pool, gym and prime location near Metro and the airport.

Icing on the cake were “amazing views of the Capitol, the Washington Monument and the Potomac,” says Kero-Mentz, a retired foreign service officer.

But a less than optimal floorplan and outdated interiors cried for help. Despite enviable views, the apartment’s front door deposited guests at a dark, dead-end wall. Meanwhile, six-foot-wide French doors exposed the guest room directly to the living area. In the lackluster kitchen, a secondary entry door dominated one wall. And as for overhead lighting, there was none.

The owners acquired the property and soon enlisted architect/interior designer Charles Almonte to remedy the layout and refresh its dated aesthetic. He devised a plan that would largely gut the 1,600-square-foot home and instill it with better flow and functionality, lighting and storage. “Ken and Neil like to entertain and envisioned an open-concept scheme that would make the condo feel more spacious,” says the designer. “I wanted to go with a ‘Mad Men’ vibe in a nod to the modern architecture of the Brutalist structure.”

After investigating which walls could be altered without affecting building utilities, Almonte made some sweeping changes. “We removed a partition separating the entry and living area, which brought in daylight and views,” he explains. “We also closed off the doorway between the guest quarters and living room and took out a wall between the dining area and kitchen, creating the illusion of a larger space.”

Interior architecture and material selection also did the trick, establishing a clean slate where the owners’ furniture and art collections could shine. Old wall-to-wall carpet and glossy tiles gave way to pale, cork floors. “Cork makes the interiors feel brighter and more spacious—and provides sound insulation,” Almonte observes. Slatted-wood panels embellishing walls in the dining area and kitchen also reduce ambient noise; interior doors were stained to match the panels. “I chose these warm, natural elements so the apartment wouldn’t feel too stark,” says the designer.

Clever lighting solutions preserved crisp, new drywall ceilings that replaced passé popcorn. “We didn’t want extensive overhead lighting and since the building is concrete construction, we couldn’t really drill through the ceilings anyway,” Almonte reasons. “On walls and ceilings, we opted instead for recessed or embedded linear LED lights that only needed one inch of space.” Inlaid LED strips animate new hallways leading to the bedrooms. The system allows the owners to control lighting levels and colors to match their mood and even connects with their Spotify account to sync lights with their music playlists.

The redo also upped the ante in the now-sleek and efficient kitchen. German-made FORM cabinets in deep green and white rim the U-shaped space. Three-dimensional backsplash tiles reminiscent of tiny fish add playful movement. “The kitchen is a dream to work in—highly functional with everything just where it needs to be, whether we’re cooking meals for friends and family or just the two of us,” says Cannon, a retired attorney. A perch on the far-right countertop serves as a mini-office, with computer gear concealed behind closed cabinet doors.

In the nearby powder room, shades of green spring up on Farrow & Ball wallpaper that marries geometric and bamboo motifs. “We picked up the green from the kitchen and then found a sculptural, contemporary-looking vanity online,” says Almonte, who also revamped the home’s primary and guest baths.

Sleek, low-slung furniture helps realize the ‘Mad Men’ vision. An iconic Warren Platner table for Knoll and vintage Saarinen Tulip chairs make a statement in the dining room. In the living area, mid-century-style pieces from the clients’ previous residence, mostly sourced at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, create several conversation vignettes. “I wanted to convey a loungey feel in the living room,” Almonte explains. “Color-wise, we kept it neutral because they have a lot of artwork.”

The residents, who also share a second home in Europe, are thrilled with their Arlington aerie. “Charles was instrumental in helping us accomplish our goals, particularly because we have divergent styles,” Cannon admits. “Ken’s take was traditional and eclectic, while I preferred a minimalist, modern approach. Charles was able to integrate those visions, helping us create welcoming interiors with some groovy, ’70s Mod influences.”
Kero-Mentz concurs, “It’s the place we look forward to returning to every time we’re away.”

DRAWING BOARD
Q&A with architect/designer Charles Almonte

How do you determine if a condo is a good candidate for renovation? 
Condo units have shared duct chases, plumbing walls, etc., so moving and reconfiguring walls needs to be carefully considered. We typically ask for blueprints so we can trace where utilities are located.

What’s your secret to narrowing down tile selections? 
I tell clients to visit brick-and-mortar stores to see and feel tiles and take lots of photos. Then I help narrow down the options based on their style, preferences and lifestyle.

Identify amenities you recommend splurging on in a makeover. 
The architect in me says find the best general contractor you can afford. With a skilled, creative and communicative contractor, everything will fall into place. The interior designer in me says well-made cabinets, appliances and plumbing fixtures are always worth a splurge.

About to outgrow their townhouse, a couple of Italian expats with one youngster and a baby on the way set out to find larger digs in the District. A 1980s-era center hall Colonial in Spring Valley struck their fancy for its kid-friendly neighborhood, just-big-enough proportions and abundance of natural light. “We saw a lot of new construction that just felt really big, whereas this house seemed sort of human-sized,” says the wife, who works for an international organization. “It has nice, generous spaces, but feels cozy and not excessive. We didn’t want spaces we wouldn’t use every day.”

Their search was over. But the modernists who collect mid-century furniture had some improvements in mind before moving in. A friend recommended architects Catherine and VW Fowlkes, husband-and-wife principals of Fowlkes Studio. “We were drawn to their work and its simplicity, attention to detail and craftsmanship,” says the homeowner. She and her husband, a director at a tech company, engaged the firm. 

Though the architects considered the existing home a bit “cookie-cutter,” as VW puts it, they discovered their clients were anything but. “They’re daring, urbane and sophisticated,” he notes. “They were open to having fun.” Plans unfolded to steer the builder-grade home in a contemporary and playful direction while retaining a thread of its traditional DNA. 

Requirements included an overhaul of the dated and disjointed kitchen; an infusion of storage space throughout the 4,000-square-foot, five-bedroom abode (which somehow lacked a coat closet); upgrades to the primary bedroom and most of the lackluster bathrooms; new windows; and an exterior facelift. 

In the architects’ grandest gesture, walls came down to orchestrate a new, open kitchen and dining area to the right of the foyer. “Food is what brings us together and we like to host,” avows the wife. 

The redo replaced the entire right wall of the center hall with banks of bespoke cabinets—one of which contains a coat closet. Jettisoning a partition between the kitchen and dining room made way for a long table that easily seats 12. “Our clients wanted a kind of ceremonial table where life would happen, so that played into our thinking about how the dining room and kitchen would be one space,” VW says. 

Subtle shifts in the living and family rooms to the left of the foyer had a striking effect. The tall, existing windows with low sills made the nine-foot ceilings appear higher. “They added a dash of elegance and tradition without feeling stodgy,” notes VW; he and Catherine played up this asset in the living room by trading its ho-hum wainscoting for molding that suggests tall wall panels. And they added extra dimension with an understated shadow line between the drywall and ceiling, which is canted around the edges. 

The same angled detail is repeated on the new quartzite fireplace surround in the adjacent family room. A coffered ceiling and modern crown molding lend character to this casual space that opens to the backyard and kitchen. 

The tall cabinetry anchoring the hub of the home stops shy of the ceiling. “This makes the space light and airy,” says Catherine, “and suggests the cabinets are more like furniture than built-ins.”

Centered around a large island used as a workspace, the kitchen boasts a cooktop overlooking the backyard with adjacent cupboards enclosing a coffee station. To the right of the stove, a laundry room was transformed into a butler’s pantry. 

Outside, a streamlined exterior immediately signals to guests that this home has shed its 1980s mantle. Heavy, decorative shutters were removed and a coat of creamy paint covers the original red brick. The architects replaced choppy, double-hung windows with simpler casements by Marvin. New outdoor lighting and an orange handrail complete the update. The refinished lower level boasts a playroom, and there’s a wine cellar in the works.

Throughout the home, authentic, Old World materials have been applied in a contemporary way, from marble countertops to the kitchen’s oak cabinets, which rest on walnut bases. Newly refined interior architecture and a serene palette create the perfect backdrop for the owners to showcase their furniture by noted Italian, French and Danish designers and their bold, modern art. 

Upstairs in the primary bedroom, an oak partition separates the sleeping area from a new wardrobe that borrowed space from adjacent quarters. An overhaul of the outmoded primary bath delivered a serene retreat featuring a custom double vanity, oversized shower and soaking tub. At their clients’ request, the Fowlkes team detailed the space with materials paying homage to the owners’ Italian roots—terracotta floor tiles and walls finished in Venetian plaster. 

The couple is thrilled with the project, which exceeded their expectations.  “Our clients didn’t want to do something sterile or one-note,” VW reflects. “They liked the historic element of the architecture—not that it was particularly authentic. But it had connotations that remind us of a home to hold on to.”

A three-story warehouse on Capitol Hill—reputedly a bakery in the early 1900s—was carved into six apartments in the 1970s. It was left untouched until 2017, when a couple rescued the 4,000-square-foot diamond in the rough, hiring DC’s Architrave P.C. Architects to transform it into a livable loft. Avid design buffs, pediatrician Eric Rosenthal and Jeffrey Menzer, a public health consultant, envisioned the home as an edgy, industrial-style backdrop for their collection of Mid-Century Modern furniture, ceramics and art.

The architects gutted the place, preserving exposed-brick walls, concrete floors and unfinished wooden ceilings. They created a three-story tower near the stairs that connect the three levels; it houses utility spaces and cozy hangouts in the otherwise airy abode.

In 2019 while construction was still underway, the owners tapped designer Nicole Lanteri to mastermind the interiors. Curating a trove that includes iconic pieces by Frank Gehry, George and Mira Nakashima and Eileen Gray, she and her clients feathered the now-complete nest with a heady mix of new and vintage furniture and exquisite textiles. A lively color palette and quirky spirit bring new life to a relic that time forgot. A Q&A details the process.

What was most genius about Architrave’s makeover?
When you start to open things up, a home can feel cavernous and not proportional to how you live. But they created cozy areas amid open, unstructured spaces. Orienting everything around a center stair column was beautiful because it lets light in as you come up the staircase and provides an element of surprise at each turn. I also like how they owned the building’s imperfections—like the family room’s concrete floors—and worked around them.

Explain your goals from the get-go.
A few rooms were darker than Eric and Jeffrey anticipated, so brightening them up was important. They wanted color and also wanted to be able to host a lot of people in the public spaces.

Describe the vibe you were after.
I’d call the overall style Mid-Century Modern meets Japanese loft.

Detail how the design phase unfolded.
We started with the dining room because they had the Nakashima table and Risom chairs. We met a couple times a month and showed them a few more pieces each time, while Jeffrey searched out vintage items. The process, which took about a year, had a nice rhythm. It felt like we were collecting on a purposeful timeline.

Share techniques that helped avoid a cavernous feel.
I used layers to ground the space and counteract the tall, unfinished ceilings. We started with rugs that have a nubby texture. We were able to use a lot of large, soft furnishings without worrying about things feeling too upholstered because of the raw finishes everywhere. In the living room, the Moroso poufs have the same effect as a sweater; there’s a handmade quality to them.

What impressed you about your clients’ art and accessories?
I couldn’t have asked for a better collection. Their things are not fancy—it’s just stuff they like. You need meaningful objects to make a place feel like a home.

How much of the furniture is new?
About 80 percent is new, much of it from M2L. When we bought new, they were forever pieces. About 70 percent of the lighting, accent chairs, art and pottery is vintage, from the owners’ collection or newly purchased.

Why do vintage pieces add character to interiors?
There’s a patina and warmth that’s unique to every piece; each has its own identity. They talk to each other and bring in a bit of quirkiness. For example, the vintage Frank Gehry chairs have a sculptural quality, almost like works of art.

Define your philosophy on bringing color into the home.
I often find myself pushing clients to choose more color. But when they really love it, I have to explain that it can be too attention-grabbing. Eric wanted things to be super-colorful and kind of out there; we had to pare things back a little to find the right balance.

Reveal your current paint color crush. 
Backdrop, a maker of sustainable paints, has a new shade called Cake Shop. It’s a periwinkle that would look amazing with red, gray or blue.

Share a product you're excited to check out. 
Marrimor, a Massachusetts atelier, sent me details on their Draft Rug line. The carpets are irregular and organic in shape; I’ve never seen anything like them.

What piece in your home will you never part with?
Our dining table. My husband and I got it in a New York vintage shop when we were in our 20s. Stained ebony with curvy legs, it’s now paired with modern Eames chairs.

Name a film or TV set that resonated with your inner designer. 
In "The King’s Speech" starring Colin Firth, the walls in a distressed paisley pattern were so cool. They looked like someone had peeled off wallpaper and found another layer.

RAISE ME
Noted for its helical base, the Mirabilia poker table by Vismara ups the ante with a hidden bar that ascends via the touch of a button. The piece is available in 18 lacquer hues and four metallic finishes. vismara.it

GLASS ACT
Conceived by Adriano Design for Impatia, the Filotto pool table marries a glass frame with leather pockets and an Italian slate base. The Simonis cloth playing surface comes in 25 bold colors. impatia.com

CHECK MATE
Christopher Guy’s Chantal game table is an ode to French chess player Chantal Chaudé de Silans. Topped with marble, it boasts a mahogany base and pull-out shelves and drawers. christopherguy.com

RETRO VIBE
Bellavista & Piccini took inspiration from the 1950s in the design of the curvy Oskar Foosball table for Vismara. Its floating figurines are riffs on works by Bauhaus master Oskar Schlemmer. vismara.it

ON A ROLL
Poltrona Frau and Giobagnara have collaborated on a Games Collection featuring wooden sets covered in luxe leather. Think backgammon (pictured), mahjong, dominoes and more. poltronafrau.com

BLACK + WHITE
RS Barcelona has unveiled the Monochrome Edition of its You and Me ping pong table. Suitable for indoor and covered outdoor use, the all-steel model comes in black (pictured) and white. rsbarcelona.com

Rome is abuzz with the arrival of the new Palazzo Talìa Hotel. The 26-room escape occupies a restored, 16th-century gem. Studiolucaguadagnino, led by the film director of Queer and Call Me by Your Name, designed public spaces such as the reception hall, graced by a bespoke rug and museum-quality chandelier. The firm also outfitted the Terrace Suite, which features a fireplace and an al fresco perch. Rates from $740. palazzotalia.com

James Beard Award-winning chef Nancy Silverton and restaurateur Stephen Starr have opened Osteria Mozza in Georgetown. The offshoot of Silverton’s Italian hot spot in LA occupies an 1865 emporium most recently home to Dean & Deluca. New York-based Roman and Williams reimagined the 20,000-square-foot outpost. Guests can enjoy the plant-filled Solarium; a market showcasing Italian delicacies; a dining room graced by marble-topped tables, arched windows and exposed brick; and rustic fare with a focus on wood-fired entrées and handmade pastas. 3276 M Street, NW; 202-292-4800. osteriamozzadc.com

HOME MOVIES
Samsung has expanded its MICRO LED TV portfolio, unveiling the MS1B and MS1C. With screens ranging from 89 to 114 inches, the models deliver infinite depth, stunning picture quality and breathtaking brightness. An advanced AI processor depicts scenes in 4K resolution, while 3D Arena Sound also accentuates the viewer experience. From $109,999; samsung.com

CADILLAC’S NEW ELECTRIC RIDE
The 2024 CELESTIQ marks a new era in Cadillac history: Each model of the all-electric, ultra-luxury sedan is personally commissioned. The vehicle boasts a 111 kWh battery pack and a two-motor, all-wheel-drive propulsion system that packs an estimated 600 horsepower and a driving range of 300 miles on a
full charge. From hand-finished metalwork to a 42-speaker sound system, CELESTIQ offers amenities galore. From $340,000; cadillac.com

EVEN-HANDED GLOVES
Powered by a rechargeable battery, HeatTouch Hellfire Gloves by Seirus keep users toasty. Internal panels evenly warm hands and fingers from four to 12 hours, depending on heat setting. The gloves feature a waterproof insert and a premium leather shell. Find in men’s and women’s sizes. $499; seirus.com

Fringed by manicured beds of boxwood and hydrangea, the lawn of an Annapolis home slopes down to Mill Creek, where yachts gleam on nearby moorings. But the dated, 1980 home on the property did not make the most of this coveted view. The longtime owners, a business executive and his wife, a healthcare professional, had raised three kids in the four-bedroom residence. Now empty nesters, they were ready for a change.

Among the flaws to be addressed were the main level’s choppy layout, a cramped dining room and bulky millwork. Case in point: A double-height living room wall dominated by a trio of stacked mantels framing a fireplace, large TV and display shelf.

The couple called on designer Katalin Farnady, who had updated their primary bedroom and created a chic home office for the wife a few years earlier. “I wanted to introduce a modern vibe and make the rest of the home feel brighter and lighter,” says the wife. After Farnady invited architect Peter Miles into the fold, a close collaboration ensued.

“Everything felt very disconnected,” recalls Miles. “The living room was cut off by arches and there was no place to put a table in the dining room because of existing columns. Our goal was to make little changes so that all the pieces fit together and made sense.”

A plan took shape to scrap useless partitions; even out haphazard ceiling heights; replace columns supporting a second-floor walkway with hidden steel beams; and install two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows to play up views of the creek and lush landscape.

With remodeling in the hands of Bayview Builders, disarray gave way to open, airy spaces defined by a mélange of textures and finishes. The revamped layout revolves around easy entertaining. The foyer delivers guests into the open living/dining area and kitchen—which was treated to a game-changing facelift. The former, boxed-in dining room is now a glam music lounge. Miles and Farnady also retooled the laundry and mudroom, creating an abundance of storage.

The update introduced a sophisticated palette of architectural details, from the reimagined fireplace wall covered in Venetian plaster to a custom, wrought-iron railing that replaced heavy white pickets on the main stair and second-story walkway. “We created a light, earthy aesthetic that infused the house with new energy,” says Farnady.

Inspired by the wife’s love of nature and her favorite color—green—the designer wove verdant accents throughout the interiors, from foyer stools dressed in olive velvet to leafy Lee Jofa wallpaper in the adjacent powder room. No barriers block entry to the living/dining area, where a Montoro marble fireplace surround stands out against seating swathed in textural, tone-on-tone fabrics. To avoid clutter, the team crafted an arched niche that houses a Four Hands chest displaying ceramics collected on the owners’ travels.

Miles went the extra mile to be sure the mullions of the new, oversized Loewen windows and doors lined up horizontally. “We tried to stay away from high contrast between windows and trim, since we wanted to draw attention outside,” he explains.

Positioned between the seating area and kitchen, a dining table beneath a glassy Arteriors chandelier makes hosting a breeze. As does the adjacent music room, where velvet Kravet swivel chairs convey a clubby vibe. A wet bar sheathed in Patagonia quartzite is centered in a new wall of cabinetry; a hanging shelf keeps glassware at arm’s reach.

“Our clients love everything that is natural,” notes Farnady, who sought earthy materials and pared-down furniture with organic forms. “Woven textures and natural stone connect to the outdoors, bringing in a sense of calm. We have so much of nature’s beauty in the house that you really don’t need anything else.”

Cosmetic changes to the existing kitchen garnered dramatic results. Dark cabinets were treated to new hardware, doors and a gray-green finish; Taj Mahal quartzite replaced the dated backsplash and countertops; and a custom hood in a metallic-copper patina added gravitas. “It’s a brand-new kitchen now,” relates Farnady. “I’m a big believer that if cabinets work and are solid wood, there’s no need to replace them. I can give them a full life.”

Reflecting on the finished project, she continues, “Though I love a bit of glamour and the unexpected, it’s also about functionality. This house became much more organized and that gives me so much joy.”

The wife, who tends beehives and a vegetable garden on the property, says the redo has enhanced her sense of well-being. “Getting out in nature, gardening and meditation are a huge part of my self-care; our home now complements all those things,” she asserts. “It’s serene, beautiful and I feel tremendous gratitude that I get to wake up in such a special space.”

Renovation Architecture: Peter Miles, The Drawing Board, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Katalin Farnady, Farnady Interiors, Annapolis, Maryland. Renovation Contracting: Bayview Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.

ENTRY
Table: cb2.com. Chandelier: kellywearstler.com. Painting: olystudio.com. Paint: Aged White by sherwin-williams.com.

KITCHEN
Cabinet Refinishing: artstar.com. Countertop & Backsplash: inhomestone.com. Hardware: walterworkshardware.com. Paint: Aged White by Sherwin-williams.com. Bar Stools: gabby.com. Pendants: Thomas O’Brien for visualcomfort.com.

BREAKFAST AREA
Table: noirfurniturela.com. Chairs: bernhardt.com. Paint: Aged White by sherwin-williams.com.

DINING AREA
Table: gabby.com. Chair Fabric: interludehome.com. Chandelier: arteriorshome.com. Candlesticks: collectedbyschwung.design.

LIVING ROOM
Wall Treatment: artstar.com. Fireplace Surround: inhomestone.com. Sectional: bernhardt.com. Coffee Table: Custom. Side Chairs: Donghia for kravet.com. Side Chair Fabric: kravet.com. Chest: fourhands.com. Rug: fabricut.com. Windows: loewen.com.

MUSIC LOUNGE
Swivel Chairs & Fabric: kravet.com. Ottoman: Custom. Ottoman Fabric: kravet.com. Rug: fabricut.com. Wall Covering: Lee Jofa for kravet.com. Ceiling Fixture & Pedestal Tables: arteriorshome.com. Cabinets: custom. Bar Stone: inhomestone.com. Shelf: davefields.com.

HOME OFFICE
Wallpaper on Ceiling: christopherfarrcloth.com. Sofa: vanguardfurniture.com. Sofa Fabric: kravet.com. Coffee Tables & Desk: noirfurniturela.com. Side Chairs: Vintage. Chair Fabric: Stroheim through fabricut.com. Rug: jaipurliving.com. Table Lamp: kellywearstler.com. Side Table: customfurniturela.com. Desk Chair: vanguardfurniture.com. Art Above Sofa: bblafineart.com. Pillow Fabrics: romo.com.

POWDER ROOM
Mirror: Vintage. Sconces: julieneill.com. Wall Covering: Lee Jofa for kravet.com. Paint: Modern Grey by sherwin-williams.com.

Designer Joe Karlik of Locust Grove Studios knew he had a diamond in the rough when clients hired him to overhaul a dated 1980s home in Pasadena, Maryland. After stripping the structure down to its original concrete-and-glass core, he brought it into the 21st century with an “industrial light” aesthetic, combining a muted palette of amber and honey hues with dark-steel accents.

Karlik developed a common vocabulary in all the home’s serene, spa-like bathrooms. Glass walls and a custom steel grid enclose a spacious shower in the largest guest bath. Double vanities of Locust Grove’s design are topped with dark concrete slabs, and black tile clads walls where built-in niches are rimmed in bronze. The space opens to a balcony overlooking the Magothy River.

The equally opulent primary bath centers on a stone tub. Lutron shades can be lowered at the touch of a button. In both bathrooms, porcelain floors interspersed with marble mosaic “carpets” are warmed by radiant heat; drapes by Everett Design dress floor-to-ceiling windows. “I did everything from designing the bathrooms to buying the baskets and accessories,” Karlik notes. “We wanted to ensure owners and guests would feel like they are at a resort every time they use the baths.”

Bath Design: Joe Karlik, Locust Grove Studios. Contractor: Delbert Adams Construction Group Inc. 

THE DETAILS
FLOOR & MOSAIC TILE: tilemarketofde.com. CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS: mackinawcreations.com. PENDANTS: curreyand company.com. METAL SHOWER ENCLOSURE: blacksmithsawyer.com. DRAPES: gretcheneverett.com. PAINT: sherwin-williams.com. VANITY FABRICATION & HARDWARE: sunnyfields cabinetry.com. TUB, SINKS & FAUCETS: kohler.com. AUTOMATED SHADES: lutron.com.

From April 16 to 21, the 62nd annual Salone del Mobile.Milano presented the latest collections from 185 brands, in elaborate displays spanning almost two million square feet of total exhibition space. Along with furniture, lighting and accessories, the show also included EuroCucina, a hub for cutting-edge kitchen products; the International Bathroom Exhibition; and SaloneSatellite, a showcase for innovations dreamed up by 600 young designers and students from 22 design schools around the world.

Global in scope with exhibitors from 35 countries, Salone del Mobile.Milano was also hyper-local for this Home & Design reporter, who made a beeline to booths of the many brands with a presence in the Washington Metro area. Among the trends spotted were low-slung sofas and lounge chairs in curvy, organic forms, with deep seat dimensions to promote serious sprawl. Sculptural occasional tables in textural materials, from lava stone to concrete, were all the rage. Kitchen cabinetry, freestanding islands and countertops in dark, earthy palettes prevailed, with nary a white kitchen in sight. (For more kitchen trends, see the January/February 2025 issue of Home & Design.)

These following highlight stellar Salone finds, along with a new Stark-Missoni collaboration unveiled a few months after the show. All products shown are available at DC-area showrooms.

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE B&B Italia unveiled Dambodue, a riff on its Dambo sofa; both were designed by Piero Lissoni. Noted for its richly upholstered contours, the model is available in a two- or three-seat version at the Georgetown showroom. bebitalia.com

PATTERN PLAY Stark debuted a collaboration with Missoni, the fashion house known for its vibrant motifs. The carpet and rug lines include a range of styles; Missoni Tropical is shown. Sold at the Washington Design Center. starkcarpet.com

LIGHT TOUCH The Elementi fixture by Elisa Ossino for DePadova clusters orbs of light along a slender brass rod. Myriad sizes and configurations are available; visit Boffi | DePadova in Cady’s Alley. boffidepadova.com

SET IN STONE The tops of Meridiani’s Fabien Open Air tables are treated to a layer of lava stone from Sicily’s Mount Etna, then glazed using glass from disused TVs and monitors. In four hues at the DC location. meridiani.it

AHEAD OF THE CURVE Carlo Colombo’s plush Hero chairs for Giorgetti rest on a curved aluminum base lined with Canaletto walnut slats. Find in fabric or leather at Salus Homes in Bethesda. salus-homes.com; giorgettimeda.com

CHIC SEAT Designer Vincent Van Duysen channels the work of architect Piero Portaluppi in his sleek, modular Augusto sofa for Molteni&C. On offer in an array of fabric and leather options at the maker’s Cady’s Alley showroom. molteni.it/en

PERFECT FIT Jean-Marie Massaud’s Ernest tables for Poliform can be used individually or fitted together like pieces of a puzzle. Material options include solid wood, lacquered fiberboard and marble or travertine. In Cady’s Alley; poliform.it

MODERN MYSTIQUE Encased in a triangular pole, sleek Emi floor and table lamps by Erwan Bouroullec for FLOS mysteriously emanate light above and below without revealing its source. Find in four colors at B&B Italia; flos.com

REST EASY Designed by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poltrona Frau, the Archibald Bed is covered in the company’s luxe Pelle Frau leather. Choose among a multitude of colors at the Georgetown showroom. poltronafrau.com

It all started when decorator Peggy Bourjaily unearthed a green-glass candleholder at an estate sale. “I have trouble finding beautiful objects like it, things with a history,” she remarks. “I used it like crazy in my dining room, kitchen and on a coffee table with books.”

In a light-bulb moment, Bourjaily decided to launch a collection that would replicate the vintage piece. But by the time she found a glassblower who could produce it, her vision had evolved. “I decided to come up with my own creations,” she relates.

After a nine-month design phase, Bourjaily launched the collection last December under her firm name, The Gathered Lyne. (Pronounced Line, Lyne is her middle name and dates back four generations.)

The designer notes that all the women in her family adore the decorative arts. “In my childhood home in Old Town Alexandria, every surface was an opportunity to tell a story,” she reflects. Today, Bourjaily’s hand-blown candleholders enliven her own DC digs among cherished mementos. Says the mother of two, “I was hoping to create modern heirlooms that bring joy and are used by the next generation.” For details, visit thegatheredlyne.com.

Loro Piana’s Fall/Winter 2024-2025 Collection celebrates the beauty of cashmere, vicuña and other natural fibers in silhouettes that embody understated elegance. Look for ensembles in herringbone and check patterns and colors from light camel to mossy brown and tawny bark. At the Italian brand’s boutique in CityCenterDC. loropiana.com

Just in time for autumn’s splendor, Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains has completed a facelift spearheaded by Dallas designer Chad Dorsey. The retreat has also welcomed Leatherflower, a new farm-to-table restaurant serving seasonal cuisine.The updated Lodge boasts a welcoming entry and an observatory for stargazers. The reimagined Great Hall combines antique and custom furniture and handcrafted wooden mantels accenting massive fireplaces. One of two new Mountain Tree Top Houses, made of red cedar, expands the property’s suite offerings. Rates from $575 per night. aubergeresorts.com/primland

River Club bar and restaurant has debuted in Georgetown, serving Lebanese, Italian and Spanish fare in glamorous spaces designed by Beirut-based Marc Dibeh. Bold motifs animate the main dining room, with its custom seating, inlaid-stone flooring and glass ceiling panel fashioned by artisan Celine Hajj. Casa Lopez pendants illuminate the burlwood bar topped in Amazonico marble. Guests enjoy tableside bar service. Chef Nate Berry curates a menu of small plates, skewers and entrées, served mezze-style. 3000 K Street, NW; 202- 961-3777. riverclubdc.com

A National Aquarium exhibit in the heart of Baltimore’s bustling Inner Harbor transports visitors to a serene Chesapeake Bay oasis. Unveiled in August, Harbor Wetland encompasses a 10,000-square-foot floating ecosystem meant to mimic the bay’s salt marsh habitat of centuries ago. Landscape architects at Baltimore-based Ayers Saint Gross partnered with the Aquarium to design the $14 million project; admission is free.

The wetland harbors more than 32,000 native grasses and shrubs, sustained with special water aeration technology. Interpretive signage explains that, as plants grow, the wetland will attract native species and promote clean, healthy waters.

“Harbor Wetland is the culmination of 12 years of research, innovation and determination,” says National Aquarium president and CEO John Racanelli. “We’re so excited to welcome visitors out onto the water for a close-up view of the vibrant, living habitat taking root here in the Inner Harbor.” aqua.org

On a clear November morning, Steve Buchanan packed his gear and set out on a photo expedition to the Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. The Eastern Shore photographer trained his Sony camera, equipped with a 15mm Voigtländer lens, on Granary Creek as day broke and reflections of billowing clouds danced on the surface of the water. The protected waterfowl habitat, notes Buchanan, is not only a flight path for migratory ducks and geese, but also “one of my family’s regular hiking spots,” he explains. “I know this creek well and could tell it would be spectacular at sunrise.”