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.
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.
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.
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
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
TASTE OF THE ADRIATIC
James Beard Award-winning chef Fabio Trabocchi has opened his third restaurant, Fiola Mare, in Washington Harbour. Inspired by the coastal eateries of Italy, the menu spotlights prime seafood, to be savored in spaces overlooking the Potomac. Designed by architect Peter Hapstak of HapstakDemetriou+, Fiola Mare boasts an open kitchen, private dining rooms and an all-season greenhouse. 3050 K Street, NW; 202-628-0065. fiolamaredc.com
TAKE FLIGHT IN PENN QUARTER
Oenophiles can sample an extensive selection of wines—including 30 by the glass—at Flight, a new wine bar in Penn Quarter designed by Edit Lab at Streetsense. Flight also serves small plates inspired by chef Bradley Curtis’s New England roots. 777 6th Street, NW; 202-864-6445. flightdc.com
SWEET FINALE
Alex Malaise of Belgium has been appointed pastry chef at Et Voila! in Washington’s Palisades neighborhood. A veteran of Michelin two- and three-star restaurants in Europe, Malaise will introduce temptations including coconut crème caramel (above) and blood orange tart. 5120 MacArthur Boulevard, NW; 202-237-2300. etvoiladc.com
FEELING BLUE
Encrusted with ice-blue and turquoise semi-precious stones, Ippolita’s sterling silver bangles add a hint of summer to any ensemble. From $395 to $1,495 at Nordstrom stores or nordstrom.com
HIGH NOTES
Designer Tory Burch has made her first foray into fragrance with an eponymous perfume that blends notes of peony, vetiver and orange blossom. Tory Burch Eau De Parfum spray is $110. toryburch.com
SLIP INTO SPRING
A fresh riff to celebrate the change of seasons, this embroidered silk coat tops an embroidered dress in ink blue and white. Both are part of Dior’s spring-summer 2014 Haute Couture collection; prices available on request. dior.com
Facing a September 30th move-out deadline as the building they have long occupied in Southwest DC transitions into its new role as the Museum of the Bible, many Washington Design Center showrooms are poised to begin construction in their new home in the Franklin Court building at 14th and L Streets, NW.
According to Ann Lambeth of J. Lambeth & Company, a spokesperson for the tenants, a few showrooms may open as soon as late May or early June, while most will arrive by early to mid-July. Smaller opening events will lead to a projected grand opening in October. Though most vendors will remain to-the-trade, Lambeth points out that “there will be a new focus on including consumers in the design center experience through special events and programs.”
Two new showrooms will be joining the center: Doris Leslie Blau, a high-end rug dealer; and Romo, a British fabric and wallcoverings company.
The following showrooms will open new locations in the Center on the second, third and fourth floors: AmericanEye; ARC-COM Fabrics, Inc.; Century Furniture; Cowtan & Tout; Duralee Fabrics; Fabricut at J. Lambeth; Galleria Carpets & Rugs; Hines & Co.; Holland & Sherry; Holly Hunt; J. Lambeth & Co.; Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils; Michael-Cleary, LLC; Osborne & Little, Inc.; Pindler & Pindler, Inc.; Robert Allen; Scalamandré; Schumacher and Stark. Niermann Weeks will be represented by J. Lambeth and Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman furniture will be sold through Hines.
Donghia president and CEO Andrea Favaretto Rubelli came to Washington last month to visit his company’s light-filled new showroom in Cady’s Alley. With views of the Potomac, it’s a far cry from its former windowless home in the Washington Design Center.
Rubelli feels that Cady’s Alley is a perfect fit for the high-end, to-the-trade purveyor. “I’m from Europe so I’m used to design districts like we have in Paris and Milan,” he says. “Being in a dynamic location is a priority.”
Rubelli splits his time between New York and Venice, Italy, where his family has run a textile company for five generations. Rubelli S.p.A. acquired Donghia in 2005 in what Andrea Rubelli calls a “perfect marriage.” In addition to the Donghia and Rubelli lines, Donghia represents a number of luxury brands, including Armani Casa, Porta Romana lighting, Maya Romanoff wallcoverings and Bergamo fabrics.
When the Washington Design Center building was sold, there was no question that Donghia would remain in the District. Says Rubelli, “In DC, people want beautiful homes and understand great product. There’s an elevated community of interior designers and clients here. They get it.” 3334 Cady’s Alley, NW; 202-479-2724. donghia.com
When Home & Design last caught up with Mike Isabella at home, he had just finished a successful stint on Bravo’s “Top Chef ” and mused about opening a restaurant of his own some day.
Four years later, Isabella has opened not one but three DC hot spots—Graffiato, Kapnos and G. And in his spare time, he’s written a cookbook (Crazy Good Italian), inked deals on three more restaurants slated to open this year and moved to a larger apartment with wife Stacy and their chihuahua, Santino.
Despite his frenetic schedule, Isabella carves out time to relax and unwind in their comfortable residence, located just across the street from their former abode. Chopping a Greek salad in his open kitchen and living area where floor-to-ceiling windows frame dramatic city views, he explains, “I do travel and work a lot but whenever I’m not there, I’m here. It’s relaxing to have a place to come and chill. I grew up in Jersey and just love being in the city and having all the windows and getting that city feel.”
The couple was drawn to the two-bedroom apartment for its views and spacious layout. Soon after moving in two years ago, they outfitted it with transitional furniture, largely from Room & Board. Isabella often works from his home office in the mornings before heading to Graffiato a few blocks away for lunch service, then to Kapnos and neighboring G on 14th Street for dinner. He tries to get home in time for dinner with Stacy two or three nights a week.
The couple’s apartment is comfortable and inviting, whether the two are sharing a quiet dinner or entertaining family and friends. A voluminous sectional and chestnut-topped dining table easily accommodate groups of all sizes. “Stacy does all the cooking at home, though I might help out here and there,” Isabella says. “When you’re around it all the time you don’t always want to come home and cook.”
Stacy, who has a degree in hotel and restaurant management, tested all of the recipes for Crazy Good Italian (Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2012). Many of the photos in the book were staged around the large, granite-topped island in their own kitchen. The Isabellas customized the space by painting the backsplash and island steely blue-gray and swapping builder-grade lights for industrial-style pendants from Restoration Hardware.
As Isabella explains it, the cookbook mirrors his background and approach to cooking—mingling the flavors he’s enjoyed since childhood. “I grew up in a very Italian household but I used to eat a lot of different foods: Thai, Middle Eastern, curries. My palate was always a little bit different and that is reflected in the book. There are the classics that I learned from my mother, grandmother and aunts; others I cooked on ‘Top Chef’ and some are from Graffiato. Even though it’s Italian there’s yogurt here and feta cheese there. And a lot of lamb.”
It’s a fitting mix for a chef who presides over the Italian Graffiato as well as the Greek Kapnos. This spring, Isabella will open a second G in Nationals Park, serving his signature sandwiches in time for baseball season. In June, a new Graffiato opens in downtown Richmond in a soon-to-be renovated pool hall with high ceilings and old wood floors. “Richmond has a great nucleus of new chefs but it is up and coming, similar to DC when I came here seven years ago,” he says. And this fall, Isabella plans to open Kapnos Taverna on Wilson Boulevard in Ballston, Virginia. This homier version of its hip DC sister will serve Greek classics along with such tried-and-true favorites as taramasalata and spit-roasted meats.
As if running all these kitchens weren’t enough, Isabella manages to participate in a constant flurry of industry events, TV shows and more. He’s been invited to cook at the James Beard House in New York three years in a row. On April 23, he will host a James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour dinner at Kapnos, opening his kitchen to guest chef Michael Solomonov of Philadelphia’s Zahav, among others. Isabella will spar against Texas chef Tim Love in “Knife Fight,” a cooking competition on Esquire Network filmed in Los Angeles and scheduled to air April 15.
And on the first Monday of every month, Isabella hosts Industry Takeover Night at Graffiato. Starting at 10 p.m., local chefs and mixologists whip up special drinks and dishes; for $10, patrons can sample their creations till the wee hours with half the proceeds benefitting local charities. The March event—which spotlighted Isabella and other tattooed chefs who appeared in the book Eat Ink—raised funds for Maryland’s Oyster Recovery Partnership.
“Five years ago,” Mike reflects, “I was very excited to open my own restaurant and the culinary scene was really growing. It’s been cool to be a part of that growth.
“Today, we still have a lot on the horizon,” he adds. But this chef is taking things one step at a time. “If you think everything’s perfect, you’re in the wrong business. No matter how good you are, you always want to be better and there’s always something to evolve.”
Arlington, Virginia-based Greg Powers photographed Mike Isabella’s cookbook, Crazy Good Italian.
