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
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
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.
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.
The definition of sheer joy is a small child at play on the beach. Whether splashing in the surf, chasing sandpipers or digging fortiny crabs, the possibilities for fun abound until sunset—or naptime—intervene.
A couple with three married children, four young grandchildren and one on the way loved hosting the entire brood every summer, until they outgrew their modest oceanfront house in Bethany Beach, Delaware. “At one point, we had to put a crib in the laundry room,” lamented the wife. “We tried to figure out a way to renovate but there were things about the house that we just couldn’t fix. It was easier to start over.”
The owners tapped Bethany-based builder Mark Dieste to build their new, seven-bedroom vacation home after admiring his company’s work in the neighborhood, and architect John B. Hendrickson to design it. Confined by a long, narrow lot, Hendrickson took advantage of every buildable inch between the oceanfront setback and the street, and drew up a structure that is only 30 feet wide but 132 feet long. Varied rooflines, decks and window arrangements keep the exterior from looking too boxy, but the architect left the interiors—including the kitchen and bathrooms—a blank slate for the clients to detail as they wished.
At first, the wife planned to decorate the interiors herself with help from the Florida interior designer who had completed the couple’s permanent winter home. But Bethany’s strict building laws gave her pause. Demolition of the existing house, construction of the new one and all installations would have to take place between September 1 and June 15. If they missed the mark, the family would not be able to enjoy the house the following summer.
“I came to the conclusion that I needed help,” recounted the wife, who had serendipitously spotted a photo of a beach-themed show-house room by designer Erin Paige Pitts in a magazine. She called the Gibson Island-based designer and said, “As soon as I saw your hanging starfish sculpture, I knew you were the one for me.”
Pitts was hired in July 2011 and hit the ground running. “I promised the owners I’d keep ahead of the builders so we wouldn’t slow anything down,” she recalled. Pitts developed a plan that would add character and detail to what she called “a vanilla rectangle,” creating concept boards to help her clients visualize both interior architecture and furniture arrangements.
She designed custom millwork, including paneling, tongue-and-groove woodwork and box-beam ceilings, to help define rooms and transitional areas. “These details help break up the home’s long and linear spaces, which otherwise would feel like a bowling alley,” she explained. “They also add depth, warmth and texture.”
Pitts subtly evoked the seashore in every room. Adhering to the blue-and-yellow color scheme her client requested, she selected furniture, surfaces and tile with organic textures that recall shells, weathered driftwood, sea glass and reeds of grass. “I wanted it to feel like you were at the beach, but not in a kitschy way,” she explained. “The blue of the water and the yellow of the sand should just take you there.”
Completed on time in June 2012, the new home puts visitors in a beachy mood regardless of the season. The ground level, which houses an exercise room, spare bedroom and laundry room, spills out to the dunes. The main living areas with the best views occupy the second and third floors; stairs and an elevator connect the three levels.
The interiors were designed to be comfortable, kid-friendly and conducive to fun for all ages. Awash in pale blue iridescent tile, blue cabinetry and Blue Celeste marble countertops, the kitchen can accommodate multiple cooks when meals are prepared for a crowd. A casual breakfast table on one side of the kitchen and a larger dining table on the other make serving a breeze.
The living room and family room on opposite ends of the second floor are furnished with cozy rattan and upholstered seating in durable fabrics that can withstand wear and tear from little ones. “The owner wanted everything to be cleanable and comfortable for kids,” noted Pitts.
Areas for play abound. In the family room, a dedicated puzzle table and children’s play table are positioned beside cabinets that stow away toys. A play area on the third-floor landing has its own secret hideout concealed behind built-in shelves. And three children’s bedrooms all convey a light-hearted, whimsical vibe.
The beachfront end of the third floor is reserved for the master suite—a sanctuary complete with a deck overlooking the ocean, a breakfast bar and a spa-like bath. As architect Hendrickson pointed out, “In large beach houses like this one, the owners typically pay special attention to their own private space so when the kids and grandkids become too much, they have an ‘away’ place.”
In this house, said the homeowner, that situation rarely arises. “We always know we’ll all be together in the summer,” she observed. “Having everyone in the new house is awesome. And Erin was a lifesaver. I never would’ve gotten it done on my own.”
Pitts is most proud that the house reflects the couple’s aesthetic—not her own. “I tell clients, ‘It isn’t about me; it’s your house,’” she explained. “So making it feel like it belonged to them was important. When I see them in the house, I know it feels like them.”
Geoffrey Hodgdon is a photographer in Deale, Maryland.
ARCHITECTURE: JOHN B. HENDRICKSON, AIA, Bethany Beach, Delaware. INTERIOR DESIGN: ERIN PAIGE PITTS, Erin Paige Pitts Interiors, Gibson Island, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: MARK DIESTE, Mark Dieste Design/Build, Bethany Beach, Delaware.
GREENING THE EMERALD ISLE
Nestled on 450 pristine acres that include a parkland golf course, Dromoland Castle pampers guests in a style befitting its 16th-century Irish pedigree. But despite the traditional demeanor of its public spaces, the resort has adopted forward-thinking, eco-friendly practices that have made it carbon neutral and the winner of a coveted Green Fáilte Platinum Award. Rates from $350 per night. dromoland.ie
TROPICAL RENDEZVOUS
Escape the winter doldrums at Seven Stars Resort in Turks and Caicos. This all-suite property on Provo’s dreamy Grace Bay Beach features luxurious accommodations, a spa, a fitness center, a fleet of water toys, tennis courts and private dining on the beach. Rates from $593. sevenstarsgracebay.com
BY GEORGE
Fresh from a $5 million renovation, The George in DC’s Capitol Hill features dramatically updated guest rooms and public spaces. Boston-based CBT redesigned the boutique Kimpton hotel in a clean, edgy style while paying tribute to its namesake, George Washington. In the lobby, modern furnishings play off a bold portrait of the first president by Warhol protégé Steve Kaufman. Weekend rates from $209. hotelgeorge.com
STREAMLINED SOUND
Geneva’s Model XL Wireless packs an entire sound system in a glossy, compact case. Equipped with six speakers, two full-range woofers, two tweeters and two subwoofers, the XL plays from a wide range of sources, including Bluetooth, FM radio and CD. Shown here in white, it’s also available in black, red and walnut. $2,299; optional floor stand, $199. genevalab.com
ALFA ROMEO REVIVAL
If all the buzz proves correct, Alfa Romeo will start shipping cars to the U.S. again later this year. The most awaited model is undoubtedly the 2014 4C coupe. Even more alluring now than when it appeared long ago in The Graduate, the new model boasts a carbon-fiber chassis and a 240-horsepower turbo engine that goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. alfaromeo.com
SING ALONG
Singing Machine Home lets entertainers of every caliber enjoy the fun of karaoke at home. The device connects to a TV via HDMI for instant access to more than 8,000 karaoke videos. It also doubles as a Bluetooth-enabled speaker, making it far more versatile than old-school karaoke kits. Available at Best Buy for $299. singingmachine.com
Capitals fans familiar with Troy Brouwer’s moves on the ice might be surprised to find that when the six-foot-three-inch right wing is not wreaking havoc at the net, he can usually be found at home in Arlington, reading his baby daughter bedtime stories in her pink-and-gray nursery.
Despite his rough-and-tumble line of work—which landed him a 2010 Stanley Cup ring while playing for the Chicago Blackhawks—the 28-year-old Vancouver native is undeniably a family man. After a seven-year courtship, he married his high school sweetheart, Carmen. The two met at age 17 when Troy was playing for Canada’s WHL junior league near her home in Saskatchewan. After he was drafted into the NHL by the Blackhawks in 2004, she earned a business degree in Canada and later joined him in Chicago. The couple married in 2009.
When a 2011 trade landed Troy on the Capitals’ roster, the couple initially rented from a previous player, then purchased a Craftsman-style home a few minutes from Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Designed by architect Thomas French and built by MR Project Management, the new property had everything the Brouwers wanted: an open floor plan; a yard for their two beagles; and a playroom off the main living area for baby Kylie, who was four months old when they moved in last year.
“It definitely feels like we live in the suburbs, but I like that,” says Carmen. “I grew up on a farm so I like the quiet and I like knowing my neighbors.”
She immediately got to work decorating. “Troy’s style is very simple,” she says. “He likes things comfortable—and almost no patterns. Plus, everything had to be kid-friendly, dog-friendly and spill-proof.” Carmen furnished the house in a chic, eclectic style with a palette of soft grays, making regular forays to Arhaus, Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.
“When I was on the road, Carmen would send me pictures of things she wanted to buy,” Troy recalls. “Really quickly, she made it feel like home.”
A charming front porch welcomes guests into the house. A formal living room and dining room flank the entryway, which leads into an open family room and kitchen. The basement level houses a guest room, a home theater and a wine cellar built by Carmen’s father over the holidays. Upstairs are a master suite, a nursery and two guest bedrooms.
The Brouwers love to entertain in their new home. In October, Troy’s family visited for Canadian Thanksgiving and Kylie’s first birthday. “Everyone was able to fit comfortably and enjoy the time together,” he reflects. “The thing I don’t like about playing hockey is that we’re so far away from our families. We want people to visit and feel comfortable, plus we want to have room to hopefully expand the family at some point.”
The Brouwer residence has also been a magnet for Caps players—including neighbors Nicklas Backstrom and Eric Fehr—along with their significant others. “We had a bunch of players over for American Thanksgiving,” says Troy. “The guys were downstairs watching football and the girls were upstairs talking about whatever girls talk about. We’ve also had some good board game nights, with girl-versus-boy battles.”
Despite busy schedules, the Brouwers make time to serve the community. Troy recently planted flowers and painted murals on D.C. Public Schools Beautification Day. “Especially with a new daughter, you want learning environments to be as friendly and inviting as possible,” he explains. And Carmen has teamed up with other spouses to support local animal shelters with the Capitals Canine Calendar, which features photos of players posing with their pets and/or rescue dogs. (The 2014 edition is available through February at capitals.nhl.com).
The only current Caps player to have hoisted a Stanley Cup, Troy remains upbeat about the 2014 season. “The ultimate goal is to win the Cup. Before that, we have smaller goals. Making the playoffs is one.”
Winning a Stanley Cup, he adds, “is a special group to be in. All I want is for my teammates to be in that same group.”
After grueling practices and games, the couple’s home provides a refuge for Troy. “Coming home from the road, it’s a relaxing sanctuary,” he admits. “My favorite time of the day is when I put Kylie to bed. It’s probably the only time when she stays in one spot for more than 20 seconds. I don’t worry about hockey. I just love being with my family.”
Photographer Bob Narod is based in Herndon, Virginia.
ARCHITECTURE: THOMAS FRENCH, Thomas French Architect, McLean, Virginia. BUILDER: MATT RZEPKOWSKI, MR Project Management, Arlington, Virginia.
As they were embarking on the renovation of a Chevy Chase home, Studio Z Design Concepts tapped Rolling Acres to collaborate on the project, which included a pool, pavilion and outdoor living spaces. The firms worked to transform a barren backyard into a clean-lined, modern oasis for entertaining.
The half-acre site sloped dramatically, which made realizing the clients’ wish list a challenge. Rolling Acres’ Mark Voelkel tackled the slope by designing a series of retaining walls, stairs and planters that descend from the entry/garage to a dining-and-pool pavilion level, a pool terrace and finally an expansive lawn. A six-foot-tall retaining wall at the property line helps to level the landscape.
The clients wanted to hear the sound of falling water in their garden, so the designer created a green wall on the façade of the garage next to the entry gate. It features a stone fountain and a concrete bowl planted with petunias. Matching bowls, installed poolside, spill water into the pool. Interior designer Mike Johnson of Lori Graham Home helped select materials and furnishings in the pavilion and outdoor spaces, keeping the look sleek and modern.
Now that their backyard retreat is complete and planted with annuals and perennials offering color throughout the seasons, the clients could not be happier. Says Voelkel, “We’re all very pleased with the outcome.”
AWARD: Distinction, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build). LANDSCAPE DESIGN: MARK VOELKEL, APLD, Rolling Acres Landscape/Nursery, Brinklow, Maryland. RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: STUDIO Z DESIGN CONCEPTS, Bethesda, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: MIKE JOHNSON, Lori Graham Design + Home, Washington, DC.
