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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Living on the water has undeniable allure, but for the owners of an Annapolis property, this enviable position also posed a need for privacy. After architect Scarlett Breeding completed a renovation of their home, including a new deck and pool, the owners called on Walnut Hill to plant gardens that would shield them from passing boats without obstructing water views.
“We were also tasked with creating a planting plan to soften the terrace and break up the expanse of the house from the water,” says Walnut Hill’s Mike Prokopchak. He and his team defined the property with a row of Green Beauty boxwood along the water’s edge, and created two large, curvilinear gardens that screen the veranda and pool. On the terrace, containers of single-stem crape myrtle anchor the seating and dining areas and provide shade. Sweet drift rose, peony, hibiscus and Nikko Blue hydrangea were selected based on the owners’ color preferences. “They wanted it to have a ‘garden’ feel, so mature trees and plants were key,” says Prokopchak.
On one side of the property, Walnut Hill covered a gray-painted fence with climbing roses, climbing hydrangea and clematis for year-round color and texture. Prokopchak also helped place his clients’ antique statues throughout the garden because, as he points out, they “help reinforce the impression of a mature landscape.”
On his initial walk-through of a lackluster Great Falls, Virginia, site, landscape architect Howard Cohen recalls the owner asking him to create a “grand vision” for the project.
When repeat clients hired McHale Landscape Design to take the lead in building their dream home in Northern Virginia, they wanted to create the same level of functionality, craftsmanship and style in both their indoor and outdoor spaces. The design team proposed a plan that would transform the barren backyard into an oasis complete with a pool and spa; a loggia with a kitchen, TV lounge area and green roof; a pergola; a play area; and a pool house with a kitchen, living area and basement. McHale assembled crews that worked in tandem to make the plans a reality.
Today, the master bedroom opens to a rooftop garden above the loggia where a seating area makes the perfect spot for the owners to enjoy morning coffee overlooking the landscape. McHale’s team selected mature tree specimens to soften the hardscape and create the proper scale between the main house and pool house.
Attention was lavished on every detail throughout the project, from the heated travertine floors in the pool house to the arbor’s heavy stone columns with hand-chiseled stone caps. Oversized entry steps with bubblers make the pool a favorite hangout spot for the owners’ kids and their guests. “They do a lot of entertaining and this has really transformed their lifestyle,” says McHale COO Phil Kelly. “They never have to leave.”
LUXE LOUNGE
Fresh from an update by Arlington designer Charles Craig, the lounge at Marcel’s features a modern mix of white leather stools, open shelving and a sleek marble bar. Chef Robert Wiedmaier offers the full menu in the lounge, including goat cheese and endive salad with blood orange and raspberry vanilla vacherin. 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; 202-296-1166. marcelsdc.com
SAVORY MARKET
Frederik De Pue, chef/owner of Table, has opened Menu MBK in the former Penn Quarter location of Azur. It will feature a market selling fresh produce on the ground floor as well as the upper-level BistroBar serving casual brasserie fare and Menu Kitchen—a special chef’s table scheduled to open in late February. 405 8th Street, NW; 202-347-7491. menumbk.com
SWEET SHOP
Artist and marketing guru Kara Brook, who started cultivating bees for the beeswax required for her encaustic paintings, has turned the hobby into a new business venture with Honey House. The Owings Mills showroom sells a full range of bee byproducts including honey, honey lollipops and face and body creams. Open Monday, Tuesday and by appointment. 410-415-3027; waxingkara.com/honey-house
IN STEP
German-born architect Burak Uyan has turned his talents to the fashion world with a bold shoe collection. His sculptural Bicolor Suede Booties seem to defy gravity with their 4.5-inch heels. They are made in Italy with a back-zip closure. $247; forwardbyelysewalker.com
IN BLACK + WHITE
Anne Fontaine’s latest collection features chic ensembles in black and white. From left: the Perrie dress ($395), Parfum jacket ($495), Matys pants ($450) and Pierick top ($185). Available at Tysons Galleria; annefontaine.com
BEACH CHIC
Ippolita’s Wonderland three-stone pendant evokes sun and sand with its mother-of-pearl and clear quartz doublets. The 32-inch chain is sterling silver. $1,195; bloomingdales.com
Builders finishing new luxury homes these days typically leave landscapes a blank slate so that residents can improve the lots to their liking—or not. Such was the case when a couple with three children purchased a large Vienna, Virginia, spec home set on a scant two acres as barren as a football field.
The owners had something else in mind entirely when they brought up the subject with architect Mark Kohler, principal of KohlMark Architects and KohlMark Builders, whose team was just putting the finishing touches on a year-long upgrade inside the new house (built by a national firm). Specifically, the couple envisioned a backyard complete with a pool, a pool house, an outdoor kitchen, terraces, gardens and more—all designed in a modern, clean-lined style. “Our kids are young; we entertain a lot and we have a lot of family,” explains the wife. “We wanted a place where we could all gather, where everyone could come, relax and enjoy.”
Kohler invited landscape architect Howard Cohen of Surrounds to collaborate on a comprehensive design that would take the landscaping and pool house into account. First, Cohen proposed a conceptual plan that would orient a rectangular pool and adjacent pool house perpendicular to the house to keep sight lines open. Then Kohler designed the pool house—a stone and glass structure with window walls on two sides and a cantilevered shed roof. “What Mark came up with was really cool,” says Cohen. “We kept the same clean look and designed the landscape to be uncluttered and simple.”
Time was of the essence when the designs were finalized. The owners were planning a family reunion for 100 and wanted the backyard ready in less than six months. So the KohlMark and Surrounds teams went into high gear, tag-teaming on permits and utility lines to streamline the process. “It was a massive joint effort,” Kohler recalls. The frenzy paid off as the project was completed in time for the big day.
The main door to the backyard was originally five feet above ground level, so Surrounds implemented major grade changes to extend terraces up to the residence. Now, the owners can walk straight out onto a dining terrace.
Walnut travertine paves the terraces throughout the entire project. An outdoor kitchen complete with two grills (one for meat, one reserved for vegetarian use), refrigerator, stove top, sink and serving counter can accommodate parties large and small. Nearby, a custom fire table rimmed by comfortable outdoor seating creates a dramatic gathering spot after dark. A private spa is nestled behind the pool house. Beyond, a full sport court plays double duty as a basketball or tennis venue and a fenced-in, 30-by-30-foot garden that Surrounds primed with fertile soil awaits fruit and vegetable planting by the owners this spring.
Kohler selected Dove Gray Chocolate stone for the pool house exterior since it’s also used on the main residence. “We did pick up on the stone that was already on the house,” he says. “Otherwise, the pool house is completely contemporary and meant to be a little elegant gem in the backyard.”
Inside, an inviting seating area with a fireplace and flat-screen TV, a spacious kitchen, powder room and separate shower room cater to year-round fun, whether the family is hosting a kids swim party or watching football on a winter afternoon.
Crisp detailing and a palette of organic materials blur the lines between indoors and out. A wall of maple surrounds the fireplace while granite countertops and glass tiles grace the kitchen. The travertine floor slabs inside the structure align with their outdoor counterparts in perfectly seamless geometry. “It all had to tie in,” explains Kohler. “The tiles carry right through to the patio and the roof and ceiling and everything else.
“The pool house has a lot of glass but it’s well insulated with a spray-foam material. In fact, I think it would make a neat house on its own if you extend it a bit.”
Interior designer Kathy Lipscomb worked with the homeowner to outfit the pool house with hip, stylish and kid-friendly furniture, mostly sourced at B&B Italia in New York.
The family is thrilled with their new entertainment hub, which won KohlMark a Grand Contractor of the Year award for detached structure, as well as Home & Design’s Award of Excellence. “We look out and can’t believe this is our yard,” says the owner. “We don’t need to go on vacation; we can just step outside.”
Photographer Greg Hadley is based in Fairfax, Virginia.
ARCHITECTURE: MARK KOHLER, AIA, principal; WILLIAM FLETCHER, project architect, KohlMark Architects PC, Burke, Virginia. CONSTRUCTION: WADE GREENE, KohlMark Builders Inc., Burke, Virginia. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: HOWARD COHEN, Surrounds, Sterling, Virginia. INTERIOR DESIGN: KATHY LIPSCOMB, Kathy Lipscomb Interior Design, LLC, Boyce, Virginia. KITCHEN DESIGN: AMY PACEK, Integrated Kitchens, Gaithersburg, Maryland. POOL: TOWN AND COUNTRY POOLS, Sterling, Virginia.
JOY RIDE
Audi’s 2014 R8 turns heads with its refined exterior and sculpted grille. The all-new V10 boasts a seven-speed transmission and goes from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds. Interior seats are available in diamond-stitched leather. From $114,900 for V8 and $151,200 for V10. audi.com
ADVENTURE TECH
Inspired by vintage dive watches and iconic sports cars, the Swiss-made Skywatch combines precision movement with hip style. Resistant in depths up to 100 meters, the watches are available with 44mm or 38mm cases and straps in premium silicone or Italian sailcloth. $295. skywatchsite.com
LIGHT SHOW
The JBL Pulse speaker by Harman International livens up any party with an LED light show to accompany the music. The Pulse streams music wirelessly via Bluetooth from any portable device; a rechargeable lithium-ion battery keeps the high-fidelity sound and light show going for five-hour sets. $199. jbl.com
BE JEWELED
The Atlas pendant and rings by Tiffany combine 18-karat white gold with diamonds for a modern but delicate look. Pendant, $1,850; small ring, $3,000; wide ring, $3,500. tiffany.com
COLD CAPER
Karen Millen’s wool Investment Cape ($599) creates a sleek silhouette. Trimmed in a faux-fur collar, it’s paired here with a checked-print jean ($139) and pony and leather boots ($299). Available in Tysons Galleria.karenmillen.com
BOHO CHIC
The ITA Collection—a new brand by sister design team Bita and Rouzita Vahhabaghai—has introduced a line of handbags inspired by the worlds of fashion, art and architecture. The Bibi II combines rhodium-plated metal with black calf hair and Italian leather. $1,895. itacollection.com
OUT OF THE BAYOU
A complete makeover by DC-based Gensler has brought a fresh, polished look to Acadiana while remaining true to the restaurant’s Cajun character. The new dining room features booths clad in reclaimed barn wood and oversized black organza drum chandeliers “dripping” with crystals. Above: A trio of deviled eggs on the menu. 901 New York Avenue, NW; 202-408-8848.acadianarestaurant.com
TROPICAL GETAWAY
Ka’ana Resort Belize encourages guests to experience the beauty of this Central American country with a cave-tubing adventure (above) while pampering them with luxury accommodations (two-bedroom pool villa is pictured, left); gourmet cuisine featuring produce from the resort’s own organic garden; and private picnics. Rates from $300. kaanabelize.com
LUXURY IN THE ALPS
Located in Austria’s Lech-Zurs ski resort, Bentley’s House pampers guests in style. Ensconced in one of its three chalets (pictured), they enjoy sumptuous fireside meals served by their own butler and wines from a 1,000-bottle cellar. Après ski, spa treatments, a vitality pool and gym beckon. From $1,000 per night for a chalet that sleeps four. bentleyshouse.com
TAKE MANHATTAN
Relive New York’s glory days in The Chatwal Hotel, a 1905 Stanford White landmark that has been painstakingly restored by architect Thierry Despont in Art Deco style. A meeting room called the Stanford White Studio preserves the building’s original paneling (pictured), while its 76 guest rooms and suites envelop guests with Frette linens and walls upholstered in luxurious ultra-suede. Nightly rates from $825. thechatwalny.com
TASTE OF SPAIN
Barcelona Wine Bar is serving up tapas with attitude in Logan Circle. The new hot spot designed by co-owner Sasa Mahr batuz features custom-built tables and chairs; original artwork hung on reclaimed-wood walls; and a wine cellar in the bar area. 1622 14th Street, NW; 202-588-5500. barcelonawinebar.com
MAKE A SPLASH
Avión Tequila has introduced its newest product, Avión Reserva 44. Aged for 43 months in a temperature-controlled cave and one month in a special barrel, this deep, complex tequila is bottled in crystal decanters hand-signed and -numbered by company founder Ken Austin. $150. tequilaavion.com
