Beach Haven 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. 

Fresh New Looks 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

High-End Hideaways 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

Furniture Finds

At Home with Troy Brouwer 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. 

Outdoor Oasis

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.

All in the Details 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.

Private Retreat 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.

Modern Counterpoint 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. 

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

On the Cutting Edge 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 

Back to Nature Standing on a wooded property for sale in Silver Spring, chef/restaurateur Ruth Gresser and artist Barbara Johnson fell immediately for its pristine stream views and peaceful vibe.

The only wrinkle? The property’s 1950s ranch house was sited on the other side of the lot, with no connection to the surrounding splendor. But this didn’t deter the couple from closing the deal. They had recently toured Philip Johnson’s Glass House in Connecticut and as Barbara Johnson remembers, “We loved that the architect considered the whole property as the house and each of the buildings and even the lawn as rooms.” The Glass House inspired an idea: Rather than remodeling their house or building a new one, Gresser and Johnson would try to do both. 

The couple was drawn to Bethesda architect Mark McInturff’s modern work, so they called him to discuss their project. “Ruth said her partner is an avid gardener but they live in the woods where deer eat everything,” McInturff recalls. “She said they wanted a courtyard house. I heard that and it was like she ‘had me at hello.’ Few people think about their house as a combination of interior and exterior spaces. From there, we were very simpatico.”

As they outlined their vision and requirements with McInturff and project architect Peter Noonan, possibilities unfolded. Gresser—owner and chef of Pizzeria Paradiso with locations in Dupont Circle, Georgetown and Alexandria—sketched out the kitchen. Johnson, meanwhile, wanted a studio and space to showcase art. Together, the couple wanted room to entertain in a home that would celebrate but not overwhelm its site. 

Though Gresser and Johnson had assumed the existing house would have to come down, the architects proposed a thoughtful renovation that would save it, turning it into a functional part of the whole. It would be one of a collection of structures arrayed around a central courtyard, and would house a master suite, guest room, office and art studio. 

“The house was well built and had been maintained, which gave us the luxury of being able to live in it before we undertook the project. The fact that Mark was able do exactly what we wanted, which was to keep the house and have us live here made sense,” says Gresser, motioning to their new, light and airy living space.

Today, a gate beside the renovated house admits visitors into the courtyard, which contains a pool and gardens. A path leads into the home’s new wing. A varied palette of black-painted brick, corrugated metal, steel and mahogany defines the exterior structures, which include a long gallery linking the old and new wings, a screened porch, a car port and a steel wall rusted to a rich patina. “I wanted a Richard Serra but couldn’t afford it,” quips Johnson.

As the design evolved, straight lines and right angles were shifted, thrusting the volumes into the forest to maximize the views and enlarge the courtyard. “We had designed some flares in the new wing,” explains McInturff, “but Peter said, ‘Let’s flare the whole thing.’ It’s almost as if the whole property is opening outward.”

Despite its crisp, modern veneer and volume, the new wing envelops visitors like a cocoon with sunlight, colorful art and warm wood finishes. The combined kitchen, dining and living space occupies the very spot where Gresser and Johnson first fell in love with the property. The dining area faces the screened porch, with a glass NanaWall that opens so the couple can place tables end to end and accommodate dozens for holiday meals or special events. They also enjoy quiet get-togethers in the living room around their modular Mah Jong sofa by Roche Bobois.

In the kitchen, black concrete countertops and a powerful stainless-steel stove and hood are anchored by a banquette and cookbook library. The chef resisted her partner’s plea for a larger kitchen and island, opting for efficiency and ease of movement between two long, parallel work surfaces. 

A stairway leads to a loft, Gresser’s personal retreat. It was here, seated at a table from her first restaurant on P Street, that the chef wrote her forthcoming book, Kitchen Workshop—Pizza (Quarry Books), which comes out in February. 

The loft, says McInturff, “allows this to be a big, high space that is soaring and exuberant and yet right in the middle of it is a place that’s cozy. It’s like a big, suspended basket.”

Johnson, meanwhile, has created a visual feast in the new wing and gallery, showcasing her own work as well as pieces the couple has acquired. “As a painter, most of my decisions are made alone. So it was really exciting to work with Ruth, Mark and Peter because of our shared aesthetic,” says Johnson, who splits her time between painting in her studio and running Art Works Now, an art education and social justice non-profit. (McInturff is currently designing a new building for the organization in Hyattsville.)

A portrait of Johnson’s mother, who passed away in 2012, hangs next to the sliding door to the master bedroom in the original house. “I like the connection to the past,” says Johnson, “and I like that we were not the people who tore down the house. There’s a certain integrity to working with what was there.” The renovation bumped up the roof above the bedroom and Johnson’s studio and created a spa-like master bath. New windows overlook the courtyard and pool.

“Because of the courtyard, we live in the woods now,” says Gresser. “It’s very different and very wonderful.”

She and Johnson are so grateful to share this property that they can’t stop quoting a mantra that hit them one night after settling in:  “We hope the people who own this house never come home.”

Julia Heine is a designer and photographer at McInturff Architects. 

ARCHITECTURE: MARK McINTURFF, FAIA, principal in charge; PETER NOONAN, AIA, LEED AP, project architect, McInturff Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: Edward Bisese, Masters Landscape Design, Annapolis, Maryland. 

Simply Chic Nestled in a venerable Chevy Chase neighborhood, a residence with a weathered stucco façade, long wooden shutters and masonry arches emanates French Provençal charm.

Once inside, however, guests encounter interiors that are anything but Old World. The entry overlooks a living room washed in pale creams and taupes, with clean-lined, geometric furnishings and nary a swag in sight.

A couple of physicians with two young children, the home’s current owners were drawn to the house for its “great bones.” But as the wife recalls, “It was much more ornate, with frilly details that are not in keeping with my taste. I wanted to pare it down and make it sleek and stylish but not cold.” 

To realize their vision, they called on designer Kristin Peake, who furnished their previous residence 10 years ago and understood the couple’s aesthetic. Her mission was to trade the home’s “more is more” décor for a chic, modern look and create spaces conducive to entertaining guests of all ages. 

“It was dark and dreary; we wanted to make it light, clean and crisp,” Peake explains. “She’s minimalistic and they don’t like a lot of pattern. Everything had to be very uniform, symmetrical and tone-on-tone.”

In the living room, Peake created flexible seating arrangements that would foster conversation. Whether perched on two Art Deco-style chairs near the front windows, ensconced on a chaise upholstered in pewter velour or gathered on the sofa and floating ottomans, guests can linger comfortably in the space. 

Rather than make the fireplace a focal point, Peake shifted the emphasis to the walls that frame the sunroom. They are upholstered in the same pewter velour as the chaise and detailed in a nailhead trim motif; benches offer additional seating. “Instead of the fireplace, I wanted to draw your eye back to the beautiful sunroom so I extended the visual symmetry,” says the designer.

Varied textures and forms also make a statement in the dining room. A large, wooden hutch with antiqued mirrors lends some heft to the space. The geometric texture on the flax chair upholstery plays off the curved design on the cabinet doors. 

“There’s a method to the madness,” explains the designer, who expertly created harmonious public spaces with little or no reliance on color. “You can never go wrong with tone-on-tone. It’s all in the details of the layers because there’s no color going on.” 

Accessible from the living and dining rooms with views of the home’s manicured gardens, the sunroom is defined by window mullions painted in Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal. Peake calls the move a nod to the “European flavor of house.” 

Today, the sunroom provides a restful spot where the owners enjoy morning coffee or relax with a book. “My goal is to make sure I spend five minutes a day in the sunroom, no matter how busy I am,” says the wife. “That room makes me happy.”

The restful master bedroom is painted in soft gray. Linen on the stools and drapes contrasts with a chaise in French blue velvet. After the kids are asleep, the parents often work on laptops and iPads in this serene space. “I don’t mind because it’s such a beautiful place,” says the wife. 

The owners enjoy hosting casual family get-togethers and grown-up dinners in their newly completed home. “It strikes such a perfect balance: It’s a comfortable, kid-friendly house and at the same time it has enough function and style that we can have a very nice dinner party without even knowing there are children here,” says the wife. “I was really blown away by how right Kristin got it.”

Photographer Geoffrey Hodgdon is based in Deale, Maryland. 

INTERIOR DESIGN: KRISTIN PEAKE, Kristin Peake Interiors, LLC, Rockville, Maryland. STYLING: CHARLOTTE SAFAVI. 

Dream Kitchens: Sleek + Contemporary After an architect created an addition behind their Cathedral Heights row house, the owners called on kitchen designer Nadia Subaran to help them make sense of their expanded kitchen. The project was already in the framing stage when she arrived on the scene. “The bones were there,” she recalls, “but the clients were unsure about how to put it all together.”

Dream Kitchens: Modern Meets Traditional Marc Janecki admits he was initially “afraid to take the job,” when called upon to overhaul his clients’ outdated 200-year-old Alexandria home. The cramped kitchen, untouched since the 1950s, especially cried out for help.