After the sale of its D Street, SW, building was announced last year, The Washington Design Center had an uncertain future. But following a long search, it has found a new home in the Franklin Court building at 14th and L Streets, NW. According to Ann Lambeth of J. Lambeth & Co., a member of the steering committee representing the Center’s luxury home-furnishings showrooms, the majority of current tenants has committed to the move. The Design Center will occupy the second, third and fourth floors of the building, which boasts 11-foot ceilings and abundant natural light.
FRUITS OF THE SEA
In Azur, chef Frederik De Pue pays homage to seafood, from classic to contemporary. The four-level space was designed by Virginia-based Natascha Folens of NF Interiors. Handcrafted furniture, a custom “bubble” chandelier and walls decorated with captains’ mirrors offer a twist on the nautical look. 405 8th Street, NW; 202-347-7491. azurdc.com
A CLASSIC REBORN
Edgar Bar & Kitchen brings a modern update to DC’s iconic Mayflower Hotel. Designed by New York-based AvroKo, the space salutes the hotel’s past with dark wood and leather upholstery. The brasserie menu serves up mini-Maryland crab cakes with smoked paprika sauce. 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW; 202-347-2233. edgarbarandkitchen.com
RUSTIC AND REFINED
Peruvian chef Victor Albisu has opened Del Campo, a 174-seat restaurant specializing in expertly grilled meats as well as traditional Latin American street foods. Designed by Georgetown-based CORE, the Chinatown spot features a warm palette of woods and neutral concrete walls as well as vintage crystal chandeliers. 777 I Street, NW; 202-289-7377. delcampodc.com
IN THE SWIM
Gottex’s Electric Print Bandeau, shown with matching silk pareo, captures a summery attitude with crisp, geometric style. The one-piece comes with removable shoulder straps. Available at Bloomingdales. Bandeau, $178; pareo, $198. bloomingdales.com
SINUOUS STYLE
Bulgari’s Serpenti collection celebrates the sensual form of the snake. It includes 18-carat pink-gold earrings with rubellite and pave diamonds ($13,500) and a matching necklace ($78,000). bulgari.com
GLAMOUR AFOOT
Sculpture for the feet, these smart Dior pumps combine pink mirror calfskin and acid kidskin. $830 at Dior boutiques nationwide. 800-929-3467; dior.com
At a young age, Christopher Patrick knew he wanted to be a designer. “In high school, I helped friends pick colors and paint their rooms,” he recalls. “Then the moms would call me and say, ‘Would you mind taking a look at our dining room?’”
Patrick earned a degree in interior design and worked at Wentworth Inc., a Bethesda-based design-build company, for three years before launching his own firm in 2011. His mission is to encourage homeowners to think outside the box. “There’s an edge that people are starting to experience in Washington,” he says. “People my age realize that they want to have a space that speaks to them. I want to try to infuse the hip and fresh and new into my designs, all while speaking to my clients’ wants and needs.”
Experience has taught Patrick that once a client sees what he sees, “we build this bond,” he says. “I want to help them break out of their shell a little bit, push some of their boundaries.”
CHRISTOPHER PATRICK INTERIORS: CHRISTOPHER PATRICK, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Photography: Erik Kvalsvik.
See more Hot Talent:
Practical Luxury
Jennifer Wagner Schmidt
A Fresh Twist
Darlene Chimaliro & Caty Tillman
Design Synergy
Patrick Brian Jones
Fashion Forward
Lisa Steinhardt & Fanny Zigdon
When Patrick Brian Jones headed for Catholic University to study architecture, a neighbor who had just become an architect herself gave him a gift of drafting supplies wrapped in a blueprint, with a card that read, “Architecture is about the things you see and how you see them: first you must see the beauty, then you may use it.”
Jones still finds meaning in these words after launching his own architecture and interior design firm in 2011. The move followed 10 years at DC’s Arcadia Design and another three at ColePrévost, where he worked with his former Catholic University professor, Robert Cole. “What attracted me to ColePrévost,” says Jones, “was the approach they take to both architecture and interiors. This synergy is critical in designing spaces.”
Jones’s most ambitious project to date was the retrofit of an early-1900s Dupont Circle row house into a condo building. He now lives in one unit; the other two quickly sold. “There’s no way I could’ve done it without my design experience or knowing the business end,” says Jones. “I had no problem selling the units—and I got a nice place to live.”
PATRICK BRIAN JONES, PLLC: PATRICK BRIAN JONES, Washington, DC.
See more Hot Talent:
Practical Luxury
Jennifer Wagner Schmidt
A Fresh Twist
Darlene Chimaliro & Caty Tillman
Leading Edge
Christopher Patrick
Fashion Forward
Lisa Steinhardt & Fanny Zigdon
Joe Ireland and Julie Weber, principals of J. D. Ireland Interior Architecture + Design, could see beyond the mauve walls and gold chandeliers when they first laid eyes on the two-story Dupont Circle space that would become their firm’s offices. “We couldn’t turn it down,” recalls Ireland. “It’s so bright and airy.”
The partners, who launched their firm in 2003, immediately planned a makeover of the space, which occupies the second and third floors of a 1922 Connecticut Avenue row house. Before a mortgage company moved out, says Ireland, “A designer/architect actually lived and worked here.”
Today, the main level serves as a library. The walls are white, with architectural columns drawn in around the windows. “It was a playful way to add detail without taking away from the windows or view,” says Weber of the project Ireland surprised her with one weekend.
A changing mix of furniture and accessories includes collected treasures waiting for a home and upholstered chairs illustrating unique fabric treatments. Ireland’s desk is also
on this floor, while the top level houses offices for Weber and three other staff members.
The library provides an ideal environment for client meetings around a 10-foot-long wooden table. “We wanted a bright space that wouldn’t dictate one style over another,” says Weber. “Our studio is great because it allows the client to see their project and not
be distracted by what’s around them.”
Photographer Stacy Zarin Goldberg is based in Olney, Maryland.
When Marlene Weiss-Alexander and her husband, Lee Alexander, decided to move to DC from Potomac, finalizing the floor plan of their new home in Phillips Park was easy. Working with GTM Architects’ George Myers and Mark Kaufman, she says, they customized an existing plan to “bring certain elements of Potomac to DC,” including large closets, a three-car garage and an open kitchen and family room—features rarely found in older city homes.
Defining a style for the interiors of their Colonial-style home, however, was not so simple. “The pressure of doing your own home is unbelievable,” Weiss-Alexander admits. “I wanted a style that reflects who I am. I wanted it to be artistic and edgy, but also comfortable. I create so many styles for clients, but doing my own house was the most challenging.”
Weiss-Alexander, who recently completed residences for clients in Palm Beach, Aspen and Rehoboth Beach, decided to blend elements from each of these projects in her new home. “It’s a gathering of things I’ve learned from other projects and my travels,” she says. In every room, she has mixed classic furniture, luxurious textiles, eye-catching art and a dose of glamour, balancing every bold gesture with a measure of restraint.
“I treat each room like a blank canvas,” says Weiss-Alexander, who has a degree in fine art. “I keep layering until I get the final product right.”
Subtle metallics dress up the living and dining rooms, which face each other; Weiss-Alexander grounded the glitter with sisal rugs. Platinum tones accent the living room’s painted ceiling, the Niermann Weeks chandelier and the Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman chaise in Armani silk. In the dining room, warm shades of bronze embellish the ceiling—which is covered in Donghia paper—as well as the hand-embroidered Holland & Sherry drapes and the Murano-glass chandeliers.
The foyer leads back to the open kitchen and family room. Inspired by Aspen style, Weiss-Alexander created a rustic yet comfortable vibe in the family room with its stone hearth and ceiling beams. Four barrel-backed chairs covered in chenille are grouped under a dramatic chandelier by Wired customized with citrine crystals and iron trim. An inviting sectional faces a focal wall where the couple’s ceramics, glass and wood collections are on display.
Weiss-Alexander traveled far and wide to find the right material for her kitchen island. The search led to a Marva Stone showroom in Virginia Beach, where she discovered Fusion granite. Despite some trepidation that it would be too busy, she had the top and one side fabricated from thick slabs of the exotic stone. Surrounded by solid-colored Wood-Mode cabinets, subdued Caesarstone countertops and Durango limestone on the backsplash and floors, the treatment works. As Weiss-Alexander explains, “I wanted the kitchen to be simple, and the island to be the star.”
A shopping trip to New York led to the discovery of the stainless-steel light fixture hung over the island. Its modern edge appealed to the designer, who can easily change accessories displayed on top of the piece. “I can use candles, sculptures, branches or flowers on it,” she says, “so I’ll never get tired of it.”
The home’s lower level houses Weiss-Alexander’s office suite, which includes space for two employees, a fabric library and conference room. The couple shares a home gym decked out with weights and cardio equipment.
In their second-floor master suite, Weiss-Alexander evokes a calm “California” sensibility with a soothing palette and more than a touch of luxury. “I wanted a peaceful place to begin and end the day,” she says. A Pollack wall covering that blends cut velvet and chenille provides a lush backdrop to a headboard of Alexander’s design covered in mohair. Two Fuse pendants made of striped agate gems hang like earrings completing a chic ensemble. Calling these bedside lights a “splurge,” Weiss-Alexander admits, “I have a thing for light fixtures—and I don’t like to compromise on beauty.”
The master bath is as equally soothing with Durango limestone flooring and countertops and an oversized shower where a band of metallic tile creates a bit of dazzle. An adjacent bedroom was converted into a dressing room for Weiss-Alexander; Old Dominion Trim Specialists outfitted it with shelves and cabinetry to store her every belt, bag and shoe.
After moving in last year, the Alexanders love their new home. It’s so comfortable, in fact, that Lee, a Washington attorney, seldom wants to leave. “And when we go away—we love to travel—” Weiss-Alexander insists, “we can’t wait to be back in our own bedroom again.”
Stacy Zarin Goldberg is a photographer in Olney, Maryland.
ARCHITECTURE: GEORGE T. MYERS, AIA, and MARK KAUFMAN, GTM Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: MARLENE WEISS-ALEXANDER, Weiss-Alexander Design Group, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: SANDY SPRING BUILDERS, Bethesda, Maryland.
Barbara Sallick, Waterworks’s co-founder and senior vice president of design, recently visited the DC showroom in Cady’s Alley to unveil the company’s new Keystone collection of natural stone. Based in Connecticut, she and her husband Robert launched the company in 1978 to import and create finely crafted products for the bath, bringing a new level of style and luxury to a room that had been largely overlooked. Since then, Waterworks’s offerings have expanded to include lighting, accessories, home furnishings and more.
How did Waterworks get started?
What was here in the U.S. in the ’70s in terms of baths was hideous; bathrooms were chosen by plumbers in pink, green or blue. On a trip to Europe, we found remarkable-looking baths and saw an opportunity. I don’t know how you take that leap, but you do.
How should homeowners select materials for a bath project?
First, define your style and taste. Staying who you are in a space with such permanence is pretty important. You should also look at the whole house and make sure that all the rooms tell a similar story. There has to be a thread that ties it all together. That’s where a designer comes in.
How do you find inspiration for new products?
I go out all the time with my camera and find inspiration at museums, looking at architecture and watching people walk along the street. And every time I go to the farmer’s market, there’s a new color. What I love is when I can’t exactly identify it, that means I’ve found something that’s really fantastic.
How do you hope the bath resonates for Waterworks customers?
I want the bath to be the most incredible retreat in your own house, a place where you close the door and have whatever experience you dream for yourself. It should free your mind.
What is special about your bath?
I love vintage things. I have a cabinet I bought for $250 at an antiques center and jars I found on Portobello Road in London. Those things have been incorporated in my bath and when I go in, it’s mine.
"I don’t have a designer bone in my body,” states a Chevy Chase homeowner. “But I know what I like.” For example, she knew she didn’t like the exterior of her once-boxy, 1940s residence before its recent renovation. “The original architect designed the WTOP radio tower,” she explains, “and our house looked like that radio tower. We needed help.”
As luck would have it, the owner won a charity auction bid on a consultation with interior designer Lorna Gross-Bryant a few years ago. After an hour on the phone, the two had bonded. “Lorna is from Louisiana and my mother is from Louisiana,” the owner says. “I’m from Houston and Lorna has family there. When I started talking about types of homes and the look I wanted, we had an ‘aha’ moment.”
When the busy executive and her husband, a physician, eventually decided to overhaul their home, they knew Gross-Bryant was the one for the job. They hired architect Robert Nehrebecky to handle the structural side. It was clear that they did not envision a typical “Washington” look. They wanted the exterior to reflect the homes they admired in Houston, with stonework, porticoes and wrought iron details, while the interiors would evoke points even farther south: the islands of the Caribbean.
“The islands are our favorite getaway,” says the mother of two young boys. “There’s a relaxing, peaceful vibe that you get the minute you get off the plane. I wanted that serene feeling when I come home. It’s effortless beauty.”
According to Nehrebecky, “the challenge of the exterior was re-envisioning it to be something that met their desires.” He devised a plan that would add a portico to the entry and unify “disjointed” elements, including a flat-roofed addition built onto the garage by previous owners. “I designed a hip roof on top of that which matched the slope of the existing house and tied it into the entry,” he says. After its brick was painted, its new pathways paved with stone imported from Texas, and stucco quoins complete, the house finally took on the character and curb appeal its owners were after.
Nehrebecky’s other grand gesture was to bump out the kitchen and create a breakfast room to give the family more space to spread out. Above this addition, he created a gracious sitting room off the master bedroom. Throughout the house, doorways between rooms were widened, plaster repaired and new infrastructure and electrical systems put in place.
For the interiors, Gross-Bryant honed in on details that would set her clients’ home apart—starting with the wrought-iron scrollwork on the front gate and the imposing new front door with hardware of her own design. “The house needed something a little more grand,” says the designer.
The challenge was to celebrate her clients’ love of the Caribbean without being too literal. “Some influences are more subtle than others,” Gross-Bryant says, “but I brought the tropics into every room.” Walls the color of pearly sand and textures reminiscent of foliage create a neutral, organic backdrop. On the main level, she peppered the calm with splashes of red—her client’s favorite color—to suggest strong sun, while upstairs she employed turquoise accents in homage to the sea.
The foyer opens to the dining room, where an Emanuel Morez chandelier of intertwined acrylic leaves reflects light and appears to “meander” above the table, says Gross-Bryant, who discovered the piece with her client at the Washington Design Center. Wallpaper with a tone-on-tone bamboo motif creates texture on one wall. Gross-Bryant alternated wood-backed chairs with upholstered ones. “Mixing in the textiles softens the room and makes it more lush,” she explains.
The living room to the left of the foyer receives guests with a West Indian embrace. Like a great room on a grand estate, it accommodates two conversation areas that Gross-Bryant envisioned as “guys’ and girls’” sides. “Near the fireplace is the Jamaican rum side,” she explains, pointing to the two oversized armchairs and Century coffee table. “The ladies’ side is a bit lighter and more delicate.” A Savonnerie-style rug ties the two spaces together.
A tropical mood prevails in the adjacent solarium where the boys hang out and watch TV with friends while the grown-ups socialize. Caribbean-inspired art and kid-friendly furniture and fabrics create a relaxed vibe.
The boys also enjoy time spent in the newly renovated kitchen and breakfast room. “I wanted a place where they can sit and do homework,” says the wife. “The kids can be in the pool and we can see them from here.” A glass door opens to the pool terrace, recently paved with limestone the owners imported from Texas.
While the floor plan on the main level remains unchanged, Nehrebecky reworked the second floor, eliminating one bedroom to give the master suite more space. Here, sand meets surf, with vibrant turquoise accenting muted, softly textured fabrics. A wrought-iron balcony and large windows overlook the pool below.
The homeowner credits Gross-Bryant with respecting her vision. “Lorna understood what I was looking for and made it so easy,” she says. “She let me channel my inner Texan.”
Now that the home is finished, the owners enjoy entertaining and have frequent “family play dates.” With its cohesive new style, the property is a real departure for their guests. “People feel like they’re someplace else—not Washington,” says the wife. “They come over and never leave.”
Photographer Angie Seckinger splits her time between Potomac, Maryland, and Spain.
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: ROBERT NEHREBECKY, AIA, Re:New Architecture, Bethesda, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: LORNA GROSS-BRYANT, ASID, Savant Interior Design, Bethesda, Maryland. RENOVATION CONTRACTOR: JASON FRANKLIN, Franklin Renovations, Germantown, Maryland.
As one of the top players in the NBA, Caron Butler thrives on the male-dominated court. But at home it’s another story. The 33-year-old forward lives with four women—wife Andrea and three young daughters, ages one to nine—and “in the house,” says Andrea, “we rule.”
So it’s no surprise that when the couple decided to redecorate their Fairfax, Virginia, home, the goal was to trade its dark, heavy interiors for a lighter, more feminine touch. After friends introduced them to designer Dahlia Mahmood, the Butlers asked her to redo their family room. “It turned out wonderfully,” Andrea recalls. “Once Dahlia began giving me ideas, I got excited and it turned into a project for the entire house.”
That was in 2011—the year Butler began playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. Prior to heading West, he spent a year with the Dallas Mavericks, where he won an NBA championship, and five years with the Washington Wizards, where he became a two-time NBA All-Star. Though the family would now have to spend much of the year in California, they decided to keep their residence near DC and tasked Mahmood with re-designing it while they were away.
“Spending time with my family, both immediate and extended, is the most important aspect of my life,” says Caron Butler. “Having everyone feel welcome and comfortable when we are home and together is very important to me. That is what our Virginia house does.”
While the home’s exterior is traditional, Mahmood went for a glamorous and younger, more transitional look inside. She selected a light, buff palette dressed up with gold, bronze and silver accents. Metallic faux treatments, textured wall coverings and custom crystal applications add subtle sparkle and shine—effects that Andrea Butler adores.
When the Butlers returned to DC in summer 2011, Mahmood had everything in place down to the china, accessories and fresh flowers in every room. “I was in tears,” recalls Andrea of the first time she saw the finished rooms. “It looked like a completely different house.”
One challenge the designer faced was choosing furniture that would be comfortable for both six–foot, seven-inch Caron and five-foot-tall Andrea. In the living room, she found both proportion and style with Barbara Barry’s latest collection for Baker. Light plays off metallic striae on the walls, a silver leaf treatment on the ceiling and shimmery Donghia fabric on the sofas.
The dining room is equally opulent. An intricate crystal chandelier, walls stenciled to complement the Zimmer + Rohde drapery fabric and a Barbara Barry sideboard in a silver-leaf finish create an elegant look. Large Bill Sofield host chairs paired with Barbara Barry X-back chairs “play on the masculine and feminine,” Mahmood says.
Also on the main floor, Butler’s home office centers on a custom Baker desk. On display are prized photos, trophies and a framed copy of Theodore F. MacManus’s “The Penalty of Leadership,” which means a lot to Butler. “The text describes how you can’t let the negativity of a jealous individual affect your path to greatness,” he explains.
Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Caron Butler faced his share of challenges during a childhood troubled by drugs and arrests. While at a juvenile detention center, he discovered his love of basketball and worked hard to perfect his game. He later landed a scholarship to play for UConn—where he met Andrea—before entering the NBA draft.
Today while off the court, Butler leads the 3-D Foundation, which runs a basketball camp and league for students in his hometown. He has also partnered with the Salvation Army and Walmart to sponsor the Bike Brigade, a program that distributes new bikes and helmets to students in Racine and DC.
“Having been through a lot in my life, I feel blessed to be in the position I am in today where I can use my success as a platform to help people,” says the NBA All-Star. “As long as I am doing right by my family, my team and myself, I know that I will be able to lead by example.”
The Clippers have topped their division and are headed to the 2013 playoffs. After the season, Butler looks forward to relaxing in his Virginia home. The lower level was designed just for him with masculine pieces from Fendi Casa, including a bar, a massaging spa chair and a dazzling chandelier of Swarovski crystals above the pool table. Here Butler and his friends can watch sports on big-screen TVs, catch a movie in the theater appointed with motion seating and, of course, work out in the gym.
A restful vibe prevails in the master bedroom. Dahlia Design created a new headboard covered in iridescent faux leather from Hines. The walls feature a metallic glaze with a glass-beaded stencil. “It looks like wallpaper,” says Mahmood, “but it’s all done by hand.”
The designer found the project both challenging and rewarding. “The Butlers are not your typical basketball family,” she says. “There’s love in this house. Their giving me freedom and trust meant a lot. I wanted to exceed their expectations.”
Photographer Bob Narod is based in Herndon, Virginia.
INTERIOR DESIGN: DAHLIA MAHMOOD, Dahlia Design, Ashburn, Virginia.
INTO THE WILD
Chongwe River House, a riverfront safari lodge in Zambia that accommodates up to eight adults, is fresh from a redesign led by Gillie Lightfoot. Highlights include a chandelier fashioned from recycled glass in the dining room (above) and furnishings crafted by local artisans. Nightly rates from $650 include meals, transfers and game drives; chongweriverhouse.com
LONDON CALLING
The new 85-room Bulgari Hotel & Residences, London, designed by Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel and Partners, pays homage to the luxury brand’s silversmith heritage with silver accents throughout the interiors. Suites are appointed with Italian upholstery and textiles that evoke jewelry designs while Il Ristorante boasts custom tables and chairs. Rates from $760; bulgarihotels.com
ON THE MEXICAN RIVIERA
Sybarites find a tropical escape amidst freshwater lagoons and mangroves at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. Located 40 minutes from Cancun International Airport, the resort features 132 one- and two-bedroom villas with private pools plus snorkeling, tennis, yoga and golf. Nightly rates from $445; banyantree.com
ART AND SOUL REBORN
Art and Soul has a whole new look and a revised menu too. Dawson Design Associates of Seattle updated the dining room with herringbone wood floors, sleek light fixtures and textured wall treatments. Chef Art Smith continues to explore his Southern roots with new family-style classics. 415 New Jersey Avenue, NW; 202-393-7777; artandsouldc.com
WHAT’S YOUR SIGN?
Quill, The Jefferson hotel’s elegant lounge, is now mixing Zodiac Zingers—cocktails that reflect the character of each monthly astrology sign. The mysterious Gemini—a gin, lime, mint and Scotch concoction—will be served May 21 through June 20, when Cancer rises.1200 16th Street, NW; 202-448-2300; jeffersondc.com
LOGAN CIRCLE DEBUT
Table is housed in a former auto repair shop in DC’s Logan Circle. The sparingly furnished space reflects the menu’s inventive approach. Chef Patrick Robinson prepares seared monkfish with bok choy and leek-sorrel sauce in Table’s open kitchen. 903 N Street, NW; 202-588-5200. tabledc.com
ROAD WARRIOR
Inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 race car, Mercedes’s 2014 SLS AMG Black Series combines cutting-edge, lightweight design with extreme performance. Its 6.3-liter V8 engine generates 622 horsepower and reaches 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Interiors with luxurious leather upholstery and a high-end Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system round out the package. $275,000; mbusa.com
TUNES ON THE GO
Modern-day minstrels may hit the road with the Blackbird Rider—a travel acoustic guitar that is lighter and more compact than its conventional wooden counterparts at only 2.7 pounds. Yet its one-piece carbon fiber construction delivers full-size sound and tone. $2,150; blackbirdguitar.com
IN THE DEPTHS
Water resistant to 200 meters, Fortis’s B-42 Marinemaster Chronograph caters to divers who appreciate its automatic Swiss movement, brushed stainless-steel case with sapphire crystal and luminous steel hands. $2,100; fortis-watches.com
PERFECT SOUND
Ferrari by Logic3, creators of Ferrari audio accessories, celebrates the brand’s style and performance with R300 noise-canceling headphones. They offer top-notch sound quality with 40mm drivers and ultra-soft ear pads for maximum comfort. Available in black and white; $349; ferrari-by-logic3.com
FLOWER POWER
Anne Fontaine’s Aurelia Flowers earrings create a summery look. Brass with a gold finish. In Tysons Galleria; $195. annefontaine.com
STEP INTO SPRING
Karen Millen’s Iris Print Peplum Top puts a flowery spin on your weekend wardrobe. Pair with white slacks or the matching skinny jeans. Top $170 and jeans $110 at Tysons Galleria. karenmillen.com
BAG IT
This compact crossbody bag by Rebecca Minkoff makes a carefree carry-all in leather with a 21-inch strap. Available in Mint, Natural, Black, Petal Pink and Jungle green. $225; bloomingdales.com
GO GLAM
The iconic Dior Ladylady 1 Black/Purple Sunglasses evoke an air of style and mystery. Their graded gray lenses offer 100 percent UV protection. $325; dior.com
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY
The new Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou, the company’s first hotel in a mainland Chinese city, is perched atop TaiKoo Hui (left), an upscale shopping and office development. New York designer Tony Chi created its sleek, modern guest rooms (above, left); a spa and five restaurants round out the offerings. One- and two-night introductory packages start at about $337 through April 13. mandarinoriental.com
NEW LOOK IN BUENOS AIRES
Fresh from a $40 million makeover, Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires now sports a new lobby, guest rooms and restaurants—including Elena (left), a double-height venue designed by EDG. It features marble-tiled floors, locally sourced antiques and a two-story wine presentation handcrafted by local artisans using ironwork and antique gears. Rates from $525; fourseasons.com
A BOWL OF CHERRIES
The 2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place March 20 to April 14. To celebrate, a number of DC restaurants are serving up cherry-laced dishes. Top picks (on left): Carmine’s cherry blossom punch; Ris’s grilled quail with kale and bourbon cherry sauce; and Elisir’s Cherry Blossom Surprise. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
FREE RANGE
“Top Chef” veteran Bryan Voltaggio (below, left) of Volt fame has spread his wings with the opening of Range in Chevy Chase. This sleek, 14,000-square-foot dining room was designed by DC’s Collective Architecture. It boasts an open kitchen where guests can watch as charcuterie, rotisserie, raw bar and wood-fired dishes are prepared. 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW; 202-803-8020. voltrange.com
NEW CELLAR ON TAP
Now open in DC’s new Union Market, Cordial Fine Wine (below, left) offers 216 small-production artisanal wines and 35 craft beers from around the world. Owner and Cordon Bleu-trained chef Eric Rohleder aims to demystify the wine-buying process with free tastings on Thursdays from 5 to 7. 1309 5th Street, NE; 202-548-2450. cordialwine.com
Now in its sixth year, the DC Design House will showcase the work of 24 top local design teams in a new 14,000-square-foot home (above) designed by GTM Architects. The Foxhall Road residence features eight bedrooms, eight full baths and four half baths on five levels; an exercise room with sauna; a rec room with catering kitchen; and an infinity-edge pool. It is on the market for $14.9 million.
This year’s designers are Kelley Proxmire and Frank Babb Randolph, Camille Saum, Terri Easter, David Mitchell, Victoria Neale, Taylor Wells, Jessica Parker, Iantha Carley, Nestor Santa-Cruz, Andrea Houck, Charles Almonte, Claire Schwab, Michael Hampton, Susan Jamieson, Darlene Molnar, Nancy Twomey, Regan Billingsley, Jeff Akseizer and Jamie Brown, Katherine Vernot-Jonas, Allie Mann, Lorna Gross, Jen Chappell and Ken Berry and Scott Cooke. Amy Mills and Guy Williams will design the garden entry.
The home is located at 2507 Foxhall Road, NW. A Barebones Tour on February 23 allows visitors to see the house before design work begins. The house will open for tours from April 14 to May 12 (closed Mondays) and will also feature a variety of boutiques. Proceeds benefit Children’s National Medical Center; admission is $25. dcdesignhouse.com
TWO-WHEEL PRECISION
Porsche has introduced two bicycle designs, both inspired by the fluid lines of its iconic 911 automobile. The Porsche Bike RS racer (above) is equipped with a carbon-fiber frame, Magura hydraulic disc brakes and a 20-speed Shimano gear system for road warriors who like to power their own way. $8,000; porsche-bike.com
SOUND MACHINE
Bang & Olufsen’s BeoPlay 8 (above, left) makes a striking statement whether it’s hung on the wall or placed in a room (sound can be optimized for both). It also makes your iPhone, iPad or iPad Mini playlist come alive, wirelessly or via a built-in dock. Speakers are available in a rainbow of colors to go with any décor. $1,149. bang-olufsen.com
CAPTURE THE THRILL
Skiers and snowboarders can record still and video images on the slopes hands-free with Liquid Image’s Apex HD+ Wi-Fi Snow Goggles, which contain an HD, Wi-Fi-enabled camera. The goggles’ rotating, 135-degree wide-angle lens captures all the action; images and videos with sound can be streamed live or downloaded. Available in black or white (above, left). $400; liquidimageco.com
GAME CHANGER
The age-old game gets even more intriguing with Alexandra Llewellyn’s handmade backgammon set (left). The zebrano wood board contains inlay hand-painted with peacock feathers and comes with antique weighted playing pieces. Available through Bespoke Global; $3,400. bespokeglobal.com
BEJEWELED
Henri Bendel’s Tough Girl Pearl Lariat (left) is a playful combination of Swarovski elements and glass pearls hung on a 16-inch, gold-plated brass chain. At Tysons Galleria; $178. henribendel.com
STONE ACCENTS
David Yurman’s Labyrinth Collection includes rings (left, below, top to bottom) in Citrine, Prasiolite and Amethyst surrounded by pave diamonds. Price on request at David Yurman in Tysons Galleria. davidyurman.com
GARDEN PARTY
Step into spring with Jean Paul Gaultier’s floral dress with ruching and a lace accent along the front (below, left). Made in Italy; $585. Online only; bloomingdales.com
BAG IT
Salvatore Ferragamo’s Mini Bag (below, left) delivers high style in a compact, seven-by-five-inch package. Made in Italy of Saffiano leather, it comes in Lava (above), Porcellana, Vanilla and Nero. $595; bloomingdales.com
Douglas Burton, co-owner of Apartment Zero, was “raised in museums and art galleries, visiting them every week of my childhood,” he muses. This passion led Burton to pursue a career in design and, eventually, to open Apartment Zero—a modern furniture store and hub for expositions, symposia and dialogs that revolved around consumers, designers and a growing cadre of embassy folk until its lease expired in 2010.
The absence of a brick-and-mortar venue has not stopped Burton from mounting what promises to be his largest event to date: The Washington, DC International Design Festival, which will take place February 21 to May 19 at Artisphere in Arlington (former site of the Newseum) with input from the embassies of Spain and Italy, local retailers and experts on design.
The cornerstone of the event will be “The Next Wave: Industrial Design Innovation in the 21st Century,” an exhibition of products designed over the past 13 years, with a focus on lighting, tabletop, furniture and textiles from more than 15 countries; the work of six local designers will also be on display. “The Next Wave,” says Burton, “will reveal a frozen-in-time snippet of what’s going on globally in industrial design.”
The Festival will also feature a series of public events, including a photo contest, a panel on the role of women in design, a pop-up store and more. apartmentzero.com.
Almost 20 years after purchasing their stately McLean, Virginia, home, former North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan and his wife, Kimberly Olson Dorgan, had grown weary of its less than optimal spaces. The two-story family room was a case in point. “There was nothing warm and cozy about it,” Kim reflects. “It was cold and you felt like a little speck in this very tall room.”
The home’s spacious but poorly designed kitchen and run-of-the-mill finishes also left room for improvement. So after their two kids departed for college, the Dorgans decided it was time for an overall lift, and turned to Washington designer Andy Staszak for help.
“There was no flow to the house,” recalls Staszak, who came recommended by a friend of Kimberly’s. “It was just as the builder left it. They wanted to step it up.”
Taking cues from Kimberly, who, he says, has “fabulous personal style,” Staszak got busy defining a continuous color palette of sage, terracotta and warm yellows and conjuring a look that would give the interiors a “European edge.”
Now, ochre walls and new hardwood floors warm up the family room and an oversized chandelier “brings the focus down to the level in which you live,” says Staszak. He covered the windows in “matchstick” bamboo shades that act as a scrim, letting in natural light during the day and providing privacy at night. A painting by North Dakota artist Walter Piehl hangs above the sofa; it once graced Byron Dorgan’s Senate office, where he served his home state from 1992 to 2011. He is now a senior policy advisor at Arent Fox and founder of the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute.
The family room opens to the revamped kitchen, designed by Jennifer Gilmer of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath with input from Staszak. During the transformation, the island was repositioned to provide more room for food prep and circulation during parties. “It’s so much more functional than what we had,” says Kim, senior executive vice president at the American Council of Life Insurers. Fabulous new finishes, from Costa Esmeralda granite countertops to a travertine backsplash, update the space with style.
In the living room, which opens to the study, Staszak mingled diverse furnishings and fabrics, creating a surprisingly harmonious effect. Asian elements (bamboo-legged stools and a Chinoiserie print) contrast with French bergères, a sisal rug and pillows in a formal brocade. “There is a slight tension in the juxtaposition,” he explains. “It’s kind of sophisticated. And even though there are about eight patterns in the room, there’s nothing hectic about it. I like the soft, serene look.”
Staszak repurposed the couple’s existing furniture when possible, suggesting they splurge on one-of-a-kind pieces while reupholstering some of their own classics. One of the new investments is a Habersham secretaire in the study, paired with Dorgan’s chair from the Senate floor. “We tried to use as much of what they already had as we could,” Staszak explains. “It was partly budgetary, but it’s also more personal.” The all-new rugs are from Carpet Impressions.
In the dining room, Staszak contrasted a highly polished Milling Road table with a breakfront by Zentique in a weathered finish. “I like the old rustic feel with the more refined Regency table,” he says.
Upstairs, Staszak redesigned the bedrooms in stages; the master bathroom was recently renovated by Carolyn Thomas of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. A soaking tub, marble floors and an oversized shower with a mosaic-tile wall create a pampering refuge.
The Dorgans love entertaining in their redesigned home. “As you feel more comfortable in how the rooms flow, it’s a lot more fun to entertain,” says Kim. “Byron and I are very casual, informal people. We wanted to warm up the house and I think Andy did a wonderful job.”
Photographer Bob Narod is based in Herndon, Virginia.
INTERIOR DESIGN: ANDY STASZAK, Andy Staszak Interior Design, Washington, DC. KITCHEN DESIGN: JENNIFER GILMER, CKD, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
