JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012
As the holiday season winds down and the last ornaments are put away, most people are happy to take a break from entertaining. But spending time indoors with family and friends can add some spice to the otherwise dreary months ahead.
For hosts who want to entertain in style but don’t have the time or talent to fuss over tabletop designs, flower arrangements and the like, help is at hand. Manvi Drona-Hidalgo, a Takoma Park stylist and blogger (mochatini.net), is an authority on creating chic tablescapes for any occasion. When she’s not staging vignettes for HGTV, she helps clients create one-of-a-kind looks at home—without breaking the budget.
First, she meets with the client to discuss the scope of the party. “We talk about what’s on the menu and the flow of the event,” Drona-Hidalgo explains. “I see what they have at home and if we can buy one or two more elements.”
Drona-Hidalgo recommends that homeowners purchase a set of white dinner plates, which can be dressed up with colorful but less expensive dessert and salad plates as accents. “I might run to a thrift store and see if there’s anything in a color scheme we can play with,” she says. One of her favorite sources for unexpected finds is the Salvation Army. “You’d be amazed at what people in the Washington area give away—without knowing what they’re actually giving away.”
Drona-Hidalgo’s novel schemes may involve repurposing wallpaper as a table runner, creating napkins out of vibrant fabrics, and crafting fabulous centerpieces using unexpected materials—from ornamental oregano to hollow birch bark. She also helps clients fashion easy floral arrangements.
Another business, H.Bloom (hbloom.com), is generating local buzz for its flower subscription service. The startup, which also operates in New York, delivers fresh flowers to consumers’ doorsteps at an affordable price point, starting at $29 per delivery. “The last thing you want to worry about the day of a party is trying to find the right flowers to put the finishing touch on your space,” says Sean Wainwright, manager of H.Bloom in DC. “We’re completely open to rescheduling your delivery and getting you a fresh bouquet right before your event.”
Another new company, Host a Toast (hostatoast.com) puts a spin on the typical dinner party with special wine and spirits pairings led by wine experts or mixologists. “We bring an educational aspect to the typical party,” says founder Jacqueline Geyfman. “We focus on engaging guests and giving them a memorable experience so they walk away gaining something new.”
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012
It would be the first Thanksgiving for Nicholas and Romie Stefanelli in their century-old row house in DC’s up-and-coming Atlas District, and on a sunny November morning the chef had some cooking to do. The next day, 20 guests were gathering at their home—in addition to the 275 patrons awaiting Thanksgiving dinner at DC’s popular Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca.
Tall orders like these are all in a day’s work for 31-year-old Stefanelli, who was named 2010 Rising Culinary Star by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. Having quickly climbed the ranks at some of the area’s top restaurants, the Maryland native has little time for entertaining given his six-day work week.
Nick and Romie were introduced by mutual friends in Dewey Beach. They married in 2008 and settled into a condo in Virginia, but Stefanelli soon tired of the commute into DC—and the cramped kitchen. “Once I tried to make a seven-course dinner in the condo,” he recalls. “Guys were coming in with sides of beef and I only had four burners. It was a very long day.” The couple eventually decided to search for a house in the District, a process that would take a year and 60-plus visits with their real estate agents.
When they saw the renovated Northeast row house, it was love at first sight. Developer Ryan Loughlin of Rainbow Properties had created an open plan on the main level and added central air conditioning and a modern kitchen. These upgrades, combined with such period details as original moldings and an exposed brick wall, cinched the deal. “The house had almost everything we wanted,” says Romie, an account director at a marketing firm. They bought it in December 2010.
The main level houses a living area, dining room and kitchen. Family photographs and mementoes collected on their travels dot the walls and tabletops. Upstairs in the master bedroom the Stefanellis removed crawl space to create higher ceilings and added built-in cabinetry. A second bedroom doubles as a guest room and home office.
The house has a small yard where in warmer months the couple grows rosemary, tomatoes and “a plethora of basil,” says Stefanelli. “I think I made four months’ worth of pesto this year and it all grew back.”
With a mother of Greek descent and an Italian father, it is no wonder that Nick grew up in a home where vegetable gardens and cooking from scratch were the norm. But it was fashion—not cuisine—that first lured him to Italy. On a trip to Milan to enroll in fashion school, he got hooked on food instead. “I saw food culture there that the U.S. didn’t have,” he explains. “I wanted to become a part of that.” So he enrolled in Maryland’s L’Academie de Cuisine, landed an externship at Roberto Donna’s legendary Galileo and, later, worked with chef Fabio Trabocchi at Maestro and New York’s Fiamma. “I’ve had very good teachers who gave me some good background,” he understates.
In 2009, restaurateur Ashok Bajaj tapped Stefanelli to open Bibiana. Two years later, the restaurant earned a three-star review from Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, who confessed to taking “personal communion with pasta” under Stefanelli’s spell.
Adept at putting a spin on the classics, the chef explores “variables in cultural identity.” Lately, he’s been turned on by seaweed he discovered on a trip to Shanghai. “When you travel, you take back what you learned and apply it. These seaweeds give you an earthy flavor and tie in nicely with mushrooms. They’re not necessarily an Italian ingredient, but there is seaweed in the Mediterranean,” he reasons. “I like being able to put a twist on different things.”
On Sundays, he and Romie catch up with friends and Stefanelli works out on long rides with a cycling team. He also devotes time to worthy causes, from feeding DC’s hungry to promoting school nutrition. On January 22, he will participate in Sunday Night Suppers—when 30 local chefs will cook $500-a-person dinners in private homes; the proceeds will benefit Martha’s Table and DC Central Kitchen.
For now, the Stefanellis are enjoying their new home and looking forward to what the future might bring. In five years, Stefanelli muses, perhaps he’ll have his own restaurant. “Whether it’s with the group I’m with or on my own, time will tell. I’m at a good place right now, and I have the ability to grow.”
Nick Stefanelli’s Chestnut Soup
1 pound peeled chestnuts
1 small celery root, diced
6 shallots, peeled and sliced
10 button mushroom,s sliced
3 quarts of chicken stock
½ pound butter
2 bay leaves
2 cups of Marsala or Madeira
Place a medium-sized stock pot over medium heat and add the butter. Once butter begins to foam, add the chestnuts and gently toast in two or three batches, being careful not burn the burn the butter. Once all the chestnuts have been toasted, remove from the pot and add the shallots, mushrooms and celery root and cook until golden brown. Then deglaze the pot with the Maderia or Marsala. Reduce the wine by half and add the chestnuts, chicken stock, and bay leaves. Bring the liquid to a simmer and let cook for about 45 minutes or until the chestnuts are soft. Then pureé in a blender to a smooth and creamy consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
Photographer Bob Narod is based in Herndon, Virginia.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012
Washington-based Nestor Santa-Cruz first discovered the work of the late French designer Jean-Michel Frank when he was 17 years old and an aspiring architect. “I used to get ten dollars from my grandfather every month and I would buy Architectural Digest,” he recalls. “One of my first copies was a 1976 issue with the Paris apartment of Yves St. Laurent that was believed to have been designed by Frank.” The same issue featured an essay on Frank by Van Day Truex of the Parsons School of Design in Paris, where Frank taught a class and designed the classic Parsons table. Santa-Cruz has admired Frank’s pared-down interiors and iconic furniture designs ever since.
Today a design director for Gensler who also has his own residential interiors practice, Santa-Cruz often pays homage to Frank in his work. Such was the case in an Alexandria, Virginia, home, recently completed for a couple and their three sons. They approached Santa-Cruz after seeing his work in magazines and a show house. “Of his projects I’ve seen, even though there are threads of commonality, they are very much suited to the client,” says the wife. “With Nestor, I knew I wouldn’t get another cookie-cutter design. I felt like I was going to get my own look.”
She and her husband asked Santa-Cruz to create quiet, slightly masculine interiors in the elegant Belle Haven home that they had recently updated with help from Texas-based architect Pedro Aguirre. The 1948 residence, with its stone façade and simple form, lent itself to a restrained approach. “To me, there’s a Puritan kind of lack of decoration on the exterior that makes sense with my clients’ interest in a minimal look—not a lot of tchotchkes or unnecessary things,” he explains. “It fit very well to do this sort of pared-down minimalism that is warm and comfortable.”
Before he lifted a pencil, Santa-Cruz introduced the homeowners to Frank. He gave them a copy of The Stylemakers: Minimalism and Classic Modernism 1915-1945, written by his friend Mo Amelia Teitelbaum, which details the designer’s work in Europe and Argentina. “I wanted to help them understand that this current design aesthetic—minimalism—comes from the history of design and show them how we could connect it to modern living,” says Santa-Cruz.
“When you look at Paris and what was going on at the time, Frank came out of that brilliant era,” says the wife. “I saw where Nestor was going and just loved it.”
Once the vision was clear, the designer set about furnishing rooms with a spare touch—emphasizing precious materials and textures but, in true Frank style, limiting art and accessories to a few carefully chosen pieces. An overall palette of grays and creams creates a subdued backdrop that the designer likens to a cashmere sweater.
In the foyer, he juxtaposed an English-style console with a modern stool of his own design, inspired by a Frank piece. A classic sofa in chenille and two Holly Hunt bergères invite repose while a waterfall table in shagreen—one of Frank’s favorite materials—lends texture and pattern to the look.
In the dining room, a Murano glass chandelier found in Argentina adds a hint of color above the table. Shades of gray reappear in the kitchen, where Aguirre combined the latest appliances with marble countertops and other details that suit the home’s vintage.
Santa-Cruz achieved a sense of serenity in the master bedroom. A parchment bench, a Louis XVI chair and a Niermann Weeks table lamp called Le Michel all pay tribute to Frank’s aesthetic.
Aside from the study, the homeowners have left the windows bare to make the most of views that include glimpses of the Potomac River during the winter. But remaining open to change is part of the Modernist oeuvre. “The house really became a canvas they can build upon,” says Santa-Cruz. “We may add draperies; maybe not. But in the meantime the story is complete with their intent.”
The homeowners could not be happier. “It is amazing what Nestor put us in touch with—pieces from Paris, Argentina, L.A.—that we would never have known about. He’s so well traveled and able to pull from his sources all the time,” says the wife.
“We ended up with this little jewel of a comfortable home,” Santa-Cruz observes. “I was certainly influenced by the work of Frank, yet it has its own personality.”
Photographer Angie Seckinger splits her time between Potomac, Maryland, and Spain.
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: PEDRO AGUIRRE, Pedro J. Aguirre Architect, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: NESTOR SANTA-CRUZ, IIDA, LEED AP, Nestor Santa-Cruz Decoration, Washington, DC.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
Perched on a crest overlooking the Potomac River in Glen Echo, Maryland, the steel, concrete and wooden house stands just as majestic as the parkland surrounding it. Washington architect Robert M. Gurney designed the boldly modern main house, the detached garage/home office and the open, airy spaces they contain to celebrate this enviable site with minimal impact on the sylvan landscape.
After purchasing the property and tearing down its outdated house, a Washington developer approached Gurney to design his residence. The owner’s wish list included a swimming pool, an unexpected material palette and an emphasis on the views. Preserving mature-growth trees was also a priority.
Gurney carefully considered the site and the challenges it posed. He located the house on the previous home’s foundation to minimize excavation. He wanted to integrate the pool on the home’s main living level—but the lot’s steep incline would make that next to impossible. Gurney solved the dilemma by literally suspending the pool off the rear living space. This dramatic feat of engineering (the pool is supported 20 feet off the ground with massive concrete buttresses) creates a visual drop-off from the living room to the shimmering water to the untamed woods beyond.
“Because we suspended the pool, we didn’t have to take down one mature tree, which is pretty amazing given that in essence this is a wooded lot,” Gurney explains. “Sixty percent of the house was built on the existing foundation; we only increased the footprint by 40 percent with the garage. We were able to design a decent-sized house without taking down many trees, which is one of the nice things about the site. You really feel as though you’re in a tree house.”
On approach from the street, visitors are greeted by an orderly pea gravel courtyard framed by stucco walls. The main house, clad in Red Balau wood and soft gray terne-coated stainless steel, sets a decidedly modern tone. A tranquil reflecting pool separates the residence from the detached garage, which also houses an office and a guest suite. After sunset, the garage appears to glow, thanks to panels of Kalwall, a translucent material resembling Shoji screens. “The idea,” says Gurney, “was to allow the garage to act as a lantern and light up the whole carport in front of the house.”
The reflecting pool serves as a threshold, ushering visitors from the everyday into another realm. Gurney laid out the floor plan in a linear fashion, oriented along the ridge so that every room on the first and second floors—with the exception of one bedroom—enjoys dramatic views.
Once inside, subtle detailing defines the living, dining and kitchen areas in what is essentially an open space surrounded by trees. A quarter-sawn white oak built-in concealing a TV and media system, and a wide panel of lava stone containing a fireplace, anchor the living room. Gurney juxtaposed the horizontal direction of the stone with a vertical slot that opens to the front hall. “The whole piece floats away from the wall at the far end of the living room,” he says.
White oak built-ins also rim one side of the dining area. In the kitchen, two islands—one housing ovens, a cooktop and down-draft exhaust fan and the other a sink and dishwasher—provide plenty of space for cooking. The refrigerator, freezer and small appliances are hidden away in aluminum-faced cabinetry.
With so much room for storage, the clutter-free living spaces are defined by carefully crafted organic elements, from the Pompeii Scarpaletto floors to the lava-stone fireplace surround. “I tried to break up the space with a series of elements—the fireplace element, the built-in element in the dining room,” explains Gurney. “I didn’t create spaces with walls but did it with millwork and finish materials.” Interior designer Therese Baron Gurney, who is married to the architect, selected pared-down furnishings with a low profile that are perfectly proportioned to the space.
The minimal palette allows the views to take center stage. Says Gurney, “It’s a site where you’re really close to downtown DC but you feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere.”
The second floor features two guest bedrooms with en suite baths plus a large master suite encompassing a bedroom, a small office and a luxurious bath. The lower level, with a living area, game room and mechanical space, opens to the backyard at grade, since the pool is suspended above it.
Gurney and builder Lewis Bloom worked hard to design and build the project sustainably. They employed structural, precast concrete planks as a floor base, which minimized construction time and waste and also enabled them to easily install energy-efficient radiant heat flooring. Large overhangs reduce solar gain in the summer. “Basically, between the radiant-heat flooring and the overhangs on the south and west, the owner’s utility bills are minimal despite all the glass,” Gurney says.
With his office ensconced in the detached garage, the owner was also able to lighten his carbon footprint by eliminating a commute. “He wanted the office to feel like he was not in the house, but to be part of this complex so he didn’t have to drive to work,” says Gurney. “The office is a very nice space, but you have to leave the house to get to it.”
Photographer Maxwell MacKenzie is based in Washington, DC.
ARCHITECTURE: ROBERT M. GURNEY, FAIA, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: THERESE BARON GURNEY, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: LEWIS BLOOM, Bloom Builders, Washington, DC.
The crisply detailed Victorian, with its wraparound porch, bay windows and cedar-shake exterior, looks as true to its century-old roots as the other homes lining its peaceful Chevy Chase street. But beyond the prim façade, tradition gives way to the 21st century and a thoroughly modern interior unfolds.
Initially, the owners had no intention of embarking on a large-scale project; they simply wanted to finish their basement so that their three sons would have an indoor play space. The existing basement, according to builder Laurence Cafritz, was a wet, leaky mess with low, six-foot ceilings. “It was pretty grungy down there,” he says.
Creating usable space in the basement would involve major excavation. As the owners weighed their options, they decided to expand the scope of the work and renovate the entire house, which had other pitfalls including an antiquated kitchen and an awkward 1980s rear addition.
Tearing down the house would be faster, easier—and far less expensive—than retaining part of the original. But the owners were concerned about preserving the historical integrity of their street. “They wanted a modern home,” says Cafritz. “But they didn’t want to disrupt the whole streetscape. They wanted to save the front and certain elements that are really appealing.”
The owners approached architect Andreas Charalambous to execute their vision, preserving the façade and front rooms of the original house, then transitioning to a modern, open program. Charalambous drew up the conceptual plan and then architects Steven Spurlock and J. Garrett Pressick of Wnuk Spurlock took over, completing the working drawings and finish details. About 1,000 square feet of the original house remain intact, with 7,000 square feet of the new or remodeled space making up the rest in the first and second floors and new, fully finished basement.
Beyond the foyer and front living room on the main floor and front bedrooms above, the existing house was demolished. Cafritz and his team had to design and build support systems to preserve the old structure and its roof during the excavation and new construction. “We had to put our heads together and build temporary frames, columns and beams,” he recalls. “Then we had to figure out how to build the new and remove the temporary without compromising anything. When it’s done, you have no idea that we had to go through that process.”
Today, visitors enter what Spurlock and Pressick call a “portal” where the now-restored stair rail, moldings and double-sided fireplace mantels convey the home’s architectural heritage. The traditional detail gives way to modern in the gallery, with its recessed flush baseboards and halogen lighting. On the right, the gallery leads to the dining and family rooms, where the octagonal 1980s addition once stood.
To the left, the gallery opens onto a completely refurbished kitchen with Poggenpohl cabinetry, a custom raised breakfast bar and TurboChef ovens. A former screened porch has been converted into a keeping room with a built-in desk for homework. Abutting the kitchen, a new entrance leads to a mudroom where lockers for each family member keep clutter at bay. It contains a family powder room, while a more formal powder room is located off the gallery. Both gallery and kitchen offer access to a terrace in the backyard, where the clean-lined rear façade reflects the home’s new modern aesthetic.
Second-floor updates include an airy landing with skylights, a master suite with a spa-like bath complete with a steam shower, and new bedrooms and bathrooms for the boys. The sons now enjoy a full basement with a home gym and a large play area where “abuse-resistant” walls can withstand incoming hockey pucks. There is also a drum room for budding musicians, a full kitchen, a guest room and a full bath with a large, tiered steam room.
The transition between the new and old sections of the home are seamless, both indoors and out—no easy feat to accomplish. “It’s really hard to explain to clients how incredibly difficult it is to make something look simple and clean,” says Spurlock. “It’s a lot easier to make it look fussy.”
Greg Hadley is a photographer in Fairfax, Virginia.
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: ANDREAS CHARALAMBOUS, AIA, FORMA Design, Washington, DC; STEVEN SPURLOCK, AIA, LEED AP, partner in charge; J. GARRETT PRESSICK, AIA, LEED AP, project manager, MARCY GIANNUNZIO, AIA, LEED AP, project architect, Wnuk Spurlock, Washington, DC. BUILDER: LAURENCE CAFRITZ, Laurence Cafritz Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
Luxury Afloat
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has unveiled the new S.S. Antoinette (above)—an 82-cabin ship with interiors inspired by Versailles. The Baccarat chandelier that once hung in New York’s famed Tavern on the Green is a focal point in the lobby. Suites (left) are appointed with lavish linens and marble baths. Itineraries along the Rhine River this fall start at $1,999. uniworld.com
Bermuda Escape
The first new luxury resort to be built on Bermuda in 40 years, Rosewood Tucker’s Point is nestled on 240 lush acres. It features a luxurious spa plus an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts—and an elevated yoga and tai chi lawn. The pool (pictured) overlooks Castle Harbour. Rates from $495. tuckerspoint.com
Hip Hotel Debut
Brooklyn has never been more happening, and the Aloft New York Brooklyn has pumped up the volume even more. The new hotel sports mod interiors by the Rockwell Group, a pool table in the lobby (left), a rooftop bar with views of Manhattan and a check-in process that eliminates the front desk altogether. Rates from $229. starwoodhotels.com
Style on Wheels
The 2012 Audi R8 Spyder is high on looks and performance. Buyers choose between two engines: the V8 and the V10, which goes from 1 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds. Among the many options is a seatbelt microphone which minimizes wind noise for hands-free talking on the phone with the top down. From $127,700; audi.com
Wake-Up Call
Stem Innovation’s TimeCommand audio alarm clock (left) makes mornings a little easier. Equipped with a free iTunes app, the dock integrates with your iPhone, iPod or iPad to allow you to drift off to sleep and wake up to your favorite music. The device also offers free Internet radio and even links with your bedside lamp to switch it on when it’s time to rise and shine. $100. StemInnovation.com
Just in Case
Protect your iPad or Kindle fashionably with the zip-around leather case by Tory Burch (below, left). It boasts interior pockets for documents and a suede lining. Available in turquoise or black, it measures 10 by 8 inches. $225; bloomingdales.com
Pure Sound
Soul Electronics’ new SL300 noise-cancelling headphones (bottom) were made in collaboration with Grammy award winner Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. The over-ear product is designed to seal in sound and block out ambient noise, promising a studio-quality listening experience. Available in gold or black and white. $299; soulelectronics.com
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
Endless Summer
Hank’s Oyster Bar is fresh from an expansion that has doubled its size. O’Neill Studios spearheaded the project, which includes a new charcuterie room (above) with a ceiling painted in a striking modello motif. 1624 Q Street, NW; 202-462-4265; hanksdc.com
Miss Saigon?
Get your fix of Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches, spring rolls and innovative salads at BONMi. The new DC spot opening in late October was designed by Mangan Group Architects using sustainable bamboo, glass and granite. The organic look complements the eatery’s fresh, wholesome fare. On left, the ingredients for a pineapple Caesar salad. 900 19th Street, NW; 202-785-0012. eatbonmi.com
Nostalgia Trip
Chef Jeff Tunks has opened District Commons on Washington Circle. Sleek interiors boast banquettes embellished with sepia-toned photographs depicting the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of yesteryear. The menu features classic American fare with a modern-day spin. 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; 202-587-8277; districtcommonsdc.com
Night Moves
The Necklace Halter Gown by Aidan Mattox in dark teal silk is sure to make a statement with its bejeweled neckline. $440; available in select Bloomingdale’s stores and bloomingdales.com
Boot Camp
There’s nothing subtle about the Moura ankle boot (below, left), which marries a 4.7-inch stiletto heel with an ostrich leather shoe and metal fasteners. It’s $1,995 at Bally, the Swiss leather purveyor that recently opened a shop in Tysons Galleria. bally.com
Heavenly Scent
BODY (bottom), the latest women’s fragrance by Burberry, boasts green absinthe, freesia and peach top notes and natural rose, iris, and sandalwood at the heart. Its multi-faceted glass bottle is engraved with the company’s signature check in rose gold. From $75 for eau de parfum and $50 for body oil or body milk. burberry.com
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
The crisply detailed Victorian, with its wraparound porch, bay windows and cedar-shake exterior, looks as true to its century-old roots as the other homes lining its peaceful Chevy Chase street. But beyond the prim façade, tradition gives way to the 21st century and a thoroughly modern interior unfolds.
Initially, the owners had no intention of embarking on a large-scale project; they simply wanted to finish their basement so that their three sons would have an indoor play space. The existing basement, according to builder Laurence Cafritz, was a wet, leaky mess with low, six-foot ceilings. “It was pretty grungy down there,” he says.
Creating usable space in the basement would involve major excavation. As the owners weighed their options, they decided to expand the scope of the work and renovate the entire house, which had other pitfalls including an antiquated kitchen and an awkward 1980s rear addition.
Tearing down the house would be faster, easier—and far less expensive—than retaining part of the original. But the owners were concerned about preserving the historical integrity of their street. “They wanted a modern home,” says Cafritz. “But they didn’t want to disrupt the whole streetscape. They wanted to save the front and certain elements that are really appealing.”
The owners approached architect Andreas Charalambous to execute their vision, preserving the façade and front rooms of the original house, then transitioning to a modern, open program. Charalambous drew up the conceptual plan and then architects Steven Spurlock and J. Garrett Pressick of Wnuk Spurlock took over, completing the working drawings and finish details. About 1,000 square feet of the original house remain intact, with 7,000 square feet of the new or remodeled space making up the rest in the first and second floors and new, fully finished basement.
Beyond the foyer and front living room on the main floor and front bedrooms above, the existing house was demolished. Cafritz and his team had to design and build support systems to preserve the old structure and its roof during the excavation and new construction. “We had to put our heads together and build temporary frames, columns and beams,” he recalls. “Then we had to figure out how to build the new and remove the temporary without compromising anything. When it’s done, you have no idea that we had to go through that process.”
Today, visitors enter what Spurlock and Pressick call a “portal” where the now-restored stair rail, moldings and double-sided fireplace mantels convey the home’s architectural heritage. The traditional detail gives way to modern in the gallery, with its recessed flush baseboards and halogen lighting. On the right, the gallery leads to the dining and family rooms, where the octagonal 1980s addition once stood.
To the left, the gallery opens onto a completely refurbished kitchen with Poggenpohl cabinetry, a custom raised breakfast bar and TurboChef ovens. A former screened porch has been converted into a keeping room with a built-in desk for homework. Abutting the kitchen, a new entrance leads to a mudroom where lockers for each family member keep clutter at bay. It contains a family powder room, while a more formal powder room is located off the gallery. Both gallery and kitchen offer access to a terrace in the backyard, where the clean-lined rear façade reflects the home’s new modern aesthetic.
Second-floor updates include an airy landing with skylights, a master suite with a spa-like bath complete with a steam shower, and new bedrooms and bathrooms for the boys. The sons now enjoy a full basement with a home gym and a large play area where “abuse-resistant” walls can withstand incoming hockey pucks. There is also a drum room for budding musicians, a full kitchen, a guest room and a full bath with a large, tiered steam room.
The transition between the new and old sections of the home are seamless, both indoors and out—no easy feat to accomplish. “It’s really hard to explain to clients how incredibly difficult it is to make something look simple and clean,” says Spurlock. “It’s a lot easier to make it look fussy.”
Greg Hadley is a photographer in Fairfax, Virginia.
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: ANDREAS CHARALAMBOUS, AIA, FORMA Design, Washington, DC; STEVEN SPURLOCK, AIA, LEED AP, partner in charge; J. GARRETT PRESSICK, AIA, LEED AP, project manager, MARCY GIANNUNZIO, AIA, LEED AP, project architect, Wnuk Spurlock, Washington, DC. BUILDER: LAURENCE CAFRITZ, Laurence Cafritz Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features. Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
Virtual Trip
Sony’s new, head-mounted HMZ-T1 is the first personal 3D viewer. Users experience a cinema-quality virtual screen and surround sound in both 2D and 3D modes. Equipped with ultra-small high-definition color OLED panels, the device delivers HD picture quality. Available in November 2011. $799; sony.com
Wireless Sound
Filling your home with music no longer requires hours of wiring bulky, unattractive speakers. Libratone Live speakers stream audio wirelessly from an iPod, iPad, iPhone, PC or TV. Using a free iTunes app called Airplay, the compact speaker can be moved around from room to room, optimizing sound according to its placement. It blends into any décor and the exterior covers are available in five colors of wool or cashmere. From $699; libratone.com
Bring Home the 3D
Toshiba’s 55TL515U 55-inch HD TV delivers 1080p HD resolution in 2D and eye-popping 3D technology for movie-watching and gaming. Four pairs of 3D glasses are included. $1,800; toshiba.com
Smart Remote
The Beacon universal remote by Griffin lets users control audio/visual components with the touch of an iPod, iPad or iPhone. Using Bluetooth technology, the device allows consumers to change channels, adjust volume and control a DVR with their Apple products. The Beacon runs on four AA batteries, eliminating the need for cables and wires. $80; available in Apple stores and at apple.com
High Fidelity TV
Bang & Olufsen has gone 3D with its popular BeoVision 7, a 55-inch TV with an integrated Blu-ray player—one of a few flatscreen TVs in the world to combine these technologies. A beam-shaped speaker below the screen provides superb acoustic performance, rivaling many hi-fi systems. Price upon request. bang-olufsen.com
Streaming Video
Warpia allows users to stream online content from videos, slide shows and movies onto a flat-screen TV in 1080p resolution. The device also provides surround sound, creating a true cinema experience. The Warpia is compatible with Windows 7, Vista SP2 and XP SP3 technology. $160; warpia.com
Recline in Style
The award-winning Transformer brings comfort and style to the home theater. The club chair has a single-motor mechanism that powers the reclining function; no clearance space is needed behind the chair even in its fully reclined position. It’s available as a chair, love seat or sofa in leather or fabric. acousticsmart.com
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
Perched on a crest overlooking the Potomac River in Glen Echo, Maryland, the steel, concrete and wooden house stands just as majestic as the parkland surrounding it. Washington architect Robert M. Gurney designed the boldly modern main house, the detached garage/home office and the open, airy spaces they contain to celebrate this enviable site with minimal impact on the sylvan landscape.
After purchasing the property and tearing down its outdated house, a Washington developer approached Gurney to design his residence. The owner’s wish list included a swimming pool, an unexpected material palette and an emphasis on the views. Preserving mature-growth trees was also a priority.
Gurney carefully considered the site and the challenges it posed. He located the house on the previous home’s foundation to minimize excavation. He wanted to integrate the pool on the home’s main living level—but the lot’s steep incline would make that next to impossible. Gurney solved the dilemma by literally suspending the pool off the rear living space. This dramatic feat of engineering (the pool is supported 20 feet off the ground with massive concrete buttresses) creates a visual drop-off from the living room to the shimmering water to the untamed woods beyond.
“Because we suspended the pool, we didn’t have to take down one mature tree, which is pretty amazing given that in essence this is a wooded lot,” Gurney explains. “Sixty percent of the house was built on the existing foundation; we only increased the footprint by 40 percent with the garage. We were able to design a decent-sized house without taking down many trees, which is one of the nice things about the site. You really feel as though you’re in a tree house.”
On approach from the street, visitors are greeted by an orderly pea gravel courtyard framed by stucco walls. The main house, clad in Red Balau wood and soft gray terne-coated stainless steel, sets a decidedly modern tone. A tranquil reflecting pool separates the residence from the detached garage, which also houses an office and a guest suite. After sunset, the garage appears to glow, thanks to panels of Kalwall, a translucent material resembling Shoji screens. “The idea,” says Gurney, “was to allow the garage to act as a lantern and light up the whole carport in front of the house.”
The reflecting pool serves as a threshold, ushering visitors from the everyday into another realm. Gurney laid out the floor plan in a linear fashion, oriented along the ridge so that every room on the first and second floors—with the exception of one bedroom—enjoys dramatic views.
Once inside, subtle detailing defines the living, dining and kitchen areas in what is essentially an open space surrounded by trees. A quarter-sawn white oak built-in concealing a TV and media system, and a wide panel of lava stone containing a fireplace, anchor the living room. Gurney juxtaposed the horizontal direction of the stone with a vertical slot that opens to the front hall. “The whole piece floats away from the wall at the far end of the living room,” he says.
White oak built-ins also rim one side of the dining area. In the kitchen, two islands—one housing ovens, a cooktop and down-draft exhaust fan and the other a sink and dishwasher—provide plenty of space for cooking. The refrigerator, freezer and small appliances are hidden away in aluminum-faced cabinetry.
With so much room for storage, the clutter-free living spaces are defined by carefully crafted organic elements, from the Pompeii Scarpaletto floors to the lava-stone fireplace surround. “I tried to break up the space with a series of elements—the fireplace element, the built-in element in the dining room,” explains Gurney. “I didn’t create spaces with walls but did it with millwork and finish materials.” Interior designer Therese Baron Gurney, who is married to the architect, selected pared-down furnishings with a low profile that are perfectly proportioned to the space.
The minimal palette allows the views to take center stage. Says Gurney, “It’s a site where you’re really close to downtown DC but you feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere.”
The second floor features two guest bedrooms with en suite baths plus a large master suite encompassing a bedroom, a small office and a luxurious bath. The lower level, with a living area, game room and mechanical space, opens to the backyard at grade, since the pool is suspended above it.
Gurney and builder Lewis Bloom worked hard to design and build the project sustainably. They employed structural, precast concrete planks as a floor base, which minimized construction time and waste and also enabled them to easily install energy-efficient radiant heat flooring. Large overhangs reduce solar gain in the summer. “Basically, between the radiant-heat flooring and the overhangs on the south and west, the owner’s utility bills are minimal despite all the glass,” Gurney says.
With his office ensconced in the detached garage, the owner was also able to lighten his carbon footprint by eliminating a commute. “He wanted the office to feel like he was not in the house, but to be part of this complex so he didn’t have to drive to work,” says Gurney. “The office is a very nice space, but you have to leave the house to get to it.”
Photographer Maxwell MacKenzie is based in Washington, DC.
ARCHITECTURE: ROBERT M. GURNEY, FAIA, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: THERESE BARON GURNEY, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: LEWIS BLOOM, Bloom Builders, Washington, DC.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features. Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.
When DC architect Andreas Charalambous traveled to Miami to help a client find a retirement condo, he had no intention of buying one himself. But while touring properties, he was drawn to a building on Biscayne Bay with views of the Miami skyline on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Suddenly the “crazy idea” hit him and Charalambous made an offer on a two-bedroom apartment on the eleventh floor; his client bought a property a few blocks away.
“I always enjoy Miami because it’s an international city and I have friends there,” the architect says. “In this apartment, it’s all about the view. You watch the sun set and it’s completely removed from reality.”
This spur-of-the-moment decision rested on a few practicalities. First, the price was right due to the region’s economic slump. Even more compelling was the fact that Charalambous, known for his distinctly modern work, saw potential in eventually developing new business in a city that embraces a vibrant, contemporary aesthetic. In addition, with two renovations underway at once he and his client could save time and resources by working with many of the same vendors and contractors.
His first step was to gut the place. With its wall-to-wall carpet and 1970s-era kitchen and bathrooms gone, Charalambous then constructed a minimalist tableau that would accentuate the views rather than compete with them.
“The plan changes that I made were minor but I think important,” Charalambous says. He shifted the master bedroom door, separating it from the guest bedroom entry and aligning it with the apartment’s main corridor. “The line of vision is much longer and it also gives the bedrooms more privacy.” He replaced a large walk-in closet in the master bedroom with a smaller closet to create more living space. “It allowed me to fit a king-size bed and bigger furniture into the room and let the whole space ‘breathe.’ There’s no reason, at least for me, to have a walk-in closet in a beachfront property; you want to use it for living.”
Charalambous’s design is an exercise in restraint. He sheathed the entire apartment in white, from the walls and ceilings down to the two-by-two-foot porcelain floor tiles throughout. Even the baseboards are made of the same porcelain material. “I had made the decision from the beginning that this is primarily a beach apartment and it’s all about the water,” Charalambous says. “It’s all about the blue outside, so everything inside was going to be white with splashes of color.”
For “relief” from the slick surfaces in the living room, the architect designed a suspended wall of mid-century-style wood panels, backlit with LED lights to create an ambient glow at night. And his own mixed-media art, which he painted on the apartment’s balcony during his first weekend in the home, creates bold strokes of color against the seamless white background in all of the rooms.
Furniture is kept to a minimum to avoid a sense of clutter; Charalambous honed in on clean-lined, modern pieces that he employs almost like sculptures in the space. He also selected low-slung beds to bring a greater sense of volume to both of the bedrooms.
“It was more about making strategic decisions that would have big impact versus doing it all. This was a very restrained solution to the space, but one that I think is powerful in its simplicity,” he says. “You can see the skyline of Miami across the bay from all the rooms—that is the feature.”
He also applied a less-is-more sensibility in the kitchen by avoiding upper-level cabinetry along the two main walls to keep the space open. Under-counter refrigerator, freezer and microwave drawers eliminate the need for tall appliances that would interrupt the symmetry. An ornate white mirror reflects the bay even in this windowless space.
A stone accent wall in the kitchen evokes images of pebbles and sand along the shore. The same organic texture is also applied in the master bath and guest bath in another nod to the outdoors.
Now that his second home is complete, Charalambous takes a break from his busy schedule in DC to visit Miami once a month. He finds that, though brief, his trips to the tropics recharge his batteries, both on a personal and professional level. “Visiting Miami takes me away from the everyday,” he says. “Sometimes we get bogged down by things that in the big picture are really not that significant. It just helps remove you from the situation for a weekend. I think getting away and putting things in perspective and coming back and re-adjusting the issue is really very healthy.
“In Miami, everything that’s being built is very modern; it’s very today,” he continues, pointing out the many resources he now taps in the Miami Design District. “It also helps me get inspired. Going down to Miami and being exposed to a different way of doing things is informing our projects here in Washington as well.”
Photographer Geoffrey Hodgdon is based in Deale, Maryland.
ARCHITECTURE: ANDREAS CHARALAMBOUS, AIA, IIDA, FORMA Design, Inc., Washington, DC.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
The master bath designer Jana Abel created in a Mid-Century-Modern Bethesda home looks nothing like its predecessor, which still had its original Formica counters intact when she gutted it. During the renovation, says Abel, principal of J. Abel Interiors, the goal was to design a spa-like retreat balancing natural materials with modern luxuries and technology.
Abel used the space wisely. To preserve a wall of windows, she placed the shower and tub along other perimeter walls. As a focal point, she designed a floating, back-to-back his and hers vanity. Its walnut drawers conceal toiletries and electrical outlets and are sheathed in a marble surround.
Organic materials, from the wall tiles from Ann Sacks to the lava stone floors, pay homage to nature. Meanwhile, automated features abound. One TV is built into the shower while another is mounted opposite the bath. The shower is equipped with steam, dual showerheads and multiple body sprays; a ceiling-mounted showerhead rains into the oversized air-jet tub.
Every dimension, says Abel, was carefully calculated to make the project a success—down to how the wall of mosaics meets the marble slab in the shower. But behind all the precision, the designer celebrates the room’s natural elements, including the handmade wall tiles—no two of which are alike. “Their imperfections,” she says, “are what make it beautiful.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: JANA ABEL, IIDA, J. Abel Interiors, Ltd. Potomac, Maryland.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
Some would say the ultimate luxury is enjoying a steam room and sauna in the privacy of your own home. Even better is when these amenities are tucked into a space as tranquil and soothing as a world-class spa.
Such is the case in a new Bethesda home designed by Marci Brand of Marci Brand Interiors with colleagues Christina Dutton and Sara Magovern Leahy. The team set out to create a spa bath with a cool, relaxing vibe, located next to the home’s gym. They started out by selecting glass tiles for the steam shower in the client’s favorite palette of pale blue, green and orange.
The curved seat in the shower was molded to match the contours of the homeowner’s body. A powder room and sauna flank the steam shower while a floor of river rock soothes bare feet. A glass vessel sink “floats” above a custom vanity and window seats on either side provide extra storage.
The “feel-good” look is enhanced with walls, ceiling and furniture painted in a lemon chiffon lacquer. “It took a lot of trial and error to get that finish looking nice,” says Brand. “I wanted the color, the richness and the sheen to be right.”
The room’s elegance lies in its simplicity. “It’s one of the simpler rooms in the home, but a lot of thought went into it. “Not all the elements are unique, but it’s about how they were put together,” says Brand. “It really feels like a place you want to be in and relax—so peaceful and pretty.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: MARCI BRAND, CHRISTINA DUTTON AND SARAH MAGOVERN LEAHY, Marci Brand Interiors, Bethesda, Maryland. ARCHITECTURE: THEODORE L. OLDHAM, principal, Theodore Oldham Architect, Portland, Maine. JAMES LYONS, AIA, consulting architect, Lyons Architecture, Silver Spring, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: GRIFF GOSNELL and JEFF HANES, superintendent, Monroe Development, Vienna, Virginia.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
During Lori Graham’s renovation of an entire house in Arlington, the 1970s master bath in particular was a cry for help. Not only was it poorly proportioned, it was also “unworkable,” with a small prefab shower and an eight-person whirlpool tub placed only inches away from an exposed toilet and bidet. Tiny windows denied the owners views of the surrounding woods.
Graham reconfigured the bath, creating a modern yet welcoming space with a luxurious tub and glass-enclosed shower, generous windows and a separate water closet. “An exposed toilet,” she says, “is a cardinal sin in a master suite.”
Integrating the tub and shower not only makes efficient use of available space, but the “wet room” approach allows the homeowners to bathe their young children “without splattering water in every direction,” says the designer, principal of Lori Graham Design. Amenities include a rain shower, a standard shower and a handheld showerhead in the tub that also reaches the shower.
Soft colors create a relaxing vibe, from the Waterworks honed limestone tiles on the walls to the French Blue stone floors from Ann Sacks. A custom vanity in high-gloss pewter is topped with a thick poured-concrete surface. A mirrored wall behind the vanity makes the space feel larger.
“The backsplash, the seamless look of the tile and the natural light,” says Graham, “all create glam in a simple, understated way.”
BATH DESIGN: LORI GRAHAM, Lori Graham Design, Washington, DC.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
When the owner of a 30-year-old home in Mount Vernon got married, he knew the time had come to update his master bath. Not only was it cramped, but it was also decorated in the masculine red-and-gray colors of his alma mater, Ohio State.
The couple turned to designer Pamela Harvey, principal of Pamela Harvey Interiors, to create enough space in the bathroom for a large shower and two vanities. They also asked her to hone in on a fresh look that would complement views of the Potomac River and wooded surroundings.
By reconfiguring a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, Harvey was able to create a large shower in the bath complete with a skylight centered above it. “I also carved out dead space on an upstairs hallway landing and created a private WC, which made the main bath more functional and gave us room for a sit-down vanity,” she explains. The designer hung the vanity on the wall to keep the space feeling open and light.
Harvey’s goal was to create a “clean, modern look with some warmth.” Peruvian travertine in 18-by-18-inch square tiles paves the heated floors while the same material in alternating nine-by-nine- and nine-by-18-inch formats clads the shower walls. Iridescent glass tiles add interest to the backsplash and tub surround. “In the shower,” says Harvey, “the river stone floor gives it a spa feeling.”
BATH DESIGN: PAMELA HARVEY, Pamela Harvey Interiors, LLC; Oak Hill, Virginia.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
ON THE EDGE
Owner David von Storch describes his new 901 Restaurant & Bar in Penn Quarter as “a wonderfully edgy, urban dining experience that provides a playful vibe.” In the lounge, a seven-foot, wall-encased fireplace offers the perfect backdrop for sampling keg draft beers crafted exclusively for 901. The small-plate menu features Asian and American fare. 901 Ninth Street, NW; 202-524-4433. 901dc.com
ALL FIRED UP
Pizzeria da Marco serves up authentic Neopolitan-style pizza n Bethesda. Chef Dino Santonicola, who learned the craft in his hometown of Naples, turns out chewy-crusted masterpieces using a custom brick oven. GTM Architects outfitted the space with exposed brick, iron chandeliers and mosaics. 8008 Woodmont Avenue; 301-654-6083. pizzeriadamarco.net
CENTER STAGE
James Beard winner RJ Cooper is crafting 16- and 24-course tasting menus in his new DC restaurant, Rogue 24. Diners surround a central, open “stage,” where the chef and his team turn out such creations as heirloom corn, chanterelle, espelette and vanilla. 922 N Street NW; 202-408-9724. rogue24.com
ALL THAT GLITTERS
The Ashlyn Necklace by Elizabeth Cole Jewelry combines pear-shaped, turquoise-colored crystals and faceted, pear-shaped brass baubles with a large curb chain in 24kt gold plate. $185 at Wink in Georgetown. 3109 M Street, NW; 202-338-9465. shopwinkdc.com
ON THE RUNWAY
Style watchers can preview the latest trends for fall and winter at 2011 ALL ACCESS: Fashion at Tysons Galleria from September 22 to 24. Runway shows spotlight Tory Burch, Karen Millen, Elie Tahari and more. Pictured: Tahari’s Marie Skirt, $448; Edita Blouse, $328; and Felicity Belt, $148. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. allaccessfashion.com
OXFORDS GO GLAM
The Pearlized Oxford Bootie by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin adds a decidedly feminine touch—and a four inch heel—to the traditional staple. A ribbon lace-up tie cinches the deal. Made in Italy of patent leather with grosgrain piping. $1,050. neimanmarcus.com
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
