DC-based fashion designer and style guru Ron David Edwards has opened a third boutique, Ron David Studio, located in Potomac’s Cabin John Village. Look for a curated mix of retail finds and accessories with a definite edge. Fall arrivals (pictured) include a striped knit dress ($198) and powder blue tote in woven leather ($300). rondavidstudio.com

CLIMATE CONTROL
Integrated with Alexa, Netatmo’s Personal Weather Station enables users to track weather and air quality on a micro level. With accessories to measure wind, rain and indoor conditions, the device shares data via smartphone, tablet or computer. Custom alerts manage household activities, from taking in plants before a freeze to turning off sprinklers when it rains. $180; netatmo.com

HIGH-END SOUND ON THE GO
Devised in collaboration with Danish-Italian design duo GamFratesi, Bang & Olufsen’s new Beosound A5 speaker marries Scandinavian style and cutting-edge technology. The portable device delivers 12 hours of play and 280 watts of power, filling large rooms with 360-degree sound. Available in two colorways; natural aluminum is pictured with a woven-paper-fiber front and an oak handle. From $1,049; bang-olufsen.com

TAKING FLIGHT
Flite, the Australian maker of electric hydrofoils, has debuted Flitescooter, a new model aimed at novice riders. A forward-facing position and the addition of removable handlebars help maintain balance; the large, inflatable board provides extra buoyancy. A built-in, thumb-controlled throttle safely propels the scooter, which lets riders coast on the surface or, when ready, begin to foil (pictured). $12,995; fliteboard.com

Located in the Ritz-Carlton Residences Baltimore, Ammoora celebrates Syrian cuisine and decorative arts. LUUA | Design Studio and Twopoint Studio orchestrated the interiors and interior architecture, respectively. Seated in the multi-story dining room or an intimate side nook, guests are surrounded by velvet drapery, plaster walls finished by Artstar Custom Paintworks and imported furnishings sporting inlaid mother-of-pearl. The menu features pistachio-crusted lamb chops among other modern Middle Eastern delights. 751 Key Highway; 410-872-6610. ammoora.com

If dropped by helicopter into this riverfront garden of ornamental trees, stone pathways and a raked-gravel bed, visitors might assume they’d landed in rural Japan rather than on a residential property overlooking Aberdeen Creek near Annapolis. The garden has grown and flourished for more than 20 years. Inspired by a trip to Japan, the owners originally hired landscape designer Shin Abe of ZEN Associates to conceive a traditional Japanese garden on their one-third-acre site in 2002. “We fell in love with the Japanese aesthetic,” explains the wife, a philanthropist. “We wanted a peaceful escape from the cacophony of the modern world.”

The garden is set between the couple’s contemporary, three-bedroom residence and a slope down to the creek and a dock. Abe paid homage to the estuary environment, devising a scheme that roughly mimics the shape of the Chesapeake Bay. A bed of white gravel—a common expression of water in Japanese design—unfurls on the property’s lower elevation. Massive stones form a bridge across the expanse, leading to steps accessing an upper garden. Japanese black pine, weeping cherry, azalea and dwarf mondo grass embellish the landscape, also dotted by boulders, a water feature and hidden benches built for quiet contemplation.

Five years later, Abe returned to create a pocket garden visible only from the owners’ bedroom and adjacent home office. Called a tsubo-niwa—a garden that in Japanese tradition measures precisely two tatami mats wide—this walled refuge features a sculpture that he fashioned by slicing and reassembling a single boulder.

Abe, who trained in Kyoto under a master landscape designer, marvels at how the project has evolved over the years. “It is probably the best garden I have ever built,” he muses.

But the work didn’t stop there. In 2017, the owners enlisted ZEN Associates to design the first of several upgrades to their 5,000-square-foot, 1970s-era home. They tapped Rina Okawa, a lead interior designer at the Massachusetts firm, to revamp their dark and dated lower level. There were two mandates: Create a stylish viewing room where they could screen their vast video art collection with guests; and foster a stronger indoor-outdoor connection to the garden.

In step with Abe’s landscape, Okawa articulated Japanese design principles in her approach. “Our clients wanted to push the concept of ma, which means the appreciation of negative space,” she explains. “The room needed balance to make it peaceful and calm. Nothing could be too loud.”

Choppy windows and builder-grade finishes gave way to a sophisticated, finely crafted realm. Think mahogany millwork, honed-granite floors that extend seamlessly outdoors and a 16-foot-wide, floor-to-ceiling window framing a dramatic view of the lower garden. An up-lit cove ceiling gives the illusion of height while a drop-down screen is ready to roll.

“We selected comfortable furniture with nice forms—mostly by Christian Liaigre,” Okawa says. “And we kept it pretty monochromatic since we didn’t want to conflict with the colors of nature.” She points out that the room is wallpapered for warmth and texture. “We make spaces that are very simple,” she reasons, “but we are also keen to make them warm and soft.” Winchester, a Maryland builder that had previously completed several upgrades to the home, executed ZEN’s design.

The two firms recently collaborated on a main-level makeover. During covid, the owners tired of their cramped kitchen and its adjacent sitting area, where outdated windows didn’t do justice to the garden views. “We wanted to bring the outside in and modernize the kitchen with a Japanese aesthetic,” says the wife. “I wanted it to be functional, flexible and forward-looking.”

Okawa transformed the space with fresh, modern millwork in rift-sawn white oak. She expanded storage and cooking space and introduced a light, natural material palette. Larger windows near the sink and floor-to-ceiling glass in the family room shifted the focus outdoors. A curved, up-lit cove ceiling unifies the areas. “I know how hard it was to make that curve perfectly,” notes the designer. “But Winchester made it work.”

A built-in breakfast banquette and sculptural furnishings in autumnal hues promote lounging without blocking the scenery. “When I view the garden from the new space,” reflects the husband, a retired business executive, “it elevates my spirit and transports me. It’s so peaceful.”

Inspired by the work of Japanese artist Toko Shinoda, Okawa designed the family room’s free-form abstract carpet, which was fabricated by Stark. “I played with a curved shape and straight lines to mimic natural forms,” she reveals.

Wooden slats, echoing ones in the viewing room, detail a family room wall. “Repetition, a common element of Japanese design, creates texture and richness. But it must be precise,” says Okawa. “If the slats aren’t precisely repeated, it will be off-balance.”

Another Japanese principle came into play during a dialogue about flooring—namely, how to transition from the darker, existing oak of the foyer to the paler white oak installed in the redo. The wife brought up kintsugi—a Japanese practice that repairs broken pottery with lacquer or powdered gold. Okawa ran with the idea. She designed a motif, implemented by Winchester using epoxy and gold leaf, that celebrates the confluence of old and new.

Winchester’s Andrew Smith credits the project’s success to the team’s years of collaboration. “One of the things that’s been so enjoyable is the creative license our clients integrated into the process,” he contends. “It allowed for a lot of input and interaction.”

The owners are thrilled by how their property has evolved, indoors and out. “We’ve traveled a whole lot in our lives,” says the husband. “Now, we’re ensconced in what’s around us and the serenity of being here. We really don't want to leave.”

Renovation & Interior Design: Rina Okawa, LEED AP; Landscape Design: Shin Abe, ZEN Associates, Inc., Woburn, Massachusetts. Renovation Contractor: Andrew G. Smith, Winchester, Millersville, Maryland.

RESOURCES

THROUGHOUT
Home Automation: pha.systems. Windows & Doors: tradewoodindustries.com. Drapery Upholstery & Fabrication: danieldonnelly.com.

VIEWING ROOM
Sofas & Sofa Fabric, Wooden Chairs & Wooden Chair Fabric, Wide Chair & Wide Chair Fabric, Coffee Table & Floor Lamp: studioliaigre.com. Wide Chair Seat Cushion Fabric: Great Plains for hollyhunt.com. Rug: fortstreetstudio.com. Wall Covering: Donghia for kravet.com. Millwork: miles-ent.com.

BREAKFAST AREA
Table: ethnicraft.com. Orange Chair: knoll.com. Banquette Upholstery Fabrication: danieldonnelly.com. Banquette Seat Cushion Fabric: glant.com. Banquette Back Cushion & Pillow Fabric: Great Plains for hollyhunt.com. Wallpaper: aestheticswall.com.

FAMILY ROOM
Custom Rug: starkcarpets.com. Custom Rug Design: zenassociates.com. Curved Settee & Settee Fabric: minotti.com. Pillow Fabric: Great Plains for hollyhunt.com. Swivel Chairs & Ottoman: hollyhunt.com. Swivel Chair Fabric: Great Plains for hollyhunt.com. Small Table: ethnicraft.com. Millwork around Fireplace: Miles Enterprise; 410-789-1212. Stone around Fireplace: instoneco.com. Wallpaper: aestheticswall.com.

KITCHEN
Cabinet Design: zenassociates.com. Cabinet Fabrication: Miles Enterprise; 410-789-1212. Countertop: Dekton for Cosentino.com. Stove: mieleusa.com. Ceiling Hood: faberonline.com. Sink Faucet: dornbracht.com. Refrigerator & Freezer: subzero-wolf.com. Wallpaper: aestheticswall.com. Backsplash on Window & Refrigerator Wall: inaxtile.com.

LIVING ROOM
Leather Chair: dakotajackson.com. Glass Table: eileengray.co.uk.

Asha Maxey, who grew up in Holly, Michigan, always had a soft spot for interior design. She studied architecture for a year, then wound up with a degree in marketing. A job in supply-chain management led her to the DC area where eventually a side gig decorating homes snowballed into a viable business. In 2017,
she launched her own firm, Asha Maía Design.

Raised on 10 pristine acres complete with a tree house, Maxey pays homage to nature in her work. “There’s a lot about Michigan that inspires me; you really experience all four seasons there,” she explains. “I love open, airy landscapes that feel clean and fresh, so I incorporate those aspects in my projects. I also make it a goal to introduce fresh greenery into my clients’ spaces.”

Maxey recently put the finishing touches on a Craftsman-style residence in North Arlington and is embarking on a modern condo in Old Town. “I make sure that my clients’ personalities shine through,” she affirms. “In short, I’m all about creating homes that are livable, happy and really feed us with positive energy.”

Interior Design: Asha M. Maxey, Asha Maía Design, Alexandria, Virginia. Builder: Cecilia Design & Build, Vienna, Virginia. 

Interior décor has been a passion for Kevin Billings since his Leesburg childhood, when he spent many a weekend redecorating his room.

After studying communications and marketing in college, Billings worked for eight years in residential property management, honing his skills remodeling and staging luxury apartments. “When covid happened,” he recalls, “I burned out and decided I was ready to go out on my own.” In 2021, he launched the design firm Dexter & Plaid.

A thread of nostalgia is woven into all of his projects. Even when clients request a modern look, he typically incorporates vintage accents, scouring Etsy, 1stdibs and antiques shops. “Adding things that have been worn and loved and have a patina makes interiors feel less stark,” he explains.

Billings traces this affinity for timeless treasures to his mother and grandmother. “They both had meticulous homes where everything felt very intentional,” remembers the designer, whose current home in Leesburg contains many family heirlooms.

Likewise, Billings urges clients to select furniture, art and accessories that elicit fond memories. As he reflects, “I want people to walk into their finished homes and feel like they’ve lived there already.”

Interior Design: Kevin Billings, Dexter & Plaid, Leesburg, Virginia.

MIMESIS CARPET “Crazy printed carpets were everywhere at Salone. Most memorable were Moooi’s rugs, which bring nature indoors while layering in Maximalism and bold colors.” moooi.com —Ann Gottlieb, Ann Gottlieb Design

ART + LOOM and BEA PERNIA COLLAB “This pairing of chiseled-marble furniture and rugs inspired by rock formations at Salone was a new take on organic.” artandloom.com; beainteriorsdesign.com —Catherine Ebert, Catherine Ebert Interiors

CLEMENCE XXL SOFA “I loved the curves of this sofa in the Verellen showroom at High Point. It’s a real stunner, covered in ribbed fur for 100-percent luxury. Super-comfy is what Spring Market was all about. ” verellen.biz —Susan Jamieson, Bridget Beari Designs

BATYR FABRIC “We love the layered detail in Clarence House’s Batyr, seen at Rue IV in the Washington Design Center. Less is not always more.” clarencehouse.com; ruefour.com —Melanie Whittington, Whittington Design Studio

THE THOMAS PHEASANT COLLECTION Thomas Pheasant for Baker Featuring elements of bronze and frosted Murano glass radiating from its center, the Verona Mirror is part of the DC designer’s latest line, unveiled in fall 2022. bakerfurniture.com

BARRY DIXON FOR ARTERIORS The Virginia designer’s most recent collection includes 19 pieces of furniture and accessories, including the Mosquito Desk, Mosquito Chair, mixed-metal Storm Clouds Mirror and blackened-iron Rivet Vase. arteriorshome.com

DOGWOOD CHANDELIER “Regina Andrew’s floral lighting creations are like jewelry. I’m especially crazy about the Dogwood Chandelier. Botanicals are so on-trend.” reginaandrew.com —Melissa Broffman, Melissa Broffman Interior Design

MEZZA LUNA CURVED PINK BLOSSOM BUFFET “Ercole’s Blossom Collection includes a range of handmade pieces embellished with glass-mosaic flowers. I’m obsessed with this buffet.” ercolehome.com —Andrea Houck, A. Houck Designs, Inc.

CA ROLL SETTEE “This settee can be used as a dining bench or a place to lounge. I love the modern take on a common staple. It really is quite versatile.” nafurniture.com —Laura Hildebrandt, Interiors by LH, LLC

LORENZO WING BACK CHAIR “I enjoyed Benjamin Johnston’s line for Chaddock at High Point last fall. He has a new, contemporary perspective and understands the details.” chaddockhome.com —Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas, Interiors by Design

AZULINA HOME X REGAN BILLINGSLEY INTERIORS  Designer Regan Billingsley and Melissa Moriarty, founder of Azulina Home, will debut a new rug collaboration in October 2023. Handwoven in Bogotá, Colombia, of natural fibers and metal, the earth-toned carpets will sport geometric patterns inspired by pre-Colombian art. azulina.com

SPRING 2023 JAMIE MERIDA COLLECTION  Jamie Merida for Chelsea House The Easton, Maryland, designer’s latest High Point reveal includes the Kent Drink Table, which riffs on 18th-century Regency scatter tables. Clean lines and brass-ball details update the look. chelseahouseinc.com

CELEBRATION COLLECTION  Marika Meyer Studio To mark her Bethesda design firm’s 15th anniversary, Meyer released a new textile line inspired by 19th-century serveware. Playful motifs evoke stylish soirées. marikameyer.com

CABINET COLUMNAE “A top Salone discovery that I’m way into is Filippo Carandini’s hand-painted furniture. The cabinets serve as functional artwork.” nilufar.com —Laura Hur, Lorla Studio

POINT DUME TABLE LAMP “Jewelry often inspires my designs. This lamp features strings of dazzling beads that create a beautiful necklace effect, making it a showstopper in any setting.” palecek.com —Lorna Gross, Lorna Gross Interior Design

LOUBES BENCH “This piece stole the show at High Point. It nods to classical design while incorporating a modern leg and simple upholstery.” alfonsomarina.com —Melanie Hansen, Melanie Hansen Interiors

ANGELICA LOUNGE CHAIR “Seen at High Point last fall, this checks all the boxes for a cool-yet-curated, super-cozy casual chair that projects an appreciation for modern design.” interludehome.com —Margery Wedderburn, Margery Wedderburn Interiors

TRIP TRACKER
With Garmin’s new inReach Mini 2, adventurers on and off the grid can enjoy up to 30 days’ worth of global satellite navigation and communication. The device provides two-way text messaging, location tracking and updates as well as access to 24/7 emergency response services. At two-by-four inches and 3.5 ounces, the compact device makes a lightweight companion for expeditions on land or sea. $400; garmin.com

RETRO STYLE
THE+RECORD PLAYER by +AUDIO marries the best of vinyl and digital worlds. Designed by Alexander Åhnebrink, the sleek stereo speaker system is made of wood veneer with aluminum accents. Combining vinyl LP playback and digital functions, it features Bluetooth capability to stream music from any smart device plus input to TV and computer sources. $1,800. plusaudio.com

EASY RIDER
Touted as the lightest e-bike of its class, the S-Works Turbo Creo SL by Specialized features a carbon frame and a responsive, 240-watt motor. The internal battery powers up to 80 miles while a range extender delivers an additional 40. The brand’s Mission Control App allows cyclists to tune the motor to their individual riding style. $13,500. specialized.com 

Located on a one-acre isle off the coast of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Saba Rock  is a newly revamped boutique resort. Designed by the Czech-based architecture firm ADR, the property boasts an open-air restaurant and airy rooms and suites with beach views. Nightly rates from $550; sabarock.com

Since opening in late 2022, L’Avant-Garde has garnered rave reviews for its contemporary take on French cuisine. Located in an historic Georgetown row house, the restaurant seats 35 in its Skylight Room, wrapped in wood-paneled walls. A private dining area features a mural by Bryan King depicting a dinner party in 1920s France. Michelin-starred chef Gilles Epié turns out winning dishes, from sea scallops with bone marrow and black truffle to a stellar chocolate soufflé. 2915 M Street, NW; 202-652-1855. lavantgardedc.com

Part of CH Carolina Herrera’s Summer 2023 collection, the Capazo bag channels the tropics. Handcrafted in Portugal, the braided-raffia purse is emblazoned in a choice of eight colorful, hand-stitched motifs. Leather straps and tassels add extra flair. From $695 to $1,210 at the brand’s CityCenterDC boutique; chcarolinaherrera.com

Even in the dead of winter, a newly renovated home on the banks of the South River shines. Strong, horizontal lines define the dwelling and its landscape. A mix of white nickel gap siding, gray corrugated zinc and stained mahogany signals that despite its humble origins, this is no ordinary bay shack. Seemingly on cue one February morning, swans surrounded the home’s pier as if they too were clamoring to get a good look at the one-of-a-kind refuge. 

The project marked a new beginning for the house—and its owners. Lee and Mark Miller were both widowed following decades of marriage. After meeting online, the two began a courtship and in 2020, they wed. 

Intent on creating a home that celebrated their union, the Millers decided to overhaul the Annapolis bi-level that Mark, a retired business executive, had acquired in 2012 as weekend getaway. “I think it dates back to the ’50s,” says Lee, a former real estate agent. “It was a little fishing shack that was added onto over time.” 

The home suffered from low ceilings, run-of-the-mill finishes and choppy interiors that failed to capitalize on expansive views out to the Chesapeake Bay. Recognizing a diamond in the rough, the couple wanted to transform the main level into a haven for single-story living while reserving the lower floor for a steady stream of visitors—including their four adult children and eight grandkids. 

Mark proposed taking the residence in a modern direction. Lee, whose prior homes leaned traditional, took a leap of faith. “I’m all in,” she responded, “but we have to find the right team first.” Following conversations with a handful of architects, they landed on Peter Miles of The Drawing Board, who in turn introduced them to Katalin Farnady of Farnady Interiors. The owners then tapped Lynbrook of Annapolis for construction and McHale Landscape Design for an upgrade of the one-third-acre site. 

Miles completely reimagined the exterior and the 2,850-square foot main level. “The home had been expanded with multiple roof slopes colliding at awkward angles,” he explains. “The renovation simplified the roofline with a low slope, except for a shed roof that lifts up the family room wall and opens it to the water.”

A foyer wrapped in slatted-mahogany panels leads into an open space combining the kitchen, dining and family room. Accordion doors afford seamless passage to a screened porch, backyard and dock. Hidden doors in the foyer paneling lead to a functional core where Miles consolidated a powder room and mudroom off the garage. A home office for two is reached from here or the kitchen. 

Eliminating two small main-floor bedrooms made way for a generous primary suite. Accessed near the foyer stairway, it features a large bedroom and separate baths and dressing rooms for each newlywed—along with infinite bay vistas.

The interior plan took shape at weekly design meetings, which began during covid and continued through the 18-month construction phase. “Katalin and I worked together closely to make sure interior materials warmed up and helped define each of the spaces,” says Miles. 

Taking cues from the exterior, Farnady developed a nuanced tableau, focusing on a monochromatic palette enlivened by rich textures, patterns and hints of the unexpected. “When an architect gives you floor-to-ceiling windows and they’re focused on the view, you have to keep the interiors somewhat minimal,” she notes. 

In the family room, she offset pale oak floors and creamy upholstered seating and rugs with a dramatic fireplace wall of Black Diamond granite. Meanwhile, the open kitchen boasts a waterfall island, counters and even a range hood sheathed in Calacatta Cremo marble. “For me, the secret to keeping a monochromatic interior interesting is paying close attention to details—both architecturally and decoratively,” explains the designer. “I played with sizes, shapes and textures, adding different materials and finishes to keep each room unique.”

The open layout and clever kitchen design foster easy entertaining. Collaborating with Jonas Carnemark of Konst SieMatic, the team avoided upper cabinetry near the island in favor of unobstructed views. Around the corner from the oven wall, additional cabinetry, workspace and appliances await.  

The Millers joined Farnady on field trips to High Point Market and local showrooms in search of the right mix of furniture, finishes and lighting. “It was clear that they wanted comfortable furniture with fluid lines,” the designer says. In the family room, custom seating, bespoke tables from her eponymous collection and a wet bar cater to gatherings large and small. 

“Giving the team free rein” was key to the project’s success, says Lee Miller, “because you don’t know what you don’t know.” 

Lavishing attention on every detail elevated spaces beyond the ordinary. Miles traded conventional baseboard molding for reglets with a precise, grooved reveal and installed acoustical ceiling panels to absorb sound. Farnady played up the home’s minimal backdrop with dramatic textures and glamorous lighting—from the office’s geometric Lee Jofa wall covering to the bedroom’s freeform chandelier. 

Executing the plan was no easy feat for the builder. “Contemporary trim details are clean and crisp, but at the same time can be involved and time-consuming,” says Lynbrook’s Meredith Hillyer. “Unlike a traditional home, there are no extra layers that can disguise an out-of-true condition. It’s one and done.”

McHale landscape architect Matthew Rhoderick echoed the architecture in his innovative exterior plan. “We jumped in with a palette of materials that is often underutilized in waterfront properties,” he says. “Evoking an industrial feel with Corten steel, dark-stained concrete and trimmed architectural plantings, we were able to make the entryway the star of the show.” Corten steel carries through to the backyard, where it edges pathways to the pier.

Embarking on married life together, the Millers couldn’t be happier with their finished home. “As a realtor, I’m jaded—but this is my favorite house ever,” reflects Lee. “We watch the sun rise every morning and the place sparkles like a diamond. And every evening we get the most incredible sky—it’s on fire. Thanks to our expert team, we were able to translate our wishes into a stunning home.”

A couple downsizing from a stately home in DC’s Foxhall district did not want to compromise on style when they acquired a Georgetown penthouse. They tapped Anthony Wilder Design/Build and Houston-based Benjamin Johnston Design to transform the abode’s lackluster interiors into what would become a one-of-a-kind residence primed for entertaining. 

Encompassing the third floor of a century-old building, the home hadn’t been touched in years. Among its shortcomings: There was no sense of arrival when guests entered via the private elevator or stairs, both centrally located in the square-shaped home. An outdated kitchen was sequestered like an afterthought near an open living/dining space on the left side of the apartment while two cramped bedrooms, two baths and an office—all dark, drab and uninviting—occupied the right.

Principal Anthony Wilder, architect Sean Mullin and kitchen designer Shannon Kadwell collaborated closely with Johnston and the wife to take the property in a bold new direction. “We knew that converting this condo, which had previously been renovated, into their dream home would be a great challenge that we were ready to take on headfirst,”
Mullin recalls. Lofty goals included revamping the kitchen and two baths; adding gravitas with custom millwork and luxe finishes; and bringing in more light to accentuate the owners’ modern art. 

Clever shifts to the floor plan better apportioned the 1,695-square-foot residence for 21st-century living. A sleek kitchen took shape in the middle of the open living area, flanked by parlors featuring black-marble fireplaces. Replacing the former kitchen, a new dining room boasts a chic wet bar sporting SieMatic cabinetry. By combining the two bedrooms into one, the owners gained a spacious primary suite; the office now doubles as a guest room. A revamped stair arrives at a welcoming foyer where glass railings keep sightlines open. 

The team cast a wide net to land upon appointments, fixtures and finishes that would mesh with the wife’s vision. A trip to the Eggersmann showroom in New York led to the dramatic Arabescato marble-clad kitchen island, custom-made in the firm’s German factory. “Once we got direction that they were ready to change the floor plan, we knew that the island needed to be spectacular,” says Mullin. “That island, I think, is what drove the entire project. It was like dropping a Ferrari into the space.” A matching marble backsplash and a La Cornue range flanked by white-lacquered cabinets introduce further utility—and glamour.  

From the 14-carat-gold Lohja Tornio fixture floating above the island to the bedroom’s vintage chandelier, statement lighting also bejewels the home. In contrast, LEDs smaller than dimes, manufactured by Porsche for Apure, illuminate interiors and artwork but virtually disappear in the ceiling when turned off. 

Finely crafted details—think intricate millwork, bespoke fireplace surrounds and brass floor inlays—elevate every space. “All of the trim was reimagined. We created a layering effect to give you a sense that the ceilings are higher than they are,” notes Mullin. “The millwork has a very traditional feel, which I think balances really well with the contemporary island and fireplaces.” A flat-screen TV drops down from the ceiling near the fireplace in the less formal parlor.

Pale wooden floors and high-gloss lacquered door panels were employed to strategic effect. “We wanted as much light reflection as possible,” says Wilder. “Reflective surfaces make the rooms look much larger. Everything was about creating expansive views so the home wouldn’t feel crowded.”

Houston-based interior designer Benjamin Johnston worked with the owners to complement the architectural details with a sophisticated mix of contemporary and classic pieces, many from their previous home. “The family’s heirlooms and prized possessions were called upon to lend a dramatic, personalized touch to the mostly neutral furnishings,” he explains. “Pieces with mixed metals and finishes were chosen to accentuate the use of antiques throughout the home. The palette was kept classic and neutral to let the art provide color and drama.”

The entire project, from design through construction, was completed in 13 months—no small feat given challenges presented by the building’s infrastructure and the narrow streets of Georgetown (think road closures). Big-ticket items, from the La Cornue oven to giant slabs of stone, had to be craned in from the rooftop deck. 

“We had a lot of faith in our client and her eye and vice versa,” Wilder reflects. “And we were passionate about this opportunity. Everybody involved was a joy to work with.” ■

Renovation Design & Contracting: Anthony Wilder, principal; Sean Mullin, AIA; Shannon Kadwell, CMKBD, Allied ASID, Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Cabin John, Maryland. Interior Design: Benjamin Johnston, Benjamin Johnston Design, Houston, Texas. Anthony Wilder Design/Build won a 2023 PRO Remodeler of the Year award in the category of Residential Interior over $500,000 for the project, as well as Home & Design’s Award of Excellence.

Château La Chenevière, a five-star hotel on the Normandy coast, ensconces guests in a restored 18th-century manor house. The 30-acre, 29-room property is also home to Le Botaniste, a restaurant with a charming dining terrace (above). Fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables are supplied by an on-site permaculture garden. From $500. lacheneviere.com

Doncel Brown launched Generation Typo, a DC-based online apparel brand, to spark a dialog between generations. “Everything I’ve accomplished has been by learning from those older and younger than me,” says the self-taught designer, who channeled fashions from the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s in his 2023 spring/summer collection, shown in February at New York Fashion Week.

From the company’s T-shirts to runway attire, every piece is embellished with a thin red line that suggests a typo. “Someone can look at what you’re doing and think you’re living life the wrong way,” explains Brown. “But that’s just their opinion. The red line shows that you can own that typo and be proud of who you are.” 

Runway collections—including a wool-blend blazer and wrap skirt, pictured—will soon be available to pre-order at generationtypo.com.

Pepe Moncayo (known for Michelin-starred Cranes in DC) has opened the area’s first Singaporean fine-dining restaurant in Tysons Galleria. Designed by DC-based //3877, Jiwa Singapura features an open kitchen and a suspended floral art installation, reminiscent of the Southeast Asian island. A bar and outdoor seating also beckon. Barcelona-born Moncayo, who spent nine years in Singapore, reinterprets the country’s street fare with entrées such as chili crab. 2100 International Drive; 571-425-4101. jiwasingapura.com