Dawn light silhouettes crab houses on Virginia’s Tangier Island in an image captured by photographer Jay Fleming. Heading out by boat on a February morning to shoot oystermen at work, he came upon this scene—one of the most beautiful sunrises he’d ever witnessed. “I spent about 15 minutes shooting it,” he recalls. “The colors were constantly changing as the sun got closer to rising.” After years spent documenting the Chesapeake region’s seafood industry, the former National Geographic photographer has published two books on the topic, including the recent Island Life.

PHOTO: Jay Fleming

With fire pits, steaming spas, hidden heaters and outdoor kitchens on the rise, today’s outdoor rooms can keep on going long after summer’s last hurrah. We asked experts to shed light on how to plan the perfect year-round escape.

What features and amenities are essential to a comfortable, year-round outdoor retreat?
An ideal zone for entertaining should include a comfy, central seating area that is convenient and easily accessible to the primary residence. Gathering spots with privacy and good views are always nice. Shade is key—either from a well-placed tree, umbrella or roof. Other features that make a space more enjoyable include small fountains, decorative landscaping or a cozy fire. Lastly, low-voltage accent lighting extends the usability of a space into nighttime.

—Howard Cohen, Surrounds, Inc.

Explain your approach to outdoor lighting.
Outdoor lighting depends on the client’s preference. Though some like to light up the façade to spotlight the house, we usually design our lighting according to task. For example, overhead lighting is great when you’re cooking in an outdoor kitchen, but if you’re snuggled by a fire, you may want less light.

We usually go for an ambient glow around an entire landscape. Shining a spotlight on a tree of interest helps with visibility—especially in areas where path lighting may not be highly functional. Moonlighting, or lighting from above, works well for driveways and darker spaces where you don’t want a line of bulbs creating a runway effect.

For us, the glow of a light is more important than the fixture itself. Careful placement is key and should be reconsidered as plant material matures to ensure the lighting plan still functions as designed.

—April Sullivan, Rossen Landscape

When should homeowners begin planning an al fresco gathering space and what steps are involved?
It depends on the complexity of the project, but a year or more in advance is not too early to start. The first step is the design process. Well-thought-out plans take time and vary according to the challenges of the site, the clients’ schedule and their decision-making and communication styles.

The second step is aligning the design with the budget, which can mean deleting portions of the plan, changing materials or installing in phases.

Installation is the next and lengthiest step. Obtaining permits; procuring hardscape and construction supplies; and coping with the weather and season all factor into how much time it will take to complete a successful outdoor space. Consistent communication among the homeowner, designer and production team is crucial so expectations are fulfilled—and hopefully exceeded.

—Phil Kelly, McHale Landscape Design

What materials are most practical and attractive for outdoor kitchen countertops?
There are many factors to consider when making a countertop selection. Granite is a popular option that stands up to the elements, doesn’t absorb stains easily and will not fade in the sun. However, select your color carefully, as darker stones absorb the sun’s heat and can burn your skin in the summer. Another natural stone option with many positives is soapstone—a heat-, stain- and bacteria-resistant option. It’s also nonporous, so regular sealing isn’t required. One drawback to soapstone is that it’s limited to shades of gray and black.

Newer on the market is Dekton—a manmade, highly bonded stone that’s UV-resistant, nonporous and highly resistant to abrasion. It’s quickly becoming the top choice of many designers.

—Josh Kane, Kane Landscapes, Inc.

What drives your selection of hardscape materials and which ones should homeowners avoid?
When selecting hardscape materials, you need to consider durability, lifespan, carbon footprint, beauty and cost. We gravitate towards natural materials with proven, long-term track records in the climate where they’re specified. When logical, we reuse materials found on site or consider salvaged materials. In general, we are hesitant to specify composite decking that is difficult to recycle and hasn’t performed well over longer time frames.

Some materials are right for one spot in a landscape but not another. For example, while Western red cedar may be a great option for a vertical fence, we’ve found it to be too soft for a deck—especially in a high-traffic area. Granite is a favorite paving choice but needs the right surface treatment to ensure slip-resistance. By using the same material in different finishes (honed granite for a countertop, a thermal finish for paving and a rock-face finish for steps), we can showcase the stone’s variability.

Remember that not all materials need to be maintained—some should be allowed to patina over time and change with the seasons. We love the look of natural wood as it silvers.

—Ryan Moody, ASLA, Moody Graham

Explain the guidelines you apply when siting and designing an outdoor fireplace.
Outdoor fireplaces are often used as a focal element or a termination point on a long access. They are generally big-ticket items, so we site them in areas that will make an impact. Before selecting a fireplace, owners need to take into consideration how it’s going to be powered: wood-burning versus gas, or a combination of the two. They should also consider the fireplace’s relationship to the seating spaces around it, as well as its proximity to other structures. The material selected—whether brick, stucco, stone or steel—really drives the aesthetic we choose; we make an effort to complement or contrast fireplaces with other materials on a project.

—Joseph Richardson, PLA, ASLA, Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture

DC’s National Museum of Women in the Arts reopened on October 21 after a two-year, $70 million renovation that dramatically updated the 1908 building while respecting its architectural legacy. The Classic Revival gem was designed by architect Waddy Wood as a Masonic temple. Over the years, it also served as an office building and a movie theater before the NMWA purchased the landmark in 1983.

The first major rehab since the museum’s 1987 debut brings it into the 21st century with flexible, expanded exhibition spaces; the Learning Commons complete with a gallery, library and classroom/studio; the updated Performance Hall; better accessibility; and state-of-the-art lighting.

“We’ve designed a forward-looking structure with versatile spaces while also maintaining the building’s historic spirit,” says lead architect Sandra Parsons Vicchio. The Great Hall (above) exemplifies this vision. Its original marble balustrades and coffered ceiling were preserved, as were the circa-1980s marble floors and chandeliers—now lit with LEDs. But a new, neutral palette elevates the space along with reworked gold-leaf accents and, on the mezzanine, custom Holland & Sherry wallpaper framing artwork on view.

“This transformative renovation makes it possible to be bolder and more inventive and imaginative,” notes NMWA director Susan Fisher Sterling, “and to provide strong programming now and into the future.”

Lead Architect: Sandra Parsons Vicchio, AIA, NCARB, LEEP AP, Sandra Vicchio & Associates, LLC, Baltimore, Maryland. Architect of Record: Cara Versace, AIA, NCARB, LEEP AP BD+C, MCA, Baltimore, Maryland. Interior Design of Public Spaces: Eileen Ritter & Associates, Washington, DC. Contractor: Grunley, Washington, DC. 

Every year, some 20 local design teams partner with Washington Design Center showrooms to celebrate the holidays. Now in its eighth year, the lively soirée presents dazzling vignettes and tablescapes—ranging from classic to avant garde—made with fabrics and finery sourced at the center.

This year’s Fête will kick off with a public reception on December 5th; attendees can peruse each showroom display, meet the designers and enjoy refreshments. Décor will remain on view through December 8th.

Following is a list of designer-showroom collaborations:

American Eye: Michaela Robinson/Michaela Design
Baker/McGuire: Tobe Design Group
Century: Lorna Gross Interior Design
Cowtan & Tout: Sally Steponkus Interiors
David Sutherland: ColePrévost
Galleria: Marika Meyer Interiors
Hines: Disney Magic
Holland & Sherry: Hendrick Interiors
Holly Hunt: Rebecca Penno/Penno Interiors
John Rosselli: Melissa Colgan Interiors
Kravet: Sarah Bartholomew Design
Michael-Cleary: David Mitchell
Osborne & Little: Jennifer Stoner Interiors
Patterson Flynn: Laura Hodges Studio
Pindler: Donna Wheeler Drapery Designs
Quadrille: b.croft Textile
ROMO: Catherine Ebert Interiors
RUE IV: Kazumi Yoshida/Folding Chair Design
Scalamandré: Haynes Associates/Consider It Done
Schumacher: Annie Elliott Design
Stark: Laura Hildebrandt/Interiors by LH

Home & Design sponsors the event; proceeds benefit Childrens National Hospital. For more information and a complete list of participants when available, visit designcenterdc.com.

El Presidente, Stephen Starr’s latest foray into Washington, celebrates Mexican cuisine in a festive, 6,000-square-foot Union Market locale. Designers at AvroKO conjured its “neo-retro” interiors. The main dining room features an elaborate raw bar while the bar room is crowned by a surrealist diorama depicting scenes of land and sea. Agave spirits reign, with about 100 tequilas and 50 mezcals ready to sample. Menu highlights include fresh seafood, from ceviche to the Gran Torre de Mariscos and prime Tomahawk ribeye with grilled bone marrow. 1255 Union Street, NE; 202-318-4820. elpresidentedc.com

PHOTOS: REY LOPEZ

Scanlan Theodore, an Australian label, has landed in CityCenterDC. Proffering modern, well-crafted women’s wear, the 2,872-square-foot boutique designed by Studio McQualter features a chic lounge (pictured) sporting a vintage Murano glass chandelier and seating dressed in Italian velvet. 983 Palmer Alley, NW. us.scanlantheodore.com

Road Warrior
From its low-slung hood to its three-dimensional radiator grille, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe combines sporty, elegant proportions with modern design. Engine options include four- or six-cylinder, mild-hybrid powertrains with an integrated starter generator and a 48-volt electrical system. The coupe arrives in the U.S. early next year; price to be determined. mbusa.com

No Wires
LG has launched the world’s first wireless OLED TV. The model 97M3 connects wirelessly to various devices, including gaming consoles and set-top boxes, and is free of all cables except for its power cord. Available in 77-, 83- and 97-inch sizes. From $4,999. lg.com

All Ears
Harman Kardon’s new Aura Studio Bluetooth speaker, crafted in part out of recycled materials, pairs a sleek look with high-quality sound. With a six-speaker array that fills a room, it houses 324 individual crystals in the base of a dome. Ambient light— programmable in various color moods—dances to the rhythm of what’s playing. $299; harmankardon.com

After traveling a mile through the woods, the car arrives at a berm blanketed in mountain mint. A concrete tunnel in the slope leads to a weathered metal door. It swings open and visitors emerge into the light.

Suddenly a modern refuge unfolds revealing a confluence of earth, water and sky.

If the entry is a bit out of the ordinary, that’s because this is no ordinary house. Pushing the concepts of threshold and boundary, openness and protection, it accentuates the magnitude of a setting where the Potomac River converges with the Chesapeake Bay.

It all started when a DC-based executive acquired the 144-acre Leonardtown, Maryland, property in 2019, then enlisted architect Todd Ray of Page to design a weekend escape on site. The initial request gave Ray pause. “He asked for a Hobbit house,” relates the architect. “I told him, ‘Well, you came to the wrong guy.’”

But as the dialogue deepened, sparks began to fly. “I liked the idea of a home that fits into the land,” the owner explains. “There is something exciting, a bit foreboding and very cool about going through a tunnel into the earth and entering a home you cannot see.”

As Ray and colleague Ana Zannoni collaborated on the plan, they envisioned the main entry as well as other thresholds that would offer revelations of their own. Walking the site, they took cues from black stone jetties protecting the beach. “The cadence of these manmade elements at play with nature,” says Ray, inspired them to carry the lines of the jetties onto the property. They created two massive parti walls that would form the home’s framework, perpendicular to the entry tunnel. “The two big walls created boundaries and have a very strong presence,” says Zannoni.

Social spaces—an open kitchen, living area and reading room—are laid out between the four-and-a-half-foot-thick walls while a dining room, two bedrooms with ensuite baths and a den/guest room are situated on opposite sides of the parallel partitions. A central interior courtyard brings light and greenery into the heart of the kitchen. When the folding doors are open, lines are blurred between the living area, pool terrace and the watery vista beyond.

The architects riffed on contrasts between dark and light and indoor and outdoor conditions. Enclosed passageways signal transitions from public to private realms. For example, a tunnel-like stair leads to a second-floor office with 360-degree views of nature. “Our client wanted the experience of entering a compressed spatial threshold that leads to an unexpected expanse—a place of safety, refuge and wonder,” says Ray.

“The contrast—between feeling contained and protected and instances where we blow out the walls so they almost disappear—is a reminder that we want a connection to the outside but are also conscious that at times, we shelter,” elaborates Zannoni.

A year after its 2022 completion, the owner and his long-time partner were married under the stars on the property. He and his now-husband, a consultant, selected most of the furnishings and building materials. The simple, organic palette pays homage to the architects’ exterior program. Concrete-look tile clads the floor and walls; custom concrete countertops and sinks grace the kitchen and baths. In the primary suite, a living wall illuminated by a skylight brings the outdoors in.

The 4,731-square-foot residence is an ode to the beauty—and fragility—of the site. Equipped with solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling, it has nearly achieved net-zero status. The entry berm was made from soil excavated during construction.

As the project neared completion, landscape architects Ryan Moody and Nick Wittkofski of Moody Graham joined the team. “We pulled the amazingly strong concepts that Todd and Ana developed into the landscape and pulled some of the forest back into the site,” says Moody. Focusing on native species, they planted the berm with silvery mountain mint and fringed the pool terrace with Virginia sweetspire, oakleaf hydrangea and Russian sage.

Continuing the axis established by the jetties and parti walls, concrete pavers extend from the home toward the forest, culminating at two Corten steel panels. “These planes that you can pass through create another portal, a transition point where you enter a different landscape,” says Wittkofski. Ana Zannoni, who launched her own architecture firm in 2022, has designed a new guesthouse and freestanding gym to be built in the woods.

The owners often get away to Leonardtown with friends and family. “They go there to rejuvenate and read, swim and be with nature,” observes Todd Ray.

“Coming here,” muses one resident, standing on the dock near a fleet of paddleboards, “you feel your blood pressure going down. The relaxation of it all is just amazing.”

What were your initial goals?
My priority was to make the home warm, inviting and livable instead of feeling barren and kind of sparse. With a big, open area on the main level, I also had to create spaces within that space.

Describe the look you were after.
The wife was drawn to a Scandinavian aesthetic. Her husband, who’s from the South, likes modern design but also wanted something that felt familiar and comfortable with lots of wood elements. We landed on contemporary California-meets-traditional Scandi style.

How did the process unfold?
I think about a design project almost like a piece of art. After in-depth discussions with my clients, I come back six to eight weeks later with two options for each room. Everything down to the pillows is pulled together so that they can see how spaces translate visually and tie into other rooms. My goal is to figure out what resonates and to make sure all the options fit their style and needs.

Is it possible to overdo the Scandinavian aesthetic?
Nowadays, people who want a Scandinavian look often shove a bunch of Mid-Century Modern pieces into their homes as opposed to balancing the look out with other things. You have to make sure there’s an equilibrium and that on the whole it feels fresh.

What drove the color palette?
They were open to some color, but I had to be strategic about it. She likes certain warm colors and he likes blues. When selecting neutral pieces, we needed some contrast in order for the rooms to feel balanced and to help bring down the lofty white walls and high windows—to make it feel intimate and cozy.

Explain your criteria for furniture selection.
I wanted to show them a mix of pieces with familiar lines and some Scandi references. So even though they wanted to keep things clean and simple, I thought about ways to introduce a bit of detail in items that are unique. For example, the owners like to sit down and take off their shoes when they arrive home. We had to find something that could hold shoes, but that didn’t look super-utilitarian. Near the front entry, we sourced a Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams chest with a carved-wood element on the front; it was perfect.

Why are plants so vital to this project?
Layered plants are key to relieving the “new car smell” of new construction. And since we weren’t installing window treatments or ceiling fixtures, plants became important vertical elements. They bring the eye up so that there is some sort of balance between low and tall pieces in a room.

Why did you mix seating options in the dining room?
My clients were pretty adamant about having a long table that they could pull up to for casual meals. The benches bring in the contrast the space needed; the black leather makes them durable for kids. And the pop of color on the performance-velvet Four Hands chairs grounds the space.

Explain your rug selections.
With kids around, I am a big proponent of making sure that if something spills on a rug, you shouldn’t have to stress. Rugs that combine neutrals with some color and have a pattern are really good for disguising things while making a room feel clean and fresh.

How does art elevate the home?
Creating visual texture on the walls was so important. I selected pieces that represent the design well and have some personal context. I love that the abstract painting in the living room is by a California artist. And in the third-floor office space, a work by Colin Taylor that we found at Calloway Fine Art not only balances the room’s neutrals, but also the window and gorgeous view.

What inspired the primary bedroom?
A beautiful hotel room. Earthy tones give it a minimal feel, but we added a lot of textures that bring dimension to it, like the linen headboard, plum-accented fabrics on the throw pillows and the faux fur on the Four Hands bench. These elements make the room feel comfy and cozy, but not in your face. It has a natural elegance.

Ask Mary Jo

Name your favorite haunts for vintage finds.
I love going to Miss Pixie’s on 14th Street and Luckett’s in Virginia.

Describe a recent foray into bold color.
I painted a wall in deep teal—St. John Blue by Benjamin Moore—to show off a ceramic cherry blossom art installation.

Name a wallpaper that you’re crazy about.  
I’m in love with Butterfly Sky by Phillip Jeffries. It makes you feel like you’re floating and the little butterflies make it all the more fun.

What’s your take on maximalism?
I’m a fan of Maximalism and its play of color and pattern. I think it’s here to stay. To make it work, you have to avoid clutter. More pattern and color do not necessarily mean more stuff.

What inspired you to become an interior designer?
I wanted to be a designer since I was 11 years old and always styled my own room. Once I saw “Trading Spaces,” it was fuel to the fire.

RIVERFRONT RETREAT
McHale Landscape Design was tapped to overhaul an existing landscape and pool on the Severn River in Annapolis. The team installed travertine coping and a vanishing-edge water feature clad in glass tile. “The pool provides a stunning visual and delicate audio effect,” notes McHale’s Sandra Moffatt. “But the sound of a waterfall needs to be taken into consideration. If it’s over 70 decibels, it can make conversation difficult.”
Landscape Design & Contracting: McHale Landscape Design.

FLOATING GARDEN
On a Mount Vernon property, landscape architect Joseph Richardson created a lily pond with three fountains. Aquatic plants, he notes, require ample sunlight. “Foliage should cover only 60 to 65 percent of the surface to shade the water and maintain a suitable environment.”
Architecture: Rill Architects. Landscape Architecture: Joseph Richardson, PLA, ASLA, Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture. Landscape Contractor: Black Pearl Management.

DC OASIS
An eight-by-16-foot water feature—half spa and half plunge pool—makes the most of its urban footprint in Cleveland Park. The project designed by Blake Dunlevy features a stone wall with a spillway. The wall conceals pool equipment and also displays artwork. “We focus attention on placing pieces within the landscape that complement the surroundings,” Dunlevy notes.
Landscape Design & Contracting: D. Blake Dunlevy, D. A. Dunlevy.

MAKE A SPLASH
Kane Landscapes outfitted a sloped Leesburg poolscape with a waterfall, slide and tiered stone seating. Principal Josh Kane says large boulders are key to creating a natural-looking waterfall. “Also,” he advises, “to make falls look more natural, be sure that water bubbles up rather than shooting out of one area.”
Landscape Architecture: Alan Blalack, RLA; Landscape Contractor: Kane Landscapes, Inc.

AU NATUREL
“Our client in Lothian, Maryland, wanted an oasis with a pool, slide and waterfall,” says Jeff Crandell of Scapes. The designer surrounded the freeform pool in lilac flagstone coping and ivory travertine decking. Balancing natural stone and plantings softens a hardscape, he contends. “When plants are mixed with materials in different colors, textures and sizes, it creates a natural-looking escape.”
Landscape Design & Construction: Scapes, Inc.

SPA ZONE
Pristine Acres conceived a luxurious, 10-by-10-foot spa on a compact Aldie, Virginia, property. Embellished with sandblasted marble and specialty tile, it’s sheltered by an overhead structure and concealed by a fir wall. “Privacy and protection from the elements were at the top of the list,” says landscape architect Kevin Kurdziolek. “The structure above provides a refuge from summer sun and light rain.”
Landscape Architecture & Contracting: Pristine Acres.

PRIVATE SCREENING
An Annapolis refuge boasts an ipe veranda with a fireplace, pavilions and a pool rimmed in bluestone. “Privacy was a major concern,” says Michael Prokopchak of Walnut Hill, the landscape contractor. “To resolve this, cryptomeria, Nellie Stevens hollies and arborvitae were strategically placed along the property line.”
Landscape Architecture: OVS. Landscape Contractor: Walnut Hill Landscape Company. Photo: George E. Brown.

Last year, nearly a half-million recreational vehicles were sold in the U.S. RVs come in a range of styles and sizes, from bare-bones campers to moveable mansions. Bethesda architectural photographer Anice Hoachlander and husband Peter Hobby, a consultant for USAID, recently decided to find a roving home of their own. Previously the owners of a sailboat and an escape on the Chesapeake, they wanted to see more of the U.S. and Canada.

“We started looking online, but stock brands weren’t quite our style,” says Hoachlander. Then they discovered the perfect solution: Ready Set Van, a New Jersey workshop that outfits new and used vans with clean-lined, handcrafted interiors. “Their mantra is that if you wouldn’t want something in your house, it shouldn’t be in your van,” she says. She and Hobby bought a new Dodge van that was delivered to New Jersey and two months later, drove off in a gleaming Basecamper model. To accommodate photo shoots, Ready Set Van customized the vehicle with a clear plexiglass platform, installed over its solar panels.

Its open-plan layout, stainless-steel appliances and wood finishes spoke to their modern aesthetic. Amenities include an induction cooktop, LED lighting, heating and a/c, a built-in loo and a heated outdoor shower. Solar panels can power the interior for two or three days at a time; lithium batteries can also be charged via the engine through a separate alternator if needed. Unlike oversized RVs, the nimble, 19-foot-eight-inch-long van can be legally parked nationwide. “We love camping but want to experience cities too,” Hoachlander notes.

The couple recently took their maiden voyage to the Finger Lakes. “It’s not hard to drive and handles the highway well,” says Hobby. “We were also on some narrow back roads, and it did them well too.”

Ready Set Van’s Ben Fraser says he founded the company to “create a modern, Manhattan-style pied-à-terre on wheels. It’s our mission to build truly beautiful homes that also enable great adventure.” Builds start at $38,000, plus cost of van. readysetvan.com

The Smithsonian Women’s Committee has reimagined its annual Craft2Wear show. The rebranded event, Craft: Fashion + Home will not only feature wearable art, but also an array of artisan-made home furnishings—from lighting, ceramics, glass, silver and dinnerware to rugs, pillows and throws.

Held at Washington’s National Building Museum from October 5 to 8, the show will feature between 70 and 80 exhibitors, according to interior designer and event chair Susan Vallon. “We’ve strived to bring many young designers to this year’s show, with good price points,” she says. “It’ll be a great venue for early holiday shopping.

“On the fashion side,” Vallon continues, “attendees will find imaginatively designed jewelry, apparel, bags, hats and coats.”

The event will kick off with a benefit gala on October 5, when partygoers can preview and purchase artwork. Proceeds of Craft: Fashion + Home support the educational, research and outreach efforts of the Smithsonian Women’s Committee. Visit smithsoniancraft2wear.org

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.