Inside 10 Great Homes
From a funky DC townhouse to a charming manor in the Virginia countryside, here’s a look at beautiful homes. First up: a 22,000-square-foot Potomac mansion that’s surprisingly cozy.
By
Sherri Dalphonse
,
Mary Clare Fleury
,
Leslie Milk
Published Wednesday, April 01, 2009
“We wanted a nice home but a home that was warm and family-friendly,” says Jean-Marie Fernandez as she sits in her kitchen and watches her three-year-old son race his scooter on the wood floor. The flooring is reclaimed Russian white oak, which was fumed—a finishing process that gave it a patina. “People always comment on the floor,” she says. “It was supposed to look aged and beaten up. It’s great with kids. The more dings and scratches, the better.” Jean-Marie and her husband, Raul Fernandez—he’s chair of ObjectVideo and a co-owner of the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics—spent two years designing and then two years building their Potomac home, where they live with their three children. The eight-bedroom, 13-bath house is very large—22,000 square feet plus 2,000 more for the poolhouse—but textured fabrics, soothing colors, sunlit rooms, and family photos give it an unstuffy feel. No room is grand in size; even the two-story foyer, with its castlelike wooden front door and Jerusalem Gold marble, feels intimate and welcoming. “We’re attracted to French style, but this is more Normandy, less formal,” says Jean-Marie. “Raul is not a formal person, and neither am I.” Resources Architect: Anthony “Ankie” Barnes, Barnes Vanze Architects, DC Builder: Gibson Builders, DC. Project manager: Larry Graham Interior designer: José Solis, Solis Betancourt, DC Iron railings and ironwork: Patrick Cardine, Cardine Studios, Bealeton, Va. Wood floors: Classic Floor Designs, DC Woodwork finishing: Valley Craftsmen, Baltimore Landscape architect: DCA Landscape Architects, DC
>> Next: From Japan With Love
|
Comments
About the curtains, I was referring to the Brody House -- the curving shades in the living room. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by: Ann, May 06, 2009 08:51:38 AM
Where can I get those curtains? They look beautiful.
Posted by: Ann, May 06, 2009 08:46:55 AM
|
Post a comment
Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.
|
|
From a funky DC townhouse to a charming manor in the Virginia countryside, here’s a look at beautiful homes. First up: a 22,000-square-foot Potomac mansion that’s surprisingly cozy.
more
New downtowns are springing up with luxury condos, trendy restaurants, and fashionable shops.
more
Gone are the robust bureaus for the Los Angeles Times, Newhouse News, and other once-healthy news organizations. Digital media bureaus now are taking their places with as many reporters and plenty of swagger.
more
Sip some Beaujolais Nouveau, check out the Terra Cotta warriors, see a vintage murder thriller, and more this weekend.
more
|