Breakfast room with frame "nests."

Where? West Dupont Circle
Size? 2,500 square feet
Type? Townhouse
Moved in? 2001

Why Dupont? "This area has the best of city living. Everything we need is within walking distance, including the Metro. We have The Phillips Collection, wonderful architecture, and a variety of shops."

Overall Look? "Gilded eclectic is the only category we can fit into; we have more gilded objects than King Tut."

Inspiration? "Bill is an artist, gilder, frame-maker, and conservator of gilded objects. This is why we have empty antique frames as artwork and other little treasures sitting around. I am a painter who has learned to use gold leaf in my work and since my studio is the top floor of our home, I use the entire house to showcase my work."

Biggest Decorating Challenge?  "Incorporating all the weird things Bill brings home. Like the twisted iron railing he pulled from a demolition site, gilded, and proudly brought home one night. It ended up on our living room mantle."

This off-white wrought-iron table from Anthropologie is $150.  The post says it retailed for $695 and was never used. I like the weathered, antique look—it could be used indoors or out.

More good finds:

• Wicker sectional outdoor sofa from Restoration Hardware for $1,500
• Painted and distressed cabinet for $100
• White bathroom hutch for $75
• Over-size armchair from Crate and Barrel for $45
• Kitchen table and four chairs for $100

Thanks, Craig! 

The Box Score
DC: 7
Virginia: 2
Maryland: 1

$5,200,000—8604 York Manor Way, Potomac
$4,100,000—2414 Tracy Place, NW, Kalorama
$2,850,000—17814 Running Colt Place, Leesburg
$2,835,000—3058 Harrison Street, NW, Forest Hills
$2,770,000—2136 Bancroft Place, NW, Kalorama
$2,395,000—4331 Hawthorne Street, NW, Wesley Heights
$2,334,332—2085 Grace Manor Court, McLean
$2,300,000—2425 L Street, NW, Unit 939, Foggy Bottom
$2,260,000—5020 Glenbrook Road, NW, Kent
$2,200,000—4668 Garfield Street, NW, Wesley Heights

Every year, the Maryland chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recognizes outstanding projects across the state with its design awards. Architect David Jameson took home an honor award, the highest recognition, in the residential, single-family category for this boxy, contemporary house in Bethesda.

Named Jigsaw, the museumlike design makes use of powerful lines and strong shapes. It's more sculptural than warm and cozy and uses aggressive geometry to create contrasts between light and dark and enclosed and open spaces. The jury called the house “spatially elegant” and said it “allows a lot of continuity between the interior and exterior.”

Want to see more photos from Washington events and parties? Click here for Washingtonian.com's photo slideshow page. 

Where? The Cherrydale neighborhood in North Arlington
Size? 700 square feet
Type? One bedroom
When did you move in? Memorial Day weekend

Why North Arlington? “I had been renting a house with a couple of girls in the same area, and I fell in love with all the cute shops. I love going to the Lee Height shops—my favorites are Arrowine, a wine store; Randolph’s bakery; and Cassatts, a New Zealand-style cafe. When it came time to live on my own, I knew I couldn’t leave the neighborhood. It feels like home.”
 

Where: 2500 North 25th Street, Arlington
Listing Price: $5,990,000
Time on the Market: one week
Bedrooms: five
Bathrooms: five

This home sits on seven acres of wooded property above the Potomac River. Built in 1926, the stone manor house has embassy-size rooms and custom molding. A long, private driveway leads to the estate and its three-car garage and boxwood garden.

Among this month’s big real estate deals: Oakland Raiders running back Lamont Jordan sells for $1.2 million, Republican insider Ken Mehlman sells for $899,000, and real-estate exec Michael Darby buys for $2.3 million.  Click here to read the details—and see pics.

Also online: Four-Star Condos, about the hotel/condo projects filling Washington’s development pipeline. See which condos are partnering with hotels to offer amenities like room service, valet parking, maid-service, and in-residence spa treatments. Plus, a handful of traditional condos are offering hotel-like services, minus the hotel.