If you are going to go for the retro-modern look, why not do it in bright red? These four vintage Herman Miller chairs are $1,200 on Craigslist. The cup-shaped seats are made of fiberglass; the criss-crossing legs of chrome.

More good finds:
• Oak table for $80
• Teak patio set—table, four chairs, and umbrella—for $1,000
• Two wright iron wine racks—one for $10, one for $20
• King bed frame from Ethan Allen for $500
• Solid cherry entertainment center for $525
• Pedestal dining table for $350


Thanks Craigslist!

Bellapais on River Farm, 8303 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria

List Price: $9,750,000
Time on the Market: 3.5 years
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 7.5
Details: A few miles north of Mount Vernon, this brick Federal-style estate was built in 1850 and was once part of George Washington’s River Farm. It sits on more than 25 acres and, according to the Washington Fine Properties listing, is “Washington’s largest private estate on the Potomac.”

More pictures below.

Here’s this week’s roundup of the ten most expensive home sales in the region, as reported by American City Business Leads.  

The Box Score
Virginia: 9
Maryland: 1
DC: 0

$2,850,000—14 Wolfe Street, Unit 53, Alexandria
$2,810,000—8030 North Park Street, Dunn Loring
$2,772,672—6541 Old Chesterbrook Road, McLean
$2,750,000—20022 Trappe Road, Bluemont
$2,246,235—419 Walker Road, Great Falls
$2,115,750—4108 North Randolph Court, Arington
$2,050,000—6126 Woodmont Road, Alexandria
$1,880,000—8517 Horseshoe Lane, Potomac
$1,850,000—221 North Royal Street, Alexandria
$1,825,000—1201 North Nash Street, Unit 602, Arlington

If you drive on Arlington’s Clarendon Boulevard almost every day like I do, you’ve seen the construction site between Court House and Rosslyn. As the hole in the ground slowly morphed into two window-filled tributes to modern living, my curiosity led me to take a Saturday tour. Called The Wooster and Mercer Lofts, the buidlings’ large open spaces, floating stairs, roof decks, and floor-to-ceiling windows made me wish I was buying instead of browsing.

What: The Wooster and Mercer Lofts

Where: 1600 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington

Breakdown: The Wooster and Mercer Lofts occupy the block bordered by Clarendon Boulevard and 16th, Queen, and Pierce streets. The two five-story buildings, made of concrete and brick, surround a courtyard with an outdoor pool and private green space.

Number of Units: 87—52 in the Wooster and 35 in the Mercer.

Sizing: Units range from studios to three-bedrooms plus lofts and from 720 to 3,000 square feet.

Pricing: While a few units are priced from the $500,000’s to $800,000’s, the majority range from the $900,000 to $2 million.

Housed in an 8,000 square-foot former Cadillac showroom on DC’s 14th Street, Washington's first Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams store opened this month. Although the company’s name may not be familiar, its furniture probably is—it’s the biggest supplier to mega-retailers like Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, and Pottery Barn.

Packed with over-stuffed sofas and sectionals, comfy throw pillows, and classic wooden chests and tables, the store offers furniture that is modern without being avant-garde. Here’s a first look at the Logan Circle showroom—and some of its stylish, comfortable finds:

Based in Cabin John, Anthony Wilder Design Build does everything from whole house renovation to interior design. Admired by peers for his creativity, Wilder, who co-owns the firm with his wife, Elizabeth, calls his style “architecture with whimsy.”  

How many houses have you remodeled in the Washington area?
More than 1,000. I used to do a lot of smaller jobs (close to 300 per year), but now we turn out between 15 and 20 larger, more detailed, projects a year.

What are the biggest mistakes people make when renovating a home?
Working with an unrealistic timeline is a huge mistake. All too often clients rush through selections in an effort to complete the project for a special event, rather than developing the details and letting all the great ideas and opportunities unfold. My advice would be that it’s great if the project is completed in time for a special event, but don’t lose sight of the fact that you’ll be living with these decisions for the rest of your life or until you move. It’s one of the most important investments you will ever make.

What do people want in their homes?
People want open space, natural light, and seamless flow—these are enduring elements that so magically become a source of serenity. A home or a room must always reflect good feelings. Everyone feels healthy and calm in natural light.

Here is one of Wilder's favorite spaces in his own house.

What is your favorite room in a house to design?
Rooms with beautiful views…especially of gardens.
 
You’ve done so many residential projects—do you have a favorite?  One that stands out in your mind?
Projects that have anything to do with flowing water. I love using water as a reflection of the architecture.  
 
What’s your own house like?
It’s a traditional house with a contemporary flair. One of my favorite parts is the seamless walls of glass facing the garden.

I use Google to find everything from handbags to former high-school classmates. But until I stumbled on a Google feature called Base, I didn’t know it could help me find a house.

Base organizes user-generated content—from recipes to research papers to store inventories—in easy-to-search databases. The “housing” section is a collection of homes and properties for sale, rent, or sublet. You can search by Zip code, price, number of bedrooms or bathrooms, listing type (for rent, for sale, or sublet), and property type (condo, co-op, single family, or land). The results are displayed alongside a Google map, making it easy to zoom in on particular neighborhoods. And each listing offers photos.

Happy hunting!