Open House Blog

What’s In Store: Silk & Burlap in Downtown Frederick

Haven’t been to Frederick in a while? Meet Silk & Burlap, a slice of big-city sophistication that’s definitely worth the trip.

The Silk & Burlap storefront. Photograph courtesy of Robin Altice.

Slideshow: Silk & Burlap in Frederick

Frederick has long been known for its charming antiques stores and saccharin-sweet boutiques, which are the stuff of Girls’ Day Out dreams. But there’s a change in the air in this quiet Maryland town these days—a whiff, if you will, of subtle, citified sophistication. Perhaps it’s because Bryan Voltaggio’s Volt and his recently opened Lunchbox have made Frederick a foodie destination. Maybe it’s the new bars and bistros popping up along Market Street. Or maybe it’s because denizens of the design world are setting up super-chic spots like relative newcomer Silk & Burlap—much more Soho than shabby chic.

Silk & Burlap—a lifestyle boutique with a focus on vintage furniture and modern clothing and accessories—is the brainchild of native Californians Angelique Hoffman and Saule Smariga. Both women have a background in retail: Hoffman formerly worked as a district manager for Pottery Barn, and Smariga was a buyer for Nordstrom’s East Coast stores. When the two supermoms were introduced by their daughters at gymnastics, they realized they were both in need of a creative outlet. “We hatched the plan over many glasses of wine,” says Hoffman. “Our philosophy would be simple: Do we love it? Would we wear it? Would we put it in our homes?”

Flirty Valentine’s Day Decor

Spread the love with these romantic finishing touches.

Personalized song hearts, $65. Available here.

Slideshow: Flirty Valentine’s Day Decor

Valentine’s Day may come around just once a year, but a dash of red or pink will give your home that loving feeling all year round. Head to Etsy for whimsical touches like personalized artwork and glitter-encrusted figurines. Or if you’re looking to embrace your sultry side, All Modern offers a wide selection of contemporary seating—including a heart-shaped cone chair and Heller Studio 65’s famous lip loveseat. Click through the slideshow for 18 V-Day-appropriate pieces to fall head over heels for.

Neon Decorating Ideas

Energize your home with bright-as-can-be furnishings and accessories.

Slideshow: Neon Decorating Ideas

In our February issue we showed you how to brighten your winter wardrobe with pops of neon. Now, daring decorators can liven up their home with the same electrifying shades. Year after year, Jonathan Adler churns out showstopping neon pieces, and this season is no different—tangerine ottomans, fuchsia poufs, and turquoise trays are just the tip of the iceberg.

Meet Sage, the Wonder Dog

This 13-year-old border collie, one of Washington’s “wonder pets,” has been saving lives since she was just a puppy.

Photograph captured from YouTube video by the American Humane Association.

In the February issue of The Washingtonian, on stands now, you’ll find a special pets section that includes profiles of Washington’s “wonder pets.” These are animals that have survived against all odds or performed acts of bravery, or that make a difference in their communities. But we wanted to highlight one of them here. Sage, a 13-year-old border collie, is a real hero.

Sage lives in New Mexico, but she’ll forever be connected to Washington. She has been a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) search-and-rescue dog since she was 18 months old. Her first real mission was to search through the Pentagon after 9/11. Amid the rubble she sniffed out the body of the terrorist who had flown American Flight 77 into the building.

Since then, Sage has traveled to seven countries and participated in many high-profile missions. She searched for survivors following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and went to Aruba to look for the body of Natalee Holloway, who disappeared there in 2005.

Sage served in Iraq in 2007 and 2008, where she recovered human remains. Her owner and handler, Diane Whetsel, who accompanied her, says she fell into another role while living in the war zone: “Sage turned out to be the warm fur for soldiers to cry into, or just a playmate.”

The American Humane Association named Sage a 2011 Hero Dog. She mingled with members of Congress at a Veterans Day event honoring all the Hero Dogs. But her job has taken a toll. Sage is battling two rare forms of respiratory cancer, likely the result of sniffing through toxic sites. She’s getting the best care, but to help provide medical treatment to other service dogs, Whetsel started the Sage Foundation for Dogs Who Serve. The nonprofit’s mission is to “promote the welfare of dogs who have faithfully served (often in harm’s way) in wars, police work, crime prevention, and rescue efforts.”

Illness hasn’t dampened Sage’s spirit. While the dog was recovering from a recent surgery, Whetsel hid toys around the room for her to find: “It was like a healing thing for her—she was able to do her job.”

Look for our February 2012 issue feature on pets on Feb. 21.

Get the Look: Preppy in Pink—and Yellow

Bethesda interior designer Kelley Proxmire turns a Rhode Island summer home into an unabashedly preppy slice of paradise.

Photographs by Neil Alexander.

Before and After With Lauren Liess Interiors

An overlooked formal living room and adjoining dining space get a family-friendly facelift in McLean.

Photographs courtesy of Helen Norman.

The designer: Lauren Liess, 29, of Lauren Liess Interiors and her upbeat, über-accessible design blog (which recently reached more than 60,000 readers!).

The house: A single-family, ranch-style home in McLean.

The project: Turning an overlooked formal living room and dining room into a family-friendly space.

Q&A With Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s “Man Caves” and “Desperate Landscapes”

The handyman talks about building the ultimate man cave, must-have power tools, and what it’s like to work with Tony Siragusa.

Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes. Photograph courtesy of Jordan Matter Photography.

Licensed contractor and landscaping expert Jason Cameron has been a fixture on home improvement shows for nearly a decade, appearing on TLC’s Trading Spaces and While You Were Out. Now, the host of DIY Network’s Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes spends his days building manly retreats and transforming humdrum yards. This week, Cameron headlines Washington’s Home and Remodeling Show at the Dulles Expo Center (4320 Chantilly Ctr., Chantilly, VA). We caught up with the venerable handyman to discuss his must-have power tools, his favorite carpentry website, and whether Man Caves will ever make it to Washington.

Twig-Inspired Decor

Go out on a limb with this season’s enchanting branch-like accessories.

Urban Outfitters branch curtain tie-backs and Viva Terra coat tree. Photographs courtesy of Urban Outfitters and Viva Terra.

Slideshow: Twig-Inspired Decorating Ideas

Recently we showed you how to create a winter wonderland using white accents—but if you’re ready to branch out further, twig-inspired decor is another way to bring the great outdoors inside. Anthropologie’s winter line is brimming with pieces that would make Snow White and her woodland friends feel right at home, including a forest canopy bed and a “Who’s the Fairest” vanity mirror. For a more masculine look, head to West Elm for rustic accessories like the “Branches” floor lamp, a twig cheese spreader set, or printed Roman shades.

Top Design Trends of the Year

Local designers explain their favorite trends from 2011 and how you can incorporate them into your own home in 2012.

High-gloss paint makes art and textiles pop. Photograph by Angie Seckinger, courtesy Sally Steponkus Interiors.

Tangerine Tango and haute herringbone and classic chevron, oh my! In the world of interior design, where what was hot yesterday is out today, trying to keep your home in style can be overwhelming—which is why more and more customers are turning to interior designers to discover the hottest trends. They are the experts after all, and can help determine when to follow trends and when to stick with classic, timeless designs.

We recently talked with five local designers to find out their picks for the most popular design trends of 2011 and how you can incorporate them into your own home for 2012. Here are their decorating dos and don’ts for the new year.

Winter White Decorating Ideas

Just because it hasn’t snowed yet in Washington doesn’t mean you can’t create your own winter wonderland using white decor.

How to Decorate Your Home with “Tangerine Tango,” Pantone’s 2012 Color of the Year

The fiery orange hue has been spotted on runways and red carpets. Now, local designer Samantha Friedman shares how to incorporate the winning shade into your home decor.

Slideshow: 22 Splashy Home Products in Pantone’s Tangerine Tango

Next year’s “it” color manages to fuse happy-go-lucky warmth with sultry exoticism—and it’s already popping up everywhere. Nanette Lepore, Tommy Hilfiger, and Elie Tahari incorporated the vibrant hue into their spring 2012 collections. Essie and OPI released several Tangerine-esque nail polishes. And scores of Hollywood starlets have rocked the shade on the red carpet.

Maryland-based interior designer Samantha Friedman says the color’s recent spike in popularity can be traced to its versatility. She calls the shade “fresh and fun, but not overly feminine.”

Send Us Your Pet Photos

Submit your pictures to our Out and About photo contest, and they could be featured in our February 2012 issue.

We want to see photos of your pets out and about around Washington—and beyond! Did you snap the perfect shot of your pet strolling on the National Mall, or exploring Great Falls Park? Send it to petphoto@washingtonian.com by January 4, 2012. Prizes will be awarded to the pets photographed in the coolest places. Washingtonian.com will post a slideshow of the finalists when our February 2012 issue—which includes our special pets section—hits stands.

Where to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in Maryland and Virginia

Forget the synthetic greenery. Here’s where to find the real deal in the area this holiday—plus wreaths, holiday treats, and more.

The National Christmas Tree is illuminated on the Ellipse. Official White House Photograph by Lawrence Jackson

If the Christmas carols jingling from every store and endless twinkling lights didn’t tip you off, it’s time to begin preparing for the bustle of the holiday season. And if you’re one of the brave souls not permanently scarred by the opening scenes of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Clark Griswold’s harrowing quest for the perfect tree, choosing and cutting your own Christmas tree can be a great place to start.

Luckily, there are myriad tree farms in the Washington area for you to choose from. All you’ll need is access to a car, and you can be on your way to finding your perfect holiday tree. Many of the farms even offer cider, hot chocolate, or gift shops chock-full of holiday decorations to get you in the spirit.

Before piling in the car for a day of good, old-fashioned family fun, remember to measure the area you plan to place your tree so you know what height your home can accommodate. And don’t forget to bundle up and wear sturdy boots capable of handling the muddy terrains of most farms this time of year.

Once you’ve returned home with your prize, place it in water as soon as possible to avoid drying it out and minimize needle loss. Lowering the room temperature will also slow the drying process. For more information on holiday safety, tree care tips, or to find a post-holiday tree recycling center near you, visit christmastree.org.

Luxury Homes: Telecom Exec Spends $10 Million in Bethesda, Clinton Portis Sells in McLean

Plus more big-name deals

IN VIRGINIA:
Basketball coach Jim Larranaga and wife Elisebeth sold a five-bedroom, five-bath Colonial in Oakton for $1.3 million. The house has a two-story stone fireplace in the family room. Jim Larranaga led the George Mason men’s basketball team to the final four in 2006. He’s now head coach at the University of Miami.

Former Redskin Clinton Portis sold a home on Georgetown Pike in McLean for $1.7 million. At the end of a private drive, the five-bedroom, six-bath house has a master suite with a balcony. Portis bought it in 2004 for $2 million. A running back, he played for the Skins from 2004 to 2010; he’s now a free agent.

Lawyer James Comey sold a five-bedroom, eight-bath Colonial on Kirby Road in McLean for $1.7 million. It has two kitchens, two family rooms, and a media room. Former deputy attorney general during the George W. Bush administration, Comey is now general counsel at the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates.

Former attorney general John Ashcroft and wife Janet sold a four-bedroom, three-bath townhouse on Colonial Terrace in Arlington for $1.1 million. John Aschroft, a former senator from Missouri as well as governor of that state, was US attorney general from 2001 to 2005. He’s now an ethics adviser for Xe Services, the military contractor that used to be Blackwater Worldwide.

Lawrence Lindsey bought a five-bedroom, five-bath house on Hampton Way in Fairfax Station for $1.1 million. On more than five acres, it has a master-bedroom suite with a double-sided fireplace and a sun deck with a hot tub. Former director of the National Economic Council at the White House, Lindsey is a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a think tank. He’s also CEO of the Lindsey Group, an economic advisory firm.

Group Helps Stray Afghani and Iraqi Dogs Find New Homes in America

British charity Nowzad Dogs has rescued more than 200 animals that soldiers or contractors want to take home

Spike, with Melissa Morgan, traveled from Afghanistan to Arlington. Photograph by Paul Morse

While working as a USAID contractor in Afghanistan last September, Katherine Martin noticed something unusual outside her office: a ten-pound ball of fur covered in dust. Speaking through a translator, she asked the Afghan guards what the puppy—which was too weak to stand—was doing there. “That’s just a dog,” a guard said. “We kick it on our way in.”

Martin lured the dog inside and gave her a bath. Within weeks, Spike—whose name is derived from the Pashto word for a female dog—was a familiar face at the heavily fortified compound where Martin stayed. The pair made a game of chasing each other around a fountain. “She really saved my sanity while I was there,” says Martin, who often heard explosions outside her windows.

Are Rising Copper Prices Causing the Crime Wave in Bethesda's Posh Westmoreland Hills Neighborhood?

There have been at least four thefts of downspouts and gutters in recent months

With its well-kept Colonials, Bethesda’s Westmoreland Hills neighborhood might be one of the last places you’d expect a crime wave. But recently a scene playing out there has been reminiscent of the HBO show The Wire.

“I was staring at the house and it just dawned on me,” says Dana Rice, a resident who temporarily moved out during a renovation. Her copper downspouts were missing.

According to a listserv, there have been at least four thefts of downspouts and gutters in recent months. A family was wakened at 4:15 am by thieves trying to disconnect their gutters. When the owners turned on the lights, the thieves drove off.

Mitch Greenberg of Rockville’s Central Roofing & Siding says five or six clients have said their gutters were stolen this year. “We used to only hear about this once a year,” he says.

The reason for the spike? Bryan Jacobs, who heads the DC-based Coalition Against Copper Theft, says the value of copper has been rising. According to Kitco Metals, which tracks the prices of metals, copper climbed from around $3 a pound in June 2010 to $4.50 this spring. (Right now it’s around $4.10.) Jacobs says thieves turn the copper in for cash at scrap yards, then use the money to buy drugs.

Thieves usually target neighborhoods built in the 1940s and ’50s, when almost all gutters were made of copper—now most homes use aluminum. “Chevy Chase has a ton,” says Greenberg. “Northwest DC, Bethesda, Silver Spring.” Police in Arlington and Fairfax counties say they haven’t heard about many incidents there.

Soon to Be for Sale: Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s Georgetown Home

The former IMF head and his wife are putting their Georgetown home on the market

The Georgetown home that former International Monetary Fund Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn and his wife, Anne Sinclair, own will soon go on the market. Photo by Erik Uecke

The home that disgraced former IMF head Dominque Strauss-Kahn and his wife, Anne Sinclair, own in Georgetown has been listed with Washington Fine Properties and is expected to officially go on the market within the next two weeks, according to Dana Landry, principal broker at Washington Fine Properties. Strauss-Kahn and Sinclair bought the home—located at 2613 Dumbarton Street, Northwest—in 2007 for $4 million. At the time, the listing described the three-bedroom, four-bath house as an “extraordinary and complete renovation of an East Village Federal.” It said the home had a library and “multiple sets of French doors that open to a huge backyard.” Built in 1900, the red-brick home is currently assessed for $3.8 million.

Who's Buying and Selling Washington's Most Extravagant Homes? (September Edition)

Former Redskin Shawn Springs collects a bundle in McLean. Plus—power couple Michael Kinsley and Patricia Stonesifer spend $2.5 million in Dupont Circle.

Washingtonian Reader Deals: Home Repair, Cleaning, and Renovation

Exclusive reader discounts for work around the house

20 PERENT OFF CARPET CLEANING
Christopher Myers (Fairfax; 800-787-5885) started his high-end textile-cleaning company in LA, where clients included Madonna and Steven Spielberg. Now you can get his firm’s VIP treatment on upholstery, rugs, and carpets for 20 percent off. Mention The Washingtonian when booking to receive the special rate and a free bottle of spot cleaner, a $25 value. Appointments may be scheduled Monday through Friday. This offer is good through September 30.

15 PERCENT OFF INTERIOR PAINTING
Give your walls a fresh coat of paint at a great savings. Tech Painting Company (Alexandria; 703-684-7702), founded more than 20 years ago, is offering the first 50 readers who sign up 15 percent off any interior painting completed between December 1 and February 28—plus a free color consultation, a $250 value, for the first 15.

FREE WINDOW INSTALLATION
At Window and Door Showplace (Sterling, McLean, Falls Church, and Rockville; 703-736-9600), readers who mention the magazine can get free standard installation—normally about $300 a window—on Marvin Insert replacement windows. This offer, not valid on previous orders, requires a minimum purchase of five windows and a maximum of 20—for a total savings of up to $6,000. The offer is good through October 31.

Old Town Alexandria Real Estate: Condos and Townhomes for Sale

The real-estate market in Old Town has done well despite a downturn elsewhere. Here are four new developments with units on the market.

Keeping Your Dog Safe From Outside Germs

A germaphobic Washingtonian staffer wants to keep her pet's paws clean

Want to See Your Home’s Renovation on HGTV?

The network’s hit TV show “Bang For Your Buck” is infiltrating the Washington suburbs, and your humble abode could make the cut

The addictive design series Bang for Your Buck is gearing up for its eighth season, and producers are scouring the area for recently remodeled master suites. Every episode tours three homes with similar renovations to determine which homeowner got the biggest bang for their buck.

Check out this clip from the last time the show came to the District.

Luxury Homes: Tucker Carlson Trades His $4 Million House for a $2 Million One

After selling a house for $4 million in DC’s Kent neighborhood, pundit Tucker Carlson buys for $2 million. Plus—Fox’s Bret Baier and banker Robert Pincus make deals.

IN DC

Journalist Tucker Carlson and his wife, Susan, traded houses. The couple sold a six-bedroom, eight-bath Colonial in Kent for $4 million. It has a heated pool, six fireplaces, and an in-law suite. Less than a mile away, also in Kent, they bought a seven-bedroom, six-bath Colonial for $2 million. The new house has a two-car garage and an au pair suite. The former host of CNN’s Crossfire and MSNBC’s Tucker, Carlson is cofounder and editor of the online news site the Daily Caller.

Longtime local banker Robert Pincus and his wife, Roxanne Little, sold a three-bedroom, five-bath condominium along the Georgetown waterfront for $3.3 million. The condo—which carries a monthly fee of more than $4,000—has 2,700 square feet of outdoor terraces with views of the Potomac River and the Kennedy Center. Vice chair of Bethesda-based EagleBank, Pincus is former head of DC National Bank and Franklin National Bank, which was bought by BB&T in 1999.

Lawyer David Webb bought a three-bedroom, four-bath house on Chain Bridge Road in Kent for $3 million. Built in 1936, it sits on more than an acre. Webb is senior managing director for the real-estate firm Cassidy Turley.

FCC chairman Julius Genachowski sold a seven-bedroom, four-bath house on Porter Street in Cleveland Park for $1.8 million. It has an in-law suite with two bedrooms and parking for four cars. Genachowski has led the FCC since June 2009.

Buying (and Enjoying) A Beach House

Where Tony Kornheiser and Todd Gray spend their summer—plus a look at how the real-estate market is faring from Lewes to the Outer Banks

This five-bedroom in the Outer Banks sold for $505,000 in March. Photograph courtesy of Twiddy & Company Realtors

In July and August, thousands of Washingtonians head to the beach. Among the throngs playing in the sand are news anchors, chefs, and high-profile lobbyists. Here’s where some well-known locals spend their summer—plus a look at how the real-estate market is faring from Lewes to the Outer Banks.

You Should Really Check Out West Elm's New Pop-Up Shop (Pictures)

The popular home goods store has a six-month lease on a small Georgetown space

Photograph by Studio Saldana

Slideshow: Inside the West Elm Pop-Up Shop

At 6,500 square feet, West Elm's second attempt at a retail space inside District lines (the brand closed its Metro Center location, now Forever21, in March 2010) certainly isn't sprawling. But we like it all the more for that. Boasting furniture more in tune with a hip Logan Circle apartment than a stuffy Kalorama mansion, it seems only fitting to cram the goods in a space that reflects the square footage of their actual customers' homes. Check out our slideshow tour of the store, and head in soon if you like what you see. According to The Washington Post, West Elm is open to the option of sticking around, but only locked in for a six-month lease.

How to Train Your Cat (Yes, It Can Be Done)

Who says you can’t train cats? Like dogs, they can learn new tricks.

As a cat awaiting adoption, Scooter had three strikes against him. The black American shorthair didn’t get along with some of the other cats and had scratched one of the volunteers caring for him at Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Arlington. A few months later, he clawed someone else. Leigh Carr, the volunteer who had brought Scooter to the rescue group, was running out of options. She decided to take him to the Veterinary Behavior Clinic in Gaithersburg to see Dr. Kathryn Meyer, a vet who specializes in animal behavior. By the end of her appointment—a standard three-hour session runs $385—Scooter was sitting and jumping on command.

“The doctor said he is a highly intelligent cat and part of his problem is he’s bored,” says Carr, a lawyer who lived in Arlington before moving away this spring. “He needs something to focus his energy on.”

Carr hadn’t considered training a cat. But experts say it’s possible—it just requires time and patience. While dogs are pack animals and thus often eager to work with people, cats are more independent, tend to have shorter attention spans, and sometimes show more attitude. Animal Planet recently debuted a reality show called My Cat From Hell, about a Los Angeles–based behaviorist who counsels families ready to give up on their problem cats.

Luxury Homes: Former Bush Chief of Staff Josh Bolten Sells at a Loss in Bethesda

Plus: Wizards announcer Steve Buckhantz sells in Vienna and other high-end real estate deals

IN MARYLAND
Former White House chief of staff Josh Bolten sold a home in Bethesda’s Brookmont neighborhood for $1.4 million. He bought the house in 2006 for $1.5 million. Bolten was chief of staff to President George W. Bush from 2006 to 2009; before that, he was director of the Office of Management and Budget. He’s now a visiting professor at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs and cochair of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

Lawyer Peter Kreindler sold a four-bedroom, four-bath Colonial on Dalecarlia Drive in Bethesda’s Westmoreland Hills for $1.5 million. Built in 1951, the house has a koi pond. Kreindler is senior counsel at McDermott Will & Emery.

Joint Custody for Pets

When a pair of friends decided they both wanted a dog but didn’t have time to care for a pet, they came up with a better idea: They’d share one.

Friends Leslie Zucker and David Swaney take turns caring for Roscoe, who divides his time between their homes. Photo-illustration by Jesse Lenz

When David Swaney and Leslie Zucker decided to get a dog seven years ago, they headed to the Washington Humane Society, fell for a seven-month-old rottweiler/chow mix, and worked through a list of names until they agreed on Roscoe.

But Swaney and Zucker weren’t a couple. They didn’t even live together. The two friends simply shared a love of dogs, geographic proximity, and work schedules that prevented them from adopting a pet separately.

“She was working at home at the time and going out a lot at night. I was at work during the day and home a lot at night,” says Swaney, who teaches government at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. “We thought: Between the two of us, someone is usually around.”

8 New-Home Communities by Metro, VRE, and MARC Stations

Living near transit means easier commutes and higher home values.

Chancellor's Row, in DC's Brookland neighborhood, will have 237 brick-front townhouses. Photo courtesy of Chancellor's Row

Washington’s average commute of more than 30 minutes ranks as one of the worst in the country. Every day, the District’s population swells by about 70 percent as workers pour in from across the region. Drivers also crisscross DC, Maryland, and Virginia to get to jobs in employment hubs such as the Dulles corridor, Tysons Corner, and downtown Bethesda.

Worsening traffic has made living along the Metro and near Maryland’s MARC and Virginia’s VRE stations more desirable. Rail commuters save time, money, and—in some cases—their sanity. “While on the train, you can answer e-mails or read a book,” says Kenneth Wenhold of Metrostudy, a real-estate consulting firm. Homes near transit have also held their value better during the recession. “They tend to be priced higher and sell faster,” Wenhold says.

Here are eight new-home communities near Metro, VRE, and MARC stations.

New Condo Buildings in Dupont Circle & Adams Morgan

Buyers pay top dollar for a car-free lifestyle in Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan

After living in DC’s Foggy Bottom for ten years, Kristin Smith was ready for a change. She felt disconnected from other young professionals—her neighbors were mostly college students and retirees, and many of her weekend chores were a 20-minute walk away. She wanted to move to a neighborhood with more urban energy. After a yearlong house hunt, she found what she calls her “dream” condo in a century-old Victorian mansion on 16th Street near Dupont Circle. “Everything I need is within walking distance,” says the Capitol Hill staffer. “Restaurants, coffee shops, bars—I love that when I’m home on the weekends I never have to get on the Metro, bus, or in a car.”

She also fell in love with the building’s history. Its previous owners had plans to tear it down until neighbors rallied and the DC government stepped in to save it. Developers bought and restored the mansion a year ago. “I liked that I could contribute to the integrity of the neighborhood,” Smith says.

Here are four new condo buildings in the vicinity with units on the market.

Pet Airways: An Airline Just for Animals

A Florida couple starts a pet-only airline to save animals from flying in cargo.

Pet Airways pilot Casey Martin and staffer Terra Bruchert get a passenger ready for a flight out of BWI.

Six years ago, Baltimore native Meghan Moore-Rizzo put her cats, Kitty and Socks, on a flight from BWI to Los Angeles. They flew in cargo. When she picked them up at the LA airport, Socks was his frisky self. Something was wrong with Kitty.

“Kitty hid under the bed for two weeks,” Rizzo says. “She actually crawled into the lining of my box spring.”

This year, when Rizzo relocated from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, she was desperate for an alternative to having her cats fly cargo. After looking into pet taxis and considering driving, she discovered Pet Airways, an airline just for animals.

Pet Airways was founded in 2005 by Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel, a Florida couple who can identify all too well with Moore-Rizzo. A few years earlier, they had put their Jack Russell terrier, Zoe, on a six-hour flight from San Francisco to Florida. “When we got her, she was suddenly skittish and frightened,” says Binder. “She just wasn’t the same.”

Michael Heisley, Evan Segal, and Barry Svrluga Buy and Sell: Luxury Homes

Plus five attorneys make deals for $1 million and up.

Lawyer Joseph Hynds spent $2.9 million on a McLean Colonial.

IN DC
Billionaire Michael Heisley sold a home in Spring Valley for $4.5 million. Heisley made his fortune buying and rebuilding struggling companies; he is the owner of professional basketball’s Memphis Grizzlies.

Former Obama administration official Evan Segal and his wife, Tracy, sold a Federal-style house in Georgetown for $3 million. A former school used as the 2008 DC Design House, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a media room, and a landscaped garden with outdoor lighting. The onetime owner of Pennsylvania-based Dormont Manufacturing Company, Segal became chief financial officer of the Department of Agriculture in July 2009; he stepped down shortly thereafter in the wake of a reorganization of the department.

Luxury Homes: May Edition

Executives in finance, marketing, real estate, and public relations make deals. Plus a member of the Saudi royal family buys in Great Falls.

Capital One Exec Bill Cilluffo paid $2.3 million for this new six-bedroom Colonial in McLean.

IN DC
Developer and real-estate executive Jeffrey Neal sold a two-bedroom, three-bath condominium on 22nd Street near Dupont Circle for $2.2 million. The condo, which comes with three parking spaces, has 20 windows. A former principal at DC-based Monument Realty, Neal bought the commercial real-estate brokerage GVA Advantis in 2008; the firm shut down in 2009.

Interior designer Thomas Pheasant sold a two-bedroom, three-bath Spanish-style house on Reservoir Road for $1.4 million. Pheasant, who has an office in Georgetown, is regularly listed as one of the world’s top 100 designers by Architectural Digest.

Lawyer Linda Lipsen bought a four-bedroom, three-bath Colonial on Ordway Street in Cleveland Park for $1.3 million. The list price dropped by $250,000; the house has a landscaped garden with waterfall and is two blocks from the Metro. Lipsen is CEO of the American Association for Justice, formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Saying Goodbye to a Favorite Pet

My poodle, Lacey, rushed to the door when I came home and kept me company for 16 years. Losing her was harder than I’d ever imagined.

Making Refrigerators and Washing Machines Last Longer

Tips for keeping major appliances in top working order.

Dabney Wharton, owner of Glebe Radio & Appliances in Arlington, has been selling refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, and washers and dryers since 1972. Here are a few of his tips for keeping an appliance running longer—and avoiding repairs:

• “The secret with a clothes washer is not to overload it,” Wharton says. “Then they’ll last a long time.”

• “If you keep a refrigerator gasket clean—the rubber piece along the door—then it keeps a seal better and doesn’t have to work as hard. A thin film of Vaseline on the gasket will help it seal better.”

• If your refrigerator has an icemaker you hardly use, empty out the ice weekly to avoid problems with the lines.

• New energy-efficient dishwashers don’t use as much water or let it get as hot as older dishwashers. Give water temperature a boost, Wharton says, by first running the water in the sink until it gets hot, then turning on the dishwasher.

Lori Graham’s Swanky Dupont Rowhouse: Now on the Market

Designer’s gorgeous pad was previously featured by The Washingtonian

When we featured interior designer Lori Graham’s Dupont Circle rowhouse in our October guide to Dream Kitchens, we didn’t realize just how drool-worthy the rest of the home was. It’s now on the market for $2,749,900, and this photo tour left us with a serious case of house envy.

How Do You Keep Your Heating and Air Conditioning Running Smoothly?

The answer is simple—change your filters.

What’s the best way to make sure your home’s heating-and-cooling system works when you need it? As simple as it sounds, it’s to change the filters regularly.

Bill Wetzel, co-owner of Gaithersburg Air Conditioning & Heating, says old filters are a big cause of system failures: “Some people don’t realize they have air filters that need to be changed on their units. A filter that’s been in there longer than it should be puts a strain on the system. You can really do some damage.”

Keep Your Pipes Clean Without the Help of a Plumber

Uneeda Plumbing's Lynn Shilling says no to products from Home Depot and turns off the water when he goes out of town.

Want to avoid calling a plumber at all? Here are tips for keeping the repairperson at bay.

• “My biggest tip: If you’re going out of town, turn off the water,” says Lynn Schilling, owner of Uneeda Plumbing. Not just in winter—all year long. “Say your icemaker line starts to leak—that happens a lot. That could dump hundreds of gallons of water on your kitchen floor. Or your water heater breaks—that will keep refilling, with nothing to shut it off.”

• Schilling also recommends periodically tightening any bolt that could come loose. “I’ll go into a house and people tell me their toilet seemed loose for a year. It is very important to tighten toilet bolts, especially ones on the floor. When these bolts come loose, the toilet rocks, which causes water to leak onto the floor. This water then causes wood to rot or mold. Both of these will require major repairs. Thousands of dollars could be saved with five minutes of work.”

Small Renovations That Pay Off Big

Remodeling magazine says small projects like new decks and minor kitchen facelifts are currently better returns on investment than big upscale renovations.

What’s an easy way to increase the value of your house? Replace your front door.

Remodeling magazine publishes an annual Cost vs. Value Report showing how much various projects add to a home’s resale value. In the 2010–11 study, editorial director Sal Alfano noticed that inexpensive projects topped the list for best value.

Building Fences Right

Fences aren't cheap. Here's how to make one last years.

Hardwood Flooring: Six Things to Know

Advice on installing and maintaining wooden floors from expert Sprigg Lynn.

How can you keep hardwood flooring looking like new? What kind of wood is right for your home? Here’s advice on installing and maintaining wooden floors:

• Is just one area on a hardwood floor worn—in front of a desk, for example? You don’t have to refinish the whole floor; you can do a touchup. “Most people say it can’t be done because they can’t do it,” says Sprigg Lynn of Universal Floors, which does such touchups.

The Essential Elements of a Home Improvement Contract

What you should know before signing on the dotted line.

Susan C. Jones, with Fairfax County’s Department of Cable and Consumer Services, says a home-improvement contract should always include the following:

• The business’s name, address, and telephone number.

• The contractor’s license number.

• A clear description of the work to be performed and detailed descriptions of all materials to be used.

Luxury Homes: Big Movers and Shakers in Washington Real Estate

Caps owner Ted Leonsis and philanthropist Adrienne Arsht sell for very big money

>> See photos of selected homes

VIRGINIA
Sports and tech impresario Ted Leonsis and his wife, Lynn, sold a home on Sorrel Street in McLean for $9 million to telecommunications executive Chris Rogers and his wife, Nalini. The house has eight bedrooms, 13 baths, and eight fireplaces. An AOL executive for many years, Ted Leonsis is, among other things, owner of the Washington Capitals hockey team and Washington Wizards basketball team. Chris Rogers was one of the founders of Fleet Call, which became Nextel Communications.

Marvin Bush sold a four-bedroom, five-bath home on Fort Hunt Road in Alexandria’s Belle Haven neighborhood for $2.5 million. On more than an acre, it has a guest house with a media room and office. The youngest son of former President George H.W. Bush, Marvin Bush is cofounder and managing partner at Winston Partners, an investment firm based in Arlington. He recently bought a $2.5-million condo in Rosslyn’s Turnberry Tower building.

What Does $15.5 Million Get You on R Street?

8 bedrooms, 13 fireplaces, 11 full baths, and a hydraulic elevator

When questioned about the cost of maintaining one of his yachts, J.P. Morgan replied, “If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.” But if you’re curious to know what $15.5 million will buy you, look at 1824 R Street, Northwest, a 10,000-square-foot mansion with 8 bedrooms, 13 fireplaces, Toto toilets in all 11 full baths, and a hydraulic elevator.

If the property, on the market since November, sells for close to its asking price, it will be the highest sale since Steve Case’s former home at 1714 Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, which the AOL cofounder sold to the government of Trinidad and Tobago for $12 million in 2009; it had listed for $14.9 million.

The R Street mansion was once the home of DC’s highest-paid female public-company CEO, Martine Rothblatt—who reportedly made $17.6 million in 2009 as founder of United Therapeutics and Sirius Satellite Radio—and her wife, Bina Aspen Rothblatt, whom Martine Rothblatt immortalized in Bina48, a robotic avatar capable of interactive conversation. Previously, the home belonged to the Embassy of Singapore.

The Reappearing Puppy

A family is reunited with their four-pound Yorkshire terrier after the dog goes missing for over a year.

“Someone may have found Chloe.” When Cheryl Caponiti relayed that message to her four daughters in December, the news seemed improbable at best. Nearly a year had passed since the family’s then-12-year-old Yorkshire terrier disappeared from the yard of Caponiti’s home in Clarksburg.

The family had gotten together that night—December 18, 2009—for their annual Christmas photo. When Cheryl’s son-in-law arrived, Chloe ran to greet him.

“She was standing by the door, so I just let her out like I always did,” says Cheryl’s eldest daughter, Kristen, 27, who had a newborn and toddler in tow.

It was Kristen who, at age 13, had convinced her parents to get a dog by combing the classifieds for puppies and posting photos on the refrigerator. She’d helped pay for Chloe herself—as a puppy, the dog could fit in the palm of her hand. But 45 minutes after opening the door that December night, Kristen realized she’d forgotten to let Chloe back in. Snow had started falling, and the four-pound Yorkie was nowhere to be found.

DC Design House 2011: Going All Out in Forest Hills

With a modern chandelier and peacock-themed dressing room, DC’s top designers strut their stuff at the annual charity event

Free Online Contractor Referrals

Can't find the right person for your remodeling job like the one in our March story on Home Improvement? These local companies offer free referrals.

9 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor

You should know what kind of warranty you'll get, how many subcontractors they'll use, and what happens if they die before the job is complete (seriously).

1. What’s the size of your average job? If you’re contemplating a $100,000 addition, you could run into problems hiring a firm that typically handles $20,000 projects. On the flip side, if yours is a contractor’s smallest job, it may fall through the cracks. You also want a firm that does a lot of your kind of project—say, kitchens or bathrooms.

Home Sale of the Week

Brick and dark wood glow in this Kalorama two-bedroom

See More: A photo tour of this week's top home sale.

Address: 2123 California Street, Northwest, Apartment D9.

Listing price: $725,000.

Contract price: $725,000.

Seller’s agent: Ellen Sandler.

Bedrooms: 2.

Bathrooms: 2.

Square feet: 1,160.

Sale date: March 21, 2011.

Features: Built-in glass-fronted wine rack, wine cooler, and espresso maker in the kitchen; built-in book cabinets in the second bedroom; built-in storage in the master bathroom; free laundry on every floor of the building; parking spot comes with the unit; building has a roof deck.

Design Scout: Mad Men Style

Recreate Don Draper’s office in your living room

Of all the sigh-worthy things that come onscreen during an episode of Mad Men, one always stands out to me as particularly unobtainable today: the sheer luxurious square footage of Don Draper’s office. Can you imagine what a studio with those views would rent for in modern-day New York? But if we can’t luxuriate in Draper’s executive suite during the workday, it’s easy enough to recreate the sleek, inviting ambiance of his lair in a living room at home. And redecorating is a great way to kill time until next season, which has been delayed by creator Matthew Weiner’s acrimonious contract negotiations with AMC.

No New York skyline view? No problem. Hang this stretched-canvas print of the Chrysler Building by artist Debbi Granruth level with a window for a tromp l’oeil suggestion of more exciting surroundings outside.

Fine Art America, $165.

Mimic the abstracts on Don’s wall by scattering these paint-splashed pillows across your sleek couch. They’re perfect bolsters for an evening of television-watching or Manhattan-drinking. CB2, $34.95 and $39.95.