September/October 2009 ❖ Vienna/Oakton Connection

HomeLife

Stylewww.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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9HLS By Donna Manz

Bev Schindler ofVienna calls herfirst paperweight purchase

a “turning point” in her life.It was in the late 1960s

when Schindler went on asearch to buy a friend apaperweight gift. In anantiques and junk store,Schindler found a swirlysea green glass paper-weight for a dollar. WhatSchindler also found wasthat she could not part

wasn’t giving it away.”Seven hundred paperweights

later, Schindler calls that initialpurchase the “most expensivedollar I ever spent.” She keptthe paperweight, which shesurmises was made in Portugal,for herself, sparking the pas-sion that has taken over herhome.

Seeking out paperweightsbecame a mission of sorts, onein which Schindler visitedantique shops, flea markets,antique shows, and craftshows. “I couldn’t stop collect-ing; I kept going and going.”

Schindler has made 118 ofher own finely detailed glasspaperweights. Seewww.bevschindler.com.

Weighty ArtGlass artist showcasespaperweight collection.

Bohemian “Butterfly”weight from 1920s,

purchased in Vienna,Austria.

Bev Schindler holding 1940s“Flowers in lattecino Basket”Murano, Italy, doorstop sized weight.

Photos by Louise

Krafft

Bev Schindler “Swirl” made atWheaton Village

Bev Schindler “Snake #2” greenspiral flamework.

with this captivating egg-shaped glass art.

“By the time I got to thecash register, I knew I

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By John Byrd

One sureway toacquire ahouse that

knows everything aboutyour needs is to build ityourself.

Martha Strauss, whonow occupies a spaciousCraftsman-style residencein Vienna, met her dreamweaver practically aroundthe corner— in the formof Susan Pierce, AIA, aneighbor who operatesCommonwealth HomeRemodeling with herhusband Kelvin.

“After we saw a few ofSusan’s ideas, we almost

where we actually spent time,”Strauss observes. “It was abreathtaking waste of space.”

Strauss wanted well-definedgathering places, a convenienthome office (that wouldn’t spillover into family areas), and agenerous country-style kitchenthat would meet a host of stor-age, serving and informal diningrequirements.

“A winning design can deviatefrom traditional floor plan expec-tations,” Pierce says, “so long asthe floor plan is well-rational-ized.”

On this score, the absence of aformal living room turned out tobe a non-event. Graced with afour-course 12-foot-by-10-footarch window that draws the eyethe moment one enters the frontdoor, the family room naturallybeckons visitors forward in acomfortably well-appointed salonthat features a stone fireplace,custom cabinetry and artfullyarranged overhead halogens.

immediately startedlooking for a suit-able lot,” Straussrecalls.

Thinking back onthe steps that ledher family from a4,800-square-footresidence in Oaktonto the 4,800 squarefoot Craftsman-stylehome in Vienna, Martha Straussconcedes that the process taughther a great deal about herselfand the changing possibilities ofthe emergent American house-hold.

“The formal living room wasn’teven a part of our lives; thebreakfast room didn’t serve us;many rooms were just transi-tional walk-throughs to spots

Martha Strauss and her son Grant onthe veranda of their Vienna home.

Architect Susan Pierce created the plans for this Craftsman-style residence in Vienna.

Large windows that flood the home with natural light were an important part of thedesign.

The 330-square-foot countrystyle kitchen off to the left isboth skillfully integrated into asuite of rear-of-the-house cham-bers and, with its centrally lo-cated granite topped serving anddining station, completely main-stream.

The dining room, to the left ofthe entry foyer, is separated fromthe kitchen by a walk-in pantry.The dining room also has a directexit to the spacious front porchadorned with comfortableAdirondack chairs and a shadyview of the tree-lined street.

“You want a home that supports how you live. Butyou don’t want it to be impossible to resell.”

Custom Dream House inShades of GreenCustom Dream House inShades of Green

Just f

or Yo

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It may not look like ahome yet, but Ericand Jessica Blazer’scondominium at the

Turnberry Towers inRosslyn is beginning to feellike one.

The recently installedrefrigerator keeps sodas

cold as they check the progress ofthe painter putting a fresh coat ontheir walls.

The Blazers were one of the firstbuyers to close on their nearly2,000-square-foot unit atTurnberry Towers, saying theywere attracted to the new resi-dence for its mere size, as well as

location and amenities.Like all of the 247 units at

the Towers, the Blazer’svery spacious two-bedroom,two-bath condominium isbuilt “designer-ready.” Theconcept allows the coupleto decide the individualdesign details in their newhome, which includesupgrades in their kitchenappliances.

Eric Blazer is lookingforward to being pamperedin their new home, includ-ing inviting his mother, wholives in Potomac, over tocook some spaghetti saucein their new kitchen.

Noting how they lovethe open space in thelayout of their apartment,the Blazers have thefreedom to choose theirown white oak floors andselect paint colors.

The only standardinstallations throughoutthe Towers are marblefloors in the bathroomsand Snaidero Italiancabinets in the kitchens.

Turnberry Vice PresidentJim Cohen says the styleopportunities that comewith “designer-ready”condominiums add to 26-storyTower’s aim for luxury living.

Turnberry luxuries includeamenities similar to those offeredin a luxury hotel for its residents,which the Blazers said gave themanother compelling reason tomove. Private car and valet ser-vices, an indoor pool and fitnesscenter, and entertainment theatreare available to the Tower’s resi-

dents.Although such features may give

owners like the Blazers littlereason to leave their new home,they also say the location andaccess to public transportationadds to Turnberry’s appeal.

“You can’t beat the location,”said Eric, an accountant. “This isthe heart of [the city].”

Residents can walk outside to

the park for concerts and festivals,or across the bridge toGeorgetown.

While the Blazers are movingaround the corner from theirprevious residence, Cohen saysmany of the new residents arefamilies looking to downsize in anurban environment.

In hopes of maintaining theprivacy that accompanies a typical

family home,Turnberry offersprivate elevators toeach of its resi-dents.

Every residence inthe Towers has abalcony. The floor-to-ceiling glassprovides variousviews of the city

andenablesresidents who aredownsizing to ex-change their lawns forthe Turnberry’s alter-native to outdoorspace.

Towering Location

About half sold, first of Turnberry’s residents move in.

The marble in the bathrooms is standard in all of the units. Eric BlazerJessica BlazerThe indoor pool at the TurnberryA party room is available for residents.

A view from one of the four penthouses on the26th floor.

The Blazers made modifications to the kitchen to suit their love of cooking. The range was changedfrom four to six burners and a large overhead hood replaced a cabinet with a built in hood.

While the 26th floor unit with a180-degree view of downtownWashington and Arlington isselling for over $4 million,

Turnberry’s prices start in the$800,000s, with some penthouselevel condominiums more than6,000 square feet in size.

The Turnberry Tower Photos by Louise Krafft/Connection

“It is a cream of the cropkind of building.”

— Eric Blazer, new resident

Turnberry Towers: Call 703-243-3000 or visit theproject online at www.turnberrytowerarlington.com.

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A targeted publication ofPublishing

Community NewspapersSince 1784

Targeted to Suburban Washington’s Leading Communities

Named forthe clearstreamsthat ran

through the property, theClarens estate sits onthree-and-a-half acres inthe heart of Alexandria.The seven-bedroom centerhall colonial sits atopSeminary Ridge withviews spanning across thePotomac.

Built in 1820, the prop-erty includes the mainhouse, a newly con-structed pool house, twoformer slave quarters now

Retreat in an Urban HubOn the market for $8.95 million,historic home on more than three acres.

The Well House sits beyond the bridge thatcrosses over the koi pond.

A northern view from the second floorbedroom suite in the newly constructed poolhouse.

Clarens was built in 1820.

Photos by Louise Krafft/Connection

used as a guest house and pot-ting shed, an ice house, a wellhouse and a three car garage.

Surrounding the home are thebeautiful grounds where George

Washington is said to havehunted. Clarens was home toU.S. Sen. James Murray Masonafter the Civil War. In 1870,Senator Mason entertained

Alexandria resident and Presi-dent of the ConfederacyJefferson Davis on the estate.

On the Market

In June and July, 219 homes in thearea sold for $1 million or more.Sold: Million-dollar Homes

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Oakton (top June sales)

❖ 3524 Saint Augustine Ln (a 6 BR, 6 FB, 1 HB detached home) i nAvondale Glen sold for $1,610,000 on June 16, 2009

❖ 10904 Willow Creek Ln (a 6 BR, 4 FB, 1 HB detached home o n1.07 acres) in Willow Creek Estates sold for $1,512,500 onJune 30, 2009

❖ 11306 Walnut Creek Ct (a 4 BR, 4 FB, 1 HB detached home o n1.14 acres) in Waples Mill Manor sold for $1,500,000 on June30, 2009

Vienna (top June sales)

❖ 108 Kingsley Rd Se (a 5 BR, 5 FB, 2 HB detached home on 0.63acres) in Vienna Acres sold for $1,550,000 on June 25, 2009

❖ 503 Mashie Dr Se (a 5 BR, 5 FB, 1 HB detached home on 0.52acres) in Westbriar Country Club M sold for $1,332,000 onJune 4, 2009

❖ 9514 Francis Young Ln (a 5 BR, 4 FB, 1 HB detached home on 0.28 acres) in Francis Young Estates sold for $1,243,640 on June 15, 2009

Oakton (top July sales)

❖ 10801 Tradewind Dr (a 4 BR, 4 FB, 1 HB detached home on 0.92 acres) in Windsong West sold for $1,825,000 on July 16, 2009❖ 11044 Heathland Dr (a 6 BR, 6 FB, 1 HB detached home on 1.45 acres) in Avondale Glen sold for $1,575,000 on July 15, 2009❖ 2557 Bridge Hill Ln (a 5 BR, 5 FB, 2 HB detached home on 1.76 acres) in Bridges Of Oakton sold for $1,450,000 on July 29, 2009

Vienna (top July sales)

❖ 2205 Aryness Dr (a 6 BR, 4 FB, 1 HB detached home on 1.72 acres) in Wickens sold for $1,825,000 on July 2, 2009❖ 113 Kingsley Rd SE (a 5 BR, 5 FB, 2 HB detached home on 0.63 acres) in Vienna Acres sold for $1,590,000 on July 31, 2009❖ 2008 Carrhill Rd (a 5 BR, 4 FB, 1 HB detached home on 0.57 acres) in Wendover sold for $1,412,500 on July 22, 2009

3524 Saint Augustine Ln in Avondale Glen sold for $1,610,000 on June 16, 2009

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Fairfax Symphony Orchestra

2009-2010 Season

Single tickets will be available after August 1, 2009. Please note – programs and artists are subject to change.

October 3, 2009Jon Manasse, clarinet

MENDELSSOHN: Overture to The Fair MelusineMOZART: Clarinet Concerto

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 4

November 21, 2009Chu-Fang Huang, piano

FALLA: The Three-Cornered Hat, Suites 1 and 2GERSHWIN: Rhapsody in Blue

RAVEL: Piano Concerto in GGINASTERA: Estancia

January 23, 2010Augustin Hadelich, violin

HAYDN: Symphony No. 92BARBER: Violin Concerto

SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 1

March 13, 2010Alon Goldstein, piano

BORODIN: In the Steppes of Central AsiaDORMAN: Piano Concerto (East Coast Premiere!)

SIBELIUS: The Lemminkäinen Legends

May 1, 2010Celebrating Women in the Arts

Julie Albers, celloHIGDON: blue cathedralELGAR: Cello Concerto

MOZART: Symphony No. 38, PragueBARBER: Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance

All concerts at 8:00 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts

Christopher Zimmerman, Music Director

Media Partner