Home + Design

Beneath The Surface

A Look Inside the Precision, Vision, and Quiet Luxury Behind Capital Aquarium's Living Installations Article by Bianca Bain Villegas | Photography by Courtesy of Capital Aquariums In the most thoughtfully designed homes, luxury is no longer defined by excess, ornamentation, or spectacle. It is defined by atmosphere. By how a space feels when you enter it, how it holds you, and how it restores you. Increasingly, that atmosphere is one of calm, intentionality, and connection to the natural...

Life + Culture

Mayor's Corner: What Is Home?

Article by Mayor Kelly Burk | Photography by Provided This month’s issue is about home: a word we use often, yet rarely pause to define. What, exactly, is home? The dictionary describes home as a place of residence, a house or an apartment, but also as something far deeper: an emotional, personal, and social sanctuary. Home is where we experience comfort, belonging, and security. It is a base of operations, a habitat, and, as the saying goes, where the heart is. And perhaps that captures it...

Home + Design

Entertaining, Reimagined

How We Gather in 2026 Article by Elizabeth McKinley | Photography by Provided Entertaining in 2026 is no longer about performance. It is about presence. The era of rigid seating charts, exhausting menus, and hosts who vanish into the kitchen has given way to something far more appealing: intimate, meaningful gatherings designed to be felt as much as seen. The most memorable moments now unfold in relaxed, layered settings where conversation flows, guests participate, and every detail reflects a...

Home + Design

Design Forecast 2026

The Art of Warmth, Texture, and Timeless Comfort Article by Finn Aldrich | Photography by Provided As interiors continue to evolve beyond the stark restraint of recent years, 2026 emerges as a return to warmth: spaces that feel deeply personal, sensorial, and lived in. This is not about excess or ornament for ornament’s sake, but about intention: interiors designed to engage the eye and the hand, to age gracefully, and to reflect the people who inhabit them. Luxury, in this new chapter, is...

Food + Beverage

Serving Oyster Love

Restaurateur Rick Allison’s Lifelong Passion for Providing Hospitality Creates Perfect Valentine’s Date Night and Beyond Article by Debra Wallace | Photography by Kaptured by Kasper Rick Allison has eagerly welcomed new and returning customers for more than ten years to his five King Street Oyster Bar locations for lunch, brunch, dinner, and special occasions, including Valentine’s Day. Some of his regulars had their first date at King Street and continue to feel an affinity for the special...

Life + Culture

Mayor's Corner

Article by Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burke | Photography by Provided At its core, Valentine’s Day is about expressing care. Whether that’s saying thank you, checking in on a friend, or simply being kind, the holiday can serve as a reminder to appreciate the people in our lives. So, when February 14 arrives, remember: Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance. It’s about connection, appreciation, and finding meaningful ways, big or small, to share a little love. February is also important for Black...

Arts + Culture

Timeless “Giselle” Dances into Our Hearts

The Washington Ballet launches the New Year with Edwaard Liang’s strikingly modern vision of the romantic ballet favorite. Article by Debra Wallace | Photography by Sonia Bartolomeo for The Washington Ballet As he meticulously prepares for The Washington Ballet’s production of  Giselle , renowned choreographer Edwaard Liang remains captivated by the enduring power of a ballet that he has loved since childhood. His profoundly personal and strikingly modern reimagining of this beloved ballet is...

Life + Culture

Caviar Fit for Royalty

Merolin Caviar Tops Everything When It Comes To Special Occasions Article by Debra Wallace | Photography by Courtesy of Merolin Caviar/John Rorapaugh When you think of luxurious culinary delights, Merolin Caviar is easily at the top of your list and the tip of your tongue. This is why Alborz Tajik, who grew up in Iran and has some of his best childhood memories around his family enjoying caviar, began focusing on this delicacy known for attracting discerning clients around the world while...

Travel

The Inn Above Tide

A Zen-Like Retreat in Sausalito’s Seaside Calm Article by Amy Duvall & Glen Cox | Photography by Provided Perched directly above the shimmering waters of the San Francisco Bay, The Inn Above Tide is a restorative haven for travelers who crave beauty, serenity, and effortless access to Northern California’s most popular attractions. Whether you’re visiting San Francisco, continuing north to Napa and Sonoma’s wine country, or simply seeking a peaceful coastal escape, this luxurious boutique...

Food + Beverage

Chef Tzarina's Crab Eggs Benedict

Article by Chef Tzarina | Photography by Jonathan Clawson Chef Tzarina doesn’t typically share her recipes with her audience but made an exception for us. For your first brunch of 2026! A refined, super-yacht–level take on classic Crab Cake Benedict with elevated ingredients and luxurious flavor. Ingredients • 6 baby potatoes • 500 ml fresh stock (or 1 tsp stock concentrate) • 3 baby spring onions, finely chopped • 2 tbsp dill, finely chopped • 2 tbsp gherkin pickles, finely chopped ...