Tuesday, December 27, 2011
A Kitchen that has Gone to the Dogs
You've Got To See This Kitchen
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
If You Can't Take the Heat, Get a New Kitchen
Just found this link to a website chock full of terrific ideas and loads of great photos. Shown above is an example from the site that demonstrates one thing I love: the contrast between the ultra mod chairs and industrial lighting. Way Great!
Check out the link below to view their top 20 kitchens of the year. My favs:: 2, 3, 6, 11 and 20.
CHECK OUT THESE AMAZING KITCHENS
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
New Homes in The Village of North Chevy Chase by OPaL
The Hamptons
Martha's Vineyard
The design phase for our new Coastal Collection of homes is nearing completion. The Village Twins, our latest community just off Connecticut Avenue in the Village of North Chevy Chase, will offer the Hamptons and the Martha's Vineyard floor plans (shown above). Both reminiscent of the upscale coastal communities they represent while still lending themselves to the Chevy Chase lifestyle and esthetic with signatures of OPaL throughout the homes.
Land development and sales begin in early 2012. Priced from $1.5 million.
Learn More About the Village Twins and Register for Information
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Stables' Kitchen Packages Now Complete
OPaL Kitchen Packages from the top:: The Frugal Gourmet, The Party of Two, The Barefoot Contessa and The Urban Spoon
The WOW is standard in every OPaL kitchen. Our designers have taken the guess work out of the kitchen selection process; so now all you have to worry about is: What's for dinner?
Learn More About The Stables
Monday, December 5, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
ZIP, NADA, ZERO
A home inspection with ZERO items on it?? You read that correctly. ZIP, NADA, ZERO. Most houses have something on an inspection list, but not the Manse at 8008 MacArthur. No Sir.
Peter might know what he's doing after all. Now I feel bad about razzing him all the time. Well, not really.
A perfect structural and mechanical inspection plus the drywall is almost done and the metal roof (Champagne is the color name, of course) is going on today. Who gets excited about metal roof? We do.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Ruppert Island in the Potomac. Really?
Check out what my mom, Eileen O'Brien-Ruppert, found while trying to locate Cabin John Crossing in her atlas (she doesn't Google) while sitting in her sun room a few weeks ago. Just off MacArthur Blvd and a tad south of Cabin John Crossing, right there in the Potomac River:: an island named Ruppert Island. Curious coincidence or possibly something more?
Friday, November 18, 2011
That's My Giant....
Just 47 paces from our first project in the District, Naylor Court Stables, the Giant grocery store built in 1980 began its two year journey to become the most state-of-the-art and largest grocer in DC. Mayor Gray took the first chunk from the facade to cheers from neighbors who have been waiting a long time for CityMarket at O to become a reality.
Learn more about The Stables
Thursday, November 17, 2011
We Like Gregory from DC
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
NAYLOR COURT STABLES:: SALES START SUMMER 2012
THE STABLES:: Three oversized rowhomes designed with the neighborhood's equestrian history in mind, each with a private Carriage House for parking. Just off Logan Circle, Walk to Metro, 14th Street & CityMarket at O.
Learn more about Naylor Court Stables in DC
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Stables Aren't the Only Cool Thing Happening on O Street
This Friday at 10:00am a bulldozer will begin taking bites out of the old Giant grocery store at 9th and O Streets, NW, making way for CityMarket at O with a new grocer expected to open in October 2013.
All of this, just steps from our new town homes on Naylor Court.
Giant Be Gone.
Visit The Stables Online
Friday, November 11, 2011
OPaL WINS OUR FIRST NATIONAL AWARD FOR ARCHITECTURE
We were just notified by the National Association of Home Builders:: The Clara Barton model at Cabin John Crossing won a Silver Award for Best Single Family Detached Architecture. This is our first NATIONAL award for architecture and our first Best in American Living Award (BALA). We are simply over-the-moon excited for being recognized on a national level.
To quote the NAHB "The Best in American Living Award winners redefine the residential building industry through creativity, innovation and imagination." The awards will be presented at the International Builders' show in Orlando, FL this February. Um, team OPaL might be going to see Mickey in a few months.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The Stables by OPaL, Floor Plans::
Reminiscent of the homes we built in Fells Point, the Yearling (our horsey friends will appreciate the house name) floor plans for The Stables are just about finalized. Seriously, how often will someone find a NEW HOME near Logan Circle and all the fun on 14th Street with so much space? Three complete bedroom suites, a full size media room and rooftop terrace. There's even a detached carriage house for the Fiat 500 or Range Rover; it even has additional space for the Vespa or Harley! We like to cover all the bases.
Visit The Stables web site directly.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
New Homes in Chevy Chase ?!? OPaL's Coastal Homes Coming in 2012
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
OPaL Wins Big at Regional GALA Awards for Architecture & Marketing
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Joseph & Moose Show Us How It's Done; Cabin John Style


Thursday, October 27, 2011
OPaL's Naylor Court Stables Site Plan, All New Homes in Logan Circle
PS:: floor plans will be made available soon.
Visit The Stables on our Web Site
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
CRAZY BUSY WEEKEND AT CABIN JOHN CROSSING.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Step by Step, Inch by Inch, Regardless of the Rain
Despite Mother Nature's best efforts to slow the construction of our most exciting new home since the 'Tunador' Clara Barton this spring, we are now well into the mechanical stage with roofing, drywall and siding just around the corner. This will be one fine MacArthur for the Ladies of 8008.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
SWINGING TRUSSES, UNDER ROOF IN 48 HOURS, NO BULL
OPaL's latest accomplishment:: a custom panelized home under roof in just 2 days. All thanks to our very own Peter Nelson's work behind the scenes. For several months prior to putting the first shovel in the ground Peter is hard at work with the civil and structural engineers, panel engineers and the architect to ensure each and ever facet of the home is delivered on time, in good condition and built to work the first time. All this plus an organized and clutter free job site. We heart Peter. :-)
Friday, September 30, 2011
THIS WEEKEND:: Taste of Bethesda, Crafty Bastards & President Obama, Oh My!
WE JUST LOVE AUTUMN:: At Taste of Bethesda, take to the downtown streets and enjoy samples of the signature dishes from more than 60 of your favorite restaurants: A little Wellington burger from BGR the Burger Joint here, some chili from Hard Times Cafe there. You can make your own delicious combo of four tastings for $5.
PLUS, IF YOUR NOT ATTENDING THE MISS ADAMS MORGAN PAGEANT:: then this ones for you:: Vendors from as far away as Santa Monica, Calif., will have their DIY wares for sale at the Crafty Bastards craft fair in Adams Morgan. It, too, will be a bevy of choices: everything from baby onesies to tote bags to graphic T-shirts.
FOR TEAM OPaL:: as an Human Rights Campaign corporate sponsor we will be dining with President Obama & Mayor Bloomberg at the 2011 HRC National Dinner. Check back next week for pics.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sean Ruppert & OPaL Release Their Coastal Collection for Village Twins in Chevy Chase
OPaL's new Coastal Collection of homes::
With stone accents, chunky trim, standing seam metal roofs, our signature stair tower on the front plus a wonderful recessed entry......Does Chevy Chase living get any better? We can't imagine how.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Get Your 'Glass' Over to Art Glass Center @ Glen Echo



Monday, September 19, 2011
40 TRUCKS, 1 FOUNDATION, JUST THE BEGINNING.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Naylor Court Stables Receives Preliminary Support from DC's HPRB
Visit The Stables on our Web Site
Sunday, September 11, 2011
We Hope You Didn't Miss the Cabin John Crab Feast
Friday, September 9, 2011
Ms. Susan & Ms. Katina's New Home:: THIS to THAT

Monday, August 29, 2011
PROUD AS PUMPKIN; AS THEY SAY IN CABIN JOHN
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
BIG, BIG Day for OPaL:: More GALA Judging at Cabin John Crossing Plus ANC Meeting for The Stables


Visit The Stables on our Web Site
Visit Cabin John Crossing on our Web Site
The Architectural Statement at 10th & Florida


From our favorite DC blog URBANTURF:: "In 2003, Jeff Speck moved to DC to become design director at the National Endowment for the Arts, and almost immediately began looking for an empty lot to build the flatiron-style home that he had been thinking about for some time. After an extensive search, Speck found what he wanted — a north-pointing arrow at the tip of the original L’Enfant plan for the city." Jeff located the perfect lot at the corner of Florida Ave. and 10th Street, NW in the heart of Shaw just off boisterous U Street.
"I believe that it is possible to insert a modernist building into a traditional neighborhood in a way that contributes to the existing architectural stock,” Speck said. “My ultimate goal was to create a piece of art, without in any way compromising the practicality of the home, and I am proudest of the fact that it lives as well as any vertical urban row house.”
We agree! The exterior of the home draws your attention each time you pass by and now we don't have to wonder what the interior looks like any more. Plus the home is for sale and you can own it for just $1,195,000.
Friday, August 19, 2011
GALA Judges Descend on Cabin John

Monday, August 15, 2011
Naylor Court Stables Will Be Just Steps from CityMarket at O

Tuesday, August 9, 2011
What MARTHA and OPaL Have in Common
Friday, August 5, 2011
Original Sketches of Cabin John Crossing Architecture


