LE DECOR

Designs for Living

INTERIOR DESIGNER FABIOLA MARTENS SHARES HER SECRETS FOR MAKING A HOUSE A HOME

BY SUSAN BODIKER

Fabiola Martens does not do trends. That doesn’t mean she’s stuck in one look or period, but as with fashion, she believes “you have to integrate them thoughtfully.” This year’s hot colors (per Pantone anyway) or patterned wallpaper can bring light and life to a room, but they can also make it look dated a year from now. Her advice? Curate carefully.

Martens, who started out as a trial lawyer in Belgium, (“I loved the theatre of it!”) takes a lawyerly, methodical approach to her design work. Developing a relationship with clients--“getting into their skin”-- is key to gaining a better understanding of their lifestyles, preferences, expectations and understanding of the design process. “I ask them to share photos of things they like. It doesn’t even have to be interiors, but it helps us get on the same aesthetic wavelength. It builds trust. And that makes decision making easier.”

At the end of the day, she’s looking to create an environment where the homeowner feels comfortable, where they “look like they belong.” If it’s not authentic, it’s just a “decorated” stage set where they don’t feel welcome or able to take advantage of the space. Her guiding principle is always “make it livable and make it yours.”

The silent partner in this conversation is the house itself--its architecture, the lighting and overall setting. “Location really is everything. For example, people are in love with Tuscany, but it just doesn’t translate to DC. The lighting is all wrong. So we would look for a way to create the Tuscan feel but not necessarily with the exact Tuscan hues.”

There is one trend, however, that Martens thinks is here to stay: Work From Home. More and more of her clients (well, all of us) are looking for solutions that expand space without knocking down walls or doing extensive renovations. They need offices and places where kids can do their homework that are both private but still connected to the rest of the household.

Many home furnishing options can be reconfigured to serve as a desk or workstation. Table- or counter-height console tables with attractive baskets or rolling carts are excellent choices and fit in anywhere. The point is, think creatively.

And rooms that might have been used only occasionally (e.g. the traditional formal den) can be smartly reincarnated as a school room or family room with furniture that does double duty for work and play.

If you’re going the built-in route and are willing to take it on as a DIY project, Martens suggests speaking with a kitchen company (vs a closet company), which offers a broad variety of storage and cabinetry options that keep their looks over the long haul.

Finally, Martens tells clients to keep a sense of humor about the house and expect delays. Ultimately, it’s all about “the person with the hammer and the nail:” the furniture makers, millwork fabricators and all the other artisans involved in the creation of a home that is in the process of becoming uniquely yours.

Fabiola Martens Interior Design, 4910 Massachusetts Ave NW, (202) 450-4042, fabiolamartens.com.

Luminous and sophisticated, this reimagined parlor is equally welcoming to family and more formal gatherings. Courtesy Fabiola Martens Interior Design.

PROVIDED BY WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES

ADDRESS SUBDIVISION/NEIGHBORHOOD BEDS FULL BATH HALF BATH LIST PRICE CLOSE PRICE

1617 29th St NW 1405 34th St NW 1607 28th St NW 1671 31st St NW 1315 31st St NW 1431 33rd St NW 4432 Chestnut Ln NW 1055 Wisconsin Ave NW #4E 1312 30th St NW 1688 31st St NW 3030 P St NW 3112 N St NW GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN PHILLIPS PARK GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN NONE AVAILABLE GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN

1400 34th St NW 3512 P St NW 1418 33rd St NW 1514 30th St NW GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN

3009 Dumbarton St NW 3218 Volta Pl NW 3150 South St NW #3E GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN

4406 W St NW

PHILLIPS PARK 3329 Prospect St NW #PENTHOUSE 6 GEORGETOWN 3030 K St NW #PH217 GEORGETOWN

4774 Dexter St NW WESLEY HEIGHTS

3014 P St NW 3332 O St NW 3303 Water St NW #3A 3315 O St NW 3406 P St NW 3524 - 3526 K St NW 4845 Hutchins Pl NW 3022 O St NW 1320 29th St NW 3030 NW K St NW #PENTHOUSE 212 3600 Massachusetts Ave NW 4500 Edmunds St NW GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN PALISADES GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN OBSERVATORY CIRCLE WESLEY HEIGHTS

1914 35th St NW 3011 P St NW 1804 45th St NW 4125 Parkglen Ct NW 2737 O St NW 3048 N St NW 1355 28th St NW BURLEITH GEORGETOWN FOXHALL GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN 9 7 8 6 6 6 6 4 5 6 4 4 3 5 4 5 4 5 3 5 4 3 6 4 4 2 5 4 6 7 7 8 5 6 6 6 4 5 4 2 5 2 5 4 5 3 4 3 5 3 3 7 4 4 2 4 5 7 3 4 3 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 $17,750,000 $17,750,000 $21,000,000 $17,250,000 $12,000,000 $12,000,000 $6,100,000 $6,100,000

$6,999,000 $5,300,000 $4,995,000 $6,100,000 $5,200,000 $5,175,000

$5,500,000 $5,650,000 $5,000,000 $4,495,000 $4,495,000 $5,100,000 $4,900,000 $4,600,000 $4,400,000 $4,200,000

$4,675,000 $4,995,000 $3,995,000 $3,995,000 $3,595,000 $3,899,000 $3,795,000 $4,350,000 $3,995,000 $4,700,000 $3,450,000 $3,495,000 $3,800,000 $3,295,000 $3,250,000 $2,995,000 $2,995,000 $4,200,000 $4,000,000 $3,800,000 $3,800,000 $3,750,000 $3,700,000 $3,695,000 $3,690,000 $3,650,000 $3,500,000 $3,450,000 $3,450,000 $3,350,000 $3,150,000 $3,100,000 $3,075,000 $3,025,000

6 4 5 2 6 5 5 3 4 2 4 4 1 1 1 1 1 2 $3,100,000 $3,000,000 $2,985,000 $2,975,000 $3,195,000 $3,295,000 $3,025,000 $3,000,000 $2,985,000 $2,975,000 $2,900,000 $2,865,000

5 3 5 6 4 2 4 4 1 2 1 1 $3,200,000 $2,995,000 $2,895,000 $2,999,000 $2,865,000 $2,850,000 $2,825,000 $2,800,000

4 4 2 $2,895,000

$2,750,000 4 4 1 $2,950,000 3 1 $3,000,0004 Making time $2,675,000 $2,665,000

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INGLESIDE AT ROCK CREEK

202-933-5347 www.ircdc.org/memorysupport

Being a family caregiver is a rewarding, yet challenging responsibility that can be filled with moments of joy and frustration. Ingleside recognizes the delicate balance of caring for oneself while supporting a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. It’s time to take care of both of you. For a limited time, Ingleside Memory Support is offering a 30-day trial respite stay at our engaged community. Experience our person-centered program and extraordinary respite care services. Contact us for more

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FOR A FULL LIST OF REAL ESTATE SALES VISIT GEORGETOWNER.COM

4845 Hutchins Pl NW 3022 O St NW 1320 29th St NW 3030 NW K St NW #PENTHOUSE 212 3600 Massachusetts Ave NW 4500 Edmunds St NW 1914 35th St NW ADDRESS 3011 P St NW 3300 Newark St NW 1804 45th St NW 3030 P St NW 4125 Parkglen Ct NW 3009 Dumbarton St NW 2737 O St NW 5001 Millwood Ln NW 3048 N St NW 2425 L St NW #700 1355 28th St NW 1524 Swann St NW 3401 Prospect St NW 1735 Fraser Ct NW 4865 Potomac Ave NW 3454 Macomb St NW 3636 S St NW 4992 Warren St NW 4500 Dexter St NW 3719 Morrison St NW 2908 N St NW 1177 22nd St NW #6D 4891 Macarthur Blvd NW 2925 Glover Dr NW 3338 Dent Pl NW 1449 Swann St NW 3037 O St NW 942 T St NW 1815 45th St NW 4554 Lowell St NW 1683 31st St NW 3017 Cathedral Ave NW 4005 Highwood Ct NW 2820 Bellevue Ter NW 4821 Dexter St NW 1412 35th St NW 3722 R St NW 5243 Sherier Pl NW 2234 49th St NW 3700 Connecticut Ave NW 4338 Forest Ln NW 3000 Woodland Dr NW 3052 R St NW #307 3619 Chesapeake St NW 1228 30th St NW 2803 Woodley Rd NW 1801 Hoban Rd NW 1801 16th St NW #605 3324 Reservoir Rd NW 4634 30th St NW 3406 N St NW 4841 Sedgwick St NW 3131 P St NW 4616 30th St NW 3229 Reservoir Rd NW 1421 27th St NW 3030 W Lane NW 2216 Cathedral Ave NW 2805 Q St NW 3233 Klingle Rd NW 3264 N St NW 5001 Loughboro Rd NW 3303 Water St NW #2M 1708 Hobart St NW 1818 37th St NW 3934 Morrison St NW 3340 N St NW 5604 32nd St NW 3252 N St NW 4462 Tindall St NW 3608 S St NW 2122 N St NW #7 4511 Q Pl NW 128 Bryant St NW 3537 Edmunds St NW 2307 1st St NW 3323 Reservoir Rd NW 5727 16th St NW 3528 Edmunds St NW 4630 Chesapeake St NW 3533 T St NW 3123 N St NW 3635 S St NW 3649 Veazey St NW 1230 30th St NW 1510 26th St NW 1707 34th St NW 2820 Bellevue Ter NW 2804 P St NW 3716 S St NW 2000 48th St NW $2,865,000 SUBDIVISION/NEIGHBORHOOD GEORGETOWN 3 BEDS FULL BATH 2 HALF BATH 2 LIST PRICE $2,995,000 CLOSE PRICE $2,850,000 CLEVELAND PARK FOXHALL 5 5

GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN 4 6 4 4

KENT GEORGETOWN 7 4

WEST END GEORGETOWN LOGAN CIRCLE GEORGETOWN DUPONT NORTH PALISADES CLEVELAND PARK BURLEITH SPRING VALLEY WESLEY HEIGHTS CHEVY CHASE GEORGETOWN WEST END KENT WESLEY HEIGHTS GEORGETOWN LOGAN/DUPONT GEORGETOWN LOGAN/SHAW NONE AVAILABLE WESLEY HEIGHTS GEORGETOWN WOODLEY HILLANDALE OBSERVATORY CIRCLE WESLEY HEIGHTS 3 4 5 8 7 6 6 6 6 4 5 3 7 5 4 4 5 5 5 4 6 5 5 5 4

GEORGETOWN BURLEITH PALISADES PALISADES CLEVELAND PARK WESLEY HEIGHTS

3 5 4 6 5 5 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE HEIGHTS GEORGETOWN 3 6 WAKEFIELD GEORGETOWN 5 5

GARFIELD BERKLEY DUPONT CIRCLE GEORGETOWN FOREST HILLS GEORGETOWN SPRING VALLEY GEORGETOWN FOREST HILLS GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN WOODLEY PARK GEORGETOWN CLEVELAND PARK GEORGETOWN SPRING VALLEY GEORGETOWN 4 5 3 4 5 3 4 4 5 5 3 5 5 5 4 3 5 2

MOUNT PLEASANT BURLEITH CHEVY CHASE GEORGETOWN CHEVY CHASE GEORGETOWN

3 5 4 3 5 4 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK BURLEITH 5 5 DUPONT CIRCLE PALISADES 2 5

LEDROIT PARK OBSERVATORY CIRCLE 6 4

BLOOMINGDALE GEORGETOWN 5 3

16TH STREET HEIGHTS OBSERVATORY CIRCLE

5 5 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK BURLEITH 4 3 GEORGETOWN BURLEITH NORTH CLEVELAND PARK GEORGETOWN GEORGETOWN 3 5 3 4 3 6 4 2 4 3 4 5 4 3 3 3 4 6 4 4 5 4 3 5 3 7 3 4 3 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 5 2 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 3 3 5 2 4 3 2 3 4 4 4 3 4 3 4 4 3 4 2 2 4 3 3 3 3 5 5 2 3 3 3 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 $4,950,000 $2,895,000 $4,495,000 $2,999,000 $3,595,000 $2,895,000 $3,300,000 $2,950,000 $3,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,695,000 $3,900,000 $2,750,000 $2,750,000 $2,500,000 $2,650,000 $2,590,000 $2,450,000 $2,400,000 $2,699,000 $2,200,000 $2,295,000 $2,100,000 $2,595,000 $2,090,000 $2,495,000 $2,075,000 $2,495,000 $1,795,000 $2,675,000 $1,975,000 $2,700,000 $1,995,000 $2,395,000 $1,900,000 $2,375,000 $1,899,000 $2,495,000 $1,875,000 $2,895,000 $1,995,000 $2,450,000 $1,850,000 $2,325,000 $1,800,000 $2,195,000 $1,795,000 $2,295,000 $1,794,000 $2,250,000 $1,795,000 $2,295,000 $1,495,000 $2,275,000 $1,625,000 $2,300,000 $1,525,000 $2,375,000 $1,575,000 $2,195,000 $1,450,000 $2,195,000 $1,550,000 $2,265,000 $1,499,000 $2,199,990 $1,549,000 $2,100,000 $1,395,000 $2,095,000 $1,599,900 $1,995,000 $1,500,000 $2,675,000 $1,425,000 $2,150,000 $1,399,000 $2,295,000 $1,295,000 $2,189,000 $1,499,900 $1,990,000 $1,400,000 $2,250,000 $2,150,000 $4,950,000 $2,825,000 $4,400,000 $2,800,000 $3,750,000 $2,750,000 $3,225,000 $2,675,000 $3,050,000 $2,665,000 $2,695,000 $2,625,000 $2,600,000 $2,615,000 $2,585,000 $2,569,000 $2,460,000 $2,425,000 $2,400,000 $2,425,000 $2,150,000 $2,410,000 $2,105,000 $2,400,000 $2,090,000 $2,400,000 $2,075,000 $2,400,000 $2,022,000 $2,400,000 $1,975,000 $2,400,000 $1,950,000 $2,395,000 $1,900,000 $2,375,000 $1,899,000 $2,375,000 $1,875,000 $2,365,000 $1,835,000 $2,350,000 $1,830,000 $2,325,000 $1,799,900 $2,305,000 $1,795,000 $2,300,000 $1,794,000 $2,300,000 $1,780,000 $2,295,000 $1,710,000 $2,275,000 $1,575,000 $2,275,000 $1,575,000 $2,200,000 $1,575,000 $2,195,000 $1,561,000 $2,195,000 $1,550,000 $2,175,000 $1,550,000 $2,132,119 $1,549,000 $2,100,000 $1,510,000 $2,095,000 $1,500,000 $2,075,000 $1,500,000 $2,065,000 $1,425,000 $2,050,000 $1,415,000 $2,020,000 $1,407,000 $2,017,500 $1,400,000 $2,000,000 $1,398,000 $2,000,000 $1,995,000

GEORGETOWN 5 4 1 $2,000,000 $1,975,000

OBSERVATORY CIRCLE GEORGETOWN 5 3 4 3 1 1 $1,995,000 $1,975,000 $1,950,000 $1,950,000

BURLEITH 5 5 1 $1,998,000 $1,925,000

PALISADES 4 4 1 $1,795,000 $1,925,000

RUTLEDGE FARM

Middleburg, Virginia • $8,000,000

circa 1740 w/addition in 1820 | 6 BR, 5 fireplaces | 113 lush acres, 5 barns | Derby field | 218 x 80 indoor arena | 250 x 150 all-weather outdoor arena | 80’ lunging arena | Polo field (or 2 grand prix fields) | 4 board, double fencing | Guest house | Farm office /3 BR house | Machine shed | Carriage house w/apartment | Stone spring house/office | 3 BR apartment | Pond Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 Sandra Bravo Greenberg (202) 308-3813

DIXONS MILL ROAD

Marshall, Virginia • $2,375,000

6 BR, 5 1/2 BA, 5 FP, sweeping stair case | Basement level w/ media room, office, gym, billiard room, full bar w/ kitchenette, full bath & outside entrance leading to pool and spa | 3-car garage, heated 4-car garage w/ car lift | Potting shed/studio w/ heated green house | 20 car barn for serious collector | Swimming pool w/ spa | 5-stall barn | Property fenced and cross fenced | 68.23 acres

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 FIDELIO

The Plains, Virginia • $6,490,000

Prime Fauquier County location minutes from Middleburg | Unbelievable finishes throughout Antique floors and mantels, vaulted ceilings | 6 BR, 5 full BA, 2 half BA | 6 FP, gourmet kitchen | Improvements include office/studio, stone cottage with office, spa, guest house, pool and lighted tennis court | Landscaped grounds with stream, waterfalls, boxwood and special plantings | 61 acres DEERFIELD

Upperville, Virginia • $4,500,000

181 acres | Brick manor house c. 1844 | 4 bedrooms, lovely kitchen, multiple porches, pine floors, 7 fireplaces, original mantels, large windows, detailed millwork | c. 1810 log cabin/pool house, guest house with theater, 2 tenant houses, 5-bay garage and workshop | Sizable pond

Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

LONG BRANCH

The Plains, Virginia • $1,950,000

Gorgeous 71 acre parcel in a wonderful location between Middleburg and The Plains | Rolling land with stone walls and 2 ponds | Enchanting property | Property is in conservation easement and may not be divided further BUST HEAD ROAD

The Plains, Virginia • $1,100,000

82.69 acres | Mostly wooded, mountain views, bold stream in very protected area | Conservation easement | Can not be subdivided | Prime Orange County Hunt location | Halfway between Middleburg and The Plains MAYAPPLE FARM

Middleburg, Virginia • $3,200,000

Original portion of house built in 1790 in Preston City, CT | House was dismantled and rebuilt at current site | Detail of work is museum quality | Log wing moved to site from Western Virginia circa 1830 | 4 BR, 4 full BA, 2 half BA, 9 FP & detached 2-car garage | Historic stone bank barn and log shed moved from Leesburg, VA | Private, minutes from town | Frontage on Goose Creek | 37.65 acres Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905

HALFWAY ROAD

The Plains, Virginia • $925,000

Hard to find parcel | 13.37 acres between Middleburg and The Plains | 1/2 open, 1/2 wooded with a spring fed pond - easily expandable | Wonderful elevated building site just inside the wood line with a level building area among large old growth trees and substantial rock out cropping |Impressive mountain views to the southwest.

Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930 Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930

info@sheridanmacmahon.com www.sheridanmacmahon.com 110 East Washington Street Middleburg, Virginia 20117

Clarity: Culinary Tourism

Georgetown Couples: Romantic Despite the Pandemic

BY OLGA BOIKESS

Dynamic chef-restaurateur Jonathan Krinn’s spacious, COVID-savvy, Clarity restaurant, located at 442 Maple Ave. East in Vienna, Virginia, serves classically based, modern fare. Choices range from 48-hour sous vide short ribs and caramelized scallops to pasta, salads and burgers. Grateful for the support of his Northern Virginia clientele, Krinn is deeply concerned about sustaining the area’s vibrant international restaurant community.

One way to do this, he decided, is to expose his customers — many of whom would normally travel to far-flung food destinations in Asia, Africa and Latin America for dining adventures — to opportunities for these experiences close to home.

Krinn has invited an array of top-flight local chefs to join him in his kitchen on selected nights, when they will prepare three or four of their signature dishes from

As someone who just got engaged last October, I was eager to take on a story about Georgetown couples who have been together for decades. It’s been a rough year for everyone, but these three couples have managed to see it through with grace, strength and a little humor. places like Trinidad, Laos, Burma and Peru. These are available for in-house dining as well as takeout (with advance notice), along with Clarity’s regular menu.

These collaborations are a rewarding experience for both kitchens, says Krinn, who is meeting these chefs for the first time and learning about new ingredients and techniques. In preparation for the first in the series, a visit from Prince Matey of Apploo Bar & Grill, Krinn Googled specialty markets to find some of the spices needed for Matey’s Ghanaian dishes, including a goat soup and a plantain dumpling. Intrigued by the dumpling, Krinn plans to adapt the technique for his own Frenchstyle “dumplings.” Meanwhile, his Spanish

during their year together in lockdown.

“I’m a cook and all of the sudden, poof, I found a sous chef,” David said, speaking of Margaret. “I know she is just being helpful, but I had to say: ‘Listen, you’re in my office now!’” David mentioned Ina Garten’s cookbook “Modern Comfort Food” as his latest inspiration. They have been making lots of soups, including Margaret’s favorite beef stew.

Being stuck inside together has allowed the couple to recall some of their best moments. One of their most romantic evenings was their honeymoon night in Kennebunkport, Maine. Margaret described a picturesque autumn evening with all the lobster you could eat and all the champagne you could drink.

One of the most challenging times was when they first started out together in the ’90s. They were a commuting couple — Margaret living in Manhattan and David in D.C. They made it work by focusing on what’s important and ignoring the small stuff.

“You just have to let go of the little irritants,” David said. “I just go play tennis. That’s my nirvana.”

While they don’t have children of their own, David proudly mentioned all the surrogate children he has in the neighborhood, as well as plenty of nieces, nephews and grandnieces and -nephews.

“We love everything about Georgetown — its sense of community, our wonderful newspaper, the beauty of our neighborhood, our bookstores, coffee shops and bodegas,” Margaret said. “We love parks, too. David THURSDAY, FEB. 18

Chef Seng Luangrath of Thip Khao in Columbia Heights Laotian cuisine with an exotic twist TUESDAY, FEB. 23

Chef JoJo Law-Yone of Thamee in the H Street Corridor Pioneering the next generation of Burmese culinary traditions

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3

Chef Carlos Delgado of Service Bar and Chelita in the U Street Corridor Peruvian comfort cuisine

A sneak peek: Peter Prime’s Trinidad and Tobago specialties include cuminglazed pork belly, jerk-smoked chicken wings, Trini-Chinese chicken and grilled marinated oxtails. Krinn tells us that these dinners are selling out fast.

After over four decades together, both agree there’s not a whole lot of surprises, “even during a pandemic,” as Grace said. Although their home isn’t large, they appreciate three floors to separate on occasion.

Both Grace and Worth spoke fondly of one of the most romantic moments of their lives: their first kiss. The two found themselves alone in an elevator soon after they met. “Our lives might have been forever changed if the elevator had stopped to pick up another passenger, or if one of us opted to take the stairs,” Grace said.

With that fateful moment in mind, they say the best advice they were ever given is: “Take the elevator.” Funnily enough, Grace and Worth shared the same piece of advice as Margaret and David, credited to the late Justice Ginsburg’s mother-in-law: “It helps to be a little deaf.”

Having lived in Georgetown for more than 40 years, it was hard for Grace and Worth to pin down what they enjoy most about the neighborhood. “If we had to choose, it would be Georgetown’s human scale, the architecture, the streets, the parks, the gardens, everything,” Grace said. “It may sound trite, but it’s nice to live in a community where you know your neighbors and everything you need is just a short walk away.”

BY KATE OCZYPOK

DAVID AND MARGARET DUNNING

David and Margaret Dunning met through what Margaret calls “a wonderful human being” named Garland Nicholas. Nicholas works at Celadon Spa & Salon on F Street. David’s former girlfriend was a client of his, as was Margaret.

“David’s former girlfriend had him go to Garland because she didn’t like his haircut from the Senate barbershop,” Margaret said. Garland didn’t like Margaret’s thenboyfriend and, lo and behold, ended up playing matchmaker.

“To make a long story short, we met through our hairdresser,” David said in the background during our phone call, chiming in at just the right moments. Margaret added that their first meeting was almost 30 years ago.

As far as their relationship during the pandemic, they agreed that what they learned about one other has been good. “We’ve had enduring support of each other,” Margaret said.

Of course, both laughed knowingly when Margaret echoed former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s mother-inlaw: “It helps to sometimes be a little deaf.”

There have been plenty of surprises sous chef was fascinated by Prime’s rice dish, made with North African spices; it is similar to paella.

“Everybody in the kitchen is having fun, thinking about food,” says Krinn.

Guests can make reservations for dining at Clarity on the guest chef evenings starting now. But for those that want carry out, each menu will be posted one week ahead of each chef’s visit on Clarity’s Facebook page and website. Here is the upcoming schedule.

is so involved with Rose Park.” David added that he loves D.C.’s, and particularly Georgetown’s, international flair.

As far as their first date post-COVID, David immediately proclaimed: “Miami!” Margaret laughed and clarified his answer, saying the two love to travel and they are hoping to pick a country or city they haven’t yet visited.

GRACE AND WORTH BATEMAN

Forty-three years ago, Grace and Worth Bateman married after meeting as colleagues at work. Worth is an economist who worked on public policy issues in and out of government. Grace is a lawyer who practiced in a private firm. Both have been retired for a while now.

Their life together during the pandemic hasn’t changed much, except they have been unable to spend time with their children and grandchildren, whom they “greatly miss.”

Being retired, the couple are fairly used to spending time together. “We both try and have coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon when we’re both at home,” Grace said. “Having an established routine made it easier for us to adapt when the pandemic took hold.”

They have been forced to rearrange some of their typical activities due to COVID. Grace is now grocery shopping, as she’s a bit younger and in better health than her husband. “Worth is a great cook and loves to grocery shop,” Grace said. “We’ve both learned that Worth enjoys doing the grocery shopping a whole lot more than I do!”