Joe Ireland and Julie Weber, both native Washingtonians, decided to unite their talents into what is now J.D. Ireland after discovering a shared passion for design and a similar aesthetic. Led by the belief that your home should reflect your taste and enhance the way you live, they balance beauty with function to create distinctive spaces.

Joe Ireland and Julie Weber. (Photo by Joseph Allen)

Here’s what the couple has to say about how you can turn your apartment or condo into a stylish urban retreat.

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Christopher Boutlier’s curatorial style blends classic architecture with contemporary and modern elements. He has worked on the interiors of some of the District’s most well-known homes and offices, including the VP’s residence and the private homes of prominent Washington insiders.

Chris Boutlier of Adams Design. (Photo By Joseph Allen)

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The Opera Ball is still many months away, but work on the city’s most glamorous event proceeds apace. This year’s chairwoman, Susan Lehrman, provides an exclusive behind-the scenes look at what to expect.

Susan Lehrman in the foyer of her home. (Photo by Joseph Allen)

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP A LOVE FOR OPERA AND THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA (WNO)?
My family is very musical. My mother played piano, my husband was on the board of the National Symphony Orchestra, my brotherin- law was head of the National Association for Music Education, and I started studying voice at 13. I have a love of the physical art of singing and appreciate the training that goes with the music. As for WNO, we have the world’s greatest living opera singer, Plácido Domingo, here in Washington along with wonderful education and outreach programs. And having a national destination makes our opera unique.

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME YOU WILL BE CHAIRING THE BALL. HOW DO YOU UP THE ANTE YEAR AFTER YEAR?
I have been involved with the Washington National Opera for 10 years now and have learned that the flavor and tone of the ball depends a lot on its location. To make the event a success, we must take into account the number of people who will be attending, the space available at the different embassies, and what the embassies would like emphasized. For instance, when the German embassy hosted the ball, their chef made traditional German desserts and the ball coincided with the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. They had a part of the wall replicated and used that as the theme for the evening. They also had their fountains move to the music being played, which was quite a sight to behold. The country hosting the ball gives it a different feel each year.

WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME?
This year marks many firsts in the Opera Ball’s history. We have moved the date to May 21st, from its usual June date for the first time, and it will be held during the same weekend we will be performing “Hamlet.” This is also the first time we will have the ball at the Russian Embassy. Due to the embassy’s size, we will not need tents – another first for us. The Russian Embassy has a spectacular ballroom, and we are thinking of doing a “Winter’s eve” theme, featuring Russian vodka, a fabulous ice bar, and the more elaborate costumes from the Opera’s costume studio.

WORDS OF WISDOM OF THOSE HEADING UP OTHER GALAS AND FUNDRAISERS?
The best advice to someone chairing an event is to have fun. I always try to plan something I would enjoy myself.

Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, and Bruce Springsteen recognized for their contribution to the arts at the 32nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors.

By Karin Tanabe

Honoree Bruce Springsteen with his wife Patti Scialfa (Photo by Joseph Allen)

American legends Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, and Bruce Springsteen were saluted for their contribution to the arts on Sunday at the Kennedy Center Honors. Often touted as the “Oscars of the East,” the annual event pulled in almost as much star power as the inauguration. Musicians, actors, politicos, and other boldfaced names rubbed shoulders on the red carpet before sitting down for a three-hour show.

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Deborah and Curtin Winsor’s renovation of David and Evangeline Bruce’s former residence pays homage to the past while providing easy living space for a modern family.

By Christopher Boutlier
Photography by Joseph Allen

Dominated by an ornately framed portrait of Czar Alexander II and featuring a velvet folding screen once owned by the late Katharine Graham, this former ballroom is now a perfect space for contemporary entertaining.

There is bound to be tension between competing interests in historic preservation and the needs of modern life when one lives in a home that dates from the early 19th century. Proper balance must reflect both individual preferences and the structure’s importance to a community’s history.

Georgetown’s “Ambassador Bruce House” is a treasure that any city would want to protect from assault by a construction crew. It is one of the grandest and oldest private residences in the capital and one with a storied past filled with Washington intrigue and culture. How fortunate that care of this landmark has fallen to Washingtonians Curtin and Deborah Winsor, who have resuscitated the grandeur of the past while adding their own unique sense of style.

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Arena Stage will reopen in the new Mead Center for American Theater in fall 2010, thanks to some of Washington’s most forward-thinking women.

Jaylee Mead, Molly Smith, Arlene Kogod, Michele Berman, Beth Newburger Schwartz (Photo by Joseph Allen)

 Currently undergoing a facelift of facelifts, Arena will reopen as Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater in fall 2010 with the 683-seat Fichandler Stage, the 514-seat fan-shaped Kreeger Theatre, and the new Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle, a 200-seat theater with all the bells and whistles to make it one of the most dramatic spaces in Washington.

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Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure comes to the Middle East.

Egyptian Ambassador Sameh Shoukry and Ambassador Nancy Brinker stand before a work from her extensive collection of Hungarian Art. (Photo by Joseph Allen)

Nancy Brinker’s last promise to her sister, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1980, was that she would continue to fight against the potentially life-threatening disease. Two years later, Brinker founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which has raised over $1 billion in 27 years and has become the largest source of nonprofit funds devoted to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

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Remember your event forever with photographs by these talented artists.

Group portrait from 2008 Balls and Galas by Clay Blackmore

Joseph Allen
Portrait, event and editorial photography
www.jallenimages.com
joseph@jallenimages (703) 980-8688

Clay Blackmore
Weddings, portrait and editorial photography
www.clayblackmore.com
(301)-670-3232

James R. Brantley
Weddings, portrait, events, and editorial photography
www.jamesrbrantleyphotography.com
jrbrantley@mac.com, (240)476-2285

Luke Christopher
Weddings, portrait, and event photography
www.lukechristopher.com
luke@lukechristopher.com, (202)494-2525

Betsy Spruill Clarke
Portrait, event and editorial photography
www.betsyphotography.com
foto.maven@gmail.com, (240)731-8485

Tim Coburn
Portrait, advertising, and editorial photography
www.timcoburnphoto.com
timcoburn@timcoburnphotos.com, (202)368-4557

Rory Cox
Portrait, advertising, and editorial photography
www.4-optic.com/
erin@4-optics.com, (410) 633-4540

Len Depas
Weddings, portrait and editorial photography
www.lendepasphoto.com
ldepas@aol.com, (202) 362-8111

Michael Domingo
Natural light, portraits, fashion, wedding, events
www.michaeldomingo.com 
michaeldomingo@gmail.com, (530)746-8642

Jonah Koch
Weddings, portrait, editorial and event photography
www.kochfoto.com
jonah@kochfoto.com, (202)674-2428

Gary Landsman
Corporate, advertising and editorial photography
www.garylandsman.com
gary@landsmanphoto.com, (301)-529-6155

David Michele
Wedding and portrait
www.davidmichele.com

Tony Powell
Event, editorial, and Fine Art photography
www.tonypowell.smugmug.com
tonypowells@gmail.com, 301-343-7805

Kyle Samperton
Event and editorial photography, portraits and weddings
irishfoal@aol.com, (301)928-1499

Douglas Sonders
Portrait, advertising, and editorial photography
http://www.sondersphotography.com/
douglas@sondersphotography.com, (703)618-4110

Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Nafis Sadik

Location: Residences of Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn, Jim Kimsey, and British Ambassador Sir Nigel and Lady Sheinwald

WL EXCLUSIVE - Photos by Joseph Allen, Carrie Dorean, and Kyle Samperton

HOME SWEET HOME: Since the UN Foundation Board of Directors’ annual meeting brought some of the world’s most influential philanthropic leaders to the District, it was only fitting that consummate Washington hosts Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn would offer a warm welcome to notable participants in their Georgetown home (where CNN founder Ted Turner livened up the crowd with a convivial “two bits for philanthropy” cheer). On another evening, the swiftly flowing Potomac River provided a stunning backdrop at Jim Kimsey’s McLean home at a private dinner for Nothing But Nets. At a third gathering at the British Ambassador’s residence, climate change was the topic of major concern. WORLD VIEWS: Aside from UN Foundation board members, the three events were attended by influential political scientists, economists, and diplomats, including: Jordanian Amb. Prince Zeid, Japanese Amb. Ichiro Fujisaki, Korean Amb. Tae-sik Lee, Monaco Amb. Gilles Noghes, and Swedish Amb. Jonas Hafstrom.

Click here for the full gallery of photos from the Kimsey Residence

Click here for the full gallery of photos from the Bradlee Residence

LeAnn Rimes

Location: The Kennedy Center

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Joseph Allen, Luke Christopher, Daniel Schwartz, and Margot Schulman

WONDER WOMEN: This year’s gala celebrated women in the arts with an all-star A-list that included First Lady Michelle Obama (who made a surprise appearance), Vera Wang, Annie Leibovitz, Patti LaBelle, K.D. Lang, Midori, Chita Rivera, and, yes, Paris Hilton. Michael Kaiser had a hard act to follow after last year’s salute to conductor John Williams, but this year’s women, especially conductor JoAnn Falletta (who masterfully commanded the National Symphony Orchestra) made last year a distant memory. The gala was once again an elegant kick-off to the Spring Gala season. NOTABLES: Jenn Colella, Julia Murney, LeAnn Rimes, Amb. Prince Zeid, Amb. and Rima Al-Sabah, Steven and Christine Hearst Schwarzman, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Gwen Iffel, Tammy Haddad, Christopher Lu, and Lisa Brown.

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The second overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft, Maryland native Marissa Coleman gained a reputation as a fierce competitor while playing for the University of Maryland College Park. Coleman was a freshman when the 2006 team won the program’s first national title, and went on to average 18.1 points per game her senior year, making her one of the most prolific scorers in this year’s draft. She will certainly be filling the Verizon Center with hometown fans during this summer’s WNBA season.
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Huma Abedin, UAE Amb. Yousef Al-Otaiba, and Dina Powell

Location: The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

Photos by Joseph Allen and Margot Schulman

CULTURAL BREAKTHROUGH: The Kennedy Center’s $10 million “magic carpet ride” to 22 Arab League nations during its three-week “Arabesque” arts festival featured art, poetry, film, fashion, and performances by 800 actors, dancers, singers, and musicians. AN ARABIAN NIGHT: Opening festivities showed just how “hip” the Arab world can be with an extravagantly avant-garde dinner hosted by Bahraini Minister of Culture Mai Al-Khalifa in a huge, heated tent where modern Arab design elements included lighted aqua chairs, giant triangular Lucite tabletops, and sexy swags of Swarovski crystal.

Tripp Donnelly, Lindsay Shulman, and John Cecchi

Location: Vineyard Vines, Georgetown

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Joseph Allen

GREAT UNVEILING: Guests gathered at Vineyard Vines in Georgetown for the unveiling of official ties and sashes for the Trust for the National Mall’s junior members. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were passed throughout the prepster-heavy premises as supporters discussed the new group’s efforts to help preserve the historic Mall. L’Enfant chairmen John Cecchi and Tripp Donnelly did their duty modeling the colorful neckware.

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John Podesta and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Photo by Tony Powell

Location: The Fairfax at Embassy Row and Jockey Club Lounge

WL HOSTED EVENT – Photos by Tony Powell, Kyle Samperton, and Joseph Allen

A musical celebration with speaker Nancy Pelosi, John Podesta and Warren Haynes

TRANSITION TOASTS: The week of inauguration festivities kicked off with a Washington Life hosted high-octane gathering of power players who were at the heart of the presidential transition and inauguration planning teams.

THE SCENE: Festivities were co-sponsored by The Atlantic, National Journal, Celebrity Service International, and the Washington Capitals. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Presidential Transition Team Co-Chair John Podesta made remarks before guitar virtuoso Warren Haynes wowed the crowd with two sets, including U2’s “One” in honor of Pelosi and Podesta.

ROLL CALL: Larry Summers, Don and Megan Beyer, Michael Strautmanis, Christine Varney, Michelle Jolin, Michael Warren, Chris Matthews, Marne Levine, Vince Panvini, Todd Thompson, and Sen. Mark Warner, amongst other members of Congress and ambassadors.

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Jeffrey Ross and Sarah Silverman. Photo by Tony Powell

Location: FUR Nightclub

WL SPONSORED EVENT - Photos by Tony Powell, Joseph Allen, Nancy Ostertag, and Sterling Elmendorf

IT’S TRICKY: This celeb-filled tribute to comedy and politics was one of the hottest parties of the inauguration. Hosted by Nelly, the concert included performances by Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels and Ludacris that rocked the 2,000 attendees.

MAKING AN IMPACT: The event was organized by the Impact Film Fund (IFF) co-founders Kimball Stroud, Jody Arlington, and Jamie Shor, who partnered with Funny or Die and “The Great Schlep,” (starring Sarah Silverman). VIP’s included actress Jessica Alba, Cash Warren, Rep. Linda Sanchez, Lisa Edelstein, Tanya Lombard, and Robert Glennon. The night was co-sponsored by UPS, Toyota, Group Inc. Kaze Design, Vox, and Beck’s – who provided liquid courage in the VIP area.

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As a newly-minted NBC political correspondent, Russert, 23, traveled the country this fall with both presidential campaigns, scored exclusive interviews, and channeled the energy of America’s young voters into compelling journalism. His late father, Tim Russert, would have been proud.
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The development boom has made Washington a hotbed of contemporary architecture, and Christy Schlesinger is one of its rising stars. She and her father, award-winning architect Frank Schlesinger, have designed everything from schools to the loft Cady’s Alley where this photograph was taken.
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Miss District of Columbia 2008 is uniquely well-suited to represent her city. Intelligent and self-effacing, by day she’s a hard-working staffer at Innocents at Risk, a non-profit that combats human trafficking; by night she’s a vivacious addition to Washington’s social scene.
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