Starry, Starry Night

Can you imagine having a bedroom ceiling that looked like a night sky? Yesterday I was reminded just what money can buy as I attended a New Year’s Day open house.

My friend B is about as southern as they come, a good Jewish girl from South Carolina. It was hardly expected that she would fall in love with a handsome Turk all those years ago. But this is a love conquers all story that worked out just fine.

They went on to open bakeries and elegant restaurants in DC and meanwhile to raise a family. As their children went out to make their own fortunes, my friend and her husband bought two penthouse apartments in a building on the edge of Georgetown. They created their dream house with a view of the best sights in the city. At sunset you can see the National Cathedral sitting high on its hill, the spires of Georgetown, and the Potomac. It doesn’t get much better than that.

The inside of their penthouse is like an art museum, much in the style of the Hirschhorn. This is the result of a love of art and a lifetime of collecting beautiful pieces all over the world. It’s all very tastefully done, with something of interest everywhere you look.

But as B greets her guests in her long elegant kaftan, she is at once on everyone’s level. She is the most gracious hostess I know. And her guests are an eclectic collection of Washingtonians.

Yesterday’s feast, catered by Provisions, provided so much more than provisions! It was all about small mouthfuls of divine creations. There were little spoons containing tuna tartare on seaweed, shrimp and grits, and creme brulee. There was duck in tiny corn muffins. There was scallops wrapped in bacon. There was a tray of sushi with huge sculpted corners of wasabi and a bed of colorful ginger. There was butternut squash soup in little glasses. And so much more as we sipped our prosecco to welcome in the New Year.

But the thing that impressed me most was the master bedroom. As we claimed our coats there, her husband explained that they wanted to have the feeling of looking at a beautiful night sky when they went to sleep. The result was a sea of silk with tiny lights that are on a dimmer. It indeed looked just like a starry, starry night.

Wealth is so attractive when it’s artfully combined with humility and grace. May B and her prince charming live to be 100 as they fall asleep under their starry canopy each night.