José Solís Betancourt and Paul Sherrill of Solis Betancourt & Sherrill are known as one of the most sought after design teams in Washington, D.C. and have gained international recognition as one of the leading American design firms. The firm’s 30 years in business has included numerous features in magazines such as Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Southern Accents, The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, and more. Solís Betancourt & Sherrill’s monograph Essential Elegance was published in 2010 by Monacelli Press.
Take an excursion through Washington, D.C. to discover some of their favorite places to look for designer treasures and experience the best of the capital city.
Shops and Galleries
Paul says,“most people know D.C. has world class art museums and blue chip art institutional installations. But, they don’t realize that there is also a thriving community of artists living and working in the DC area. The DC area is still an affordable area for artists, it is stimulating, creative and inspiring and it has a well educated and well traveled population that appreciates and buys art.”
Marston Luce—This quaint Georgetown boutique is the perfect destination for elegant and carefully curated French and Swedish antiques.
A Mano—Luxurious home accessories, especially for the extravagant tablescapes are aplenty at this Georgetown shop. Shoppers can also find specialized gifts and accessories for women, men, and children.
Adah Rose Gallery—Patrons peruse this Kensington, Maryland, establishment for small scale contemporary art to showcase on bookshelves and tabletops.
Addison Ripley Gallery—This is a great place in the Georgetown area to find larger works of contemporary art from a wide range of artists.
Food and Musings Around D.C.
Chez Billy Sud—This “delicious and charming” Georgetown restaurant is the definitive favorite of Solis Betancourt and Sherrill. The quaint eatery includes gorgeous brick walls, a copper-topped bar, and a cozy fireplace for guest to enjoy while sharing French fare and libations. The restaurant is currently offering takeout and delivery Wednesday to Sunday from noon until 8 p.m. due to the national and global COVID-19 pandemic.
Glenstone—The design duo’s favorite public space is outside D.C. in Potomac, Maryland. This private museum of Mitchell and Emily Rales has an extraordinary new building by Thomas Phifer that is truly breathtaking. Be sure to experience the two massive Richard Serras. This museum is one of the best kept secrets in town and everyone should know about it.
