Georgetown House Tour

We’ve been posting some pictures of last years tour homes on our Instagram and Facebook accounts in anticipation for what you can expect to see at this year’s tour. One of the wonderful things about Georgetown is learning the history of not just the neighborhood, but of the individual homes that make up the community. Your ticket for the tour day is a lovely magazine that highlights the homes on the tour and our wonderful sponsors that make it all possible. The magazine is filled with history about each of the houses, so we thought it would be fun to recap a few of last years homes for those of you that are new to the house tour.

House #1 – Anne Goodman Home

This property was first conveyed in 1770 to Caspar Shaff; the original structure was built in the 1830’s. Subsequent owners included both George and William Beall, who bought it in 1841 for $10 and sold it in 1853 to the Vestry of St. John’s Church for $100.  The current owner, Ann Goodman, is an architectural and interior designer and real estate agent with Evers & Co. She has spent the past 15 years improving and updating her home while preserving its many period details, such as the original heart-of-pine random-width, planked floors.

House #4 – Soula Proxenos and Bruce O’Brian Home

This house was built around 1951 on the site of the extensive gardens and pool of Friendship House, the last of the large estates owned by Evalyn Walsh McLean, heiress and socialite. Mrs. McLean is best known as the last private owner of the 44.5 carat Hope Diamond, now on exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. The current owners purchased it in 1998, when they combined households from England, South Africa and Virginia. They have done a series of renovations allowing for a more open floor plan, finished the top floor and upgraded the carriage house. Many of the finishing details during the renovation such as some of the furniture, and two large mosaics were actually done by the homeowners themselves.

House #7 – Carrington and Jake Tarr Home

This charming house was originally built sometime between 1844 and 1865, when the frame structure that forms the heart of the house (a double parlor on the first floor and two second-floor bedrooms) was erected. During the 1960’s the house underwent a major renovation, which included altering the curved stairs in the main part of the house and an addition to the front at the west side of the property to include a garage, an indoor pool and a second-floor artist studio. James C.H. Bonbright, the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden and Portugal during the 1950’s and 1960’s, lived in the house with his wife in the 1970’s. The current owners purchased the property in 1999 and began another major renovation to expand the kitchen and open up the back of the house to the rear gardens.

We hope this peaks your interest to learn more about what makes Georgetown rich in history and culture. If you haven’t purchased your ticket to the house tour on April 25, you can do that here. Don’t miss out!

It’s no secret that first impressions are lasting. This applies to both you as a person and your home. That’s so much pressure to put on your entryway! Let’s talk about the 4 components that will not only create a lasting impression, but will make your entryway a functional space.

1. Lighting – Great lighting can make or break any space. Especially when first coming into a home you want to make sure that your pathway is well lit. If you have a dark entryway consider having light coming from multiple sources. Overhead light plus a table or floor lamp will not only provide brightness, but it can add interest to your space as well.

A California Eclectic Home in Silicon Valley via Domaine

2. A Place to Set Down Your Things – Yes, this is all about practicality. When you come home with kids in tow after a busy day you need a place to set down your keys and mail. It can save you many hours of searching if you always put your keys in the same place everyday. If you don’t have a large hall closet it’s imperative to have hooks or a coat rack for your purse, backpacks and jackets.

A Fresh Feminine Home via Domaine

3. A Focal Point – This will create that lasting impression. Consider a large piece of art, an art wall, a unique mirror or a sculpture for your entry. Art can provide a pop of color, and give your home personality from the moment someone steps in. A mirror is a wise choice if you have a small entryway, it will visually help expand the space.

Collins Interiors in Austin, TX via Blue Print Blog

4. Don’t Overcrowd Your Space – Nothing is worse than not having a clear path when you walk through your front door. If your space is narrow make sure to compensate with a narrow table, shelf, bench or cabinet. If walking through your entry feels more like an obstacle course than anything else it’s time to clear out some floor space.

A London Victorian Terrace via Houzz

This years house tour will provide you a glimpse of some of the most beautiful entryways in the city. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to see past the front doors to gather ideas for your own home. If you haven’t yet purchased your ticket, do it now, and invite your friends!

A couple of posts ago, we discussed the Florence Dining Room from our 2014 tour. It is a fabulous room that incorporates both traditional and modern elements to create an overall striking space. One thing that clearly stands out is the enlarged family photos. One way to get this look on a budget is using engineering prints. Today we are sharing a great DIY project that will cost you just a few dollars.

Here’s what we are making, an over-sized printed photo with a vintage classroom chart feel. Perfect to fill up a large wall, and keep on budget.

Get the full DIY below. Read more

With the amazing weather we’ve had in DC over the last few days, it’s feeling like spring will be here soon. The warmer days, and added light in the evening (thanks to daylight saving time) have us dreaming of backyard bbq’s and yards in full bloom. If you’ve been following us via Pinterest, you’ve no doubt seen our board “The Great Outdoors.” It’s always fun to plan out the perfect yard, maybe one that includes an outdoor fireplace, even if there’s still remnants of snow on the brown grass outside. So, here’s some inspiration for you while we are yet waiting for spring to really arrive.

1. Note to Self Tumblr | 2. Architectural Digest Louisiana Home
3. Country Living California Bungalow  | 4. Better Homes and Gardens Landscaping Ideas | 5. The Style Files Flickr | 6. The Vintage Object

We were lucky enough to interview local interior designer, Lindsay Speace. Lindsay works with clients all across the DC region and beyond. Follow her on Instagram and subscribe to her blog for oodles of inspiration. If you’re looking for a local designer we definitely think you should contact her.

North Uhle Project

GHT: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your design firm.
Lindsay: I’m originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts but found my way to DC shortly after graduation and haven’t found a reason to leave almost six years later! I live on Capitol Hill with my husband and golden retriever and love the charm of DC’s older neighborhoods.

I own a full-service residential interior design firm, Lindsay Speace Interior Design, and work with clients throughout the DC metro area. I’m a traditionalist at heart, but update my interiors with a wink of color and pattern and always seek to showcase the personality of their owners.

GHT: You mention that you “believe in … the intuitive mixing of eras,” can you give us an example of that?
Lindsay: I think the most successful rooms are layered. Juxtaposing pieces from different eras–a Saarinen dining table paired with antique French chairs for example–keeps things interesting. The saying “opposites attract” is just as true in interior design as in relationships.

GHT: When designing a space, what do you think someone should splurge on?
Lindsay: Three things: upholstery, fabric, and art. Invest in the best quality upholstery you can buy. If the frame is well constructed you’ll have it for years. Fabric gives a room personality and atmosphere and is almost always the jumping off point for me when I’m pulling a design plan together. Art you love will enrich your rooms and your life.

GHT: In contrast to splurging, where can you help a client save money?
Lindsay: It really depends on the client. Everyone’s situation is different and it’s my job to be the best steward of their budget that I can be. For a client with young children an inexpensive natural fiber rug might be a more appropriate choice than an antique oushak.

GHT: Where do you find inspiration?
Lindsay: Absolutely everywhere! The architecture of DC incredibly inspiring, and of course we have no shortage of museums. I especially love the US Botanic Gardens–nature provides the best color palettes. I’m also completely addicted to Instagram!

GHT: What’s your most favorite flea market treasure?
Lindsay: Too many to count! I’ll go with my collection of blue and white ginger jars. We used them as vases for our centerpieces at our wedding which was a special and personal touch.

A Street Project

North Ulhe Project

Furnishing a home can be a daunting task. For some of us, the hunt for the perfect side table can be exciting, for others it can be completely overwhelming. Most of us are looking to fill our rooms with unique, quality, good-looking pieces. But when budgets are limited, it can be hard to achieve all of that in one neat little package. So, where can you find some great pieces without breaking the bank?

Let’s start with one of the most popular, Craig’s List. Craig’s List is full of amazing deals, you just need a bit of patience and a few tips to get started.

– Search using different terms, ie. if you are looking for a “mid century sofa” you will also want to search “couch” “danish” “mcm”, and so forth
– Search for “by owner”, this will weed out the ads
– Put in a maximum price in order to line up with your budget
– Look past poor quality photos and bad styling, but be sure to ask questions if you can’t see something clearly
– Respond to an ad with a personal message, give some options of days and times that you can pick up the item and always, always include a phone number
– If you go to pick up an item and it’s less than what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to walk away
– Download a Craig’s List app for your phone, it’s the perfect way to search when you have a few minutes to spare
– Act fast, good items go quickly
– Don’t give up, you may not find the perfect item on first try

Here’s a few great finds that popped up after trolling a bit:

1. Linen and black sofa $100 | 2. Campaign style bookcases by Bernhardt $200
3. Vintage Dresser (needs a little work) only $25 | 4. Mid Century Fireplace $150
Read more

If you participated in the 2014 Georgetown House Tour, then you have seen the lovely Florence Home. There was a write up about it here. The dining room stands out as a great example of how to mix up modern and traditional elements to create an inviting space. The enlarged family photos provide a focal point and remind us that this is where a real family lives. The glass chain chandelier is lovely, again a modern take on a very traditional piece. And the room is finished off by a pop of color with some simple place mats and napkins. The great thing about bringing in color with accessories is you can change it up with your mood or the season.

Photo by Tony Brown

Do you want to get this look in your own home? Here’s a round up of pieces that will help you achieve the feel.

1. Rectangular Glass Chain Chandelier | 2. Bermuda Dining Table
3. Green Trellis Placemats | 4. DIY Engineering Prints  | 5. Tobias Chair

For the most part, these are all very affordable options. The glass chain chandelier is a splurge piece, if you’re looking for a less expensive option check out this chandelier. Engineering prints make a big statement for only $8, and don’t forget the fresh flowers. Next week we will feature an engineering print DIY, so check back!

I woke up and looked at my phone, the weather app said that it was – 11 degrees with the windchill. I’m not sure if one can ever really can acclimate to that kind of cold. I’m sure I speak for most in our region when I admit that I cannot wait for spring. What I really dream of at the moment is walking on a beautiful warm beach with bare feet, the ocean tide splashing up to cool me off, and the kids building sand castles in the background.

While those days are a ways off,  we can still dream, right? How about bringing the ocean indoors with a large piece of art. It’s such a great way to make a statement, and maybe for just a few moments you can imagine that you are actually there.

One King’s Lane, ocean photo by Richard Misrach.

Read more

If you follow us on Instagram you’ve seen some of the beautiful doors that we’ve posted from around Georgetown. There’s something to be said for a beautiful door that makes you feel instantly welcomed, and curious for what lies behind. It’s an easy and fairly inexpensive way to instantly update the curb appeal on your home. What makes so many of the doors around Georgetown unique is their door knockers. Today I’ve rounded up a few great knockers to get you thinking about giving your door a makeover.

1. Lion Head Door Knocker 2. Michael Healy Bay Scallop Knocker 3. Solid Brass Crab Knocker 4. Brass Pineapple Knocker 5. Vintage French Ball in Hand Knocker 6. Mid-Century Brass Fox Knocker 7. Brass Anchor Door Knocker 8. Michael Healy Dragonfly in Flight Knocker

And here’s a few of the doors that inspired this roundup . . .

To update your door, choose your favorite color paint, give your door a good sanding and paint with a quality outdoor semi-gloss paint. I have been happy with Behr’s Marquee Exterior Paint & Primer. The primer ensures good coverage, sometimes with just one coat. Most doors can be covered with a quart of paint. Let your paint cure for a few days before finishing it off with your favorite knocker. Etsy and Ebay are a great source for vintage finds, many at prices far below the local antique shop. Now share your finished door with us by hashtagging your photo #georgetownhousetour on Instagram or Facebook.

Can you believe it’s here again? At 84 years old, the Georgetown House Tour volunteers know how to put on a great event. For those of you who haven’t joined us before, you do not want to miss the tour. It’s not everyday we get to see beyond the lovely Georgetown doors that peak our curiosity.

This year we are working to give you more than just a day of tours. We will be blogging here with post about how to get the look in your home, hacks for designing on a budget, sneak peaks and so much more. You will also want to follow up on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. We are already loading up content to inspire you to re-imagine a space in your home. I can’t tell you too much yet, but we may even be giving away a few tickets to the tour! Interact with us on social media by hashtagging your photos and ideas with #georgetownhousetour.

Most importantly…put the date on your calendar today, and invite your friends!