Showing posts with label Washington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washington. Show all posts
Favorite houses
Do you have a favorite house in your neighborhood? Maybe it's one you've never even been in but you always look at it longingly? This townhouse up the street has always intrigued me. I think I can honestly say it's my favorite house in Dupont Circle in this case. A bit quirky, the style doesn't really fit in with the stereotypical red brick Victorian rowhouses nor with the grand beaux arts mansions in this area. Instead -it combines the best features of both!
The plaque near the door says that it was built in the early 20th century for a local architect -HIS dream house: No wonder I have such a connection with it! Grand but not large with a beautiful garden to welcome you, I can only imagine how beautiful the insides is! Sometimes the mystery is the best part -I can conjur up my dream interiors to match the exterior!
Sightseeing at home
One of the great parts of having a houseguest is you see parts of your own home city that you otherwise rarely visit. This weekend I played tour guide to a friend and explored the best of what DC has to offer!
Brunch at POV overlooking the White House, formerly the Washington Hotel and a trip to the Newseum and the National Mall filled the day Sunday.
The Newseum has THE view of the Capitol building, which you can see above. However from the inside of the museum, with the Canadian Embassy in the foreground, the view is a bit......odd?
A bit of a contrast, the US Capitol building behind the Canadian flag: I thought it was funny!
Saturday was spent exploring Hillwood with the ever gracious Steven as guide (thanks again!). It was the perfect day for a walk around the gardens which always have something to surprise and delight, no matter the season. 
I have always loved the fountain in the parterre but never thought much of the pattern which runs along the base. Even on a (rare) cloudy day in DC, the water would sparkle as it hit the points of the pattern; ingenius detailing.
I didn't bring my camera with me, as evidenced by these pictures. I am a bit disappointed with the camera on the Droid Incredible (phone); The pictures are ok, but tend towards the blurry side. 
I have to remember to get out and explore the city even when I don't have the excuse of a guest in town. Hope you had a great weekend as well!The Phillips Collection
This past weekend I visited the Phillips Collection, a private museum here in Dupont Circle, DC which has an enviable collection of modern masters. Founded in 1921 by Duncan Phillips (a fellow Pittsburgher), the museum remains small but incredibly important. Works by Renoir (seen above), Paul Cezanne (also seen above) and Monet sit alongside very contemporary art. The museum was the first modern art museum in the United States which explains the incredible collection.
I was drawn to the museum for the 'Paint made Flesh' exhibit which I highly recommend! Seen above is the new addition which houses the entrance. It quietly fits onto a small street, respecting the stately townhouses and embassies that are neighbors, just 3 blocks from the metro. 
Here you can see the original structure, a 1897 Georgian revival townhouse which was Duncan's home. After the deaths of his father & brother, Duncan and his mother dedicated the collection to their memory. In 1930 the collection was becoming so large that they moved out of the house and devoted it entirely to the museum.
Above is a work by Paul Gaugin -I just love the colors and besides, the meal just looks delicious. At the top of the post is of course 'Luncheon of the boating party' by Pierre-Auguste Renoir(1880-1881) which Duncan purchased in 1923 -the museum's most well known painting to this day but surely not its finest.
A painting by Chagall (my favorite artist).The museum is known for its unusual approach to displaying the works. The collection is not shown in order by date or artist, but by similarities seen in the works themselves. This makes for a really enjoyable visit (as does the intimate scale of the space). I hope on your next visit to DC you visit the Phillips!
A beautiful lobby
Last night I had dinner at Ardour, located in the St. Regis hotel here in DC. You may remember I featured the bar of the hotel here, which is my local favorite. Well, this is probably my favorite lobby of any hotel I've seen. Inviting, cozy, beautiful but not overly formal; who doesn't want to hang out here? Sorry for the fuzzy pictures from my camera phone, but you get the idea!
The hotel was recently renovated with the interiors done by Sills Huniford ;Job well done I'd say!John Russell Pope: Temple of the Scottish Rite
Yesterday I posted an image of a beautiful light fixture and it raised some interest in the building it came from: the Temple of the Scottish Rite.
I've been fascinated with this building since moving to DC, sitting so stately on 16th street. It is open for tours but I've never managed to make it on time during their limited hours.
John Russell Pope, so often associated with the grandest monuments and houses in DC, actually got his start in the city on this Greek inspired building when he was selected in 1910 for its design. Five years later it was finished and became the headquarters for the Grand Council of the Masons.
Since opening, the building has always garnered attention; winning many architectural awards and being listed in 'top buildings' lists for close to a century now. This is not surprising given its' historic precedent, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the tomb of Mausolus at the Greek city of Halicarnassus. Yes you read that correctly, this tomb was so well respected that it soon became the word used for all great burial chambers: mausoleum.
While choosing a tomb as the basis for the design of a great civic building may seem strange (the temple housed the first public library started in 1917 for the city, thus making it civic), one cannot deny the sheer elegance and respect that it commands on so important a street.
Many of the details of this grand building bring the awesome scale down to be appreciated at human scale, such as the light fixtures I showed yesterday and these amazing door knockers on the tall bronze entry doors. Hopefully I'll be able to tour the interiors shortly and try to share them with you all.
While choosing a tomb as the basis for the design of a great civic building may seem strange (the temple housed the first public library started in 1917 for the city, thus making it civic), one cannot deny the sheer elegance and respect that it commands on so important a street.
Many of the details of this grand building bring the awesome scale down to be appreciated at human scale, such as the light fixtures I showed yesterday and these amazing door knockers on the tall bronze entry doors. Hopefully I'll be able to tour the interiors shortly and try to share them with you all.Pope's lanterns
Nothing much, just an exquisite bronze light fixture outside of John Russell Pope's Temple of the Scottish Rite here on 16th street in Washington, DC. A patina'd fixture, proving that quality lasts the test of time.Hamptons Designer Showhouse: Raji RM & Associates
Another of my favorite rooms at the Hamptons Designer Showhouse, I'm proud to say, was done by a good friend of mine here in DC, Raji Radhakrishnan.
Raji, smiling here as always, composed a room very much in line with her work; Eclectic but edited, a fascinating collection of the most beautiful and interesting pieces which make the room feel to me as if an interesting person lived there rather than being 'decorated'. To my mind, isn't this the goal of high-style interior design?
Raji explained that the room she started with was basically bare bones, a staff bedroom on the lower level. The first task she assigned herself was to bring some architecture into the space through a painted wood chair rail and moldings. They MAKE the room. 
Raji interpreted the space as a ladies lounge for the mistress of the house. She wanted the room to tell the story of an accomplished woman who needed a stylish office to conduct her own business away from the family. Imaginary client: Hillary Clinton. 
The pieces throughout the space are all amazing -you could spend all day here just admiring each one. I loved these vintage pottery jugs.
No inch of the room was forgotten with beautiful details throughout.
Even the light fixture was incredible!
I think we can all agree this is a room we would want to spend time in; especially this tufted leather chair!
The most show-stopping item in the room is the glass rod encased cabinet in the corner. Created by a French artist that Raji and her husband discovered wandering around Paris, the borrowed piece has an asking price of over 50k! Look but don't touch!
One of the most personal and asked-about spaces in the space, believe it or not, was the bathroom. Raji's talented daughter, Shruti Narasimhan spent countless hours painting a beautiful coral decoration on the walls with coordinating shower curtain. It's no surprise however that the apple didn't fall far from the tree; Shruti currently is studying interior design in NYC.
For better pictures of the space than my own, go to My Notting Hill to see professional photographs.West Elm Pop up store opens
I had the opportunity yesterday to visit the new DC West Elm Pop-up store here in Georgetown prior to todays grand opening. Despite a massive thunderstorm, the store was a flurry of activity.
I admittedly went mostly out of a morbid curiosity as I had never been entirely impressed with their offerings. I considered them a smaller Ikea type vendor of low quality and boring design household items. 
I'm pleased to say they have proven me wrong!
The store is small at only 3,300 SF, but they pack a lot of punch into their small space.
The focus was on things one can carry out of the store and it is decorated beautifully. Even most of the furniture items can be delivered day of.
Texture and color seemed to be the order of the day, two characteristics which keep the modern wares from feeling cold.
In fact, I have to say the store actually reminded me of an anthropology: decidedly up-market bohemian.
Featured were a few items from their new line of leather furniture out this fall and I particularly liked the lines of this chair (the 'Clean Sweep'). The quality of the leather was remarkably good, especially for the price.
As a few universities are located nearby, bedding and bath items are part of the store's focus. While I can't talk much on the quality of the items as I haven't used them, the style quotient was definitely met.
As the store is tight, inventive displays were used throughout, such as these baskets hung on the wall.
As I said, they were busy preparing the store as you can tell by the employee hard at work below. My favorite item was probably this wingback chair named the 'Ellory'.
I urge you to check out their new offerings as they have definitely improved upon the brand and if you are in DC, check out the new pop-up store in Georgetown at 3333 M Street NW.National City Christian Church
I am lucky enough to live across from one of my favorite buildings in the city -the National City Christian Church. Designed by prominent architect John Russell Pope in Neoclassical style, the central block which contains the sanctuary was completed in 1930.
night view from my roof deckBecause of the great depression, construction of the side wings which house a shelter and sunday school rooms was not complete till the 1950s. 
The church has led an important roll in the city through the years. In 1973 the state funeral of Lyndon Johnson was held here. Also, for years the church has had an impact on the musical life of the city both through daily concerts at noon and a weekly radio broadcast of its famous organ.
At night it's an impressive site, all of that white stone lit up, standing proudly on Thomas Circle. I'm always proud to see tourists snapping pictures! 
The shelter is entered from the side through a quiet, gated courtyard.
The church has led an important roll in the city through the years. In 1973 the state funeral of Lyndon Johnson was held here. Also, for years the church has had an impact on the musical life of the city both through daily concerts at noon and a weekly radio broadcast of its famous organ.
At night it's an impressive site, all of that white stone lit up, standing proudly on Thomas Circle. I'm always proud to see tourists snapping pictures! The shelter is entered from the side through a quiet, gated courtyard. Beside the gate is this unusual baptistery. It has a ring of a neoclassical shell which matches the church around a brick core with stained glass. I wonder what the story behind that is!
Even from a distance it is hard not to notice! In fact, it's one of the things that drew me to this neighborhood in the first place.
Even from a distance it is hard not to notice! In fact, it's one of the things that drew me to this neighborhood in the first place.
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