Michael Hampton and the DC Design House 2015

This year's DC Design House (2015) may not be located in DC but is still a very sophisticated and Washingtonian home.

Designed by Harrison Design architects, the house resembles a typical Virginian farmhouse which has been added onto over the generations. The multiple volumes help to mask the large size of the structure.

 I loved the logical and light-filled floorplan. Who doesn't love a floorplan?

The only criticism I could have are perhaps the lack of program in the basement. Large open rooms bleed endlessly into each other with no real purpose.  We had the idea of replacing the garage bump out on the first floor into the basement (which works with the grading) in the series of vague rooms on the left hand side of the plan below. This would also have the benefit of drawing more light into the back stairhall. But I digress......

The best room in the house is done by my friend, designer Michael Hampton. Don't just take my biased word for it, Architectural Digest  prominently included it in their line up and most media coverage has featured the below image by photographer Angie Seckinger as their lead photo.

Michael was able to work with the builder of the house (Artisan Builds of Mclean) and develop many of the details of the house which may be one of the reasons the fit-out and detailing found in the house is so well done. Any talented professional designer (unlike decorator, which is a very different thing but not a negative connotation ) will add this level of finesse to any project.

Above you can see the room as Michael first found it; see his blog post HERE on the development of the space. Michael designed a beautiful oak paneling to line the library, incorporating a built-in window seat and bookshelves.

The large chinoiserie painting above the sofa from John Rosselli was the basis of the room; soft greens with red accents.

The crazy beautiful sofa is also from John Rosselli and features a delightful faux bois fabric by Jed Johnson.

There are other rooms in the house worth noting, unusual as some showhouses feature one gaudy room after another - this showhouse is a comparative model of restraint!

I loved the master bedroom by Christopher Patrick. Christopher has a real talent for mixing the best of modern design and antiques to make a room stylish and lived in. These are the types of rooms in which people want to spend time! The Benjamin Moore wallcolor was especially great and I plan on copying it soon in my own bedroom. Notice too that much of the artwork are architectural watercolors by Michael Hampton!

Lastly, the kitchen was a beautiful space which brought to mind a Virginia farmhouse with a sophisticated twist designed by Lobkovich kitchen design.  Notice the leg details on the island -beautiful! I think they'll be getting a lot of calls from people for work on their own kitchens.

There is still time to visit the DC Design House, open until May 10, 2015 in McLean Virginia.  Don't miss seeing it all for yourself!
All photos unless noted by Angie Seckinger.

Why Beauty Matters: Roger Scruton

Why Beauty Matters ∇ Roger Scruton BBC from Vue Fine Art & Design on Vimeo.

"Beauty is the remedy for the chaos and suffering in human life...The beautiful work of art brings consolation in sorrow and affirmation in joy" - Roger Scruton

Last night I watched this video by Roger Scruton from 2009 on his philosophical view of beauty and why it can make or break our lives.  The past decades have moved culture away from the centuries old 'cult of beauty' and Roger (and I) believe this only hurts our lives. Beauty has the power to restore our senses and bring meaning to our existence.
Scruton's view of beauty may be rather narrow and classical, which I can appreciate, but the fact remains that one can find beauty everywhere in their life in small moments (something I celebrate on this blog and in instagram) and perhaps even in modern style (sorry Roger!). I would argue that there are many beautiful moments to be found in modern architecture as well, such as the work of Renzo Piano or Richard Meier.  Who would not agree that the Getty Museum in Los Angeles is not stunningly beautiful (seen HERE)?

If you haven't seen the video before I highly encourage you all to watch it tonight, it may just change your life view.

See Charlotte Moss in DC, May 6 2015

Join the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the ICAA in welcoming Charlotte Moss to historic Dumbarton House on May 6, 2015.  

Following a reception, Charlotte will speak about her latest book, Garden Inspirations.  Afterwards she will sign copies of her books. It should be yet another great event sponsored by the ICAA here in DC!

Hope to see you all there; be ready to be inspired by this fabulous taste-maker and don't forget to bring a copy of your book to be signed!

Tickets are available on the website HERE.
Images via Veranda Magazine and Charlotte Moss.

English country house living in Australia

Located in Bathurst, Australia (about a 3 hour drive west of Sydney) is Abercrombie House. This charming English country house style structure was built in the 1870s for William Stewart, the Lieutenant Governor General, or 2nd in command. Since 1969 it has been in the hands of the Morgan family who have restored the house and have it open to the public to help with funding for further care of the house.

Don't let "open to the public" fool you; this is a real family home which is probably the most interesting reason to visit the mansion.  Staid house museums can sometimes be a tad boring (even I'll admit that) and seeing an active family in residence and how they live in period style is the main attraction here.

This Victorian house mixes elements from many genres but Gothic Revival might be an appropriate moniker if one must be chosen.

Reminders of the Stewarts' native Scotland are abundant.  If it weren't for the sunny Australian weather one might imagine oneself in the heart of the moors.

This tiled loggia looks like a lovely spot for afternoon tea. Notice the modern light fixtures lining the ceiling - I love seeing how the house has moved with the times.

Period details such as Gothic plaster arches and stained glass though proclaim the age of the house.

The furnishings are casual and old; nothing fussy. One might believe they have accumulated over generations of Stewarts.

The double parlor is of course very Victorian. Lovely plasterwork and colorful wallpaper lend the period aire.

The original marble mantel pieces really steal the show. Notice the Gothic door paneling to the left below. Piles of books and a fireplace..... heavenly.

 The grand dining room looks right out of a period drama.

 Much of the wallpaper is in fact original, including this William Morris wallpaper.

 The William Morris wallpaper in detail has lovely shades of brown, ivory, and gilding.

 The grand oak stair is lined with old family photographs.....

 which continue up to the landing. Notice the much narrower stair to the 3rd level.

It's lovely to see these old rooms LIVED in. One of the sons is interested in anthropology which is evident in his taxidermy filled bedroom.

 Notice the modern lamps mixed in amongst the antiques.

 Their other son occupies another cool and shady bedroom -also full of antiques.

 The very clean fireplace sadly doesn't look as if it has been used in years.

 The gardens, which occupy 50 acres, are frequent hosts to weddings and events.

 Notice the old green house at the rear of the house above along with utilitarian farm vehicles.

 Further out back are vintage Austin Princesses in 'storage'.

 Lovely old wrought iron surrounds the immediate gardens.

It's somehow reassuring in this age to see such houses really lived-in and in such time worn style! Thanks to Neal for supplying us with his gorgeous inspirational photos!

That touch of black; contrast

Continuing the conversation from last week (Shades of Umber at the Thyssen-Bornemisza HERE) another direction to go in an art gallery are black walls as seen here at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.

My Australian Penpal sent these to me -what do you think?  I'm a fan of black (these almost look to have a blue tint to them in the lighting) as I think it shows all images in sharp contrast. Even at the small scale of these photographs the paintings are instantly recognizable and in sharp detail thanks to the black background.

I hate the 'trend' (I even hate the word) for black walls in the home but I think in a gallery or retail space it's a brilliant idea. I wouldn't have kept the same black background here at ArchitectDesign for 9 years if I didn't think it worked!

Springland Lane Garden Tour: Cleveland Park Historical Society

Adjacent to Cleveland Park is a little wooded area which when one enters feels like the street that Washington forgot.  Springland Lane and the beautiful houses and gardens which have grown into it is a tiny alcove nestled just north of Cleveland Park that until recent times was a farm and vineyard (right near the heart of the city!). On May 23, 2015 the Cleveland Park Historical Society is cohosting a garden tour of the area which is an exclusive look not just at the 16 pretty houses and private gardens but a look at the not too distant agricultural past of the neighborhood. Tickets are available on the website HERE - I hope to see you there!

Shades of Umber: Thyssen-Bornemisza

Who says art museums need white walls?  One of the finest art museums in the world, the Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, sports walls in numerous natural shades of umbers, orange, sienna, and yellow (see my recent post on the Givenchy exhibit in the museum HERE)

 The pleasant shades complement the art and flatter the skin; great spot for a date!

What do you think of this color palette? The great lighting helps as well. Thanks to my Australian Penpal as always for the photos!

Details Matter

If you follow me on Instagram (@architectdesignblog) this weekend you probably saw a number of pictures I posted of a grand apartment building here in Washington DC in the historic Kalorama neighborhood.

Buildings such as these are listed in the Washington real estate bible, Best Addresses, by the local authority on such matters, James Goode.  I live in a 'best address' building myself, although not as grand as this, and it really was one of my apartment's selling features. It's always the first statement of any real estate description of any apartment in these buildings in Washington. I would recommend the book to others who don't live in DC as a great compilation of grand apartment buildings from 1900 till the 1970s, full of floorplans and historic photos.

The details matter here and separate this building from common apartments. Symmetry and aligned spaces are key, but delicate plasterwork, marble mosaic floors, and charming original stairwell doors and exit signs are all details that speak of care and quality.

Notice the well thought placement of modern HVAC grilles discretely placed above the exit door. I think also important to notice are the signs that this building is a home;  minimal quality non-cluttery furniture and artwork grace the spacious halls.  Compare this to atrocious new-construction apartments we see going up all over this city and also cities around the country as we experience this (wonderful) return to urbanism. Why do people prefer new construction to this again?