The 21 designers charged with transforming this year’s D.C. Design show house have spun the many rooms of this 10,000 square-foot home into an eclectic yet cohesive – and stunningly elegant – display of neoclassic design.
The Georgian style country home, located in Chevy Chase, once served as the site of President Harry S. Truman’s inaugural ball. Though now for sale, the general public can tour the rooms of this Beaux-Arts mansion until May 8 with proceeds benefiting the Children’s National Medical Center.
“The house has such great bones,” said Victoria Sanchez, who designed the library. The raw interior included crown molding with dental detailing throughout; large gilded glass mirrors, tall palladium windows and faux finishes on walls made to resemble marble.
A study in Eclecticism, the design house, although massive in size, feels as cozy as a country cottage. Designer Frank Babb Randolph, a native of the D.C. area, recalls when Chevy Chase was the country and used this inspiration to merge classic luxury with casual comfort in the living room.
Instead of stuffing the great room with oversized furniture, Randolph created a primary seating area in front of a large fireplace and a separate breakfast nook by windows that overlooked the beautifully landscaped grounds.
“I love the whole concept of using the room for more. It’s such a gracious room,” said Randolph.
Where to find it
D.C. Design House
www.dcdesignhouse.com
Now through May 8
Hours Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
A plush garden green sofa in silk linen softens some of the strong neoclassic elements in the room including bold column pedestals flanking the fireplace. A faux-shagreen painted coffee table adds stylish practicality.
“You could put wet glasses down on this and not have to worry,” said Randolph.
A classic Edwardian-style kitchen by Clive Christian sparkles like fine jewelry, with dazzling chandeliers hanging over arctic cream granite counter tops. Most of the kitchen is furnished with natural oak and ivory cabinetry sealed in antique glazing. Opulent, in typical Clive Christian style, the kitchen also offers practical solutions for today’s family, including a butcher-block countertop in the prep area and a large flat screen television encased above a stainless steel cook top. The refrigerator is hidden behind a grand oak armoire.
In the expansive master bedroom, designer Sally Steponkus decided less was more, furnishing the room with necessities, such as a king-sized bed with upholstered headboard, end tables and a seating area. Soft yellow and cream colors are repeated about the room.
“I really wanted a calm, serene space. I didn’t want it to feel overstuffed, which is the natural inclination with such a large room,” said Steponkus. She used different textures and layers of fabrics such as damask, matelass? and cotton blends on the bed and bold prints on window treatments. Urn-like bases for lamps continued the neoclassic theme.
No room captured the property’s neoclassic essence with as much drama and flair as the ballroom, repurposed into a conservatory by designer Barry Dixon. Dixon created a show stopper with towering columns, Greco-Roman inspired sculptures, books, throws, rugs, vases and antique gyroscopes fit for a visit from Galileo. Talk about eclectic, among the conservatory’s many appointments are a Moroccan themed three-panel screen and Raj ottoman from Dixon’s furniture collection.
Neoclassic inspiration found its way into the most unexpected pieces, including a Kyle Bunting custom-made shimmering cowhide rug designed by Michael Hampton. Hampton, playing on the Greek key design, created a runway worthy rug that transforms cowhide into haute couture. “That’s exactly what I was going for,” said Hampton of bringing the “bling” factor to the often understated guest room.
