This weekend was one of my most favorites each year on the Hill. It was a weekend when, instead of trying to surreptitiously look through people’s windows or at their gardens, we are all invited inside to get an up-close view courtesy of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s 55th Annual House and Garden Tour. If you’ve ever participated in this event before, you know all the houses are amazing. I went with a group of friends, including some delightful moms who helped make the day more fun in the absence of my own. I recommend the small group strategy for this event, because everybody sees something a little different and you definitely don’t want to miss anything.
Here are a few of my favorites from the weekend. Chime in with yours in the comments!
Favorite master bedroom: 2 6th St, NE (the “keyhole” entrance). Situated on the top floor in the round tower with exposed brick and 17′ ceilings. I didn’t see anything else quite like it on the tour.
Favorite kitchen: How can one possibly choose? There were plenty of amazing options but if I can only choose one, I’ll go with 906 East Capitol, NE. I dream of one day having a big kitchen that opens onto a lovely back yard.
Favorite small space: 308 East Capitol, NE Unit #1. It was so perfectly appointed and welcoming that you’d want the owners to invite you back for a drink.
Most surprising: 317 A St NE looked fairly small from the street, but inside it was deeper than expected with lots of windows in the dining room and kitchen, looking out onto a dogleg and the backyard. As Goldilocks would say, it was just right. My runner up in this category is 621 Massachusetts Ave, NE. Who knew there was a true “tropical oasis” hiding inside a 100+ year old house?
Favorite wall colors: 11 9th St, NE’s Benjamin Moore Moonshine and Greyhorse. This was the second of two mirror-image homes (we entered through 9 9th). The palate is like a greyish green; this combination was a nice neutral but warm and unusual.
Place I want to go back to for reading the Sunday paper: 514 Constitution Ave, NE. The basement kitchen opens up to a beautiful garden and fountain bounded by the carriage house. These kind homeowners host B&B guests, so next time your family is in town, see if you can have them stay here. They’ll definitely love it.
Favorite overall: 100 5th St, NE. I’ve walked by this place hundreds of times and just a couple of weeks ago the hubby and I were debating and decided that this corner place was actually two houses, not one. Well, we were wrong. I loved this place all the way from its top floor master suite with views of the Capitol and Supreme Court to the first floor kitchen and dining room opening up to the wooden side porch.
Kudos to CHRS for what must be a huge undertaking — the organizers and volunteers did a fantastic job. Also to the homeowners who so graciously opened their homes, left notes about paint colors and art and shared where they got some of their lovely furniture and accent pieces. You shared not just your homes, but a bit of your story, which was just lovely. And don’t worry, I didn’t take a single photo, use your bathroom or open a single blue-taped cabinet door so you’ll find nothing nefarious on your video surveillance system.
Can’t wait for the Renovator’s House Tour in the fall!