Loved every step of the Del Ray Home and Garden Tour last Saturday.  Blue-sky weather and  lunch on the porch of the newly opened Del Ray Cafe and the afternoon was off to a great start.  Del Ray is a little neighborhood in my part of the world-  filled with comfy eateries, coffee shops, galleries, dogs,  and sweet historic bungalows.

“A neighborhood on the decline 20 years ago, Del Ray has become a magnet for young, urban refugees in the DC area who… are looking for beautiful homes, front porches and back yards. As architect Gaver Nichols notes, ‘People want character.  Smaller can be better.  It’s all in the details’.  ” ~American Bungalow Magazine

Some of these “cottages” were not on the tour but how could I not notice these sweet little details on a slow walk  through these shady streets?   Love the combination of textures and finishes here- brick, a range of gray/greens on siding and trim, bronze-tone window sashes and the warm natural wood tones.

This is my fav… siding, shingles in blue/greens, creamy trim, a gray metal seamed roof, natural door and those oak leaf hydrangeas!  Perfect.

Details….  ”mission” lighting fixtures + butter cream siding + gray/blue porch floor paint

Garage. Color trifecta. Perfection.

A dusky blue choice for siding with soft white trim and dark window sashes– love this.

Many of these homes have been restored with care.  Some have been completely rebuilt.  The interiors, which I was not allowed to photograph, ranged from period antiques to Pottery Barn. What I loved about them all– they were  inviting… cozy… designed for casual and relaxed  ”living”.   Thanks to all of the owners who graciously opened their doors for this tour.  It was a treat!  For more great coverage on the tour, check out DIY DelRay’s blog post here.

There WAS a  house on the tour that stood apart from the rest and had me gasping (just a little).  And the owner let me snap away to my heart’s content.  Stay tuned.

I love working with exterior color. But most of  my projects are in the environs of the city and leafy (but dense) suburbs of Washington, D.C. (though I did have fun with a remote consult in Alaska a few years ago).  I would love to help design a house in some truly spectacular setting– like  the desert in New Mexico or something on the craggy coast of Maine. When choosing an exterior palette, I always take into consideration (first and foremost), the architecture of the dwelling. Then I look to its context– how the building is situated on a lot and what surrounds it.  Most buildings, especially houses, should settle quietly into the landscape.

I wanted to share a few examples of  structures that do this beautifully. Most of these buildings have been designed by very talented architects, for whom color is integral to design, inside and out.  And their settings are all pretty spectacular.

via Shope Reno Wharton Architects

I’m not sure what this is– perhaps a guest house?  The form is striking and the use of color understated but so effective. I love the grid pattern of the “16 over 16″ windows flanking the entry (painted a strong but quiet green, similar in value to the dark shingle siding). Designed by  Shope Reno Wharton Architects .

via Dwell

This house, published in Dwell Magazine, was built on one of the outermost islands off the coast of Maine.  The client  had envisioned “ an unobtrusive abode that would blend with the local color…”  It was designed by Alex Scott Porter Design .  Aluminum cladding chosen for the harsh climate… guessing color choices were limited. Love that gray… pretty perfect.

Feldman Architecture

One of my  favorites- this beauty was designed by the San Francisco firm of Feldman Architecture .   For Feldman Architecture, “beauty is found in quiet understated forms, expressive structure, timeless materials, and carefully resolved details. The firm’s designs celebrate light-filled open spaces with a strong connection to the site and landscape.”

via Bosworth Hoedemaker

Seattle-based architect Bosworth Hoedemaker was tasked to transform a former concrete-block boathouse, on the shores of Hood Canal,  into a functional guest house/ boathouse. The result is so striking- the strong simple forms (square windows and  blocks of gray sliding doors) are softened  and balanced by the color of the interior (simple marine plywood).

photo Catherine Tighe

Restrained use of color by New York-based architect Deborah Berke for this Litchfield County, Connecticut “farmhouse”.

via Elle Decor

Elle Decor featured the bucolic (Wisconsin !)  getaway of New York designer Richard McGeehan .  The article states that “ The Shaker-like simplicity … appealed to his rigorous aesthetic. Another draw was the row of windows along the building’s 44-foot length, which provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape.”

via Rehkamp Larson Architects

The Minneapolis firm of Rehkamp Larson Architects designed this modern farmhouse. Strong but simple form and color. Iconic.

And here is the ” Russell House”" in Palm Springs. Modernist with orange elements repeating and balancing the strong forms of the desert landscape.

via Mathis Interiors

Ending the post with this image… have no idea who took this stunning photo (let me know if you do) or where this is…Nova Scotia perhaps? Guessing neither an architect nor designer was involved here. And “mother nature” surely had something to do with that worn blue/green color.  Simply beautiful.

I have an “iffy” relationship with my “out-the-back-door” world.  It’s nice.  I’m fortunate enough to live on top of a hill– a really lovely, private and woodsy sloping lot .  My deck is elevated with a treehouse view of towering old oaks and a mature stand of mountain laurel and dogwoods. I’m in Virginia, with an agreeable temperate climate. It is nice — but just some of the time. Which is why I’m not quite sold on the “outdoor living room”  idea. But I’m experimenting with it. : )

First, there is my fickle relationship with the hibiscus plant. In Virginia these would be classified as annuals– showy, exuberant  beauties that are enjoyed during a short summer season. I love them. I buy them every year with high hopes but usually watch them wither and fade away by July.  But I try– so  last week I carted a pair of lovelies off the lot at Home Depot, determined to make them thrive.  Of course, what caught my eye was the gorgeous egg-yolk-yellow color of the blooms (with a brilliant red center)– a new variety. Triple swoon. Perfect.  Form over function every time. : )

A snap after a rain shower today ~perfect~

And by late this afternoon, three blooms had unfurled…shockingly pretty (no, Photoshop not involved)!

So had to capture things at their most perfect because I ‘m guessing the blooms will drop in like 3 days– total peak (MiracleGro -enhanced), including the purple ‘May Night’ salvia that wintered over in its clay pot this year. Color trifecta.

And it’s also time to enjoy my new sunken “living room” on the lower level of the deck… just off the truck from Ballard Designs and unpacked.  LOVING IT so far.  But not sure how it will truly hold up with the onslaught of sticky tree sap, rain and coffee/wine drips. When I first experienced these sorts of outdoor spaces while living in San Diego and Sydney, they seemed so sensuous and indulgent.  Rugs and cushy sofas outdoors? Well it made sense there because this stuff stayed outside year round w/ little rain. We will see. But for now, I’m enjoying morning coffee and evening vino out here.

The colors all came together… a dark green market umbrella, neutral cushions on the furniture, an old outdoor Safavieh rug in an over-scaled red medallion pattern and a pop of color in pillows (World Market).

My girlfriends have christened the new space with Pinot Grigio and gossip.  And the cat approves.  All is colorful, waterproof, blooming and good in my little corner of the world… today.

photo via Mik Caravan

Happy April weekend!

Spring has come a few weeks early here in Virginia.  It is the most beautiful time of year in my little hilly and woodsy neighborhood.

Azaleas and dogwoods thrive under old towering oaks that make the soil acid-rich.  The  mature azaleas are often massed together and the pink, coral and red blooms are real show-stoppers.

I had to also snap some of my favorite little Beverley Hills cottages with gardens at their best.

This shady enclave of older homes in Alexandria, Virginia is just north of Old Town, west of Del Ray and  only 15 minutes outside of Washington, D.C.  And we’ve got a stellar “walk score”.

Come take a stroll and get a healthy dose of ~pink~

This chinoiserie fabric {Cowtan and Tout} was the inspiration for the formal dining room at the DC Design House 2012 designed by Shazalynn Cavin-Winfey.  The designer gave traditional mahogany chairs a coat of blue paint to update their look. Pretty!

The atmosphere is formal but dreamlike- the room is suffused with a warm “peaches and cream ” glow.  Walls are covered with a creamy Farrow and Ball “Dragged Paper” and trim is painted out in a custom mix of Farrow and Ball’s ‘Tallow’ and ‘Fowler Pink’.

The warm tones are balanced by energizing accents of coral and blue. This beautiful watercolor on rice paper that hangs above the mantel is by Richmond artist, Ruth Bolduan.

Artist Ruth Bolduan

Though formal, the designer describes the room as “happy, sophisticated and youthful”.  Her favorite detail is the custom corner banquettes covered in a peach velvet.

A pair of framed  antique  Gracie wallpaper panels are “exquisite precursors to what might have been”.

The DC Design House 2012 opens to the public Saturday, April 14.   Go while the azaleas are still in bloom!

Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey {SCW Interiors}

Yesterday,  the DC Design House 2012 opened its doors to “press” for a preview. It was a glorious spring day with azaleas at their peak in the green environs of Spring Valley, Washington, D.C. Farrow and Ball is a sponsor this year, so I was looking forward to seeing how designers worked their magic with these complex subdued paints and papers.

One of my favorite rooms was “The Morning Room” by designer Marika Meyer.

photo Angie Seckinger Photography

In the designer’s words,  ”Enlivened  by pops of indigo and citrine, grounded by quieter “Old World” creams and grays, the light -filled Morning Room simultaneously calms and uplifts…”

… “Our subdued palette starts with Farrow and Ball’s Dragged Papers gracing the walls and continues in the subtle gray pattern of the linen drapery {Quadrille} framing the floor to ceiling windows.”

” A stunning Oushak rug {Stark Carpet New Oriental Juliette Collection} that has similar ethereal tones but also punches of bright blue and citrine makes the space at once timeless and fresh.”

photo Angie Seckinger Photography

A large Robert Rea abstract balances the view of the outside terrace.

More color play of indigo and citrine against a backdrop of quiet gray.

photo Angie Seckinger Photography

A striking lattice -patterned Stroheim fabric lines the back of custom built-ins.

photo Angie Seckinger Photography

The effect is ethereal and hushed with glorious light bringing the subtle soft tones of Farrow and Ball neutrals to life.

More posts to come on other favorite rooms at The DC Design House 2012. It  runs from April 14- May 13.  Don’t miss it!

Photographs 1,3,5 and 6 via Angie Seckinger Photography

Case Study of the Month:  Urban Bodyworks

Photo Urban Bodyworks

“Help!”  The voice on the other end of the line was the owner of  Urban Bodyworks: A Private Women’s Fitness Boutique in Old Town, Alexandria.  A major renovation was nearing completion with a painting contractor scheduled.  The studio, with an exclusive female clientele, is housed in the first floor of an historic townhouse residence with a traditional facade. The first challenge was to find a color for the exterior– one that would sit comfortably in the context of neighborhood, but visually “pop” from the street and be consistent with the business “brand”.

Exterior before

There were fixed elements: adjacent townhouse colors, white window trim, and a yellow/orange-toned natural oak door with a snappy black awning overhead.  In the rear courtyard there was a lush wisteria vine and abundant greenery.  After much sampling, we settled on a soft but complex blue from the new full-spectrum Color Stories collection from Benjamin Moore.

Exterior after

Choosing a palette for the studio interior was the real challenge.  The clients moved from Los Angeles to Old Town Alexandria 16 years ago, bringing with them nearly 20 years of experience, gleaming state of the art equipment (including The Power Plate) and cutting edge technique.  They had experimented with some color and finishes on the walls– mostly whites, pinks and pale blues. The colors, pretty enough, were simply lost against the array of mostly platinum, black and gray equipment.  I wanted to capture the serious, yet fun feel of their approach, while immersing the clients in an atmosphere of elegance.  I needed a color that would quiet down the busy contrast but also energize the space.We quickly ruled out warm colors because of the strong western light flooding through a bay window in the afternoons.

C2 Paint ‘A Cappella’ to the rescue!  And it feels like a swim in the ocean.

‘ A Cappella’  sings– a vibrant, complex turquoise now covers three walls, visually expanding the space.  A collection of black and white photographs now pop off the walls and little hits of purple, red and yellow (exercise balls and mats) come into sharp focus.

Adding another jolt of fun to the studio, the rear wall was painted in C2Paint Retro Lime. The adjacent kitchen, where the owners do fitness and  nutritional consultations (most of the room is lined with warm cherry cabinetry), was painted with C2Paint Stockholm (a mid-toned blue-lavender).  Through French doors to the courtyard, stem green (in the foliage) makes another appearance and completes the balanced palette.

The result is energizing and effervescent — just like my fabulous and fit clients, Shaun and Casey!

Shaun Shephard and Casey Purpus

Urban Bodyworks… distinctly different by design.

When watching movies and TV, I’m always studying the use of color. The subject is fascinating. Last week, I happened to catch Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds‘, which I had not seen in years.

Tippi Hedron’s green suit was front and center- great contrasted with the yellow (blonde hair), black (starlings) and red (umm…that would be blood).  She wears the suit during the entire movie. It is such a great, unusual shade of green. Not olive, or forest, or wasabi but sort if a spruce color with just a bit of blue in the mix.

image via Polyvore

A must watch, if you’re into real horror movies. And if  you’re into Barbie, Mattel actually issued this model several years ago. It can be yours on EBay for only $99.95. For real.

“It’s spring fever.  That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want-  oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ”

~  Mark Twain

via House Beautiful

via House Beautiful

Catherine Cleare via Quintessence

ver.nal:

“…of, relating to, or occurring in the spring…”

***

It was gray and pouring rain yesterday morning here in DC. I attended a benefit breakfast and was seated at table with someone wearing the most beautiful daffodil colored jacket- really bright.  It just ‘sang’ in a room of otherwise muted tones. It inspired me to collect a few images from my Pinterest boards that showcase the power of a small dose of yellow in white rooms.

via Orange Tangerine Art

via Decor 8

via a dose of the delightful

via Joel Snayd/ Rethink Design Studio

via Tamar Schechner

Feeling the yellow love?  It WAS the first day of spring yesterday, right?