an eye on washington 1

As you can imagine, Washington is quite a beehive of activity these days. Viewing stands have been set up along Pennsylvania Avenue, the inaugural platform has been constructed, and today five gigantic flags were hung between the pillars of the Capitol Building (one of my favorite sights!). Emails are flooding in from friends who will be here for the big day, asking me to suggest things to see and do that weekend. So, I have been thinking about places to visit beyond the Mall and away from the crowds. I thought it might be fun to share with you all some of the wonderful historic houses and small museums that make "unofficial" Washington such a great place. Since the list is rather long, I am breaking it up into neighborhoods, and will share it all over the next week or so. Today ~ Dupont Circle and Kalorama:

* Anderson House ~ Set in the heart of Dupont Circle and embassy row, this magnificent Beaux Arts mansion is the headquarters of the Society of the Cincinnati. Stefan over at Architect Design recently did a great piece on the house and as you can see, it really is worth a saturday visit!

* Heurich House (The Brewmaster’s Castle) ~ The home of Christian Heurich, Washington’s famous brewmaster. I live (literally!) within a stone’s throw of this impressive mansion, and so I know it well. Don’t let its imposing exterior deter you ~ it has one of the most complete late-Victorian interiors in the country.

* The Textile Museum ~ One of my favorite Sunday afternoon haunts. Housed in two historic mansions on S Street, one of which was the former residence of the museum’s founder, George Hewitt Myers (and was designed by John Russell Pope). There is a lovely garden and a fabulous little gift shop. Afterwards, grab a cup of tea at nearby Teaism ~ or if you crave something a little stronger, try Veritas.

* Woodrow Wilson House ~ The only presidential residence within the District of Columbia. Administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it provides an amazingly intimate look at a truly extraordinary statesman. Combine it with a visit to the neighboring Textile Museum.

* The Phillips Collection ~ The Phillips long ago outgrew its original 1897 Georgian Revival mansion, and now extends through a complex of buildings on 21st Street. It houses a world-class collection of modern art and is one of my favorite small museums!

(note: all of these places are within walking distance of the Dupont Circle metro station)

P.S. The above image is a detail of the exterior decoration on the Heurich House.

close to home 1

One of the things I want to do this year is challenge myself to look more carefully at things close to home. Sometimes I walk down the street and see something astonishing in the everyday mundane...like the way a particular slant of light reflects off of a window, or a little pop of color pushing its way in between the cracks in the sidewalk. As a couple of you may know, I carry my camera with me everywhere I go, which is a good habit. The problem is that I don't always stop to take the picture ~ maybe I am in a hurry, or maybe its cold and I just want to get home and pour myself a glass of wine ~ or worse, maybe I am just not in the mood. So my goal is to post at least one image a week in a "close to home" series. The only requirement is that it has to have been taken within a mile of home.

This week's photo was taken while running errands on Saturday afternoon. It had just started sleeting and I had forgotten my umbrella. I was scurrying home with a cup of tea in mind, when I happened to glance up and see this tangle of fuzzy seed pods resting in between some branches above a chain-link fence. And snap. Just like that. Okay, I can do this, right?!

trouvée: the gown

Stamped on the back: "Central Press Photograph / 110 Fleet Street, London." So fabulous and flirty! (click to view larger)

Some friday photo love:

* One Day in November (such a lovely tribute)
* Sparklers
* and Sepia

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! btw...I saw Mr. Obama on the way to work this morning.

close to home

The past several days have been a bit dreary here in Washington. I am beginning to get my equilibrium back, but it is a slow process. I feel like the only views I have seen lately are the ones out of my window. But, I am working on a couple of fun posts and plan to have some things for you next week. Hint: the topic is "close to home" !!

Cheers!

new year's light

I am still feeling a little under the weather, so you will have to forgive the lack of inspired posts. Hopefully I can ease back into the swing of things soon.

However, there is a little piece of fun news to share. Several weeks ago I was contacted by Schmap Guides, asking permision to use a couple of my photographs from Flickr, one for the Paris guide, and the other for the Bath guide. Well, both were accepted...and you may see them here and here!

Happy monday!

trouvée: looking back

Found on eBay ~ a little birthday treat to myself. Not inscribed...but perhaps that makes it all the more intriguing!

Looking back on 2008, it was a good year ~ full of adventures and wonderful new friends. Here are a few things I am looking forward to in 2009:

* Transitional States
* a new appointment book (trying to keep it all organized!)
* a subscription to Gourmet (part of my resolution to cook more)
* a year of photography exhibitions
* some new adventures (here's a hint about the next one)
* and bringing you all along with me in this space!

Thank you all for reading...and Happy New Year!

resolve

The last day of the year is always such a strange day...and for some reason, it always makes me feel slightly unsettled. I much prefer new year's day, which always feels so fresh and full of possibilities. And generally I do not make resolutions...or at least not very realistic ones. But this year, I resolve to cook more at home (there's a big pot of spicy chili waiting at home for me tonight) ~ and to read more. In 2008, I read much less than I normally do and I am not sure why. But, I am off to a good start, armed with a pile of new books:

* The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent (which I just finished and thoroughly enjoyed)
* A Stopover in Venice by Kathryn Walker (who can resist a bit of gothic romance?)
* The Seamstress by Frances De Pontes Peebles (an epic winter read)
* Esther's Inheritance by Sandor Márai
* and a beat up old copy of The Scarlet Letter (unearthed while moving the apartment)

And you all...? I wish you all peace and joy in whatever you do!

home sweet home

Home. Mmmmm. Doesn't my mom make a cozy bed!? I spent a lot of time in that warm sunny spot, curled up reading books and fighting a chest cold. There was lots of snow in Maine...making it look like a picture-perfect Christmas card! Because we were all sick, it was a quiet, peaceful holiday, filled with books and good food. The way it should be I think. Here are some of our simple joys:

* roast goose with Texas fruitcake stuffing (the latter a new invention on our part, and really quite delicious!)

* smoked Maine salmon

* a menagerie of sugar cookies sprinkled with colored sugar

* lots of tea

* sweet gifts exchanged with happy surprise

* and a few long winter naps!

I hope you too had a lovely holiday.

trouvée: noël

I found these recently on eBay and couldn't resist. I would love to know the back story ~ Christmas decorations somewhere on the Mediterranean coast (!?) ~ and the sassy woman in black (click to view larger). Mmmm...I leave it to your imaginations.

I am signing off today until after Christmas, so I wish you all a holiday full of joy and laughter. Be well and if you are traveling, do it safely. Cheers! xo.

a few flakes

While much of the United States is being blanketed by snow and ice, this is as close as we've gotten to seeing any flakes! Is it wrong to love snow so much? Maybe it is because I am a winter baby. I will content myself with Abby's gorgeous photographs ~ these lovely "flakes" (via Camilla) ~ and few in wax (too sweet!).

Happy thursday!

winter light

Two images of the interior of the Northeast Outhouse at Stratford. The light in there is so wonderful...even on a short December day...it's like a Dutch still life. I would love to spend an afternoon there...potting bulbs and misting orchids.

Some things I am loving right now:

* Bread and Honey

* The Curator

* and my friend Emily's new blog (congrats EEE!)

Cheers all!

Christmas at Stratford

It was a glorious weekend in Virginia for saturday evening's holiday festivities at Stratford Hall (complete with music and dancing)! To see the house lit only by bonfire and candlelight, looking much as it would have in the eighteenth century, is an amazing sight. I did try to capture it by camera, but it was virtually impossible.

Sunday morning was bright and cold and perfect for a quiet walk around the estate (while others slept off the effects of the festive libations!). I didn't see another soul, and was able to snap away uninterrupted. So, while I don't have much from saturday evening, I can show you a little bit of winter morning calm on the estate ~ for more, see here.

trouvée: the skater

Found several years ago on eBay ~ a photograph by Lothar Rübelt of the Austrian figure skater, Willy Böckl, at the 1926 World Figure Skating Championships in Berlin. I really love the playful nature of this image.

Friday links ~ some great things going on in the photo world:

* Eggleston
* Sander's Children
* and Michael Eastman

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. I am off for some holiday cheer at Stratford Hall!

holiday giving

This year I am trying very hard to keep presents simple, but thoughtful. And so, here are some of the things I will be giving this year:

To keep them warm and happy:

* hand-knit Irish mittens

* a special tin of tea

* vintage tea towels and French soap

* hand-dipped candles wrapped up with a pretty box of matches

To tickle their palette:

* a bottle of Virginia dessert wine tied up with a little felt bird

* sea-salt caramels (my father's favorite)

* or a jar of spicy plum chutney

To support the arts:

* a special Christmas ornament

* my favorite notecards

* and little goodies from the Decatur House, Monticello, and more

I have tried very hard to buy from local businesses and crafts people, and to support cultural institutions such as museums, historic houses, gardens, and other non-profit organizations. I also would love to know some of your own gift ideas.

And, my dear friends and loved ones, I hope I haven't given away too many surprises...!

holiday outings

As promised, here are some of my favorite holiday destinations in Washington (and beyond!):

* skating in the Sculpture Garden
* Windows to Wonderland at the Botanic Garden
* dreaming of warmer climates at the Freer
* singing along at American History (December 13-14)
* Mount Vernon by Candlelight (weekends through December 14)
* and Christmas at Stratford Hall (December 12-13)

This list is just a small sampling of the wonderful ways to celebrate the season, so for a full list of Smithsonian museums, see here ~ and for a more complete list of events around town, see the City Paper.

Enjoy!

holiday errands

It is beginning to lot a lot like Christmas around here. This past weekend was full of the lovely little things that make the holiday special ~ eggnog and homemade cookies, paperwhites and Christmas trees, warm fires and friends...and a dusting of snow. I am trying to keep things really simple this year ~ and it feels good! A couple people emailed to ask about my gift-giving ideas, so I am hoping to get a little list together this week. And also a post about some of my favorite museums in Washington (in response to a comment on friday's post). So, stay tuned...and stay warm.

trouvée: back of the house

Found in Maine this past weekend at one of my favorite haunts ~ the Big Chicken Barn. It is not inscribed, but there is a photographer's studio stamp on the back from Albany, New York. I love that this humble little scene has been mounted on such a formal cabinet card.

Lots of photo goodies today:

* Elegance
* Hong Kong Yesterday
* New York, N. Why?
* Anonymous Works (a bit more than just photographs!)
* and the Blackbird

The other day I heard a snippet on the news about alternative (and inexpensive) ways to enjoy the holiday season. One suggestion was to visit a museum. While I was a bit miffed at the notion that visiting a museum is an "alternative" activity, I do think that is a good idea ~ and a great way to support these institutions in troubling times. So, on a local note, there is a lot going on here (from caroling to ice skating...and more!).

Next week, I have some holiday-related things in store for you! In the mean time, enjoy the weekend.

northern lights

It gets dark so early in Maine at this time of the year ~ this image was taken at Cleonice, where we stopped for lunch (mmmm...lamb burgers) on the way to the airport ~ so cozy and warm in there.

Thank you all for your comments on yesterday's post. It is a little hard to focus on much right now...but I'll get back into the swing of things. Lots of goodies for friday's post. xo.

thanksgiving in maine

Backyard details from my parents house in Maine ~ things were looking very wintery. We had a lovely holiday full of warm fires and happy laughter. I hope all of you in the states did too. My heart is a bit heavy today as we lost our sweet dog this morning ~ I am thankful we all got to spend one last holiday with her, but am glad now that her valiant heart doesn't have to work so hard. She will be missed terribly.

thankful 404

The other day I was walking by a large, rather non-descript parking lot, and noticed the soft crunch of pine needles under my feet. Not so unusual really, but living in the city one rarely encounters this phenomenon. Looking down I noticed the most gorgeous pinecones scattered about ~ dusted with white sap and smelling perfectly like pine. I gathered up an armful and headed home. What people thought of this woman walking down the street with an armful of pinecones, I have no idea. (Probably the same thing they think when they see me "pruning" the holly bushes by the bus stop outside of my apartment building.) I still have sap on my jacket, but the smell puts me in mind of where I am going for the holidays.

I am signing off for the week, wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving, and thanking you for all your support and inspiration this year. Eat well, be well, and travel safely. xo.

P.S. I just passed my 400th post (this is no. 404) and I didn't even notice!

sunday in the city

This weekend was a quiet one, comprised of little errands (getting ready for the holidays), tea sipping, and a walk through the farmers' market. The colors at the market were so lovely ~ greens, greys, soft pinks ~ such a change from the oranges, browns and yellows of earlier in the season. (And clearly, my obsession with root vegetables continues!) I picked up leeks and Brussels sprouts, which I drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted together in the same pan. An odd combination, but surprisingly delicious!

Happy monday.

trouvée: on steps of the capitol

Inscribed: "Capitol Va. / Mar. 1934." I love the little figure with her white scarf, dwarfed by the huge columns of the Capitol building in Richmond.

Some friday links:

* Katie Baum's photographs
* Anne Truitt's studio
* Alejandra Laviada's photo sculptures
* and Delta Dawn

Enjoy your weekend...I hope you do something nice.

nesting

It really feels like fall is slipping into winter. Cold, clear skies here in Washington today, and the leaves are all but gone. I find myself nesting ~ running home after work to pour myself a glass of wine and curl up on the sofa with my needlework. It is a treat to savor these few peaceful days before the frenzy of the holidays. Simple things I am enjoying:

* fennel soup and Julie's notebook
* a house in Trinadad
* and anticipating Tess (does anyone know when the DVD will be released in the US?)

What are you enjoying these days? Stay warm. Be well.

book week: day 5

This summer I had the pleasure of attending the Attingham Summer School program with Emily Eerdmans, whose book Regency Redux was published this month by Rizzoli. A copy landed in my mailbox this weekend ~ and not only is it a luxuriously beautiful publication, but it is wonderfully well written and informative. When Emily agreed to send along an annotated list of her top five design books (all with a decidedly anglophile bent), I was thrilled. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do:

* Authentic Décor: The Domestic Interior 1620-1920 (1984), by Peter Thornton: Bar none, this is the bible of interior decoration and design history: period watercolors, prints, and sketches of European and American interiors are accompanied by an in-depth and highly readable commentary on the evolution of style, decoration, architectural planning, and more.

* At Home with Books: How Book Lovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries (1995), by Estelle Ellis, Caroline Seebohm, and Christopher Simon Sykes: Besides offering advice on how best to clean, light, display, and reach books, this beautifully illustrated book takes you inside the libraries of the great and the good. My favorite photo is of the late 11th duke of Devonshire snoozing on a sofa in the library at Chatsworth with newspapers askew. Also included are Michael Graves, Bill Blass, Paul Getty, and Keith Richards!

* The Decorative Twenties and The Decorative Thirties, by Martin Battersby: Battersby began his career as an assistant to Cecil Beaton, and shared Beaton’s understanding of the confluence of fashion, décor and design. In these two books on the 1920s and 30s, Battersby examines everything from jewelry to interior decoration. Written in 1969 and 1971 respectively, they are among the first books to look at this period and unusually give equal weight to the revival of period styles at this time as to the development of modernism.

* Rooms (2006), with photographs by Derry Moore: The subjects of the Earl of Drogheda’s signature square format photographs are from another world ~ gilded, sumptuous and eccentric. It is what I call the World of Interiors’ decaying elegance with layers of patina and history. The rooms of Duff and Diana Cooper, Madeleine Castaing (with wig strap), and Pauline de Rothschild are some of my favorites. The text (very lively) and the unusual design are by the people behind the iconic (and sadly defunct) Nest. For more on Moore, see here.

* Colefax and Fowler (reprinted 2000), by Chester Jones: Inevitably whenever I’m looking for inspiration for paint colors, curtain ideas, or furniture placement, this is the book I come back to again and again. Honorary mention also goes to Interior Inspirations by Roger Banks-Pye, a C&F designer, and also to The Art of Decoration by Nina Campbell, another C&F alum.

Some of you may recall that Emily also did a wonderful post over on Style Court in September about Regency style in the movies. I am so grateful she was able to enlighten us again in this final installment of book week. Thank you to Emily, KDM (for his wonderful White House list), and the ever-inspirational Inkslinger (for her fiction suggestions). You have all helped make this past week so rich and fascinating. Stay warm this winter and happy reading!

signs of winter

Things were beginning to look very wintery at the farmer's market yesterday: root vegetables, and red berries. And for the first time this season ~ bulbs! I splurged and bought a white amaryllis. Hopefully it will bloom in time for the holidays. My new return address labels arrived on friday, and I pulled out my Christmas cards (in the vain hope that perhaps this year I will get them written in time). And there are lovely goodies over here. Oh, the anticipation!

And speaking of goodies, something wonderful showed up in my in box last night ~ the perfect culmination of book week. I can't wait to share, so stay tuned tomorrow. Happy monday!