Victorian House Renovation in Bloomingdale, DC
Yesterday, after 4 long months of waiting it finally happened. We got a DC RiverSmart audit! The DC government program basically allocates $1200 per property to alleviate issues connected with storm water run-off via rain barrels, water gardens, shade trees and permeable patios.
We definitely needed it. We noted the issue with flooding almost as soon as we moved in. Well today’s rain looks even worse, our backyard is a mess of standing water.… Read the rest
As I mentioned, part of my excitement for the Baltimore trip this past weekend was definitely the salvage stores.
I have already talked about Loading Dock on this blog. We got lucky again with hardware, picking up a whole bunch of drawer pulls , whose new home is tbd. And found an outdoor light for just $1!
I think Loading Dock is my winner for low prices award.… Read the rest
Anyone who has been in D.C. for at least a few years must have noticed the change in national profile of the city – from MTV to Bravo, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. Well, home design world is also in on the love-fest. AT released an updated shop directory a few weeks ago, and now design sponge too!
Also, 31 July will be the design blogger tag sale – guess where??… Read the rest
In celebration of nation’s birth day, AT blogged “The Best of Washington D.C.” for design world.
They missed the mark a bit by not including my ultimate favorite, Ruff and Ready, and another go-to source, The Brass Knob/Warehouse (and placing Miss Pixie’s -another really good one!- in Adams Morgan instead of 14th st), but its still pretty nifty. They also have a rather long list of stores around D.C.… Read the rest
I was giddy with excitement when I found out about VIB’s birthday (you have to admit that’s pretty cool, to find on the day of, that it is in fact that day!). It turns out that tax records, which are cited for house building date at time of sale, are often wrong.
And you wouldn’t believe how easy it is to find out when the original permit was issued (well at least if your house is inside the District).… Read the rest
I was at the D.C. Community Heritage Program Summer Symposium and found out that Today’s the Day!
Yep, the permit to build was granted on June 22nd, 1897 (not 1907 as tax records indicate, and which apparently are most often wrong).… Read the rest
Peeling paint is sort of like blisters, there is an irresistible urge to pick at it. This is what happens when you give in:
I guess one of the previous VIB occupants, at some point in the house’s 100 year history, was into gold. I suppose the current state of pocket door trim will encourage us to take care of these sooner rather than later. I am not quite sure who to call about restoration of pocket doors though.… Read the rest
Of course it was the house itself – largely the original details – that was the reason behind our purchase, but location was almost as important. When we started looking for a house we had a range of neighborhoods in mind, but Bloomingdale was always at the top of the list. The location was just right, as you can walk downtown and to the mall in under 40 minutes (yay walking to work!);… Read the rest
stacks of ceiling tile!!
Yesterday, we stumbled on The Brass knob Backdoor Warehouse. its just a few blocks from our house and it is amazing. incredible. jaw dropping. i don’t think i have anything to add to the pictures really.
we also were extremely lucky to secure a floor rail for our pocket doors – the pair that lead out to the foyer are missing part of their railing (probably butchered it during the carpet installation or some such).… Read the rest
patching up holes
our tree box
Good Neighbor
Yesterday we helped to set up a watering system for a Scarlet Oak that was planted by the Urban Forestry Association several weeks ago (see more here) a few doors down from us. Our neighbor had actually requested the tree last spring. Hopefully we didn’t mess up too badly (we accidentally made more holes than necessary and then had to patch them up with a lighter).… Read the rest