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While cleaning through my over-flowing bookcases the other day I came across an old favorite, Adventures with Old Houses by Richard Hampton Jenrette .  The book is an account of the 14 historic houses he has bought, restored, and called home. One (or 2 rather) in particular have always been my favorites, the George F Baker house by Delano & Aldrich (more on them HERE and HERE ). Finished in 1914 for Francis F. Palmer by Delano and Aldrich, the house was later added onto to form a complex.  The house was bought in 1917 by George F Baker and Jenrette named the house after him. It still is Jenrette's home base in NYC with the carriage house (where he formerly lived) as offices for his historic foundation,   the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust .   Above is the entry to the carriage house from the street. I love this combination of deep forest green with granite detailing and red brick.  Mr Jenrette originally bought the house located at 67 East 93r...

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of hearing Charlotte Moss speak for the Mid-Atlantic ICAA in Georgetown at the historic Dumbarton House . The Federal styled house, built in 1800, has been a museum since 1928 when it was bought the the Colonial Dames of America . The house is kept accurate to the time of its building and is a hidden gem here in Georgetown. Not to be missed are the beautiful gardens which are somewhat eclipsed by their famous neighbor up the street, Dumbarton Oaks . Moss spoke about her latest book, her 9th, Garden Inspirations . Her lecture was so witty, inspiring, and surprisingly down-to-earth that everyone left if not ready to garden, ready to travel and see some of the sights she shared with us! She said time and again that the book isn't a gardening how-to; you won't find planting lists or how deep to plant seeds. Rather you will find inspirational photographs of beautiful gardens and how to use their blooms both inside and outside of your own home.  ...

This past weekend was the annual Embassy open house ( Passport DC ) and I headed straight for the Embassy of Brazil. Not because I love Caipirinhas but because the mansion was designed by master Architect John Russell Pope for Robert McCormick in 1911. Here is the house as it appeared in 1911 after completion back when this area of 'embassy row' was nothing but farmland outside of the city. The house has a unique siting on a triangular lot which creates a very grand entry sequence from Massachusetts Avenue.  I think that is what has always intrigued me about this Italian High Renaissance styled Villa, so I was excited to finally get a chance to get in (along with 1,000s of other curious Washingtonians!). The vintage photograph and these floorplans come from one of my favorite books which I've mentioned before: Mastering Tradition, the Residential Architecture of John Russell Pope by James B. Garrison.  As with all Italian Villas the house has a piano nobile plan, ideal for...