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Last week I had the pleasure of touring the Carnegie Institute of Science with our local branch of the ICAA (these lunch time tours we offer are my favorite aspect of the ICAA).  I have been walking past this building on 16th street NW for as long as I've lived in Washington but never knew the glories that were inside! The old front door facing 16th street is seldom used (it is solid bronze and weighs literal TONS) which is a shame because the detailing on the front porch is phenomenal. The original building (located on 16th street) was completed in 1908 by architects Carrere and Hastings for Andrew Carnegie (click the link for more projects by Carrere and Hastings featured on this blog).  You can see the front facade in the first photograph of this post and the side elevation (on P street NW) below.  As the institution grew the need for more space was accommodated by a large addition by the architects Delano and Aldrich in 1938 (click the link for more projects by D...

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...

Today I bring you Oheka Castle through a music video by Taylor Swift.  Oheka Castle on Long Island was designed by Delano and Aldrich in 1914 for Otto Kahn. The structure happens to be the 2nd largest private house in the United States after the  Biltmore estate . The house is gorgeous and the song is really fun; I'll admit to being a big Taylor Swift fan!  If you're not into the music I still encourage you to watch the video on mute for the images of Oheka Castle alone. Enjoy!