All my life I’ve heard stories of Boscobel, the beloved Italianate home of my great-grandparents. The beauty of every room, the stories of balls held there, my grandparents’ romance, and my mother’s charmed childhood. The property is now part of the National Park Service, with the structures where my mother ...
Read MoreMantel Before & After
BEFORE: When you have a dramatic statement in the main room of your house, it can take some time to figure out exactly what to do with it. And when it’s an amazing, custom-built, natural-stone feature like this mantel and hearth, the task can become overwhelming. Nancy B., a long-time ...
Read MoreBefore & After, 1st floor, Chevy Chase Renovation
As promised, here’s the interior of that beautiful Kenwood home I posted about (http://chartreuseandco.com/beautiful-reno-in-chevy-chase-maryland/): Here’s the floor plan again to orient you a bit. The before and afters are a little tricky because the house has been so thoroughly transformed. So I’m pairing them based on room function, rather than ...
Read MoreBefore & After Reno in Chevy Chase, MD
I just LOVE home renovation – taking the potential a home has and breathing new life into it. One of the most talented decorators I know, Caroline Verschoor, owner of Ekster Antiques in Hamilton, Virginia, has recently staged a newly renovated home in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chevy Chase, Maryland, ...
Read MoreThe Atlee House – an embellished interior
Though I enjoy viewing beautiful homes from the exterior – I mean who doesn’t love a stroll through New Orleans’ French Quarter, or a drive through Kenwood during dogwood season? But to get a look inside – that’s pure joy. So here’s a peek at some of the detailing inside ...
Read MoreStep-by-step Holiday Mantles
Let’s start with the most basic of mantle decorating designs: candlesticks flanking a clock or mirror. There is nothing wrong with this design. Yet, take a look at it. Does it really draw you in? Does it turn your head or engage your interest? Not really. Step 1: Add greens. ...
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