this. house. is. perfect.

it's beautiful. i love all the rich, deep woodwork next to the black and white photography. and yeah, something tells me that terry's right about the large budget :) (also - is it wrong of me to laugh at the idea of that kitchen being cramped? the kitchen island alone would take up all of the floorspace in my kitchen!)

gretchenalexis- she meant cramped when they have over a lot of people, not on a day to day basis. But I do agree that the kitchen is an enviable size :) Mine gets cramped with just one other person in it.

This house is lovely. I mean: LOVELY. It's like I walked into a Restoration Hardware showroom house, and I really like how they've outfitted the home with things that work for them. Also, I want to say that I've been in lots of Bethesda homes, and while some of them can be totally over the top on their design, this has a very nice, understate elegance to it that I really appreciate.

I do have a (teenyweeny) complaint about some of the recent home tours, though. I'm not going to say I don't love all of the inspiration I get from the home tours, because that's not true. But can we see (just a few) more smaller/more modest homes? I'd have to double both my and my husband's salaries to be able to do this anytime soon (especially knowing how pricey Bethesda is!) so while it's enviable, and I love it, it's a little difficult to draw a lot of practical inspiration from some of the houses we've been seeing of late.

I had that exact thought, Terry...

I also had a good laugh at "We love that we use every bit of space. We didn’t want rooms we didn’t use." I'll remember that as I pull the folding chairs out of the closet and unfold the drop-leaf table to have dinner with my boyfriend tonight.

It is a beautiful place.

Funny that i had just copied that text to make the same comment as Terry in Silver Spring. It would be interesting to know the budget here, as I'm sure they spent more on remodeling than most people do on buying a home.

I really, REALLY wish that someday here on AT, we can all get past the issues of budget when a lovely, grown-up home is featured.

For those of you who think wealth is an automatic enabler of good taste and lovely design, I give you two words. Donald. Trump.

Budget and space aside, there are LOTS of ideas to steal here... "How to Use Crown Molding to Incorporate Draperies" "Modern Art in a Traditional Setting" "Bringing Life to an All-white Bath" "Neutral Bedroom Done Right" "A Modern Bedroom in a Historic Home" "Using Furniture to Define a Sapce." I could go on.

And devoid of personality? Deargod, so not.

and amt230--

No, not out of touch. These owners, by shopping at a Design Center (they mean a designer To-the Trade building and not Lowe's, btw) would have spent an outrageous amount more relative to Restoration Hardware. Even WITH a "designer discount."

Wow, it is a gorgeous and amazing house. I love the rustic floors with the very subtle varieties of shape.

I'm sure that most personal effects were stored for the photo shoot, but there is an impersonal, hotel-like quality that I find a little bit depressing.

However, it's definitely a house and design with many classic elements that will stand the test of time.

patrick (the other one) - you just about summed it up! Thanks for your helpful input.

I think that we should enjoy a home for what it is. This happens to be a wonderful example of luxury done right, just as so many of the homes we feature (the majority probably) are examples of a modest budget done right.

What struck me about Allison and Steve's home was that unlike so many larger homes featured in regional DC publications, this one does not scream stodgy or fussy, but regal and well-made.

Thanks for all the *constructive* comments.

LeahDC - exactly! i can't imagine how many people you would have to have over (and in your kitchen) for that space to feel cramped! i just thought it was funny. the home is absolutely lovely regardless.

That master bathroom is AMAZING, so feminine, just lovely. The whole house is beautiful.

Where did you buy the light fixtures in the hallway?

I think it's great that the homeowners did an AT tour, rather than a shelter magazine. The writing of this particular tour is a bit OTT ("regal stability of the structure" It's not Windsor Castle, sweetie), and it does look too cleaned up in the photos, but it's a great space. And maybe, just maybe, this couple also lived in a tiny apartment with a folding table as a dining room.

Note to LeahDC--

Next time you have a house as grand and wonderful as this (which is soooo not "typical Bethesda" btw... in a good way!) post it under the title: "Brooklyn Brownstone Hipsters DIY a Forgotten Mansion and Blog About it!" and you'll get a MUCH better response.

Or make sure they have cats.

:)

And anyone who lists Thomas Pheasant as a dream source is okay in my book!

@MegP - The bear room confused me too, maybe they though the kid's little teddy bear was in search of a decor theme and from there they just went on bear overload with large scary bear prints, an actual bear skin complete with head and something that I cannot quite name but it looks like a...bear runner for the dresser? Never go full bear, people.

I like the architecture of the house a lot, it's a nice project in the designer's portfolio.

p2- ha! Yes, a cat shot would have probably assuaged at least a bit of the good design induced angst.

Mr.Faux- yes, probably a little OTT, I couldn't help myself though, it was just so beautiful :)

AT's own LeahDC took the pics, if the credit is accurate.

enmnm--
Not ALL AT readers are constrained by budget and space.

But I'm going to back slowly toward the door now, lest I start another "sally305" "exchange again!

Great place, lovely pics, a nice counter to recent, um, *quirkier* homes.

wally3--

Love the Tropic Thunder paraphrase. Made me LOL.

curated with amazing restraint and taste. bravo.

Based on the comments, I expected a kids room so full of bears (stuffed skinned and otherwise) that you couldn't move. But, um, notsomuch. Puhlease, indulgence, over-the-top theme rooms and conspicuous consumption run FAR more rampant over on Ohdeedoh, and very rarely raises this kind of a ruckus.

I think that room is way cool, and I'd KILL for that Grizzly photo. Stunning.

The wrought iron fixtures, black and white photography and lovely wood really unify this house. Although it's a bit big for my taste, at least the rooms are not sterile showcases for spindly mid-century (or contemporary) furniture that would be inappropriate. I like that they resisted fads and went more for casual classicism.

The tours I find cold are the depressing homes which highlight one good Craig's list find as if it defines the whole home and which reveals the residents' secret aspirations to something better than IKEA. There's consistency and comfort in these rooms and lots of well thought out storage. I'd go to a party here.

steve and allison, i love the woodwork in your home and your wonderful photographs.

agreed RE: patrick's comment. AT viewers seem content with the hipster offerings, and generally attack the bloggers when they deviate from the hipster norm, which usually includes beat up eames shell chairs, "casually styled" hipster jewelry and scarves adorning furniture the in the featured vignette, and anything with cutesy birds. (these non conformists are all alike)

that being said, its okay that AT has morphed into showing more than just small spaces. for those of us living in small spaces, its refreshing to see these homes, because it allows us to dream. even if its not the dream we envision for ourselves to live in...its the dream we allow ourselves to decorate in.

Hear-Hear, Patrick - My thoughts exactly.

Just because something is out of reach today doesn't mean that it will be out of reach forever - Take the inspiration that comes and do with it what you will: Use the ideas in the space you currently have, or file the ideas away and work harder/smarter to be able to afford the space you want.

"Is that a gate in the hallway? Is that to keep the kids out?"

No, it's obviously to keep the two dogs in their area - perhaps until they're cleaned up? Sheepdogs tend to get filthy just LOOKing outside...

To me it's another brilliant/inspiring idea that could be used anywhere: Rather than buy those flimsy and tacky plastic kiddie gates, why not repurpose some vintage wainscot or shutters from your local reuse store and make your own doggy/kiddy gate that's both easy to use and attractive?

OMG this house is incredible!
Everyone has to keep in mind that the best inspiration comes from looking at 'high end' homes. Take advantage of the knowledgeable professionals who worked on it as well as the designer products to replicate in your own apartments or houses, on a smaller, DIY scale. Good design doesn't have to cost a lot of money, but sometimes when it does -it's just amazing!

There are elements that I like, most of which emphasize the well-aged features of the house (like the awesome woodwork). That said, it's such a by-the-book expensive remodel and redecorate. Yes, there's some wonderful photography and some things can be learned from the use of space, but it just drips of model home conservatism. Aside from a few trinkets on a couple shelves, nothing in this house looks like it is more than 5-10 years old. This house tells me so little about the people who live there - they have good taste in photography, but that's about it.

Brown colors and dark wood aren't my cup of tea, so the darkness is a bit oppressive to me. But that's my personal taste. The workmanship and materials in this house are gorgeous. And as someone else said, though they clearly spared no expense, it isn't over-the-top ostentatious.

I live in a smallish house, not an apartment, but I still like AT. A place doesn't have to be labeled "small" or "budget" to provide little inspirations.

"Everyone has to keep in mind that the best inspiration comes from looking at 'high end' homes."

sorry, architectdesign, i respectfully disagree.

Well this was a real joy to see on AT , homes come in all sizes and qualities and this one is top of the line , it is warm and beautiful , a lovely home to live in .
I wish there was Apartment Therapy when I was an apartment dweller but as I move up in the property ladder, currently we are in our second house , it is always nice to look ahead to what may someday lie ahead , OK I will never be so lucky to own a home as gracious as this but a girl can dream .
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous !

This seems a bit grand for AT, and it's only a "small" space in comparison to the mansions (whether "Mc-" or not) that could be purchased at a similar price in a less pricey locale. To respond to enmnm's speculation that this is "likely a $1.5 million home" in one DC's pricier suburbs: I'd say it's likely more like $2.5 -- the kitchen renovation alone was entered in the $75K-150K category -- and Bethesda is above average, but isn't even at the top of the heap in DC. (Don't get me wrong - it's a fine palce to live. And it's walkable and largely Metro-accessible, which is keeping prices up compared to more far-flung places.)

But even if it's too big or expensive for most ATers, it's still nice to see a "big" house done in (what I think is) a tasteful style. There are some things worth "borrowing" from the design that wouldn't necessarily cost an arm and a leg, either. (Big B&W prints, and some finished wood details, to name a couple.)

The home is the place to just be ourselves - whatever that may be or encompass. I think that if someone chooses to open their doors and share their lives with the rest of us, no matter what our personal taste may be, the least we can do is comment with respect - even if our comments may suggest our tastes to differ.

Is this a home that would best fit my needs and/or budget, probably not. However, that does not make this home less perfect or special for someone else.

This is a great example of a new build that incorporates all the details that new homes typically lack. The architectural features and finishes of this home are gorgeous. The woodwork, tile, moulding and light fixtures are stunning and yet it still looks warm and more down to earth than much of the luxury homes that you see in the DC area. I love the contrast of the beautiful wood with the walls and it provides the perfect backdrop for all that photography.

I get where the "cold" comments are coming from but I think you need to take a second look, assume that these photos are a bit staged and that these are obviously meticulously tidy people - aside from that it really is quite warm.

This look is not attainable by everyone because it requires some $$$$ but I think we can all take away some inspiration here. I for one am thrilled to see a luxury home that isn't a giant drywall box of a mcmansion.

Laura -- Yes! I really felt the same way when I saw it. New and large usually equals cold McMansion, but this one was quite different.

LOVE the lighting in the first photo! Name and source? Thanks:)

"...I think you need to take a second look, assume that these photos are a bit staged and that these are obviously meticulously tidy people..."

Indeed - I'd be mortified to have photographs of my home splashed all over the internet w/ the bed unmade, clothing on the floor, crooked artwork, cluttered shelves, tubes of toothpaste and shampoo bottles scattered across the bathroom (like we've seen in some homes featured here)
...I'd assume that others feel the same about their homes as well.

Regardless of budget and style preference, it is evident that Allison loves her home - and, really, isn't that the point of making a house a home? Making it a place where you and your family feel happy and comfortable...a place you love? To that end, I think this was a success story, and one worth sharing, so thanks to all who made that happen!

-maria

It's aight.

wow!
that house is so beautiful. what a dream place to live. all that woodwork makes a home so elegant.
i love it.
sometimes it is nice to see grand homes on AT. i like the change every once in awhile. :)

I liked the house overall, but hated the kitchen. What is it with massive stove hoods that people think are sexy or impressive? I think they just look like they are trying to hard. I don't get how a range hood made it into the category of "status appliance". Can someone please explain that to me?

The fireplace porch, yes please! Totally drool-worthy.

I really love the hand scraped wood floors but they sort of got lost in all of the other wood elements, IMO. Actually, I think I have that feeling from the whole house. It's a fabulous structure with abundant classic elements (which I adore) but none of it packed the punch I was hoping for in a fully reno'd house of this era/genre.

For me, besides making me thirsty for color, it's walking the line just ever so slightly on the side of understated cool while also being boring and pretentious. Perhaps that was the point and I'll just never get it because I'll never be that kind of grown up.

To be honest this house does very little for me. Even if I could afford it, I would never buy it. But I don't mind seeing posts like these on AT, helps me sort out my own taste. Being exposed to a variety of elements can never hurt.

I love seeing people who spend their hard-earned money on quality artwork (among other things). Artists need patrons like these.

Wow. Inspiring on so many levels. It's a beautiful example of homeowners taking time to determine what they love, who they are, and then fully committing to it. I'd prefer a less open kitchen to continue the old-house feel, but the rest of the place so makes up for it. Thanks for taking a risk and featuring this, AT.

Clever use of some furniture. The dark woods and light walls have a really calming and dampening effect. Someone commented that is looks like a RESTO hardware show home, and unfortunately I tend to agree. To me it screams Monster home, but unlike most monster homes this one has some taste. But things like the bolstered love seat at the top of the stairs, the ottoman in the bathroom, the benches, library woodwork, and the excessive wood trim make this place very desirable but also very jejune and ostentatious, what it lacks in charm it makes up for in size and patina.

OMG! The chair at the vanity in the bathroom is the Ghost Chair! I love the Ghost Chair, but actually prefer the one with arms. You can see both on the High Fashion Home website: http://search.highfashionhome.com/search?keywords=GHOST CHAIR&.autodone=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.highfashionhome.com%2F

Wow... way to remove comments, AT.

Like I was saying... I like the wood and the molding and some of the rooms. I wish there was more color and warmth in some of the rooms.

Still would love to see some actual apartment-sized tours, though.

... Seriously? My comment was removed? That's some lame sauce.

I was being honest, and I wasn't rude about it. A beautiful house, but I felt like it was lacking an unknown something. There's nothing wrong with that. Do I have to love every element of a tour to comment on it, now?

*LOVE* the bathroom but that picture hanging in the first photograph creeps me out. (am I allowed to say that? or is that too negative?)

Thanks, AT. I am thrilled to see something different here, regardless of the motivation for its inclusion (Miriam Dillon wants traffic for her new blog).

Several of the comments remind me of the time our architect neighbor came over to check out our house at mid-renovation. He kept insisting that we had to insert more “WOW FACTOR.” Wow. Really? I call this trend the Need For Bling In Every Thing.

One of the best things about this space is its understatement. And yet no detail was spared, if you take the time to notice. Understatement is a rare thing these days. Everything seems to be about the Grand Gesture. I sometimes fall into this trap, too, so I’m not casting stones here. But it's a good thing to keep in mind.

Do people actually live here? It looks like a Parade of Homes house to me. Everything is so carefully controlled and seemingly devoid of spontaneity. It all looks brand-new, like everything was built and furnished at exactly the same time.

I will say that the woodwork is absolutely gorgeous, and I love the idea of a porch with a fireplace.

Regarding the size, maybe AT could have a category called "Dream Homes" that put this place and others like it in their own special category, thus removing the need for the square-footage discussion entirely.

Absolutely stunning. This place is a dream! If I can ever get out of having an apartment, I'd probably flip out lol... to get a place that has maybe .01% of the charm in here, I definitely would be set :)

Why all the harsh words based solely on the obvious high cost of this home? What, rich people suck? If you don't value money why do you care so much if someone else has it? This home is perfectly gorgeous and the owners obviously have excellent taste. The home they'd create with 1/4 of the budget used here would be equally as beautiful because these people simply have style. And you people would love it.

Oh, and in order to have "character" a home has to be strewn with socks and other debris of life? Since when? Some people are plain old neat. Always.

I love reading the comments almost as much as I love to look at the pics. This tour was completely overwhelming though. There were atleast 40 photos and there were multiple shots of each room but I didn't see anything more unique at a different angle. They do have beautiful taste, but it did look like a hotel or showroom. I don't like to see socks strewn about either but its always nice when people leave items out that don't necessarily "go" with the decor. I tend to like the quirkier tours better!

the point is although it is very good looking, it looks like its a new home and a home of that size is simply unsustainable; the first cause of global warming is the energy required to run our buildings - these criticisms are not an attack on the affluent but rather an aesthetic critique. There are many large and expensively designed and furnished houses featured on Apartment Therapy all the time, you cannot gloss over why this house has drawn a particular ire from the community.

I think it's fine. It's pretty much what you'd expect from a professional decorator. Personally I found the paint color selection disappointing, but I'm sure it will be great for resale. The owners are happy and that's what counts.

I was all prepared to love this place based on the preview pictures, but the further I got into the tour, the more my opinion dropped.

Don't get me wrong - there's lots to love. The rich wooden minimalism is beautiful, and the art collection is magnificent.

But there's something going on here that I think of as American Plastic. The wood in the cabinetry and paneling is without knots or cracks. The lines are razor sharp. It's all too perfect, suggesting a brittle intolerance for imperfection. Even the shots of the beds, all with a folded throw placed in exactly the same position on the corner, hint at a sense of... skin-deep welcome.

I can't get over the impression that if a clumsy, blunt Australian like me entered this home, no doubt bearing the wrong wine, he'd suffer an evening of fixed smiles and flawless politeness, before being ushered out the door at the correct hour.

Lovely, lovely wood work. The house it too safe for me, with too many beige elements to create any sort of much needed spark.

I do love the various modern klismos chairs throughout the house. Specially the tufted one.

Wow, really AT? Removing comments? WTF? Isn't the point of blogging two-way communication? If you don't want feedback, disable the comments altogether.

it's beautiful, but where do they live?

Nice... but kind of self-serious.

I love every inch of this house. It's my taste/preferences exactly. Well done. The black and white photography is something I'll definitely be copying. :) Thanks for sharing your lovely home.

i was immediate enraptured by warmth of the wood and the gorgeous artwork. Lightings were artistically placed with utmost intention towards girth and attention. I love the idea of "Bigger is Better" when it comes to lighting. Touring through, the house failed to transform into a home and was far from a welcome bekoning to friends and family. This home is IDEAL as a real estate open house with everything aligned, cleaned, dusted, and manicured by a well trained OCD agent. Everything sparkled from vintage inspired glassware to highly polished marble, yet this house proved dull and placid in character. THe decorator did great to "merchandise" the homegoods but failed to connect the owners to their residence.

I really like the staircases. Not much else appeals to me tho. One or two tiny elements, but the whole aesthetic is just too serious. But, that's what makes house tours great, you can either relate to the space, or not. And, you can either take it as a whole, or pick out those elements that inspire you.

No matter how great the effort, I think new homes are very difficult to "warm up". Maybe that's the reason this house reads so cold, even with all of the nice wood work. It just still feels "new".

It's a lovely home, the woodwork especially is stunning, I love the black and white photo theme, and I'd love the Grizzly photo...but the good taste and elegance of this home doesn't alter the fact that this amount of space for four people is pure over-indulgence.

I have no gripe with people earning lots more money than I, nor of them decorating their houses luxuriously (they could spend a small fortune on furnishings and decor and get no complaint from me), but the complete disregard for the carbon footprint required to heat, power and light a house of this size is simply obscene.

There appears to be a presumption that the people who demonstrate a negative reaction to homes of this type are suffering from a severe case of sour grapes or latent jealousy. That's not always true. Some of us genuinely have an ideological preference for more modest living spaces, and wouldn't want a house this size even if we could afford it. It all boils down to one's own taste, personality and conscience. And whilst sometimes I yearn for a bit more space than I currently have (I live in a 450 sq. ft cottage on the English coast) I genuinely and truly have an abhorrence for vast homes like this one.

So....I agree with a couple of other commenters...can we have a few more tours of genuinely small homes (preferably under 750 sq feet) to provide small space inspiration for those of us that live (contentedly or otherwise) in the real world?

My goodness...it's a photo gallery that doubles as a comfortable home! How absolutely brilliant! Definitely the right sort of therapy for photography enthusiasts or photographers.

I love, love all the little details in the decor--yet nothing detracts from the stars of the show--the architecture and the photography. What I would love for myself: the drapery liners, the chair in the bathroom, and ALL the gorgeous lighting (well, and a lot of the photos too).

Timeless indeed. This is bookmarked!

Beautiful woodwork, and the photography collection is to die for. Given that the owners were trying to balance a more old fashioned aesthetic with a more minimalist, modern aesthetic, I think they did a good job. I have to admit, however, that I laughed out loud when I got to the picture of the kitchen. I said to my husband almost exactly what gretchenalexis wrote in her first comment. I had to wonder who they were entertaining in order to make that space feel cramped, an army? I don't begrudge them their big, beautiful kitchen, it was just funny to me that the owners apparently consider it a more conservative size not designed for entertaining.

@blandwagon: "I can't get over the impression that if a clumsy, blunt Australian like me entered this home, no doubt bearing the wrong wine, he'd suffer an evening of fixed smiles and flawless politeness, before being ushered out the door at the correct hour."

While I don't get this impression from this particular house, I had to say that I loved how you phrased this. It's such a dead on way to say a lot about certain people without having to say much at all.

I like to read all comments both negative and positive, one can learn from both. I am disappointed to see that AT has determined we shall only have one perspective.

Gorgeous! That bathroom...I could live there. This house is a marvel of restraint and elegance.

Who comes up with those headings '......Masterpiece'? Really?

I think this is delicious.

very expensive looking. i'm feeling very envious.

It's beautifully-decorated and all, but the house kind of looks "grandma" to me. Wealthy, awesome grandma, one with good taste and a lot of money and time, but grandma. Too much chintzy print, white space and dark wood for me, I guess. My tastes may be too color-saturated for this place.

What an elegant and sophisticated home with lots to love, I am especially drawn to all of that beautiful wood contrasted against the clean lines of the modern furniture. If I had a beautiful home like this I wouldn't want lots of "stuff" out either, they probably have great built-in storage.

"There appears to be a presumption that the people who demonstrate a negative reaction to homes of this type are suffering from a severe case of sour grapes or latent jealousy. That's not always true. Some of us genuinely have an ideological preference for more modest living spaces, and wouldn't want a house this size even if we could afford it. It all boils down to one's own taste, personality and conscience. "

EnglishRose, thank you for capturing my sentiments in a way that has not (at least yet) incurred the ire of the big-house defenders on this site. I tried to say essentially the same thing in a post last week (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/eric-and-christines-vintage-modern-mecca-house-tour-108765) without success. People assume that resources limitations are the only factor keeping ALL of us from living like these homeowners, and it's simply not true. I'd take your small cottage on the English coast or my own little house in the Midwest any day over a sprawling, showy home in any American suburb.

Thanks. A blessed relief from the midcentury primary color plastic garbage, tweety birds and stencils.

I love the style here, and this is really one of the best places on the web to see what I think of as livable modern...real people modern, rather than the sterile stuff you see in magazines. That said, we live in a suburban house (nothing as lux or big as this, but still big compared to an urban space) and I wouldn't dream of offering up our house for criticism here. I use ideas from here all the time, but in the end, the culture on this site isn't friendly to anything bigger than an urban space. It is what it is, I'm not complaining. I'll just lurk and enjoy the eye candy and ignore the snark.

I'm surprised that my comments were removed? Can we maybe get an explanation about this decision? I didn't say anything rude or offensive, I simply stated an opinion. I also had a lot of great things to say about the house, which are now gone. This is ridiculous.

We want to encourage fair discussion and exchange, so if you just don't like someone else's opinion, that's not a good enough reason to complain.

Apparently not...

i'd also like to know why some comments were removed and some weren't. i guess some were a bit snarky, but i remember any that were totally rude and out of line? also, i'm reminded of this house tour - where i remember some people made comments about not loving the decor - and then a few hours later, all comments were gone and comments were disabled: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/mclean-modern-house-tour-100125

As they say: follow the money. AT is a popular website with an affluent demographic. By narrowing the posts to thrifters, or MCM fans, or people who live in modest homes, they will potentially lose huge advertising revenues from companies that want to reach people who aspire to the kind of lifestyle featured here.

Sadly, I think the strategy of "being all things to all people" will hurt AT unless in the long run unless they somehow segment their offerings according to customer demographics and mindset. That's why I suggested a "dream homes" section either within AT or as a separate sub-site. It is fun to to have a peek into the "lifestyles of the rich and famous" now and then, but for those of us seeking a consistent offering of accessible, inspired design ideas and resources, I think the site could be much stronger if they siphoned off the posts that lead to this much debate and controversy.

I'm very disappointed to learn that AT is removing negative posts. I for one would like to see them. I did think it rather strange when I scanned through the comments that, until the very end, there was not a single negative comment; not even a whiff of negativity.

I tend to agree with Blandwagon, and find myself endlessly fascinated by an early comment stating that this is a "grown-up home".

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as if we will be allowed to have a frank discussion of this by AT.

Simply stunning house. I could weep over the wooden floors alone.

However, this is very upmarket (ie, in House Beautiful league). It is my understanding that AT is for more humble settings.

Perhaps AT staff would like to readdress the company's mission statement.
Is AT for (a) apartments only (b) humble homes only or (c) any range of homes from freshman budget to executive splurge?

I agree with Patrick and EnglishRose. How's that for diplomacy!?! haha.

But seriously, I think large homes still have many design lessons that can be applied to smaller spaces. Patrick pointed out several. And in addition to his list, you can definitely pull some inspiration about site lines and artwork from this post. Beautiful photography collection!

I like House Tours and House Calls (maybe even more so, because there's no change in format for viewing), because many of them — big or small — offer up great inspiration. And I'm not ashamed to admit that the main reason I them is probably because I'm nosy and like to see what other people's spaces are like.

The money question often comes up when large, clearly expensive homes are featured. And sure, sometimes it's hard to imagine living in those spaces, especially when monthly expenses can (in my case) sometimes be a challenge. But they always have something to offer from a design point of view. As another poster pointed out, money doesn't equal style — think of Donald Trump.

Although this house is beautiful and the owners feel it suits their needs, it isn't my dream house. Like EnglishRose, I prefer a more modest scale and feel that the size of this home is excessive for four people. It's not a money question, but a question of environmental and social responsibility.

I also second the disappointment expressed about AT removing comments. I like to read both the positive and the critical on here. I understand it may present a challenge in getting homeowners to participate in the tours and comments that are overtly offensive/rude and/or threatening are unwelcome, but I think AT would be a very dull place indeed without the dialogue generated in the comments.

It's also worth noting that while muting any dissenting opinions the OP allowed and even encouraged more personal attacks on those posters:

"...post it under the title: 'Brooklyn Brownstone Hipsters DIY a Forgotten Mansion and Blog About it!' and you'll get a MUCH better response.

Or make sure they have cat" - patrick (the other one)

"p2- ha! Yes, a cat shot would have probably assuaged at least a bit of the good design induced angst." - LeahDC

Oh, and I don't have a cat.

Wow, nothing gets the comment ball rolling like a "big house" tour.

Over the years, I've flipped through A LOT of AT house tours. I do it because I not only love decorating, I love to see how real people live. You just can't get that from a magazine layout. I like to see how other people store their dishes, or make their beds, or arrange their objects on a coffee table. So when I'm flipping through these photos (even the ones I don't like) I remember that I'm looking at a real person's home. And I remember that if it weren't for the kindness and generosity of this real person (and others like him or her), I wouldn't have this opportunity to be a virtual voyeur (one of my favorite pastimes).

Gretchenalexis, the reason that the comments were removed from the above mentioned post (as I recall) was because people were giving a lot of unsolicited (and nasty) decorating advice to people who weren't asking for it. This isn't, after all, "Rate My Space." It's also not a philosophical forum for a carbon footprint analysis. If you don't like big houses, don't live in one. Or, if you want to make your thoughts public, write an editorial. But it's probably not the best idea, on a DECORATING BLOG, to rip a person who volunteers their home for public viewing--or your comments will be removed. I've said it before (and I guess I'm sayin' it again): IF THE NASTINESS CONTINUES, PEOPLE WILL STOP VOLUNTEERING THEIR HOMES --AND WE'LL HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO LOOK AT!

I don't think that anyone is saying we shouldn't have opinions. But I do think that there are times when we should censor (there, I said it) our opinions, mostly because they're not always relevant on a decorating blog. Not only that, sometimes our opinions hurt peoples' feelings--even people who can afford to live in big houses.

Anyway, I thought that this was a GORGEOUS house. Thanks, AT, for stepping out of the box and posting something a little different.

"well, one thing that is certainly lame is how much AT removes posts now. I wonder how many people voiced negative opinions but were censored."

I had three comments removed. The most negative thing I said was that I loved the woodwork and photography, but overall didn't find anything interesting in the tour because I guess it didn't push my personal style buttons. The other two comments were supporting the choice of decor in the child's bedroom by saying that it was good if the child liked it and that kids can have adult tastes. Pretty offensive, right?

Maybe it was the "horrible" comment I made when someone asked if the gate was to keep out kids and I said "it appears to be there to keep the dog out of areas of the house." I still have no clue as to why my comments were deleted other than maybe that they had portions that replied to other deleted comments.

Hi All-

Regarding the comment policy:

"We are a community that seeks to help people make their homes more beautiful, healthy, and organized. We believe that *graciousness and courtesy* are key elements of a beautiful home and therefore important elements of this conversation. Many people have opened up their private homes so we can learn and be inspired, and our rules for comments and discussions honor this sharing.

Our four rules for comments:

1. Be honest and fair, yet gracious.
2. No ad hominem attacks or gratuitous meanness.
3. Stay on topic.
4. Add value, don't take it away."

In short, not everything needs to be gushing, but it does have to be gracious. Following is the definition.

Gracious:

1 a obsolete : godly b archaic : pleasing, acceptable
2 a : marked by kindness and courtesy <a gracious host> b : graceful c : marked by tact and delicacy : urbane d : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit,<br>3 : merciful, compassionate <br><br>Thank you for your understanding. There is a lot that goes into each post, and I appreciate the time each of you takes to thoughtfully express your opinions in a way that's most helpful and respectful to all those involved.</a>

I'm usually the chief offender of negative comments, and I don't think that AT needs to remove them. Having said that, I really take issue with this one

"@blandwagon: "I can't get over the impression that if a clumsy, blunt Australian like me entered this home, no doubt bearing the wrong wine, he'd suffer an evening of fixed smiles and flawless politeness, before being ushered out the door at the correct hour."

Really--you can tell by just looking at photo of someone's house? How the hell do you know what they like? Maybe their friends are loud, boozy, back-slappin', break-dancin' fools who love to party, love to go crazy, and you'd fit right in.

Critiquing the decor is one thing, but commenting on someone's character or personality is wrong. You don't know these people, so why project?

I'm wondering how rules 2. and 3. apply to my comment on your editorial decisions above. I understand that you have to make difficult decisions with managing these posts, but it seems like you allowed the most off-topic ad hominem attacks simply because you agreed with them or found them funny.

I do apologize to allison and steve that their house tour is getting hijacked by this conversation. You're home is beautiful, even if not for everyone.

amt230 - I am not the one who edits comments, so I don't know about your case. Sorry!

And looking back, I probably should not have made the cat comment, although it was not meant as attack and was not mean-spirited. I just meant that Patrick was right, our readers, me included, have a soft spot for animals and let quite a few things slide when they're included.

I really enjoyed the use of modern photography and art. So much woodwork can make a home feel very serious and traditional at times, but I didn't find that to be the case in this house. Great mix of old and new/traditional and modern!

You have a lovely home - congratulations!

I found out that my comments were removed because they were relating to other posts that were removed. I'm cool with that. It probably would have looked odd to the flow of conversation to leave them.

I don't disagree with anything that I wrote being removed, so no need to apologize to me. The decisions as to what would be allowed/not here seemed inconsistent is all, which resulted in a seemingly one-sided conversation and some frustrated readers. Thanks for your thoughts.

All this editing, and you couldn't fix the grammar in my comments? Whoops - Allison and Steve - *your home is beautiful.

Lovely but ... "A house without books is like a room without windows"

Kitchen not very nice.

I'm with amt230 on this. The primary controversy in here seems to be a 'size' or 'money' issue, which I didn't even comment on. I don't understand what I did wrong.

I'm sorry Leah. I know you're in a tough spot right now, but what I'm getting out of this experience is that your definition of graciousness doesn't allow for simple criticism. I'm also getting that you do allow posters to attack each other's opinions, and that you don't mind joining them (ie., agreeing that you should have "made sure they had a cat", which would have had no effect on my opinion of this tour, btw.) I'm disappointed.

I'm also sorry that this house tour is being used for this discussion, but the AT setup doesn't really allow us to talk about it any other way. *sigh* So I guess that's my last word on it.

Sorry Leah, I didn't know you don't go the editing. My apologies.

I'm wondering why everyone's panties are in a knot over the size of this house. No where is the square footage even mentioned. It says four bedrooms and a guest house. I have lived in homes with four bedrooms and a converted garage that were under 1500 sq. feet.

“A house without books is like a room without windows. No man has a right to bring up his children without surrounding them with books, if he has the means to buy them.” --Horace Mann (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Mann) a transcendentalist yankee hippie, apparently)
--- read a line a day (after a year, it adds up), do something for humanity -- that kind of thing.

Peachpie--you are joking, right? I don't need a tape measure to be able to tell that this house is probably at least 3500 square feet, not including the guest house. The number of rooms alone (not only bedrooms but the office, mudroom, media room, eat-in dining room, eat-in kitchen, and generous hallways and landings) and the spaciousness of each one is NOT comparable to what you'd find in a four-bedroom house under 1500 square feet. Beds, sofas, and chairs are basically the same size. They give a good sense of scale.

Whoa, this post really generated some comments. (and plenty of them got deleted!) I must say that I completely agree with what others are saying about the size of this home, but there are SOME things I can't help but adore. The ceiling beams, the glass light fixtures, wow are they gorgeous. And of course the grizzly. But I am always sad when people are silenced like this unless their comment is just plain viscous or obscene. When you put something up for comments, you need to expect some others to disagree with your opinion. That is the nature of opinions. As Socrates said: "The unexamined life is not worth living" I hope the home owners use this blog as a chance to examine their lives, whether good or bad.

A house without books is like a room without windows. No man has a right to bring up his children without surrounding them with books, if he has the means to buy them.” --Horace Mann (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Mann) a transcendentalist yankee hippie, apparently)
--- read a line a day (after a year, it adds up), do something for humanity -- that kind of thing.

Amen to Monarda. But let's give a little benefit of the doubt...maybe they couldn't find the space to squeeze in a bookshelf anywhere...

A glimpse of a cat wouldn't've changed my view of this house, but a nice overstuffed bookcase here and there would maybe have warmed my heart a little...

This is a beautiful home. The house size is immaterial what is important is the design exploration of each room Though I think the paint colors may be just a little too neutral for me, I could be very happy living in these serene spaces. I especially love the woodwork and millwork, thank you for making that beautiful investment.

All the best to you and your beauiful home!

EnglishRose,

I noticed several bookcases in the slideshow, but few books - perhaps because there is a kindle?

This is a very handsome house, well executed. The extensive millwork is very impressive, but for several years now, I have not been a fan of polyurethane finishes, especially not with a sheen. I much prefer soaped or oiled finishes, which are more tactile and have more of a hand-finished feel.

The Bev......"I hope the home owners use this blog as a chance to examine their lives, whether good or bad."

Really? Do you know these people?? They have a beautiful home that they graciously shared with AT. To make judgments on their character and suggest they need to examine their lives is way off base and frankly uncharitable. The person who should examine their life seems to be you...

I think that it's a good bet that *everyone* needs to examine their life. Would be sad if we all just set the course and never wavered.. never gave ourselves the opportunity to improve or change.

There are so many comments on this Tour, and I just couldn't get through all of them, so I am probably echoing some other peoples sentiments ...
This house is gorgeous and most strikingly IMMACULATE - with two Sheep dogs and two small boys, that seems like an amazing feat. Unfortunately each space looks like it was "styled" for a photo shoot just like this one - or as staging for resale. I hate to be a "hater" and I am sure there is some "big" house envy in this (read as; wish i could afford a house like this!) but it's like this family has no "stuff" and part of what makes Apartment Therapy so wonderful is that the House Tours always show the "real" house.. not ones that are so immaculately staged. I mean, isn't that why we love it? Where ARE the quirky bits? I mean, am I naive to think that everyone's house has parts that scream out their personality? I hope I never live in a space that doesn't.

One exception to this was the office ... I loved the set up, choices, everything about this room and even saved it for future reference for when I move into my "forever" house (read as; much bigger and luxurious than my current abode!). There was real junk on the desk and it seemed like a space that was actually lived in - which I appreciate.

I remember when AT was actually about small spaces, apartment living, and/or DIY or cool items that someone took the time to discover.

Now it just feels mercenary.

Definition:

Mercenary: Motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain.

Sad. I miss the old AT.

I liked: the fact that the designer clearly didn't worry about matching all the wood tones

the heavy millwork in the office executed in a pale maple finish.

the "skylight" in the basement bathroom--easy to forget you're below grade with that ceiling!

the emphasis on enfilades and transitions

the beautiful natural light and the way it's used

the bear room!

I did not care for:

the furniture. it's beautiful, but there's a uniformity of color, age, and texture that makes it clear that it was all purchased at once, at the same time the paint and window treatments were chosen. That can make the space lean in the "hotel" direction--a beautiful hotel, don't get me wrong.

the light fixtures. I know something has bring those tall ceilings back down to earth, but there were too many different "statement" chandeliers and fixtures--at least one in every room! It looked a little formulaic. "Caution: remote, soaring ceiling detected. Insert fashionable, bold chandelier."

Just my $.02.

This post makes AT seem mercenary? Not the ads, not the sponsored posts, not the Marketplace section?

Envy is such an ugly thing.

This is a great, albeit predictable, home.

There is a beautiful juxtaposition between the natural warmth of wood and the cleanliness of those white (a color almost non-existant in nature) walls that just GETS me, every time.

And I'm all about a house tour with large dogs. Can't say the same for cats.

I also found it too perfect and hotel-like. And while I like staying in a hotel for a little while and appreciate the amenities (like someone else doing the cleaning up) I don't want to live in a hotel.

On the up side, I have slightly distant relatives who recently built what amounts to a mansion and when they took us on a walk through I couldn't help think that they needed to make a trip to Restoration Hardware or hire a decorator or both. It was mostly empty except for some second-hand furniture they brought from their old house, which was dwarfed and inappropriate in the new space. Their house has even nicer architectural touches than the one here but they've put no thought into what to do with it. I have to say--at least these folks have done something with their house, even if it's not everyone's taste. (And even though it looks, 100%, like the decorator's taste and very staged.)

I feel, like Blandwagon, that I'd be afraid to touch anything. I've also seen loads of homes here that are lovely but look a lot more real and not like movie sets. (Hell, I've seen movie sets that look more real than this.) But I hope they enjoy their home and it works for them.

No Palmetto, the entirety of Maxwell's "new" AT seems mercenary. It appears we are in total agreement about the multitude of ads, and the [eyeroll]sponsored[/eyeroll] posts.

No envy on my part. If I wanted to live in MD, I could do so. ;-)

Hey Sally 305. Yes, it is obviously larger than 1500 sq ft. I was trying to make a point, perhaps not very well.

What is too large, and who has the right to determine this.......you?

Wow, so much passion among the commentators! I liked the floors and other dark wood details, and the photos are great.

As far as editing and reading comments goes, I think it would be easier to follow who says what in response to whose comment if the format was different, i.e. would allow hiearchy, thereby encouraging more but shorter/split-up comments.

wow, blogging has to not hurt people's feelings? how...innovating...i could have picked up a magazine and been more inspired. how is an executive budget and a personal decorator being creative or inspiring? and that...bear...looks like an invitation for a little boy's night terrors. anyway, lovely woodwork...i'm sure we are all out to call a contractor and make it happen asap.

I love everything about the art - the photography itself, but also the framing and matting, and its placement in the rooms. I have to agree with a lot of the criticisms about the house and the decor, though. I like old houses and I like modern houses - but I do not like new construction pretending to be old.

Love many things about this house. Why so many people care what the size of another persons house is makes no sense to me. May not be my exact style but I still appreciate having the opportunity to see their home. Personally, I prefer tours without out the plastic furniture, bird pics, stupid over used posters with stupid sayings, cats all over the kitchen counters,and beds and peoples dirty laundry. Just my opinion.

I have never seen anything so perfectly luxurious- without being snotty- in my life. Absolutely breathtaking. Way to go!

Also, I can't believe how rude some of the comments above me are. WOW! Opinions are one thing people, but outright nastiness has no place outside of your bitter little heads.

I can't believe my comments were removed and they weren't really negative - there are much worse still intact. In fact I said the house was stunning - just wasn't liking the skinned dead bear on the little kids floor - am I not allowed to say that? I also wondered if the gate was to keep the kids out *i was joking*. Lighten up. Starting to wonder about this site

Re Bethesda, Maryland home -- fabulous floors, just gorgeous. And the practical advice given regarding living comfortably with the dogs and kids -- priceless. If you can't put your feet up (figuratively speaking), then you're just not home, no matter how beautiful the house is.

The bathroom with the blue tile is just what I would like to have in my own.
I found there was good humor in the room of the bear painting and then the bear photo. Then I see the bear on the floor and it was just overkill ( I think one of the three less would be better).

On a side note. I think comments should be allowed to be both positive and critical, based on design. If you can only post positive ones, because it may otherwise hurt the people showcasing the home, then don't bother and just disable all comments.

I LOVE the outdoor kitchen and that gorgeous porch. I love the view from the office into the hallway and I admit that I love that bear even though he may induce nightmares.

I also love that window in the downstairs bathroom-- but it occurs to me that this may be because, it is, with the exception of two tiny plants in the kitchen window (which is lovely), the only sign of life in all of the indoor shots. There are no other plants or trees in the house, and now that I think of it, there weren't even any flowers set up for the shoot. There is, on the other hand, a lot of beige-brown-beige-brown that left me longing for some color.

I think there are elements of the house that are obviously impressive--the architectural elements in particular and the incredible attention to detail--but I also think that it looks like nobody actually lives there. Also, some of the elements that I liked very much lost their impact after what, for me, was too much repetition--for example, the chandeliers that another poster mentioned.

I am a grown-up for sure. So it may be because I'm also a mother of young children that my overall impression was-- do they have fun here? Their boys have a great big house to explore, but it all seems so serious. Still, I think I would enjoy owning a home that stirs up this much passionate debate!

I am really upset that someone removed my comments. All I said was that the house felt cold.... because it does. The house tour left a bad taste in my mouth. I even said a positive with my negative (I like the lighting in the hallway). I guess whoever did removed my post has very thin skin. After this, I will no longer comment on apartmenttherapy. And I definitely question the integrity of this site.

Did I miss the source for the hall lighting in the first photo?

Where did you get the black & white animal photos? Are they Littschwager and Middleton's (students of Avendon who do animal portraits)?

Why is it that homeowners with a big home who put a lot of money into their house always get slammed in the AT comments section? They said in the intro that this isn’t a typical AT home tour. Can’t people just comment on the design relative to the space?

This whole house tour has left a bad taste in my mouth too. I didn't have any comments removed, because I self-censored... If AT only allows positive comments, then there is no possibility of a meaningful exchange of views, and it has only become a polite cheerleading site. If you are not going to allow negative comments, disable comments entirely; it is misleading to only allow one perspective.

AT, I'm really disappointed in you.

Did I miss the interior photos of the stand alone power plant required to heat and cool this abode? Do they use high end Restoration Hardware furnishings in the turbine room?

I like the house - it is quite lovely. And I really do like the spread - it is like a really good spread in one of the shelter magazines (and I don't mean that derogatorily - I will freely admit that I am quite sad since House & Garden went under - it was just beautiful. I even get Elle Decor just to get a little home porn to leaf through at home sometimes.)

That being said, the only thing that "feels" wrong about this post on AT is that there was a designer involved. There is nothing wrong with that at all, it just seems a little different than the spirit of this blog. I know taking on a huge task like this is daunting, and I don't blame them - in fact I think it is incredible how great it turned out (believe me if this was in a shelter mag I would rip out many of the pages to save as keepers). But to me, what I love about AT is that it shows homes that people made and put together by themselves for the most part (think of the 2 part Brooklyn home show the last few weeks - huge, but clearly home grown). And I really like that. This just slightly misses that mark for an AT home tour. Nothing bad to say for the owners or the look or even their choice to use a designer. More about a question of what this blog is about.

Brown: color.
Pale blue: color.
Ivory: color.
Gray: color.

That's at least four ounces right there.

Lyrapan--
I don't think there is anything AT ALL wrong, or contrary to the spirit of AT, about including designer-done homes.

If you want to get that rule imposed, then even Maxwell's House Tour would have to come down... since he's a designer.

And that 2-part Brooklyn Home you liked? Two designers in residence.

phewww, I've nearly lost a mornings work looking at the images and now reading the comments...

Boutique hotel or family home?
Oh for the room to move, love the quality of light, woodwork, amazing high ceilings etc...

Photography interesting but where's the human touch? Maybe post some pics with the spaces in use?

They've let us into their home but can't get a sense of who the are...

hmmm

Pretty but just too big of a house. I would hate to have to try and keep all that wood dusted!

That would be a problem I would LOVE to have.

It has to be one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen.

What I personally liked a lot was the juxtaposition of lovely woods with neutrals that were not pure artist loft whites. Elegant. And the use of wrought iron curves to balance the rectilinear molding rang my chimes. What I loved was the office, for its personal touches, and the photographs (cannot bring myself to call them just photos).

The organization of space was thoughtful and practical, too. What didn't work in some areas for me, despite the careful placement, was scale. That huge square sofa with the big ottomans was kinda scary - and that room seemed big and bare otherwise-perhaps it was the media space? Contrarily, the two medium size chairs sharing a huge ottoman was cozy and warm looking, as well as unexpected. Sweet.

Fun to look at a grand home once in a while, and this one is thoughtfully composed and serene, but - personal preference here - I too prefer the tours that focus on less grand spaces.

PS - the arched doorways as counterpoint to the rectilinear Craftsman style moldings were great, and the master bedroom, while big, looked lived-in - esp those chairs with the rug & ottoman - loved that!

on the whole way too much wood and too many types of wood mixed, more traditional then modern, a look that is a little heavy.Very nice photographes in the right frames . the tiling in bathroom and kitchen is lovely, takes a little bit of weight off of the furnishings . some very attractive light fixtures and beautiful armchair in the study. Similar pattern on curtains not so good. Loved the round table and chairs contributes nicely towards the traditional look without looking old. Carpet on the stairs is superfluous, wood is warm enough you do not need a carpet on top of it . The general feeling this house exhudes is in some areas nice soft and tranquil and in other areas hard dark and not inviting.

All that dark woodwork, but the house feels very light and airy. So many people would have painted (ouch) all of it, so glad to see you didn't. My husband designs and builds custom kitchens and I'm usually disappointed with the kitchen photos of most tours- but yours is stunning. The bathroom - wow!

Hmmm...I think this is a beautiful house, but it feels very cold to me. I just can't picture someone living here, you know? I don't take issue with the amount of money that was clearly spent on the house, because if you have it to spend, more power to you. I just prefer homes that are a bit more eclectic and colorful.

How great that people with lots of money spend a bit of it on artists!! That alone makes me happy with the tour-- I do find it hard to believe that TJMaxx is her favorite store ;), but I'm sure in their world, this house is modest and restrained. It's all relative!

Lets hear it for diversity on AT! And keep those rehabbed wrecks coming for the rest of us!

How depressing. I will never be able to afford to cover my walls in Richard Avedon photography. We have to make our own art most of the time. I will never have a bedroom big enough to put an enormous leather footstool in it and still be able to walk around the room. Boo to the perfect people. BUT! They did have a lovely house.

I can't believe how many comments there are for this post! I LOVED this house, and appreciate the departure from what has become an unsurprising tour of mid-century modern furniture mixed with Ikea pieces, thrift store buys and street finds. I enjoy those too (in a "they are entertaining to look at" sort of way), but it seems AT has featured too many of those.

This post was so fun and beautiful and I will look to borrow ideas from this within my own budget.

And who cares what anyone's budget is? Why is that a rule?

Loving the wood/cream combo too.

Thanks for sharing your home. Made my day. Now please invite me to one of those cramped dinners.

What a lovely home, and so refreshing after countless *very* similar (however beautiful) ones. I'm so glad to see AT branch out to something less cutesy and more classy than usual.

Also, I agree with previous posters that some sort of "dream home" section would calm the waters re: fewer and fewer actual apartments. I can find this sort of home in a magazine any day; smal spaces and the creative use of them (or creativity, period) is the niche this website is supposed to fill.

Love the house, thanks for the post!

Too much.

just stunning. love it!

Wow....what fun reading all of this. So...how about some real facts from the real homeowners? Thanks to the art admirers. You may notice that (almost) all of our art is comprised of pictures of people. We find people ever so interesting and the range of responses didn't disappoint. For those that enjoyed picking apart the house - and even our personal lives - we are pleased that we could provide you with some form of entertainment. For those who enjoyed the house for what it is, we are happy to share.

There is no need to provide fodder for the attacks or to defend them. Our home is our home and we enjoy it and only hope you can enjoy yours with the same passion - regardless of budget or style. There is chocolate and vanilla for a reason!

We appreciate everyone's perspective, regardless. Better luck to the next family who welcomes you indoors!

Stunning, but too much beige for my tastes. I would put more splashes of color. Love the artwork/photography!

UnBearAble - You are a class act! What a beautiful response to the many less than kind comments.

UnBearAble, your house is stunning! The master bath is swoon worthy. I could spend all day in there.

As someone who has also opened their home to AT readers as a "house tour", I am not sure if some readers understand how many of these negative, pointless comments would make anyone afraid to open their homes to AT. AT wouldn't really exist without the folks who are willing to open up their homes. I applaud AT for setting some sort of ground rules, otherwise soon, there won't be any more homes to tour. Just because the readers are basically anonymous, doesn't mean it's ok to rant on with whatever comes to mind. I wonder if folks would be a bit more careful if their emails were linked to their profiles!
When your home is on tour, you go into it thick skinned and don't expect everyone to share your same taste or even "get" you, but when comments start sounding like moral judgement, it gets pretty hard to swallow.

I love this home. I especially love the photography throughout the place. And I think that even though it looks very neat and as some of you have said "not lived in" it looks quite cozy and warm.

UnBearAble,

Thanks for chiming in here. I do hope that not all of the critical comments came across as offensive. When I have something critical to say, I try not to be a jerk about it. It might be a matter of differing tastes, in which case, the heck with me and my criticisms, because it's not my house! But there's always the chance that I'll put my finger on something that's been bothering the homeowner too. Then there's a chance to have a good discussion, because lots of us are obsessed with trying to find and fix the indefinable "something off" in our own interiors.

I really don't think there's any call for moral judgments about the people who invite us to tour our homes. Unless they have some sort of nightmare torture chamber for cute animals ON THE TOUR, making assumptions about the owners' character based on how they decorate their home is pretty indefensible.

This home looks very pricey. But not in a goodway....fancy shmancy...

wow. so great that so many of AT's readers are hipsters who immediately bring their space up so personal, quirky speed. interesting still that 'hipster' used to include people open to things other than the familiar.

hilarious so many people weren't offended by the post of a bathroom 'before' shot with a packet of kotex in the picture but when someone has a bigger, less quirky home it's a bloodbath.....(no pun intended).

clearly, quiet and new are sins here but i remember a recent house tour where a girl and her dad renovated (so much so one nearly had drywall dust on you from viewing the photos) and nothing but raves.

it's new, it's subdued, it's a conversation just starting....consider that over drop tables and peacock blue walls...and be sure to put the steak knives down, kids.

having said that

Unbearable - loved the bear take and the photo at the end of the hall - incredible use of black, white and wood! I found your house to be quiet and very graceful. You've proved soon in your comments.

Thanks for sharing, my apologies for the immature reception - it must take a thick skin to show your home. Grace and manners, even in the show of poor manners, is timeless and classic like your family.

Best of luck in your place :)

i like kpaige13's comment:

"'casually styled' hipster jewelry..."

right????
i can just imagine the owner carefully draping rings and necklaces just-so for hours until just the right "accidentally" stylish, artistic outcome is reached.
;)

sometimes contrived is more humorous than attractive.

kindly,
vintagedress
www.thevintagescene.com

I'd love to have a chance to paint the interior of this home. I'd start with the hallway, using a dramatic shade such as Eating Room Red. Then the rooms opening off of the hallway would look light-bathed and even more dramatic.

Outstanding. I commend the homeowners & their designer for coming up with an elegant solution for that age-old dilemma facing many couples about how to accommodate both spouses' conflicting styles.

The story says that Allison preferred earthy & rustic, her husband was into sleek & mod and they found common ground here in a crisply balanced, warmly harmonious & serenely handsome environment where they can both feel comfortable sharing their lives.

Perhaps that's what the lede should have been for this post?

Because there's a good lesson in this house tour for those of us who are sharing space with people who don't necessarily share our design styles.

A compromise that doesn't look like the muddled incoherent mess compromises usually look like can indeed be achieved although, yes, it may sometimes require an objective outsider serving as the design mediator to help yin meet yang & achieve a successful marriage of two aesthetics.

Unlike some of the more rigid & narrow-minded commenters here, these homeowners wisely recognized that there isn't only one attractive decorating style out there and, because they were instead both willing to accept their mutual differences in taste & seek out help in crafting a shared, flexible approach, they are now enjoying the benefits of a beautiful & distinctive home created out of the thoughtful synthesis of their own individual aspirations for it - together.

Well done, Homeowners! Thank you for allowing us to see the mutually satisfying "third way" solution you came up with working together. It's truly lovely.

(And please excuse the mindless snark & petty, sanctimonious moralizing in lieu of constructive critique that a few of the folks here inevitably & inexplicably seem compelled to enter into the public record.)

Great woodwork, both the details and the floors.

I agree, the photos come off a bit chilly, but I think if there were people in the house it's probably warm and inviting.
I like how the photos in this house tour lead you thru the house - from the outside (always nice to see) in.

Great photography collection, beautifully displayed. Have to agree, these photos are more magazine-styled than AT is used to, and this house is not my style - but nice to see something different.

As an aside, I've had my comments removed before, and don't quite get it. The moderation here seems quite uneven - dependent on the whimsy of the OP I guess.

Well I am a little late to the posting party here, but I had to have my say. I found this tour to be interesting and refreshing compared to many of the usual tours featured.

I am a huge fan of millwork, beams, wood paneling, and wood floors so of course this was up my alley. I think the wide plank floors in the bedroom are gorgeous, the width really highlights the grain of the wood. I think the use of a more ethereal curtain in most of the rooms softened the space and helped bring in the great light that people are all raving about. I love the stone and wood features in the yard as well - that pergola is wonderful. The bench and closed cabinetry in the entryway is fantastic too.

I think that people have a hard time with the combination of these two styles. A lot of posters commented that the house is lacking something or feels wrong. I think that this is just a reaction to the melding of these two styles. We are used to seeing modern style with simple strong lines but bold colors. We are used to seeing more rustic or traditional style with embellishment and a stronger theme to the decor. I thought that the combination in this case worked well, especially considering that the styles are so different.

Lastly, I have say that I think the "sustainability/energy use/global warming" argument as an excuse for trashing this house is absolutely ridiculous. There is an awful lot of assumption going on here. Unless I missed it, there was nothing posted in this tour about the heating, cooling, or energy usage of this house. For all you know, every window in this place could be argon filled triple pane glass, they might have the very best insulation, point of use water heaters, LED bulbs, photovoltaic panels, passive solar water heating, rain barrels and every other energy efficient technology you could think of! Honestly people, come in to the current century please – just because a house has some square footage to it does not mean it is single handedly contributing to the destruction of the planet. A tiny house in the middle of nowhere with bad insulation, old appliances, boilers, water heaters, and old plumbing could just as easily be a bane on the environment. Generalizing that all houses past a certain square footage are environmentally irresponsible is just plain short-sighted and silly.