Name: Scott
Occupation: Magazine Art Director
Location: Lanier Heights, Washington DC
Building: The Ontario, built in 1905
Size: 975 square feet
Lived in: owned for 5 years
>> Enter Scott's Gallery
With persistence, patience, and hard work, Scott has restored his apartment back to its original elements. A radical renovation in the 1980's converted the space to a contemporary, completely white look and Scott has done much to change the unit back. He used pieces from the community salvage room in his building to install fixtures, wood stains, and elements like the servant's call box (which Scott constructed himself by looking at a neighbor's) and fireplace mantel. An avid Apartment Therapy reader, Scott pointed out to us that his home's color palette almost exactly matches the one described in "A Classic Modern Color Palette for Your Home" - a recent post from Chicago. A strange coincidence as Scott found this color combination room by room and over time, starting with the red living room paint from the previous owner.
Scott stripped layers of white paint from the doors and treated the wood. He found frosted glass to insert into the doors and transoms. Scott carefully picks pieces and only gets furniture and accessories that he really loves. It took Scott a year of online searching to find the right antique numbers for his exterior door, which he bought one by one. Scott added a mirror on the side of the kitchen window sill, so that the view outside is doubled when you are standing at the sink. Otherwise the view is blocked because of the angle, the deep recessed window, and 2-foot wide exterior walls. The European bathroom is notorious in the building, as most other units still have claw foot tubs.
You can see Scott's gorgeous photos of The Ontario at his flickr page.
>> Enter Scott's Gallery
APARTMENT THERAPY SURVEY
My Style: industrial crossed with a wood, hunting lodge look
Inspiration: A detective's office from the 1930's or or 40's. When I'm out and about I look for things that are urban, weathered and have decay and rust.
Favorite Element: the genteel, old world details like the jewel safe and the servant's call button, even for a small one-bedroom like this.
Biggest Challenge: finding stuff I like, that works, and is also is in my price range.
Biggest Embarrassment: the front door/entry is awkward and I have no idea how to solve that problem. I want the front door to open up to a better space.
Proudest DIY: building a replica of an old servant call-box. I took photo of an original call-box in another apartment to design mine. Also refinishing and stripping the pocket door when I couldn't take it down. It took forever to take off the many layers of white paint. I wouldn't have done it had I known how much effort it took.
What Friends Say: Is it always this neat? Answer: Yes, but not behind "the-doors-that-may-not-be-opened." Chaos looms in the closets...
Biggest Indulgence: the new barrister bookcases from Levenger, a store for readers that has been manufacturing the bookcases from the same New York factory for 150 years. The bookcases are very versatile because the individual components can be rearranged. I bought them over 5 to 6 years, buying a piece at a time.
Best Advice: buy what you like, not what you're supposed to like. It'll all come together and be coherent if you trust your eye. Then you can mix any number of styles and not risk getting tired of one look.
Dream Source: the neon sign graveyard in Vegas. I love old, commercial signage.
>> Enter Scott's Gallery
Resources:
Paint Colors: half is from the previous owner; the rest I picked. C2 Roasted Tomato in the living room; Guava in the bathroom; Ace's Sleepy Hollow in the dining room; Ace's Montery-White on the ceilings; Khaki Shorts in the hallway; Ace's Randolph Green-Gray in the pantry.
Furniture: outdoor furniture from Target.
Living room: old government sofa from the Salvation Army in Annandale, Virginia; Ikea lockers; metal cabinet and coffee table from Goodeye (since closed).
Library: matching club chair to the living room sofa from Miss Pixie's. Chair and lockers from Home Anthology outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Mission rocker from an antique store. Console from Goodeye. Antique school clock from Anthroplogie about 10 years ago. The metal bookcases are government surplus from eBay. I found the chair on the street.
Bedroom: vintage Heywood Wakefield dresser from Home Anthology. The new Heywood Wakefield bed matches the dresser and was bought online. Pottery Barn Teen locker.
Pantry: original built-ins
Bathroom: Ikea medical cabinet; Restoration Hardware cart
Appliances: Design Expo in the kitchen from the previous owner
Lighting: Hunter "Tribeca" style ceiling fan lights in the living room and library. Ceiling fan in the bedroom from Restoration Hardware. The wall lights in the living room are exterior porch lights from Rejuvenation. The mushroom lamps are from Millennium and the other lamps are from Ikea. The warehouse overhead light fixtures were bought on eBay from a Toronto, Ontario warehouse. The lighting under the kitchen cabinets and pantry is from Logan Hardware. One bedroom lamp is a souvenir from the New York World's Fair in 1936 - I fell in love with it after seeing it in "Bladerunner" and then found one online.
Accessories: The bathroom locker wire baskets are from Emporium Antiques in Frederick, Maryland. The vintage metal bathroom sign on the bathroom door came from a shop on Antique Row (W. Belmont Avenue) in Chicago. The "Wet Floor" sign in the bathroom came from Logan Hardware. The New Orleans water meter in the bathroom was bought through the factory that makes them. The old bath tub handles come from a tub in the building and were found in the Ontario basement.
The doorbell is from Rejuvenation. Plants from Johnson's on Wisconsin Avenue and planters from Garden District. Living room pillows from Ikea, Target, and CB2. The factory bin on top of the fridge is from Scout in Andersonville, Chicago. The "Wet Floor" sign in the bathroom is from Logan Hardware. The cedar box was my grandmother's. I collect vintage paperbacks, WPA state guides, and vinyl records.
Rugs: Ikea in the living room; the gray rug is from Restoration Hardware; oriental rugs: one came from Trocadero in Old Town Alexandria (since closed) and the other from the building's trash room. I've scavenged plenty from the trash room over the years!
Doors: The replacement privacy/fire glass for the front door and transom came from the basement house-parts room. The matching glass that I put in the bedroom and bathroom doors came from Del Ray Glass in Alexandria, Virginia.
Fixtures: I completely rebuilt the fireplace. The replacement stone for my fireplace surround comes from my hometown Elberton, Georgia, "The Granite Capital of the World." The new gas-log set and the fireplace screen, which match the original fire box perfectly, came from Bromwell's in Falls Church, Virginia. The vintage mantel came from the Ontario basement architectural salvage room.
Art: box art in living by Rion Hoffman and bought at an Artomatic many years ago. The map is from the back pocket of a WPA guide. The old DC bus scroll was bought on eBay. The pottery on the fireplace is from a student sale at the University of Georgia. The etching of bumble bees was the Christmas card of Ellen Winkler. The old photograph is of my father. The other photographs are from Eastern Market. The kitchen photos are mine and I rotate them out as I take new ones. The greyhound sign came from Dada (since closed). The Waffle House "S" was bought on eBay and I wired it with a string of Christmas lights. Old move poster in the pantry from eBay. The photo in the hallway of the Washington monument in scaffolding was bought at the Delray art Fair. The great wave Hokusai print in the bedroom was bought at the Smithsonian. I made the wire sculpture in the living room.
>> Enter Scott's Gallery
Thanks, Scott!
What an outstanding job, your hard work is obvious in the details. I love the colors and all the wood brought back to life. Everything is so immaculate too. The white you selected for the ceiling and the orange is wonderful and I and I am not an orange fan but this is beautiful!
Good score on the metal bookcase!
view LoriSF's profile
This is definitely one of my favorite house tours. I love the "detective's office" inspiration. You've really pulled it off! The library is great with that wall safe, and I absolutely covet your World's Fair lamp.
view dash's profile
I love the character in this house. It makes you want to explore al throughout it. Great colors as well. They've been some awesome house tours in the past few months!
view modernguy's profile
Absolutely fabulous!!!!! The colors are delightful, the aesthetic of the entire house makes me want to come visit and have a glass of wine (or some such!). And I looove love love your bathroom. Love it. adore it.
I agree with dash . . one of my favorites!
view Limeliteshines's profile
I agree restore the apartment back to its original elements is great idea especially when we have older pieces.
http://www.artezanalnet.com.br/Artezanal/Puffs.htm
view Estofados's profile
What an amazing job! I love all the signs everywhere - it really adds just the right touch. I used to live a block away from this building and always thought it was beautiful on the outside, and now I know it is on the inside too.
view Sassyladie's profile
What a stunning mix of furniture and decorative pieces. It is nice to see that you worked with a few of the previous owners wall paint choices while adding your own color choices to rooms and hallways. You've achieved an impressive balance of warm and cool tones that compliment one another beautifully.
The vintage Gray Hound sign is a wonderful feature in the kitchen as are the vintage signs resting on the fireplace mantles in the sitting areas.
Thank you for allowing us to enjoy your beautiful home and all of the passion and talent you have poured into it.
view Seaside's profile
Beautiful! Definitely has the vintage-detective vibe.
I see you have a louvered door on your front door--my last apartment had one of those (though, unlike your place, mine was a craphole).
view iphigenia's profile
Perhaps one of the best tours of a wonderful home. Your hard work and attention to detail is off the charts. I love your use of color and can go on and on about other things I love - but then I may get bummed out about my place and I don't want that! Great job Mister!
view edgardo60's profile
Beautiful!
view orangecookie's profile
Kudos, Scott, your place looks amazing. This is pretty much my dream apartment. And I know you said you wouldn't do it again, but the doors look absolutely fantastic, along with all the other work you did; I'd love to see the before pics. I love every little bit of it! Thank you so much for sharing with AT!
view michpc's profile
well done!
view Peter knockstead's profile
nice place, but Rachael, you need to get out more! Yet again, another NW post...
view JeffC's profile
Gorgeous!
view rosenatti's profile
Cute. I love the Ontario, and you did an awesome job with your place. i especially love the 'no boarding east of anacostia' piece.
view Coopers_mama's profile
This is a fantastic space. Looks so easy to live in, but at the same time you can tell that much care and effort was given to make this place amazing and full of details. I love when people can combine a modern and clean design asthetic with with the ability to make it not look like a museum you can't enjoy life in. GREAT JOB!
view trisman24's profile
Very "Guy Noir: Private Eye" Great looking place! Nice mix of modern and vintage. Always happy to see another talented Scott, We rule!
view suitcasey's profile
Scott, you should be proud, proud, proud! But I'm sure you didn't need me to tell you that. This is fantastic and what a labor of love. I sometimes don't read all the text on these house tours, but I read this one to see all the DC sources (I didn't know Goodeye closed!) and to just see how your designing/renovating/renewing mind approached and continued with this project. I'm glad to know this amazing place is in my hood. The Ontario's an amazing building too.
view Pixie's profile
Wow what a fabulous house tour! Love all the vintage accessories. I think my favorite room is the library with the wall safe. Really nice choices in wall colors too. This is very inspirational!
view suzy8track's profile
Oh, god. I love it. Lovelovelove it. It's perfect.
view Bork Bork Bork's profile
OMG. I am drooling! I love your space, Scott. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
view peppermint-lover's profile
It's magnificent. Who would have thought that "Roasted Tomato", grey and white would work so well together? I also like the contrast between the white trim and the varnished wooden doors - a lesser mortal would have given in to the temptation to paint them all white.
My coveting of the greyhound sign is painful, all-enveloping and a sure sign of deep moral weakness.
view Blandwagon's profile
Scott, your place is really great! I loved the interview. I can really tell that you put a lot of thought and effort into your space, through your words and photos.
I like how masculine it feels, too. My favorite part are the little secret holes in the wall! I adore the little industrial light on top of the dresser, that's awesome. Ah heck, I love it all.
Great job, your friends must feel so welcomed when they visit.
view Erin Lang Norris/Yellow Canoe's profile
Scott, you've created a wonderful home. Beautiful use of colour, imaginative details and that bathroom is amazing!
view Madame Is's profile
I just went through your photos on Flickr and it's really great to see how much you care not only about your own apartment, but the building as a whole. I love that you appreciate the history and fine details. The world could use more apartment dwellers/condo and co-op owners like you!
view michpc's profile
Thanks for all the super-nice comments folks!
Yes, that Greyhound may be my favorite object. (Is it wrong that I wouldn't like it nearly as much if someone hadn't shot it?)
-Scott
view sssdc1's profile
I love this so much that I've decided to try stripping the white paint off all the interior doors in my bungalow. Lord help me. Everything is so perfectly composed, yet livable. I'm seriously lusting after the Levenger bookcases now. My budget does not thank you!
view ButtonBungalow's profile
Insanely jealous of the greyhound sign. Beautiful place. Great job.
view Auburn's profile
What a great place! Very cool, with lots of personal touches that make it warm and inviting. I love that the "private eye" vibe comes through without hitting anyone over the head with literal (cheesy) pieces. Can anyone tell me where that gorgeous desk from the library came from? I love it!
view idoprint's profile
love the library and the mix of the wood & metal. & oh yeah, that cool private eye vibe mentioned by idoprint! a great place & a great bldg that your decorating wonderfully showcases.
view timmy jr.'s profile
I LOVE the dark orange, grey and medium wood combo. Sophisticated but welcoming. Nice work.
view Annie, bossy color's profile
This is my fave, ever. Nicely done, Scott. And--if I'm not mistaken...that Greyhound is from my alma mater, Loyola! I'm assuming there's no chance you'd sell it to me...;)
view HeidiW's profile
Love it love it love it. Mature. Timeless. Classy.
I don't know you, but I feel confident I like you.
view kushkush's profile
Hello Scott - this is the most beautiful home, you must enjoy it immensely. Colours are fantastic and the woodwork was a lot of work but absolutely beautiful. Where did the name The Ontario come from. I live in Ontario and am just curious.
Wonderful,wonderful place to live.
view Betty14's profile
love it- my husband will be burning with house-lust
view formosagirl's profile
Scott, you are my hero. That office is hard to beat.
I also loved the small display of eccentric lights in the bedroom.
Did you guys also note that this was another really creative person who avoided an expensive shower curtain and went with a clear liner? How did the expensive shower curtain cabal ever get established?
Good work, Scott.
view AustinSarah's profile
Very atmospheric and homey at the same time--what a great eye you have. It must be the latent detective in you. All you need is a smoke machine in the closet somewhere to make the illusion complete.
view bcthree's profile
Thanks again for all these nice comments! I'm so happy everyone likes it. (Sally Field moment happening here.)
In response to a few questions, including one that came directly to me and is not in the comment thread:
The library table, doing triple-duty as a desk and dining table, came from Goodwood on U St.
The bedroom wall color is an Ace color from Glover Park/Logan Hardware: D21-6 "Sadyhook." It is a complex clay-like color that can lean gray, green, or brown depending on the light and time of day. I love it—it's my favorite wall color in the apartment.
I didn't remember to mention my kitchen window mirror trick to Rachel when she was here photographing the apartment. This link isn't the best illustration either, but it gives you an idea of what I was talking about, with the mirror on the side of the deep-set corner window box doubling the otherwise-compromised view. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sssdc/3434912644/
And lastly, about the Ontario name. I know WAY too much about this, so I'm going to geek-out and tell you! The building is named after the street it is on, Ontario Road NW. The road is named after Lake Ontario. When the neighborhood was originally developed in the late 1800s, the streets on the west side were all given names of lakes: Ontario, Champlain, Erie, Huron, Superior. The streets on the east side were all named after universities: Columbia, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc. (Why lakes and universities? That I don't know!) Around 1900, it was decided to extend the numbers/letters/alphabetical street-naming system already established in central Washington out into the rest of the District of Columbia. Streets that met the city grid properly were renamed to fit it. 16th, 17th, etc. for north-south streets, and alphabetical order/2 syllables for east-west streets: Euclid, Fuller, Girard... But there were some existing streets that didn't hit the city grid right, and they got to keep their names, so we still have a few lakes and universities sprinkled around the hood. Ontario and Champlain remain (because 17 1/3 and 17 2/3 Streets would have been quite awkward), as do Harvard St., Columbia Rd, and University Pl. Harvard St. is an interesting exception—it survived because it happened to be a two-syllable "H" name already and coincidentally fell in the exact right place when the new naming system came along. Don't ask me why I know these things. -Scott
view sssdc1's profile
Hi Scott - thank you for answering my question about The Ontario name - you are a font of information - I have also enjoyed your flicker pics. It has taken me all afternoon today just to slowly go through them. Wonderful, wonderful place to live - you are so lucky. Enjoy.(As a youth I swam in Lake Ontario many,many times).
view Betty14's profile
Absolutely perfect! I love all of it. (The tiny "safe" is awesome!)
I have some authentic bank bags on my site www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id 6387590 that fit the vibe!
What I wouldn't give for those floors and doors...
omordah
view omordah's profile
The Ontario was once one of the many grand apt buildings in DC and then it fell on hard times. I had so many friends, who were college students who lived in this building in the 60's. Ah, the parties....It is wonderful to see it beautifully restored with so much care and love. It is thrilling.
Beautifully done.
view ah2Bthee's profile
You have got to love anyone who aspires to "a detective's office from the 1930's or or 40's" and pulls it off.
Hats off!
view Henrietta the Terrible's profile
Very interesting "Roasted Tomato" color in the living room. I love it and at the same time it makes me pause... It's a unique orange-red which and but perhaps because it's neither one nor the other I find it slightly unsettling. Think it's awesome though and definitely gives a one-of-a-kind tone to the room!
view rma's profile