The September issue of
Architectural Digest gave us a glimpse of Simon Jacobsen's Georgetown home, and left us hungering for more views of the unusual merging of modern and historic that define the renovation. We've long admired the comfortable minimalism and breathtaking modern structures created by Simon and his father, the renowned Hugh Newell Jacobsen. You can only imagine our excitement when
we discovered more pictures and a floorplan (!) of Simon's serenely spare private home that's so perfectly reflective of his clean aesthetic...
According to the Jacobsen Architecture website, the renovation involved re-merging two civil-war era Georgetown row houses that are believed to have been originally designed as a single home. During the building process the houses were divided into two identical — but mirror-image— residences to make them more appealing to potential post-war buyers.
Despite the original unity of the two homes, their renovation reunion does not sound like an easy one, especially since the two sister homes had undergone quite different upbringings. While attempting to preserve the historical integrity of the structures, Simon also had to decide how to integrate a clumsy 80s addition on one of the houses and create a master layout suited to his modern sensibilities. The Architectural Digest article explains that the original floors in one of the homes had been refinished one too many times, and as a result they were incompatible with the floors in the sister unit. Rather than replace them altogether, Jacobsen solved the problem by covering the entire floor surfaces in both units with brilliant white floor paint. Aside from unifying the homes, the white floors give the historic space a clean modern feel in keeping with the overall airy minimalism resonating throughout the home.
Adding to the dream is the enviable 4,000 square feet of living space — in Georgetown!— resulting from the brilliant renovation.
Sources: Jacobsen Architecture , September 2009 issue of Architectural Digest
(Images: Jacobsen Architecture)
Beautiful, but those chairs in the library do not inspire me to curl up and read.
view cal's profile
i love a good reno but i have to wonder about the neighbors to the left and the right think about that. the blue house has no light because of this large back extension.
view itsthehouseshow's profile
Can anyone identify the chairs in photo 2 - I have one of those (or a knock off) and I've been trying to figure it out. Thanks.
view kristinm100's profile
itsthehouseshow - the rear addition was the part added in the 80s, Simon Jacobsen just changed the windows to make them larger.
view LeahDC's profile
Something really off with this place, its too hard and it should not be that way. The furniture is all wrong but the house is beautiful as many other elements are nice. Yes I agree wassily chairs in front of the fireplace how uncomfortable, I sold the one I had because I never used it.
view LoriSF's profile
Nice try, LoriSF, but you're forgetting the first commandment of Apartment Therapy: Thou Shalt Not Confuse Thy Iconic Chairs.
Those are Le Corbusier's LC1 sling chairs, not Marcel Breuer's B3 "Wassily" chairs.
I'm glad Leah explained the floors, since my first thought was, "Why did he splash white paint over everything when refinishing those wood floors would have been so much nicer?"
The beauty of these buildings is that there are a dozen different looks and styles one could use in them, and each would look equally good. I could certainly lower myself to live there ;)
view Blandwagon's profile
Those are NOT Wassily Chairs -- those are Le Corbusier's LC1 Basculante Chairs.
They are much, MUCH, more comfortable than the Wassily Chair because, as the name indicates, the seat reclines and the back is mobile.
view mschatelaine's profile
Not too fond of the space but I do like the mirrored bar area. Using it for inspiration in our basement bar.
view Erin Lang Norris/Yellow Canoe's profile
magnificant!
view Peter knockstead's profile
Nothing like sitting in front of a nice, warm fireplace in the dead of winter on a firm, plastic/metal chair.
House is beautiful, but that library, like others said, does not look or feel relaxing at all.
view ErikTheRed's profile
i'm not personally a fan of the interior design but the architecture is fantastic.
i love seeing how people adapt or modernize old homes.
view scenicartisan's profile
My parents had a pair of chairs very similar to those (and I think those are leather, not plastic). The chairs were incredibly comfortable. When a seat slopes to the back, it's usually much more comfortable than a level seat, because you're sitting on your butt, instead of having a seat cut into the backs of your legs (behind the knees is particularly awful). Many MCM chairs have a seat like this, and although they may look uncomfortable, they're not. Also, you can throw your leg over one of the armrests/straps. :)
view magicsbm's profile
Architects must not sit very much...
..they always seem to fill their homes w/ the most uncomfortable furniture.
view bepsf's profile
OMG really bad I know better did not look close enough!! yes no they are not Wassily but still they sit almost the same as the LC1. Sorry sorry, I that use to work at the former atelier international that sold all the license pieces of these.
view LoriSF's profile
Love it.
Beautiful floors.
Gorgeous addition.
Beauty.
view puddle's profile
yes, those chairs are super comfortable (believe it or not!) & you can actually curl up in front of the fireplace & have a good read. though i know it's not to everyone's taste, i really like this place & its minimal look, esp. the chairs in front of the fireplace. unlike some forms of minimalism which look rather severe, to me this looks airy and fresh.
view timmy jr.'s profile