We got a lot of posts from our Boston/DC applicants (3 from each), and we got behind. We're going to rip through the last ones today and tomorrow. This is from our DC finalist, Hilary. Comment away!
I always go to the gift shop, even at the smallest historic house.
And since one of the best museum stores in DC is also one of the best design resources, I’ll admit that I am happy for any excuse to go to the Building Museum...
Located at Judiciary Square on the Red Line, the Building Museum hosts exhibits (the popular Green House), lectures, and events on design and architecture. The shop entrance is tucked away in the corner of the enormous main hall, but the store is surprisingly large.
The shop is divided between books and design products. Currently, the center book display capitalizes on the green trend, with a wide range of books on greening your home (Guide to Green Housekeeping for $19.95), green design (Women in Green for $24.95), and living green (Chelsea Green’s useful series of little paperbacks includes Water for $7.95).
The other offerings range from beautiful books on gardens to quirky histories of the toilet, and of course, Apartment Therapy! There are sections devoted to color, decorating, small space living, lofts, and international styles. Each shelf offers a well-defined and well-edited selection. There’s also a magazine rack, located near the temptations of the sales shelf.
Although the shop has some online offerings, the real thing is far more fun. From prints by Colin Winterbottom to architectural-themed magnets, it would be hard not to find something. Normann Copenhagen egg slicers ($24.95) are across from disposable Bambu picnic plates ($7.50) and a banana-shaped silicone pot grip ($9.00).
In the past, I’ve bought a duct-tape wallet, the AIA’s Guide to the Architecture of Washington DC, and Twentieth-Century Pattern Design. This time, I kept looking up. On my next visit, I may have to finally buy one of the mobiles.
>> Guide to Green Housekeeping
>> Water
>> Shop
>>
AIA Guide
>> Twentieth-Century Pattern Design
>> Sheep mobile
- Hilary
(Thanks, Hilary!)
Reader Vote:
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Love that this is a purely in DC kind of post! I love the museums downtown, and am glad someone highlighted one here- though I would have like a little more info on the museum itself rather than just the shop.
view annhenry's profile
It's a pretty great museum. I just went in December for the 1st time. The tour about the building itself is great! Very interesting and a great history.
view crzybckyf's profile
I like the building, but I've never been to the shop. I'll have to stick my head in next time. Thanks for the tip.
view Easyenough's profile
My favorite museum in DC!!!!
view Mid-C Frank's profile
Great museum for design/ architecture/ urban planning enthusiasts! They also have a well-developed education program and run fabulous kids' birthday parties. At my daughter's party last summer, she and her friends looked at examples of fanciful architecture from all over the world, then built their own creations. So many museums put their classroom space in their basements, but at the Building museum, they're airy spaces with vaulted ceilings and large windows. What a good post on a local resource that's at least a little off the most beaten path!
view SYB_in_DC's profile
The Building Museum is fab -- the building alone is amazing. It's probably not on very many people's short list of places to visit in DC, but should be for those interested in architecture and design.
view hillgirl's profile
My favorite museum in DC, and the best museum gift shop in town (methinks). Thanks for highlighting it Hilary! For those of you around DC during the holidays, be sure to stop by the Building Museum gift shop - they have terrific design-theme holiday cards and lots of quirky gifts!
view BryanG's profile
can't wait to go for the Saarinen show - will be in town for a wedding!
view bordjon's profile
Great post - it's totally a hidden treasure in DC. Visitors are always delighted by the architecture & gift shop. I almost always hit it for holiday gifts.
(Small critique: Wish the top and bottom photos were in better focus!)
view anninva's profile
The Building Museum is a gorgeous space and its gift shop is one of my favorite museum gift shops--perfect for stocking stuffers at Christmas. I, too, bought a duct-tape wallet for my son. Thanks for highlighting this great place, Hilary!
view morsbergerg's profile
I love love love the Building Museum. I can honestly say that it had a hand in my return to graduate school for urban planning. And, one of the best parts is the shop!
view Christine (the one in DC)'s profile
never been; great post.
view sixfive's profile