Jameson's Jigsaw Residence in Bethesda
St. Mary's Church in Rockville is very historic. Founded in 1813, it's original building was built in 1817 and was the first brick Catholic church in the country. It is the oldest church in Rockville still in use and is the site of the graves of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda. In 1960, the congregation of this Georgian-style building built a new, space agey church right next door that looks like it just landed or is ready to launch. In 1966, efforts to raze the original church were blocked, now giving us this interesting and stark contrast in architectural styles.
I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and to say thank you for reading the past three years. I also want to thank my wife and kids for putting up with my obsession. I'll try not to blog today, but I can't promise.
Local MCM fan and winner of Modern Capital's recent contest Karl Ericson has put together a nice Flickr pool of vintage newspaper ads promoting homes and communities designed by Charles Goodman, including the one above heralding Rock Creek Woods. Thanks Karl.
I had an opportunity to sit down with architect Harold Esten the other day in his home in Hammond Wood, the Charles Goodman community in Silver Spring. I asked him about the design of this 1966 mid-century modern in Mohican Hills I am listing. The first thing he said was that "a good house needs good clients and they [the Jaspers, the original and current owners] were good clients." Esten said he sited the house on the lot to save a number of the large trees you see above and to maximize privacy. One of the most unique features of the flat-roof home is what Esten describes as a "lantern to illuminate the house." The soaring glass and wood "lantern" sits over the library/conservatory. I'll be holding the house, located here, open this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. More on Esten and some of his other local designs coming soon.
I just helped Modern Capital readers close on a townhome by Chloethiel Woodard Smith in Waterview Cluster on Lake Anne in Reston. Here's another one on the market in "As Is" condition. Anyone looking for a MCM project?
This listing is for one of the nearly dozen "Model D" mid-century moderns located along Camden Street in Stratford Landing south of Alexandria. The 3/2 one-level house has no windows facing the street except for the glass surrounding the front door, a low-pitched, front-gabled roof, open floor plan and carport waiting for that sweet vintage ride.
A shot from a few days ago in Hammond Wood in Silver Spring.
After seeing this vintage MCM on nearly six wooded acres, I want to move Modern Capital headquarters north a bit to Owings Mills near Baltimore. Check out the original St. Charles metal kitchen cabinets, wood-walled dining room, nifty built-ins and clerestory windows. Oh, did I mention this has dropped from $745K after less than a month on the market. As reality sets in, and I come to terms with the fact that I'm not really going to buy this place, I would love to help someone who seriously wants to. Would you let me visit every now and then?
I'll be holding my listing in Charred Oak Estates in Bethesda open this Sunday (Nov. 15) from 2 to 4 p.m. The price is down to $725K. Here's the original post I did on the 1961 award-winning design.
This 4 bedroom/4.5 bath modern in Lake Barcroft I first wrote about in January is now finished and back on the market. The owners will be hosting local and regional artists Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. as a way to showcase the modern space overlooking the lake. Located here if you plan to go.
Modern Capital's friend Kacy from DWR Bethesda and The Inspired Office had her mid-century modern and Southeast Asian decorated pad in Silver Spring featured on Apartment Therapy. I really like the Nelson Bubble lamp sconces over the bedside tables. My wife and I have been thinking about doing that ourselves. Nice work Kacy.
Saw "Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman" last night. Highly recommend for all D.C. modernists and those who love them. The film by Eric Bricker is at the Landmark E Street Cinema for one week. Here's a good review by the Post's Philip Kennicott.
Alexander Girard, who headed Herman Miller's textile division from 1952 to 1973, was one of the most innovative modern designers of the 20th century, whose designs covered the work of George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames. Considered the greatest colorist and textile designer of modern time, Girard used traditional folk art to infuse color, whimsy and humor into vibrant modern design. For the fist time since 1972, Girard's iconic graphics are now available as wall art on 14'' x 14'' formaldehyde-free maple faced hardwood plywood. The panels reflect Girard's technique of printing directly on wood like in The Compound Restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico. If you want to bring some of Girard's mid-century designs into your MCM home, head to RCKNDY on U Street. It's much closer than Santa Fe.
Check out this mid-century in Holmes Run Acres in Falls Church. The 3 bedroom/2 bathroom house has beautiful wood-beamed ceilings, an open and updated kitchen and sits on a professionally landscaped lot overlooking park and woods. This is a For Sale by Owner. You can find more pictures and contact info in their nice brochure.
A 1954 photo by Robert Lautman of CharlesGoodman’s renovated farmhouse in Alexandria.
