HEIRLOOM
HEIRLOOM
HEIRLOOM
HEIRLOOM
A newsletter on design & real estate in the DMV
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Friends, hello – happy Friday! Excited to be back with you this week, and especially excited for the sunshine that finally graced DC after nearly two weeks of London-adjacent drizzle. The unfortunate part was that it really wasn't cold enough for my new Sezane trench coat, but I know her time is coming.
 
Some real estate & design highlights to celebrate from the past week:  
  • Put the finishing touches on my buyers representation guide, a lovely little deck with answers to many FAQs I've received, as well as details on what other sparkles and sprinkles I bring to the table as an agent. Some hints: floorplan sketches and pinterest might be involved! 
  • Last Saturday I popped by this Capitol Hill gem designed by an all star crew: Sanabria, Sestak Remodeling, and DC Mantelhouse. I was partnering with Barley & Barley for a feature, so if you'd like to see this one in person while it's still available, send me a note!
  • Made a new DC core memory: a tennis match at the Australian Ambassador's residence, on a grass court, no less! No, I wasn't playing – but I enjoyed watching, wearing a cute outfit, and sipping bubbles in the surprise sunshine. I need more of this energy in my life, please. 
  • Went for a fall stroll in Old Town with my friend Heather; we were a bit early for peak Old Town Halloween, but the temperature was temperate and I loved showing her some of my favorite shops, like Penny Post, Red Barn Mercantile, and Old Town Books.
  • Connected with Darlene Molnar for a feature of a recent project of hers in NoVa, a gorgeous mid century modern home renovated for a fabulous art collector. My goodness, this woman's collection! I was in absolute awe. I'd love to do more features like this with local designers, so if you are one reading this, take that as a wink to keep me in mind <3
Thank you for following along! If you are looking to buy or sell a home with the DMV, or to be put in touch with the region's best design talent, send me a note so I can point you in the right direction. 
 
Ciao, 
Chesley 
a design-focused realtor and photographer in Washington, DC 
 
PS – did a friend forward this to you? Sign up for this newsletter here
 
 
I do recall stopping through this gorgeous home in Georgetown at some point last winter, so it must be back on the market. The owner has great taste in furnishings, and I love the side porch on the second floor – it reminds me of homes in New Orleans. The front facade is missing a detail or two and I just can't put my finger on it, but that feels like an easy fix. 
 
Other recommendations:
 
DC / a reasonably priced option in Shaw with strong bones, an industrious and impressive penthouse near Columbia Heights, and a rowhome with some very fun flairs near U Street. Three points for NW this week! 

VA / a charming house in Arlington with an exterior that is giving a bit of Chip and Joanna Gaines (with room for improvement inside), an impressive option coming soon in North Arlington, and a dreamy home in McLean that is at the tippy top of my vision board right now.

MD / sharp and smooth in Bethesda's Kenwood Park, something architecturally intriguing closeby, and obsessed with the conservatory space at this one in Chevy Chase

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In the market for something in particular?
Send me an email, I'd love to hear more!  
It's giving that feeling of a perfect fall afternoon featuring horses, great wine, and a hot apple cider donut. This home in Middleburg, designed by Erica Burns Interiors in partnership with Thomson Cooke Architects and Thorsen Construction, out in Middleburg is a showstopper. I'm loving the foyer with the arches and the checkered floor, the marble in the bathrooms, the wallpapered guest rooms, and the wine cellar. Also, is that a bouldering wall I see? 
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Daydreaming about some design changes? I recommend booking a design consult for a quick second opinion, and I can point you towards the best partners once we nail down next steps!
I remember stopping into this space in Capitol Hill last summer, right before leaving my real estate consulting gig. An old church reimagined by oPal Development, it's a bit of a splurge for a rental but it is so, so cute! What an impressive place to call home for a season.

Other recommendations:

DC / a sophisticated one bedroom in West End, plus a bright but moody option in Columbia Heights
 
VA / this two bedroom on King Street caught my eye, but there are one bedrooms available in this building as well; plus, an impressive option on Royal Street

MD / struggling to find some good options this week. Sorry, Marylanders! 

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Looking for some support on finding a rental?
Book a rental consult with me and I'll share some ideas to help guide you!
Pulling this one out of the archives, but still a worthwhile share – have you been to Bold Fork Books? It's in Mount Pleasant (which, I learned recently, was named one of the top neighborhoods in the country by Timeout Magazine), and everything in the store focuses on food and cooking. I picked up a very beautiful puzzle before wandering down the street to Mount Desert Island Ice Cream. 
 
Other news on my radar: 

It does look like Capitol Hill's new French boulangerie (in the old Radici space, rip) is getting close to opening?! Fingers are crossed. 
Barcana is the talk of the town in my world right now.
Not to be missed: the DC modern house tour, this Saturday!
Mallard has gleaming 5 star reviews – adding it to the list.
I wandered past Oliver Dunn Moss & Co on Monday and the exterior was so picturesque. 
A.Kitchen & Bar also looks delicious. 
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Curious about my favorite local spots for great design? Send me a note and I'm happy to pass along my neighborhood guide. 
Saved while scrolling 
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Everything about this LA home is just right, try me. 

I saved this recipe without realizing that I also had it last night, when my friend invited me to a dinner for Rosh Hashanah. Everything served was delightful, but this I couldn't resist snagging seconds of! 

Appreciate the friend who sent this to me. Oh, to be that cat.
 
Inspiration to always have a dopamine menu on hand.
 
Love that this house in London is only a guest house, a place for “friends and creatives to just stop through.” How charming. (These little videos have become a new favorite lunch time watch, btw)
 
Did I mention how excited I am to start reading The Dutch House? If you love this newsletter, you'll love this book. I devoured the sample and am impatiently awaiting my hardback copy! 
 
Well, that's a next level lunch.

Picked up this lotion at Sephora and have not regretted it.
Image credits: 
Header photo / Chesley McCarty
Image 1 / Bright MLS
Image 2 / Stacey Zaring Goldberg
Image 3 / BrightMLS 
Image 4 / Chesley McCarty
Image 5 / Chesley McCarty
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Washington, DC 20003, United States