Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Refined Condo Showcases Treasured Art Collection
A mix of antique and contemporary furnishings, subtle color and fantastic art shines in a Washington, D.C., condo
Fred Gates moved to this Washington, D.C., condominium from a converted art gallery in whose attic he had found a treasure-trove of antique frames and numerous works of art. They even include an unfinished Picasso painting, authenticated by the famous painter’s daughter Paloma, who fondly remembers her father working on the piece. Inspired by all the magnificent art, designer Dane Austin curated his client’s new home to showcase these special pieces and added his signature splash of color and comfortable luxury.
Above a custom channeled velvet sofa is a graphic and playful arrangement of newly framed vintage landscape watercolors from homeowner Robert Gates’ attic-borne collection. The decision to mount two of the paintings askew reflects the designer’s belief that living spaces — even those that showcase “serious” art — should contain some whimsy and not take themselves too seriously.
The painting’s vertical frames also mimic the profile of the Nancy Corzine lounges positioned on the other side of the room. The wall treatment beneath the prints is a hand-painted Baroque-style damask.
The painting’s vertical frames also mimic the profile of the Nancy Corzine lounges positioned on the other side of the room. The wall treatment beneath the prints is a hand-painted Baroque-style damask.
A pair of Art Deco lounge chairs covered in a Rogers & Goffigon fabric indulge the client’s fondness for Art Deco-era furnishings. They’re balanced with a mix of wool-and-jute area rugs, 1930s French antique gold-leaf cork and ceramic lamps and lacquered linen side tables. Austin also sprinkled in a variety of antique silver pitchers, vessels, bowls and candlesticks from the client’s existing collection.
Pillows: Jim Thompson with Schumacher trim; coffee table: Niermann Weeks
Pillows: Jim Thompson with Schumacher trim; coffee table: Niermann Weeks
The centerpiece of the dining area is a custom round mahogany table by Barbara Barry for Baker, which Gates often uses as a game table when entertaining. It was inspired by LeLeu, a famed French designer of the 1930s, and fits perfectly in the room’s rounded bump-out.
The dining chairs were an easy fit, purchased off a showroom floor in Georgetown and re-covered in a Schumacher linen.
Chandelier: Capucine, Niermann Weeks
The dining chairs were an easy fit, purchased off a showroom floor in Georgetown and re-covered in a Schumacher linen.
Chandelier: Capucine, Niermann Weeks
On the opposite side of the living room, a black iron-and-crystal chandelier looks as graceful as the Nancy Corzine Fontaine lounges, upholstered in Boucheron robin’s egg-colored silk velvet. Another wool-and-jute area rug helps tone down the formality.
Throw blanket: Ralph Lauren Home
Throw blanket: Ralph Lauren Home
“I’m not one for precious things — you need to feel at ease in your home and have the confidence to collect more pieces in your own time,” Austin says. That’s part of why he enjoys working with his clients’ existing collections to showcase pieces that are important to them.
In this room, Gates’ red lacquered Chinese chest inspired Austin’s use of Phillip Jeffries’ coral red arrowroot grasscloth wallcovering on the wall. Another piece the homeowner had on hand was an antique pie-cooling cabinet, seen here with its perforated front to allow airflow.
Find grasscloth wallpaper
In this room, Gates’ red lacquered Chinese chest inspired Austin’s use of Phillip Jeffries’ coral red arrowroot grasscloth wallcovering on the wall. Another piece the homeowner had on hand was an antique pie-cooling cabinet, seen here with its perforated front to allow airflow.
Find grasscloth wallpaper
In the master bedroom, a vintage rug led to bold color choices. Another of Gates’ red lacquered Chinese antiques pops as a nightstand against a more muted Phillip Jeffries African raffia green two-toned wall covering.
A framed piece of art from the client’s collection coordinates with both the wall and the custom leather tufted headboard. The bedding from Schumacher is another custom touch, and hanging linen-shade pendant lights from the ceiling to save space on the bedside tables was a thoughtful choice.
A framed piece of art from the client’s collection coordinates with both the wall and the custom leather tufted headboard. The bedding from Schumacher is another custom touch, and hanging linen-shade pendant lights from the ceiling to save space on the bedside tables was a thoughtful choice.
Off the master bedroom is another cozy lounging space with a Hamilton settee upholstered in Baker fabric. Schumacher linen draperies pull from the springy chartreuse color of the bedskirt, and the antique avian prints are more pieces from the old art gallery attic.
Leather club chair: Restoration Hardware
Leather club chair: Restoration Hardware
In the lounge area across from the living room, a wall of mirrors shows off a collection of gilt frames found in the attic of the client’s former residence and pick up the warmth of the Robert Abbey gold leaf lamps.
Browse framed mirrors
Browse framed mirrors
The kitchen was another blank canvas, with natural-colored cabinets and no backsplash. Austin changed that: A textured copper backsplash now adds some depth and a little shine; the color is repeated in the grasscloth on the back of the kitchen island.
For more color and softness, a vintage rug nests within the U-shaped kitchen, and a sculptural light fixture overhead is a dynamic force amid so many flat surfaces.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
For more color and softness, a vintage rug nests within the U-shaped kitchen, and a sculptural light fixture overhead is a dynamic force amid so many flat surfaces.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Fred Gates, a real estate agent
Location: Washington, D.C.
Size: 1,500 square feet (139 square meters)
Designer: Dane Austin Design
When Austin arrived on the scene, the unit was a blank canvas, a typical “white-box condo.” Austin’s first challenge was to make the space feel like a true reflection of its inhabitant, and his favorite way to do that is through color. He unified a sophisticated palette of pale blue and rust with characterful light fixtures, hospitable furniture and plenty of art.
Austin played up the living room’s architectural windows with elegant floor-to-ceiling draperies in silk and vintage velvet and Robert Allen sheers that go from end to end.