A BIG thank you for your kind comments about our feature in the February issue of Martha Stewart Living! As always, your enthusiasm inspires me.I started this blog to promote the shop, but now it has become much more. It’s a forum for conversation with friends across the world. My posts about decor, garden and travel are not unlike entries in a diary that are shared with readers who have the same passions. As my blog turns five (in February), I’d like to say many thanks for reading!

To keep things exciting, I do have this major announcement: Tom and I have sold our DC home – YES! For almost a year, the decision to sell was deliberated. I wrote about it here and here. When we purchased, renovated, and expanded our home, we never thought we’d have a second place. Then came Castine, Maine. After spending more time there, it no longer made sense for us to keep this large house with such an extensive garden; especially since we couldn’t personally care for it at the height of the season.

Let’s back up a bit. Our plan was only to put the house on the market when another spoke to us. And we weren’t actively looking. Then on a slow August day at Tone on Tone, a client visited and  mentioned wanting to move into the city, but having no luck finding the right move-in-ready or fixer-upper property. I suggested she come over to see our place with her husband. “Maybe you’ll want to buy it or, at least, get renovation ideas,” I continued. After drinks 🙂 plus additional visits in the fall, we all shook hands on a private sales agreement. So that’s how our house was sold; it just happened organically.

The new owners are lovely. Their sophisticated collection of French antiques really shines throughout the house, particularly with all the European elements we incorporated during the renovation – French doors with cremone bolts, Belgian lighting, Italian limestone, etc.

Tom and I have moved to a 700 sq ft apartment while we house hunt. Now I have a favor to ask. If you know of a charming house coming on the market, please let me know asap. An older, unrenovated small Cape or Tudor with a first floor den or bedroom would be perfect. Nothing vertical, please. Panda and Mocha, our Tibetan Terriers, would like a small yard 🙂 We’re interested in Northwest DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Silver Spring, and Arlington. Please help!

Until next time, enjoy these photos. Some were taken right before we moved out. Others are from Photographer Helen Norman that didn’t make it into the Martha article – so beautiful I have to share.

Cheers,
Loi

PS – Next post I’ll share more “on the move” news….up in Maine.

This view of the double-length living room leads to the curved staircase. By the way, the fabulous French trumeau mirror, marble drinks tables, and ottoman (which I custom designed) are all at Tone on Tone – anyone interested?
A tabletop vignette of myrtle topiary, 19th century American gilded eagle weathervane, and marble architectural items.

A very warm thanks to Addison Ripley Gallery for lending us this stunning vintage Wolf Kahn abstract painting. I still fantasize about it!! (If only we won that Powerball…)

We gifted the vintage GE factory pendants to the new owners – they just belonged in the kitchen.

I purposely kept the dining room sparse because the dinner table filled with family, friends, and food should always be the focus.

Civilized yet whimsical, my myrtle topiaries always intrigued guests. They will miss all that light.

The master bedroom with an 18th century French mantel surmounted by its original trumeau panel. Again, we felt that this ensemble had to convey.
Hope you’ve enjoyed seeing more of our “former” home.Don’t forget to send over house leads. Thanks so much!!