TREE HOUSE
BLOOMINGDALE, WASHINGTON D.C.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS DEFINITELY + ODDLY L’ENFANT Sits on the corner of a prominent intersection with tree-lined boulevards and diagonal avenues bearing the DNA of the original 1791 L’Enfant Plan for D.C. The resultant apartment is mostly a triangular wedge punctuated with a round turret bedroom. SMALL LIVING By U.S. standards, 680sf is still considered small, especially for a two-bedroom unit. (That’s slightly larger than a two car garage). Many studio and one-bedrooms units in D.C. are larger. SMALLER BUDGET + MORE SUSTAINABLE Resourceful and thrifty remodel falling back on - at times revealing - the original historic character of the 1911 apartment, like the original hard oak floor. A focus was given to small and local businesses, vintage and secondhand stores. 90% of purchases were made with sales, promotions, discounts, coupons, secondhand, repurposing, reusing, upcycling, etc. Waste was reduced and diverted by reuse, sale, donation, and public listings. SQUEEZE MORE INTO AND OUT OF While the original plan was respected and retained, the design refines and modernizes the plan to triple the storage, squeeze in a new bar area, laundry closet, large dine-in kitchen island, double oven, and new glorified wardrobe closets - all with exquisite attention to detail. PANDEMIC (DIY) PROJECT COVID-19 forced the world to change. DIY felt like the only solution in a weary, competitive real-estate market to create a bespoke home. This project became a necessary tree-lined, work from home oasis, providing the architect an inspiring place to design, create and display art, and also backdrop to teach design. Acquisition 05.20, Design 06.20, Construction complete 04.21
REAL-ESTATE NARRATIVE As an architect and real-estate development professional, I am very aware of what the DC market has to offer; and it wasn’t offering what I was looking for, especially not at my first-time-homeowner-emerging-professional price point. So when I stumbled on this listing, I immediately knew this was a gem of potential and opportunity. AND it has thirteen marvelous windows, all with views! The previous owner never occupied the unit, but lived two states away and used it as a decaying rental for decades. The apartment was in such bad shape that I could afford it. However, I made an offer in April 2020 - peak pandemic market uncertainty. I took my time to make sure it made financial sense and spatial sense: “could I actually add value and make it mine?” I drafted my own little napkin pro forma and floor plan for what I envisioned before finalizing my offer. I had to be sure. And boy am I glad I submitted my offer when I did! One year later and the DC market continues to break realty records every month for the past fifteen months, some listings receiving six figures over asking. Most buyers in DC have deep-ish pockets, and they prefer something turn-key. I think the poor condition and odd shaped deterred buyers. But as they say...their trash my treasure. Within hours of closing, I ripped up the dank carpet and discovered the 1911 original hard oak floor, just as I had suspected. I sat on the floor of the empty apartment and stared around. That’s when the real excitement hit me. This apartment was going to be transformative and going to be my own little rehab! It also hit me that the worst part of DIY, is that you have to do it yourself. The resultant rehab is now a work from home oasis that feels more like a hip cafe. Contemporary yet comfortable. Small space yet big living. Low dollar yet high-brow. A place to live and work and find respite. A place to be alone and a place to share with friends. A place to call home.
DESIGN NARRATIVE The wrestle was considering what to keep or change. 680 sf is no small feat, but I was determined to make each square foot count and tap into its volume. Each design decision was rather simple and logical. It just required an honest look at the existing conditions. And a hopeful dream... My first chore was the floor. I fought to restore, refurbish, and refinish the original 1911 hardwood. I loved its unique character. People pay good money for a faux approach to what I already had underfoot. And now it’s a subtle statement piece of my new home. It grounds the project. I added desperately needed storage and spacious wardrobe closets: triple the storage, double the rod space, and built in shelves and drawers. And plenty of open shelving. I found creative ways to leverage the affordability and flexibility of IKEA cabinetry; but, I tapped third-party vendors for the fronts and hardware to elevate the look and feel. Bespoke on a budget. I was able to repurpose a bit of closet space from the guest bedroom to carve out a moody, highly textured, intimate bar area. It’s always the envy of my neighbors when they come to visit. The heaviest lift was modernizing the kitchen and bath. A LOT of work went into simplifying the technical details and improving the functionality of the kitchen. It’s deceptively clean squeezing in an undercounter microwave, double oven, custom panel dishwasher and refrigerator. Oh.. and hiding the hot water heater. Did I also mention I added an ample dine-in kitchen island for four+? The bath was a direct refresh of materials - and where my experience with hospitality design shines! It might be small, but the luxury finishes, handmade tiles, and heated floor render a relaxing hotel-quality retreat. The biggest move was removing the tub for a stand up shower featuring an oversized waterfall head and handheld for privates, pets and plants. It feels ample, yet intimate. The hall closet was transformed into a small laundry room with a combo washer and dryer, worktop, hang space, and even more storage hidden behind a full height wood slat door.
ARCHITECT | ARTIST | ADJUNCT David Polk is a licensed architect in Washington D.C. where he works for the GSA Center for Architecture and Design Excellence. He focuses primarily on Federal courthouse projects, land ports of entry, master plans and workplace strategy. He holds architecture degrees from the University of Utah and Virginia Tech WAAC - with post-professional certificates from Cornell and the Bauhaus Weimar. David is also an adjunct professor of Interior Design at Marymount University and of Exhibition Design at The Corcoran GWU. He serves as a visiting juror and critic at many local design schools. In his “free” time, he creates conceptual visual art and bespoke renovations around the city. LinkedIn
PLOT AND UNIT SURVEY
Along Rhode Island Ave. NW
Along North.Capital St.
DEMO PLAN
FLOOR PLAN
UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS OF U ST & CRISPUS ATTUCK PARK
TREE-LINED VIEWS OF NORTH CAPITOL ST.
TREE-LINED VIEWS OF RHODE ISLAND AVE.
KITCHEN
NOTEABLE FFE (SOURCES): Cafe Smart Range & Microwave in black stainless steel Bosch Panel Ready Smart Refrigerator & Dishwasher IKEA base cabinets + Semihandmade fronts Rejuvenation & Schoolhouse Electric Hardware (clearance) Reclaimed Butcher Block counters (Community Forklift) Techlighting LED Linear pendant (trade discount) Shelfology Tomso floating steel shelf (discount) Allmodern rhombus splashback tiles (clearance) Target counter stools (Craigslist) CB2 + Hay Design Glassware (trade discount) Vigo pull down faucet (trade discount)
LIVING
NOTEABLE FFE (SOURCES): Custom floating wood bench (wood form Community Forklift) Doug Mockett surface power grommet SONOS + BOSE sound (refurbished + clearance) Big Ass Haiku Fan (trade discount) Schoolhouse Electric pendant (trade discount) Allmodern sofa + armchair (trade discount) CB2 wiremesh console (Facebook Marketplace) JH Wall Paint lime wash accent wall BluDot dining chair (trade discount) West Elm pillows (trade discount) Accessories from Goodwood and Miss Pixie’s
BAR
NOTEABLE FFE (SOURCES): Kalamera wine cooler (clearance) Rejuvenation vintage concrete pendant (trade discount) Schoolhouse Electric shelves & hardware (trade discount) Reclaimed Butcher Block counters (Community Forklift) Graham & Brown wallpaper (discount) Doug Mockett surface power grommet CB2 + Ferm Living glassware (trade discount) Brilliant Tech Smart Home Controls (discount) SONOS + BOSE sound (refurbished + clearance) Philips Hue Smart lighting
MAIN BEDROOM
NOTEABLE FFE (SOURCES): IKEA bed frame with storage (Craigslist) CASA Luna + CB2 bedding (trade discount) Gantri 3D-printed wall sconce (discount) Hunter Fans (discount) IKEA desk + shoe rack IKEA wardrobe base cabinets REFORM oak wardrobe doors Doug Mockett wardrobe recessed pulls BluDot task chair (trade discount) Rejuvenation hooks (trade discount) Umbra Floating Shelf nightstand (discount)
SECONDARY BEDROOM
NOTEABLE FFE (SOURCES): Allmodern bed frame (trade discount) CASA Luna + CB2 bedding (trade discount) Gantri 3D-printed wall sconce (discount) Hunter Fans (discount) IKEA wardrobe base cabinets REFORM oak wardrobe doors Doug Mockett wardrobe recessed pulls SONOS + Hay Design (discount) BluDot task chair (trade discount) Danish modern armchair (Goodwood vintage) Office Desk (Etsy) Rejuvenation hooks (trade discount)
LAUNDRY CLOSET
NOTEABLE FFE (SOURCES): Custom full-height slat door (wood form Community Forklift) Emtek door pull and push-open latch Sungatsune concealed pivot hinge GE Smart Washer/Dryer Combination (discount) Doug Mockett surface power grommet Copper Pipe + Leather Strap clothes rod (Etsy) August WiFi Smart lock (discount) Yamazaki key and mask organizer (trade discount)
NOTEABLE FFE (SOURCES): Porcelanosa ceramic floor tile (Community Forklift) Allmodern handmade ceramic subway tile (trade discount) Zia Tile handmade encaustic cement tile (discount) Schluter Systems radiant floor heating Rejuvenation + Vigo faucets and controls (trade discount) Vigo fixed glass shower panel (trade discount) Jonathan Y Vanity Lighting (discount) West Elm Antique Mirror (trade discount) Modway slat vanity (discount) Ferm Living fluted medicine cabinet Schoolhouse Electric shelving (trade discount) Rejuvenation hooks and hardware (trade discount)
BATHROOM
KITCHEN ELEVATION DETAILS
BATHROOM ELEVATIONS
BATHROOM DETAILS
BEFORES + AFTERS - KITCHEN
BEFORES + AFTERS - LIVING
BEFORES + AFTERS - ENTRY + LAUNDRY
BEFORES + AFTERS - MAIN BEDROOM
BEFORES + AFTERS - MAIN BEDROOM
BEFORES + AFTERS - BATHROOM
BEFORES + AFTERS - BATHROOM