4305 Blagden Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011

Crestwood’s architectural styles primarily fall into two categories. When the neighborhood was first established in the 1920s and throughout its early development in the 1930s, most houses were built in a range of historical revival styles. The second building wave came in the 1950s and 1960s, primarily along Argyle Terrace and Blagden Avenues. Life in America had changed and so did architecture. The focus was now on spacious rooms that were primarily illuminated by natural light, storage space that was generous, and bathrooms and kitchens that offered a stylish language of their own, no longer relegated to the purely utilitarian. This residence is one of a pair that was built in 1955 which are mirror images of each other. They are accessed via a private drive and offer views of the tree canopy, creating an aerie-like sensibility filled with birdsong. The inspiration for this residence derives chiefly from the work of celebrated American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who advocated for a building style that was not only consonant with nature, but an organic outgrowth of it. An intimate front hall opens onto a large living room that runs the entire length of the house. It includes the dining room and kitchen and frames a view of the natural environment through a north-facing curtain wall. A large bedroom and bathroom are located on this level, as well as the laundry and storage. The second level offers a principal bedroom with a spacious and recently renovated ensuite bathroom. Three ancillary bedrooms and one full bathroom also occupy this floor. One bedroom with curtain windows facing the upper patio and forested hillside serves as an office and TV room. The entire level is lighted by a skylight and windows that open onto three exposures. The gardens surrounding the house offer a large and private flagstone terrace and a smaller terrace which is accessed from the central living space. The exterior was executed in a style which emulates the Picturesque Movement in landscape architecture, which gained prominence in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The emphasis was on the charm of natural landscapes, akin to nearby Rock Creek Park. This style focused on creating a pleasing aesthetic which includes asymmetrical compositions and varied botanical textures. Elegant and serene, this house conveys a perpetual feeling of tranquility.