I think there are more recovering lawyers in the design trade than I initially thought. Most of you may know the well-established examples — Darryl Carter and Dana Tydings. But Elaine Block, a former assistant state attorney general in New York whose family just moved to DC, is the third lawyer I’ve met since starting this blog who is currently thinking about or in the process of switching over.
Elaine is considering masters-in-fine-arts programs in the area. She sent me pictures of her family’s house that she decorated “on the cheap” in Albany — the start of great things to come in DC.
The mirror above the mantel was heavily gilded when they moved in -- so much overkill that Elaine almost got rid of it, but a coat of white paint made it all better.
Elaine shopped E-Bay for the chairs, the deco light fixture, and the credenza in the background. (I really need to start checking out E-Bay more thoroughly!). There is a lot of crisp apple green on the walls — a color she loves because it’s fresh and reminds her of nature. But most of us couldn’t get it to work as well as she does.
In the dining room, Elaine got the contemporary chandelier from a local store in Albany, and the antique mirror came from a shop in Hudson, NY. And, she continued in an e-mail, ”Everything else in both rooms is from either Marshall’s or Target, my two favorite places for cheap accessories.”
Elaine is like one of those decorators on HGTV, who can make a room look fabulous just with cheap finds. But I think she — and most designers — would tell you that you have to have a really refined eye to separate the gems from the crap at those big-box stores.
Elaine had to carve a space off the dining room for the kitchen. Her house was formerly used as a boarding house, and the kitchen used to be upstairs. She had a local cabinet maker build those warm cabinets, and I love the green walls against those fresh white and blue hex tiles on the floor.
Upstairs, Elaine continued the green and blue on the walls for pleasing, calm bedrooms.
The sweet chandeliers in each child's space came with the house -- how lucky.
Elaine got the funky chandelier in the master bedroom from E-Bay, and she also got hand-painted bulbs from a separate E-Bay store called Karlucci's. I didn't know one could purchase hand-painted bulbs....
I can’t wait until Elaine finishes decorating her family’s new place in Woodley Park. She has such a knack for design already — I can only imagine how much better it will get from a design degree. Good luck, Elaine!
Jennifer Sergent. Native Washingtonian. Former editor at Washington Spaces magazine and HGTV. Currently searching for – and writing about – DC’s design voices. Write to me @
That fireplace and mirror! I WANT IT!!!
Fabulous use of color–she definitely has an eye. And DC will NOT miss another lawyer!
I love the color…………and I’m curious why some people live in beige when they could live in technicolor (sp?). Washington should be a great new stage for Elaine.
As a current lawyer, I completely understand the switch. The space is amazing and that mirror over the mantle is to die for.
wow…that mirror….
I read several decor blogs from recovering lawyers…..wonder what the connection is….interesting…..
Am envious of what seems like a lot of storage packed into a small space in the kitchen — looks great!
Am also a recovering lawyer in dc getting my feet wet over the past year in the design world — no regrets on any part of my career as a lawyer but i am loving the beginnings of what i hope will be a successful career in the design world.
Gorgeous designs, fabulous use of color ! I love how she mixes periods and styles ! I too am a ‘recovering’ lawyer, more of a DIYer, but definitely dipping my toe into the design world ! After years of left brain legal analysis, it’s nice to swing to the other side of the brain and express creativity through color, fabric, and decorating your home !
Thanks for the introduction to this fantastic new designer !
Kate
“recoving lawyers”…interesting term! It takes a lot of organization to design, and attention to detail, perhaps that is the connection. This house has a wonderful fresh look.
Add one more to your list. I’m a “recovering lawyer” enrolled in an interior design certificate program at UCLA extension and currently taking classes in my spare time (laughable). Love this post.
(I’m from the DC Area, currently live in LA)