I had the pleasure of spending the morning at the Chevy Chase DC home of Loi Thai, the owner of Tone on Tone, the Bethesda shop known for its painted Swedish antiques. Ever since I saw a story about his house in The Washington Post last year (right after he and partner Thomas Troeschel moved in — the story is here), I’ve been enamored of his style. I got to meet him finally in the course of reporting for a freelance assignment, and he showed me his house — a bit more filled in than last year, with brand new, drop-dead landscaping.
Without further ado, here’s the eye candy from his renovated 1916 house:
The barrel tile and shutters are original -- Loi had his carpenter strip the shutters down to their original color.
The formal landscaping is modeled after European gardens.
Loi intends to square off the tops of the trees in front for an even more formal look.
What a fabulous front loggia. The front door used to be where the console table is.
The landscaping is still not fully complete, but this "white garden" on the side of the house was just planted in the last several days.
Moving inside, let's step into this unforgettable foyer. I will have dreams about this foyer!
The living room. Loi usually will take home the antiques the don't sell quickly in his store. He also swaps with friends: The striped chairs flanking the sofa came from designer Frank Babb Randolph.
A lovely vignette at the end of the living room.
My favorite piece the living room: the antique secretary.
And finally, the living room fireplace, along with Loi's dog, Panda. I love the plants that flank the mantel on their fabulous pedestals.
Here is the family room/kitchen where Loi and Thomas spend most of their time. I love how the soft green flows around the room in the form of the throw blanket, pedant lights, and artwork.
And the other side of the sofa, with the antique chest used to hold audio/video equipment. I like how the dramatic sconces complement the black TV.
The kitchen is so warm and welcoming. Loi used a table runner from at the bar stools to make one long place mat.
A closeup of the crockery on the sideboard -- both functional and artistic!
I’ll leave you with two images of the office that adjoins the kitchen/family room space (which used to be the old house’s kitchen). I adore Loi’s inspiration board, and the vintage industrial French rack he found to hold his enormous collection of design magazines.
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 @
Wow, what a stunning home and gardens. Thanks for the peek!
I have always wanted to visit his antique shop and one of these days, I will get there. Such an impressive home and surroundings. And I love the magazine collection!
Wow – what a treat – it is great to see a ‘real’ view into the home, through your eyes. I especially liked seeing how the home flowed from room to room. Beautiful, and a wonderful post!
PS = his shop is divine, and has a similar look and feel to his house – very soothing and beautiful.
Oh boy… I see why they named their store Tone on tone…Very beautiful, relaxing home.
Beautiful home and loved the gardens!
Lovely home, garden and shop. Loi and Tom are lovely too!
The foyer is beautiful and love love love the kitchens. The storyline of the photos are all well connected.
And I must add that I would love to check out all those magazines.
Loi has every single copy of Martha Stewart Living that’s been published!
Thanks Holly — your name came up during our conversation — Loi is a huge fan of your blog, and he says your sister is a customer of his!
So lovely, now i’m even more inspired to treck up to that store now and explore!
Though I”m a wild child at heart, something about those formal, structured English gardens really calls to me.
Also, I think the table runner-turned-placemat is so nice and streamlined in the modern kitchen.
Wow, I just stumbled upon your post while searching about Tone-On-Tone and was delighted to discover more photos this home.
Deborah
What a beautiful home. The gardens are stunning.