There’s a reason why this $16.8M property sold so fast

What’s that saying? You gotta spend money to make money. That’s proved true: Curbed DC reported yesterday that the historic Williams-Addison House in Georgetown went under contract for $16.8 million—after just two months on the market. Properties in those brackets can last many months or even more than a year before that special someone comes along to claim them.

But Capital City Real Estate, which listed the property, spent millions to renovate the home, hiring architect Dale Overmyer to orchestrate the design and top designer Kelley Proxmire to decorate the interiors to look like a show house—which, of course, it was.

All photography by Kip Dawkins

This master bedroom is very similar to one she did for the DC Design House at another property in Georgetown a few years ago.

Kelley included many one-of-a-kind and vintage accessories throughout the house, as you can see here on the bedroom vanity.

Kelley says she believes strongly that layering a room with interesting art and accessories is key to bringing it that life that buyers need to see in a home if they are to envision living their own lives there.

There are signs of life everywhere in this house—coffee-table books, rich artwork (all provided by Bellus Fine Art in Chevy Chase), decorative throw pillows and unusual accessories. The color scheme remains neutral—important for a house on the market, you don’t want to get too specific—but it carries a point of view that is welcoming and comfortable.

Curbed DC mentioned some other multi-million-dollar properties that have languished on the market, such as the $22 million Textile Museum, on the market since last June. Let’s compare:

Empty and brown, with a critical old man looking down on you. Nice. — Empty and brown, with a disapproving man looking down on you. Nice.

An attempt to allow buyers to envision the place furnished? With an old, dark, black and white picture with grandma's furniture? At least the portrait is of a lady this time. — An attempt to allow buyers to envision the place furnished? With an old, dark, black and white picture and grandma’s furniture? At least the portrait is of a lady this time.

DC8108676_6_2 — The entry hall. Yes, this was most recently a museum, but if you want to sell it as a residence, take the signage down.

Another trip down memory lane, but is this a memory you want to create for your own? I just looks foreboding to me. — Another trip down memory lane, but is this a memory you want to create for your own? It just looks foreboding to me.

Let’s cut back to the Williams Addison house now:

The brown is played down, and the dining room gets a lift from the white rug anad walls, plus the painted side chairs.

Everything is scaled really well here. And though antiques and old paintings have a presence, they are enlivened by contemporary patterns and colors.

Let’s go back now to another big expensive house. Unlike the Textile Musuem, this $16 million home in the Palisades (which was recently pulled off the market) is furnished, and was built just a decade ago.

There's something way too cheerful about the yellow paint, especially with the enormous piano, fusty chandeliers, and huge Oriental rug. And what's up with the sofas? Why aren't they facing each other? — There’s something way too cheerful about the yellow paint, especially with the enormous piano, fusty chandeliers, and huge Oriental rug. And what’s up with the sofas? Why aren’t they facing each other?

Oh, goodie! Another chandelier and big imposing Oriental rug—paired weirdly with casual slipcovered chairs. I don't get the dark blue paint, either. — Oh, goodie! Another chandelier and big imposing Oriental rug—paired weirdly with casual slipcovered chairs. I don’t get the dark blue paint, either.

Wait, I get it! They are channeling the White House, with a blue room, yellow room, and here -- the green room. Not working, people. I do love the hilariously oversized model sailboat imposing over that teeny tiny portrait over the fireplace, though. And what a quaint little turquoise lamp, which SO doesn't go with that muddy green on the wall. — Wait, I get it! They are channeling the White House, with a blue room, yellow room, and here — the green room. Not working, people. I do love the hilariously oversized model sailboat imposing over that teeny tiny portrait over the fireplace, though. And what a quaint little girly turquoise lamp, which SO doesn’t go with that muddy green on the wall—or anything else, for that matter.

You know, I've NEVER understood these gaping lower levels -- in any McMansion, at any price point. What are you going to do down there, host a roller derby? — You know, I’ve NEVER understood these gaping lower levels — in any McMansion, at any price point. What are you going to do down there, host a roller derby?

OK, I’m done with my snark fest. I’ll leave you off with some more pictures from the Williams Addison house. Not surprised at all that it sold so fast, considering what else is available in this bracket.

To review: spend some money, and you’ll get it back—fast, in this case.

Sold! For $16.8M in Georgetown

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