THE JOHNSON JOURNAL DEC EMBER 2015
Real Estate, Design, Travel, and did we say Real Estate?
     
Greetings from Kara & Wayne Johnson,

In December's newsletter, we wish you Happy Holidays, we remember the blizzard of February 2010 with images of the city covered in snow, take you to our favorite place to stay in Paris, and highlight GCAAR's volunteer day at Food & Friends.   Also check out our coming soon listing in West End, properties under contract and recently sold.  
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year! 
Here we are getting an early start to the holidays at our annual Keller Williams Capital Properties office party on December 10th at The Brixton in U Street. We wish you all safe travels, good times, and all the very best for a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2016.  Stay tuned.   
snowLet it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

With the unseasonably warm weather we have been experiencing so far this month, it's hard to think of Washington as a winter wonderland so we want to show you a few photos from the blizzard of 2010.  You may recall it as "Snowmageddon" when a Category 3 ("major") nor'easter and severe weather event visited our city on  February 5-6 causing the government, schools, and businesses to shut down but at the same time creating a quiet beauty as we were blanketed in 20-35 inches of snow.  Washingtonians brought out their cross-country skis, Dupont Circle was once again the sight of friendly snow ball fights, and children built snowmen.

For those of you of a certain age you may also recall another widespread, crippling snow storm in February of 1979.  We were living on a cul-de-sac in Kent, a block off MacArthur Boulevard near The Palisades, at the time where no snowplow ever made it down our street.  Schools were closed for more than two weeks.  Having no way to get our car out, we bundled up and walked along snow-trodden paths and streets into Georgetown which was truly a winter wonderland.  There are so many parts of the city that are transformed into beautiful scenes and photo opportunities after a snow storm so, as the song says, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Georgetown houses in the snow
Snow-covered cars in Georgetown
A cross-country skier on New Hampshire Ave NW in Dupont
*Photo credits:  AgnosticPreachersKid licensed under the Creative Commons Attricution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. 

On our last two trips to Paris we decided to go the VRBO route and stay in an apartment rather than a hotel.  VRBO stands for Vacation Rental by Owner, and they exist practically all over the world.  When we went for a friend's wedding a few years ago we stayed in a large apartment near the Luxembourg Gardens.  The living room was so spacious we were able to host a party for the entire wedding party. 
 
The next time we were in Paris, however, we wanted to stay in The Marais, which we greatly prefer, and were thrilled with the apartment Wayne found online.  Owned by an Emmy-award winning journalist and a diplomatic attaché, the apartment was just like the 2 nd home we wish we had in Paris.  It was beautiful, luminous, and, oh, so très chic.  Once again we hosted a party for several of Kara's friends there and felt like true Parisians as we shopped at all the local patisseries and boulangeries.  This was indeed a rare find among rentals in Paris so we wanted to share it with you, our clients, in case there is a trip to Paris in your future.
Recently renovated, architect designed, and simply fabulous! On one of the hottest streets of the very chic Marais, French antiques mix with cool contemporary furnishings and deeply comfortable double beds. Two bedrooms, two baths (one an en-suite shower room). Sitting room with Italian leather sofa bed, flat screen TV, iPod dock + CD player, separate dining room with two French doors opening onto a 'balcon filant' with a great street view, marble fireplace and fabulous chandelier. Adjacent kitchen with granite counter tops and stone floor, dishwasher, microwave and all appliances. Bathrooms finished with teak, stone and chrome: sleek and elegant. Elevator. This is a spectacular, very comfortable apartment, in a very exciting neighborhood. 800 sq. ft. Perfect for two couples, or a small family group.  http://www.vrbo.com/210013ha 

*Excerpts and images from homeaway.com
FoodFriendsGCAAR REALTOR® Volunteer Day at Food & FriendsCEO
    
The year is coming to a close, and it's certainly a wonderful time to gather with friends and family to count our blessings throughout the year. With that in mind, we wanted to reach out beyond our own homes to the District's communities in need. Everybody deserves a chance to feel the warmth and joy of the holidays, so on December 15th we joined the DC Community Service Initiative in coordination with the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS (GCAAR) Cares and Food & Friends for neighborhood outreach at 219 Riggs Road NE, Washington, DC. Food & Friends is a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a community caring for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses by preparing and delivering specialized meals and groceries in conjunction with nutrition counseling.  Again this year we gathered with our colleagues to assemble meals for the individuals and families that Food & Friends serves. For additional information or to volunteer, please visit: www.foodandfriends.org.

Wayne Johnson, Lauren Donnelly, Kara Johnson, Harrison Beacher,  all agents at KW Capital Properties, in the kitchen at Food & Friends
comingsoon100126thCOMING SOON: 1001 26th St NW #306

Welcome to  this spacious 1-bedroom and den condo at the Potowmac Overlook in West End. This unit offers 808 sq ft of living space, sunny western exposure overlooking Rock Creek Park and Georgetown, hardwood floors throughout, large kitchen with granite counters and breakfast bar, Juliette balcony, and plenty of closet space. In-unit washer/dryer. Includes separately-deeded garage parking. Common roof deck with expansive views. Blocks to Foggy Bottom Metro, Trader Joe's, SoulCycle, West End Cinema, and restaurants. 
Contact Kara for more information. 
JUST LISTED FOR RENT: 1245 13th St NW #1008

Impeccable Penthouse in the heart of Logan Circle
Fully furnished Penthouse studio/Jr. 1BR with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows and Panoramic views over Logan Circle and miles beyond. Large living room opens to granite and stainless steel kitchen. Beautiful hardwood floors. Just a touch of industrial chic. Queen size Murphy bed allows separate sleeping area to double as home office. Sofa bed for guests. In-unit washer/dryer. Just bring your laptop. This is a turn-key treasure. Includes all utilities, linens, and kitchen utensils. 
Neighborhood: Logan Circle
List Price: $2,500 per month
Contact Wayne for additional information. 
undercontractchapinUNDER CONTRACT: 1415 Chapin Street NW #408

Spacious 2-bedroom (1BR + large den), 2-bath condo in the heart of 14th Street Corridor. This unit features nearly 1,000 square feet of living space, 9 1/2' ceilings, solid oak hardwood floors throughout, and recessed lighting. Unit #408 was combined with unit #409 to create a unique and desirable floor plan with a kitchen open to the living area, separate dining area, which accommodates a large dining table, and a nook off the kitchen ideal as an office or breakfast area. The sunny master bedroom has an en-suite bath with marble countertop and plenty of closet space. The large den with windows and a closet can accommodate a queen bed and is easily converted to a true 2nd bedroom. In-unit washer/dryer. Conveniently located half a mile between U Street and Columbia Heights Metro stations. Meridian Hill Park, restaurants, Trader Joe's, Yes! Organic Market, CVS, and shops just around the corner along 14th Street Corridor. Pet-friendly. List price: $479,000. Contact  Kara  for more info.

Spacious 2BR/1BA home in Cleveland Park. Welcoming living room features large windows & gleaming hardwood floors. Gourmet, eat-in kitchen is complimented by the stainless steel appliances & granite counter tops. Large bedrooms that have built-in cabinets for additional storage & great closet space. Parking available for rent. Great location, close to Cleveland Park METRO. Sales Price: $378,500. 

*Wayne represented the buyers. 
JUST SOLD: 522 6th Street NE

An amazing opportunity to live on the Hill and customize this historic end-unit rowhouse. Just steps to Stanton Park, H Street restaurants, pubs, and Whole Foods (late 2016), this classic Bay-front Victorian offers 3 levels above ground, 3+ bedrooms, 1.5 baths, original hardwood floors, exposed brick, high ceilings, fireplace, full basement, deep backyard, and off-street parking. 
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Sales Price: $777,000

*Kara represented the buyers. 
Kara Johnson
Keller Williams Capital Properties 
1918 18th St NW
Washington,DC  20009 
202.243.7700 office
202.378.4240 cell
202.315.3889 efax
karajohnson@kw.com  
Keller Williams Capital Properties        
1918 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009  
202.243.7700 office
202.494.0714 cell
202.315.3889 efax 
waynej@kw.com   

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