The Story of My Home
Jason Reynolds tells stories for a living — he’s the best-selling author of more than a dozen young adult novels, and also the coauthor of a recent book about racism. It makes sense, then, that when he went searching for a new home in Washington, D.C., in 2018, one with character and history was important to him. “Many places didn’t have stuff like the old moldings and doorknobs I was looking for,” he says. Then he discovered a 1,054-square-foot row house that was the perfect size and layout. Originally built in 1922, it had been completely renovated. “It was pretty much a clean white box, exactly the opposite of what I wanted,” he says. But he liked the idea of putting his spin on it (naturally), centered around the new and vintage art he collects. He teamed up with Annie Elliott, a designer and art historian. “We brought in bold colors in just the right places,” Annie says, “along with furnishings that look like they’ve been in the family for generations.” And now, everywhere you look, there’s a tale to tell.
The midcentury bookcase: It's from Chairish and shows off rare books — including a signed first edition of Toni Morrison's Beloved — and a rotating display of collected objects.