Rick Wilson Gives Us a Tour of His Modern-Eclectic Remington Home

Right From the Start: My home style tends to roam all over the place. I am a fan of so many eras and styles of design. After selling my 2,000-square-foot home in Butchers Hill, I moved to an apartment in Charles Village for about six years. I seriously downsized and decided to keep only what I truly loved. Though I loved my apartment, I was limited with paint choices and lighting, so I started the search to find a home that I could afford without a partner or roommate.

A Home Run: By chance I was reading the business section in the paper and noticed all of the new homes and small shops opening in Remington. I started a search in that area and a home had come on the market that day. It wasn’t much to look at, but the bones were good. I went and looked at it and that evening I put in a contract.

Right Time, Right Place: The light in my kitchen I saw on eBay a year before I bought my home. I kept going back to look at it but couldn’t justify $125 for a light that I couldn’t hang in my apartment. The day that I put a contract on my house, I went home and purchased that 1929 Napa Valley light fixture.

Dinner at Eight: I love Art Deco; growing up in a home that only had a black-and-white television, the only movies were Hollywood classics. The style and era will always stay with me in some form. I used to buy original furniture from the era but often the upholstery pieces were too big and heavy. I think mixing Art Deco art and lighting with newer pieces of furniture can still maintain the aesthetic.

Creature of Habits: I spend my weekday evenings in the living room, often playing or hanging with my cat, Tater. I wake very early for work—I’m in equipment maintenance for Amtrak/Virginia Rail—so I try to keep a sleep ritual and spend time in my room reading. On the weekend, I spend as much time as I can on my patio. In the last few years, I’ve become a member of the Maryland Bonsai Association and spend my time learning the patience and process.

Do Your Thing: I have heard that there are rules to design, but to me, if it looks and feels right, then go for it. It can always be repainted, moved around, replaced, or sold. I will do my best to make it work but I am not always successful and admittedly have sold some things that were simply an interesting idea that wasn’t for me. Everyone has their own eye and what they want to create for their environment. I think one of the best things is when a friend dropped by and took off their shoes and put their feet on my sofa. At that point, I knew that I had created a comfortable space; the rest is icing with sprinkles.