8th & Varnum

[from Toby]

Does anyone have any idea what gives with the house on the corner of 8th and Varnum, that recently had 2 statues of lions on either side of the front entrance?

Comments

[Kevin]

This is going to sound strange, but I've always liked the word "statuary". I guess it's my "cellar door" (see Donnie Darko).

[Patrick]

Petworth should think about becoming the Cement Statuary Neighborhood of DC. Think of the tourism dollars we could rake in, the yearly festivals. The possibilities are endless. Playboy Martha could be our mascot.

[Kevin]

How about a concrete, life size, Martha Stewart wearing a Playboy Bunny outfit? Just so happens that I found one on Craigslist and I'm going to pick it up, tonight!!

[Tim]

No, No, Kevin, you misunderstand...I don't like the cement bunnies, my mom does. I think they're too small. I like the large pieces of poured concrete statuary...like those deer with there ears stickin' straight up, or grottoes with elves or, better yet, a big old sheet metal Muffler man...those things are boss! And Martha Stewart...that psychotic domestic zombie freaks me out. Hey I know, maybe a concrete Martha Stewart...now that would rock!

[Kevin]

Quite frankly, Shy, I think these people have way too many buckets of money. To quote the old woman who lives across the street from the lions, "Having lots of money doesn't mean you have a lot of good taste".

Tim, the american dream is to have a well appointed residence that Martha Stewart would approve of. Also, please stop giving your mother cement bunnies for Mother's Day. She doesn't have the heart to tell you this, but they sort of creep her out.

[Shy]

I see the new owners come in periodically with their kids and look over their dream house. Remember when the place was vacant? It was a mess. Maybe it took so long to build because they lack an endless bucket of cash. Give them a break! I have seen folks go up to them and complain about this and that. They have had stop work orders hurled at them, complaints from a few... They plan on living in their dream house. Next time you see them say hi.

[DC1974]

The dogs are feng shui which is a continental Asia belief system. The Maneki Neko is supposed to bring in prosperity (the cat is beckoning in the money). For good luck you might also want to try the Daruma -- which has two blank eyes. You paint the first eye at the beginning of your venture and when you've completed you paint the other.

[Toby]

About the alley behind the church on Grant Circle, which houses a daycare (it used to be called Humpty-Dumpty). I once tried to go through the alley at what must have been pick up time. I got into a nasty screaming battle with some woman (I won't say lady)who refused to move her car. It turned really ugly. People don't seem to care whether they block an alley or not.

[st]

eh - I'm not crazy about the owner's choice of sheathing every surface of the house in brick (I'm surprised he hasn't started putting a brick skin on the lions yet), but the lions are cool. I mean come on, what did we want, lavender urns like that house across the street? It takes...well, I'll say chutzpah to put those bad boys out there. Frankly, there are enough houses in this neighborhood that look exactly the same. I'm with Amy - where can I get me some?

[Tim]

Sorry Kevin, but I'm afraid your ESP is off a bit there. While some folks might not dig the way the place is shaping up...it's their property. As long as no ones breaking zoning laws, building codes, etc or creating problems for their neighbors...hey, ownership is the American dream right? And as for those lions...hell, maybe its cause my mom has all those cement bunnies in her yard, but sometimes cement statuary can be a gas.

[Kevin]

You people are way too nice. The renovation that has been going on there for years is a preservationists nightmare and the gigantic lions are just plain tacky. There we go....I just said what we were all thinking.

[Patrick]

Thanks for all the information. Petworth residents are so friendly and smart. I've learned something today and will be more respectful of the lions as I bike by.

[Tim]

Yeah, those lions are pretty cool. I've always wanted to get a large Maneki Neko (招き猫) - "Beckoning Cat" - for my front...but alas, I can't find a concrete one, so I just got a small one for the foyer.

[Washington Cube]

Those are Feng Shui lion dogs.The male lion, holding a globe under his left or right paw should be placed on the left side (as you are looking out of a door or window). The female lion, holding a cub under her right or left paw is placed on the right side.
Fu Dogs are an extremely powerful protection for your home or business, you will find nearly every home or business in Asia complemented by a pair either inside or outside.

[Jason G]

Amy, the cars are parked in the alley to drop off and pick up kids from the daycare at Petworth Methodist. Our garage is in that alley and unattended cars blocking access have been a major aggravation over the years.

[Amy C]

I don't know --- but I am definitely trying to find some enormous lions for the front of our house! :-)

Has anyone else noticed that the alley on Varnum --- between 7th and Grant Circle (across from the church) usually has a line of cars parked there?

[Patrick]

I think it is eventually going to be condos, and the lions are an 'interesting' addition, eh? I saw some of the workers petting them a few days ago as I biked my way home from work.