Dec 10, 2004  |  By: BRIAN MOYLAN  | COMMENTS     

The red brick facade with green trim already looks like it’s in the holiday spirit, even before visitors notice the large wreath over the front door or the abstract green Christmas tree at the front gate, noting the building is included on the 26th Annual Logan Circle House Tour.

The tour, sponsored by the Logan Circle Community Association, involves a glimpse inside some of the fabulous homes and condos in D.C., all of which have their halls decked out for the holidays. It took place last Sunday afternoon, Dec. 5.

This particular structure, inhabited by Eric Korpon and his partner, Steven Haber, is definitely the closest to Yuletide bliss one is going to find on the tour, whose theme this year was “A Victorian Christmas.”

“Every year, we have a reputation for going over the top, so we had a reputation to uphold,” says Korpon about his decorations, which took five men to install and cost about $700.

From the live evergreen garlands circling all the rooms and railings to the enormous tinsel-laden tree inside the front door, the house looks like it should be at the North Pole. The calendar on the refrigerator door features a shirtless man wearing a Santa cap.

The Logan Circle House Tour isn’t just an excuse to look at decorations, but also a chance to show off some of the more special places to live in the neighborhood, which long has been home to its share of gay residents.

Korpon’s was built in 1877 and served as everything from a sorority house to a religious meeting hall before he purchased it in 1978. He’s been restoring it to its original glory ever since.

Visiting, it feels more like 1877 than 2004. With the antique furniture lit by gas lamps, which have all been replaced and are fully functional, to the restored moldings and pocket doors, the house doesn’t look antique, just well preserved.

THE MOST SURPRISING aspect of the D.C. Guesthouse, at 1337 10th St., NW, wasn’t the beautiful sunken living room or the four female carolers in Victorian garb warbling in the spacious setting.

What was shocking was that gay owners, proprietors and friends — Tom Bell, Randy Kuczor, Michael Molock and Ron Wilkerson — incorporate Art Deco styles, African tribalism and old-fashioned sophistication into every room. And along they way, they got all of their tastes to cooperate in this beautifully eclectic space.

“Four adult males, they always clash, but eventually we come to an agreement of where something should go — and then I put it where I want later,” Wilkerson jokes.

Built around 1870, the house has served as home to several businesses, including for many years as a funeral home. The four purchased the home in 1999 and opened the six-room bed and breakfast in 2003. They live in what used to be the house’s carriage house, which has now been connected to the main house to create one structure.

The joining of the two structures creates a number of interesting passageways and perspectives, including a multi-story atrium festooned with a striking collection of African masks on one wall.

The entire enterprise seems so natural. One room boasts new bamboo floors and in another there’s metal furniture rescued from the D.C. sanitarium known as St. Elizabeth’s. In the owners’ living room sits the antique elevator formerly used to hoist caskets, and every guest room features an original work by gay Art Deco artist and fashion designer Erté.

And it all flows together nicely.

“It’s not about symmetry, it’s not about having a suite of furniture, it’s about balance,” Bell says.

Wilkerson adds that their personal styles give the house its warmth.

“We want people to think it’s our home,” he says. “It reflects us. They’re not just things that we bought because they look good together, they’re all things that we like and enjoy.”

A stay in one of the D.C. Guesthouse rooms costs between $175-$225, but prices may vary, based on the time of year.

FOR RICK IMIROWICZ AND his partner, Terrance Heath, renovating their house in Northwest Washington, was hard enough, but the project was made especially challenging because they embarked on the changes while raising a child.

“We had a brand new baby and no kitchen for a week,” Imirowicz says. He and Heath ...