Someone Needs to Think Twice Before They Put A Video Camera in Front of Sean Ruppert (me)

A friend of mine is working on a project of passion call The Placemakers Project. I was his first project. Well, Morton Street Mews was really. Check it out......

The Placemakers Project

Morton Street Mews / Placemakers Project

You Know We Love the Written Word

I just received the marketing copy for Cluss Alley, our new alley project on Capitol Hill. I think you might love the copy as much as I do. Our copywriter really understands OPaL and what we build. Take a look at what she wrote for our web site and the community brochure.

WEB

A rare kind of magic is afoot on Capitol Hill. City homes are somehow devoid of city noise. Every bedroom is a suite. Private, garage parking is a given. A ground floor without dividing walls opens fully to the outdoors. And two breathtaking levels of living warrant countless stares. Just one look is all it takes to become charmed by Cluss Alley by OPaL. With an incomparable location near Barracks Row, Eastern Market and Metro, the best of the city lies at your feet. Yet your doorstep is tucked away behind the row homes of the city for incomparable privacy and prestige. Named for the architect of the Smithsonian Castle, Cluss Alley is a spellbinding masterwork of contemporary design.

BROCHURE

If you could conjure the perfect urban home, this would be it.

A rare kind of magic is afoot on Capitol Hill. City homes are somehow devoid of city noise. Every bedroom is a suite. A private spacious patio is a given. A ground floor without dividing walls opens fully to the outdoors. And two breathtaking levels of living warrant countless stares. Named for the architect of the Smithsonian Castle, Cluss Alley is a spellbinding masterwork of contemporary design.

Incomparable city living in an astounding location.

Just one visit and you’ll be charmed by Cluss Alley’s location. Barracks Row and Eastern Market put the best of city living at your feet. Both a Safeway and Harris Teeter are within a block of your home. The Potomac Avenue Metro is just steps away. And many of the city’s finest restaurants, including Rose’s Luxury, are right around the corner. You may be astounded by how your car disappears into your private garage for weeks at a time!

Learn More About Cluss Alley by OPaL

Found this great photo of an old alley on Capitol Hill to use on the Cluss Alley landing page.

LOVE THY NEIGHBORHOOD / Pittman's Chapel @ Morton Street Mews

Logo Options for OPaL's Chapel in DC

In just a few weeks we will be opening three incredible model homes in our first church renovation. Thought you might like to see our choices on logos and naming for OPaL's Little Chapel.

There is an OPaL because of My Mom, Eileen O'Brien (Oct 1944 - July 2016)

My mom passed away a few weeks ago, on July 28, 2016. She used to call me her shadow. For the first ten years of my life, that's exactly what I was. Mom loved corn-on-the-cob, steamed crabs and tomato sandwiches; she was funny, supportive (in her own special way), uber loyal (that's where I get it) and was just a really good person. That simple, a really good person.

Every compliment or award I have ever received for our homes is rooted in my mom; I am her and with that our homes are too. Each OPaL home is created with a piece of my mom's positive energy, approachable manor and casual nature. 

Her legacy and memory live on in my children and even in each OPaL home. She was so proud of everything I touched: from showing horses as a kid to building homes as an adult.

If you like me or my homes, you would've loved my mom, Eileen O'Brien.

My mom raised several race horses. Here are my parents at the Hunt Cup.

Mom and Paddy, my son.

Mom 5th Grade.

Mom at 17.

Mom and Dad

One of mom's winners.

Mom, me and Dad.

WS Pittman Would Be Proud, I Hope

We continue to make great progress on the historic church at Morton Street Mews.

What the blogs are saying about our little church.

The rear addition to the historic church, with three 3-level row homes.

The front of the WS Pittman Church, with three 2-level row homes.

The interior of the end unit, turreted row home. Amazing!

The Sudden Loss of Lucy; A Loyal Companion and the L in OPaL

Our beloved Lucy lost a very sudden bought with a rare immune disease last week. In just three days she was gone. Lucy was an incredible dog. Smarter than most people. Loyal as the day is long. Kind and gentle.

I bought her as a Christmas gift to my partner at the time, many years ago. She was also the L in OPaL, which stands for the dogs in our lives at the time we named the company: Oliver, Parker and Lucy. She will be missed beyond measure. 

My mom used to say, 'as painful as the loss of a dog is, you would never trade the pain for not having had the dog in your life.' My mom's point was that the sorrow is a small price to pay for the joy they brought into our lives. 

Lucy Ruppert-Evans will be missed and never forgotten.

My favorite photo of her.

Parker (the P in OPaL) and Lucy at the beach on Thanksgiving, circa 2009.

The painting I had done by an artist in the Torpedo Factory for the OPaL website.

Lucy in one of our custom homes.