Lyric Space

I have been working with John on various commercial projects over the past 8 years. His ability to help me conceptualize my vision and then make it economically viable is without fault. As a business owner the whole design process can be so daunting! John went above and beyond what I expected, sometimes coming in to oversee the project at odd hours and during prime holiday periods. Over the period I have worked with him he has always been fair with his charges and also extremely honest and friendly to do business with. The projects he worked on were mostly associated with design within my four gym facilities. He has not only been able to make my facilities look more contemporary, but he has made it a more functional space for the 1000 plus people that visit our facilities every day.

I hired John to design my restaurant/bar. He did an incredible job. We have been open 7 years and counting and the space design is a large part of the reason why. His project ideas were original and beautiful. His execution was carried out with impeccable attention to detail. Our architect was horrible and John did a great job of filling in duties that were above and beyond. He is gracious with his time and extremely dedicated. I couldnt have been happier.

John Hutson of Lyric Space is a godsend to the beauty and comfort of our Victorian co-op apartment. He’s an incredibly creative talent with deep understanding of design, decoration, how things work, and ‘how to’ make it all happen. We particularly respect his policy of billing for the value his service provides, not the hours spent. John willingly shares his vast knowledge of decorative styles, periods, workmanship, and techniques, yet tailors his recommendations to our preferences and lifestyle. Amazingly, he can foresee the interplay of light on color under various conditions—an invaluable skill for selecting paint and fabrics. He has a well-honed sense of fine design, knows its cost, and is quick to suggest appropriate, well-priced products—whether from browsing online suppliers or knowledge of a nearby auction or estate sale. Fortunately, John is a sole practitioner and perfectionist who personally oversees all project aspects. His selective list of reliable vendors and talented craftsmen is invaluable. When we couldn’t find chairs to fit, John designed them himself and had them made by a trusted contractor. Working with John is a great pleasure for us now and in the future.

I hired John Hutson/Lyric Space to remodel my condo in December 2010. Though a contemporary product with an amazing vista, the condo itself was plain vanilla with standard developer fixtures and finishes. John created a WOW! factor that greets visitors as soon as they walk in the door--even before getting to the fantastic city scape at the end of the living room. He has an amazing sense of color and his choice of Farrow & Ball paint provided great depth of color. John has great resources through his contacts with other trades people. His choices of light fixtures, glass, and mirrors along with the paint colors created a great home space that still thrills me when I walk in the door.

Working with John Hutson has been a terrific experience. He has good vision, good design/color ideas, and flexible when projects need to be adjusted.

I have been photographing architecture and interiors for over 35 years, and in that time, have been privileged to work with some of the very best designers in the DC/MD/VA area. The half-dozen projects I have photographed for John Hutson, (director of Lyric Space,) especially the many restaurant interiors in the Adams-Morgan and Capitol Hill areas, are among the most original, creative and imaginative I have ever encountered. If you are looking for something unique and new, something you have never seen before, Lyric Space is it. Maxwell MacKenzie, Architectural Photographer

John's talent is boundless regardless of time, space or budget. I've worked with many designers. John understands space and how to use color to achieve the desired effect. From helping the architect develop a more cohesive design, the use of paints and other accents then finding the right furniture and fixtures combined with special objects creates a feeling that the space is welcoming, inviting and sustaining. I have the highest regard for John and his talents in residential and commercial spaces. He knows how to create a sense of place. Memphis Holland, Principal Holland Urban

John and I have been working together on my house for the past few years. When you visit or see photos of John's own home what really comes through is his love of beauty in design, color and craftsmanship. He chooses to surround himself with what he loves to see and touch and what makes him happy and comfortable. He has the same focus for his clients, which is so refreshing. John has no style agenda and he doesn't care what's "in." What matters is helping you create a beautiful space that you love, where you feel at home and that serves the purpose it was meant to. He obviously has a great eye. But the gift that truly sets him apart is his ability to identify elements that affect us on a visceral level--positively and negatively--that we're not conscious of. Why does one room beckon you while another room puts you off? Why does one corner lift your mood while another corner takes you down? John uses all of his senses when he works plus a whole lot of heart and the results are lyrical!

I enjoyed working with John Hutson on the project to make my traditional living room/dining room space more useful and engaging. He listened to me very carefully and presented suggestions that were at least intriguing, and mostly spot-on. He was especially attentive to details and cost. His knowledge of sources resulted in material and furnishings that I would never know existed, at a cost that was often an happy surprise. Perhaps the most important feature of working with Hutson was his ability to engage and coordinate with the contractor, skilled workers, and the condominium staff. My building is highly regulated, and this project produced not a single complaint from neighbors or the staff. Even since completion, Hutson checks in on certain final details. It has been a pleasure working with Mr. Hutson.