--- title: "John Hutson — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/john-hutson-pfvwus-pf~1133200174 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1133200174.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "John Hutson" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/2b03e73a02cefbb3_9527-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1932 Calvert Street NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009, United States" latitude: 38.9202 longitude: -77.0375 phone: "(202) 487-5509" website: http://www.alyricspace.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 9 followers: 54 last_updated: 2026-08-25 --- # John Hutson Original Houzz profile: [John Hutson](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/john-hutson-pfvwus-pf~1133200174) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** Washington DC, DC - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (9 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 100 Ideabook Saves We listen. No two people are alike, and one size does not fit all. Every Lyric Space home is one of a kind. ### Typical Job Cost $50,000 - 100,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | John Hutson | | Address | 1932 Calvert Street NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009, United States | | Phone | (202) 487-5509 | | Website | http://www.alyricspace.com | | Followers on Houzz | 54 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [John Hutson](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/john-hutson-pfvwus-pf~1133200174) - **Website:** http://www.alyricspace.com - **Phone:** (202) 487-5509 ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 9 reviews** ### All 9 reviews **★★★★★ — balancegym, March 2014** > 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. **★★★★★ — bjv1234, March 2014** > 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. **★★★★★ — pennyengel, Feb. 2014** > 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. **★★★★★ — tedsmithdc, Feb. 2014** > 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. **★★★★ — Melisa Martingale, Feb. 2014** > 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. **★★★★★ — Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer, Feb. 2014** > 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 **★★★★★ — mh59riley, Feb. 2014** > 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 **★★★★★ — jmansoursolomon, Feb. 2014** > 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! **★★★★★ — srobinson2005, Feb. 2014** > 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. ## Selected projects - [East meets West](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-meets-west-pj-vj~375396) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 9 - Description: A Diplomat marries select furnishings from foreign lands to Mid-Century modern; creating a nomads' oasis filled with palm trees and cushions, modern italian desks and 1950's Bretoia chairs. The unique mix creates a definitive version of \*Home Sweet Home\*. - [Contemporary Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-penthouse-pj-vj~380543) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 4 - Description: A Penthouse at the prow of spectacular building has spectacular views but a challenging floor plan. The prow, the perch to see the city, pinches the guests between two window walls forming a triangular footprint. Instead of an odd corner with a view, could we transform it into the heart of the house? Yes, just add curves, with a "wow" couch flexible enough to fill the point and low enough to show big city views, it welcomes visitors to sit down and stay awhile. Now it's where the party starts... - [An Art Collector moves into DC.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/an-art-collector-moves-into-dc-pj-vj~380581) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 5 - Description: A patron of the Arts resettled to DC. To keep the focal point on his Art, we chose to make his walls "disappear". We mirrored the entire length of the open dining/living room area, and it disappeared. The facing wall, and entry were painted in one warm terra cotta, a monochrome background that allowed his paintings and sculptures to pop forward from one warm muted color. Choosing not to go with the "white art gallery" look was bold, paying off in a visually expanded space. The warm deep color re… - [Black Tiled Bathroom Suite](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/black-tiled-bathroom-suite-pj-vj~380594) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: Through The Twilight Zone, from a small contractor bathroom to another universe. The simplest materials, 4" x 4" black tiles with white grout, steel ball bearings, and the hands of a craftsman; transform the bathroom beyond wildest expectations. With two mirrored walls, facing each other, giving the illusion of "infinity"; and a mirrored ceiling doubling the visual space, it felt enormous. My client hosts her cocktail parties in here. - [Two Homes Linked by a Conservatory](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/two-homes-linked-by-a-conservatory-pj-vj~380500) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 7 - Description: Like a rambling Italian Villa two separate houses are connected by a plaza with a conservatory and a fountain. - [Penthouse Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/penthouse-oasis-pj-vj~380435) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: A romantic getaway, a respite from the hot sun of LA and a comfy home filled with exotic eye candy. A Turnkey that required only watering the plants to keep the place fresh. So many stories come to mind that I'm delirious. But if you want to read more about this place and the home and design, look it up in the beautiful book "Designing with Spirituality" by Carole Soucek King. - [Public spaces](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/public-spaces-pj-vj~483101) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Victorian Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/victorian-penthouse-pj-vj~483099) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Mad Men Condo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mad-men-condo-pj-vj~483096) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Cafe 8](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cafe-8-pj-vj~426005) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Trattoria Liliana](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/trattoria-liliana-pj-vj~426054) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 4 - Description: What began as a grungy sub sandwich shop, bloomed into a chic trattoria by combining simple ingredients, paint, pine wood and mirrors. Wait, there were some onyx lights too. In the end, a daring design of 33 colors on the ceiling , carried the day. It was noted in Zagat, reviewed in The Washingtonian and heralded in The Washington Post. - [Basement Bar with Mural](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/basement-bar-with-mural-pj-vj~425964) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Pop art Basement](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pop-art-basement-pj-vj~425920) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 7 - Description: Upstairs Downstairs. Night and Day. Both common phrases could describe this uncommon restaurant. The street level is clearly black and white, clean and modern. The basement level is clearly crazy and fun, colored lights and sixties wallpaper. Upstairs the ceiling is made of perforated steel, Downstairs the measure of each piece is sacred geometry.. Whatever mood you're in, you'll find yummy food, creativity and comfort here. - [Grand Central](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/grand-central-pj-vj~426018) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 8 - Description: In D.C. amidst the chaotic Adams Morgan's pub-crawl scene, lays a respite of order and tradition pulled together by the imaginative designer. A former rabbit warren of rooms is now one great room under a barrel vault ceiling; every inch is faux- painted, copying the Parthenon's cement coffers. A sense of history and a sexy grasp of lighting make it THE place to cozy up and share a drink with an old friend or tonight's friend. - [Mama Ayesha's](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mama-ayesha-s-pj-vj~426045) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 4 - Description: Voted one of Open Tables "Top Ten Most Romantic Restaurants" in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. [See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/john-hutson-pfvwus-pf~1133200174) ## Community Q&A **Q: I love the chair. Does it come in other colors?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi again, If you meant the Green Apple and Bowler club chair. No it only comes in this color. It's called Magritta. It stole the imagery of Magritte's famous painting "Son of Man." If you meat the coral colored dining chairs, they are made in most upholstery shops, what makes them distinctive is their saber legs. And there are thousands of Duponi silk colors to choose from. Thanks, John **Q: Could you please tell me where the Indian Inlaid headboard is from?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi, This headboard was imported from India to Los Angeles. I bought it in LA at Berber Imports. It was not on their site it was one of a kind and leaning against a wall in a back room. If you search for Tazi Imports, or Berber Imports (or if you live in LA look on Labrea Blvd and Beverly Blvd there are many stores carrying exotic items and copying antique exotic items. I bet they can find something very similar for you or have it made. Good Luck. You can send them a copy of this photo and get a cost estimate. This is a California King size. All The Best! John Hutson --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-25.*