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Christopher Boutlier's art collection

Christopher Boutlier's edgy-elegant aesthetic is evident throughout his 1,100-square-foot Dupont Circle condo, where an array of quirky, evocative artwork blends seamlessly with more traditional furniture.

Washington designer Christopher Boutlier started collecting art when he was 18 years old. Now 30, he takes a curatorial approach to the home he shares with his partner, Aaron Flynn. The condo is embellished with large- and small-scale artwork that Boutlier changes regularly. He displays about a fifth of his 100-work personal collection at a time.

Washington designer Christopher Boutlier started collecting art when he was 18 years old. Now 30, he takes a curatorial approach to the home he shares with his partner, Aaron Flynn. The condo is embellished with large- and small-scale artwork that Boutlier changes regularly. He displays about a fifth of his 100-work personal collection at a time.

Darko Zagar

Renovations in 2005 transformed his C-shaped condo, which has a skinny hallway connecting two living areas, from a design focused on entertainment to one focused on display. The living room is furnished with a blend of antique and contemporary pieces and is anchored by one of Boutlier's most prized works of art: Kara Walker's 2005 "Banks's Army Leaving Simmsport." The imposing piece combines a Civil War-era lithograph with one of Walker's signature silhouette figures in black silkscreen.

Renovations in 2005 transformed his C-shaped condo, which has a skinny hallway connecting two living areas, from a design focused on entertainment to one focused on display. The living room is furnished with a blend of antique and contemporary pieces and is anchored by one of Boutlier's most prized works of art: Kara Walker's 2005 "Banks's Army Leaving Simmsport." The imposing piece combines a Civil War-era lithograph with one of Walker's signature silhouette figures in black silkscreen.

Darko Zagar

A Steven Meisel portrait of Boutlier. With the recession, Boutlier has shifted his focus to buying artwork from lesser-known artists and local galleries.

A Steven Meisel portrait of Boutlier. With the recession, Boutlier has shifted his focus to buying artwork from lesser-known artists and local galleries.

Darko Zagar

The living space is decidedly traditional, with an air of refined masculinity established by a sleek black leather Maurice Villency couch, a stylish hand-me-down Boutlier acquired from his father, and a set of Baker chairs topped with black-and-white gingham cushions. The couch is flanked by lacquered coconut-husk side tables.

The living space is decidedly traditional, with an air of refined masculinity established by a sleek black leather Maurice Villency couch, a stylish hand-me-down Boutlier acquired from his father, and a set of Baker chairs topped with black-and-white gingham cushions. The couch is flanked by lacquered coconut-husk side tables.

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A small egg-tempera painting of a severed finger topped with a thimble by Roanoke-based artist Susan Jamison. "When you're able to interact with an artist, and you know that that $1,000 you paid for their piece will help them continue, you get a satisfaction that you just don't get from buying something fancy," Boutlier says.

A small egg-tempera painting of a severed finger topped with a thimble by Roanoke-based artist Susan Jamison. "When you're able to interact with an artist, and you know that that $1,000 you paid for their piece will help them continue, you get a satisfaction that you just don't get from buying something fancy," Boutlier says.

Darko Zagar-Darko Zagar

Originally dark green, most of the walls have been repainted in soft oyster, bringing a bright, relaxed air to the space. Crisp white moldings and window casings were added to frame the walls and the surrounding artwork.

Originally dark green, most of the walls have been repainted in soft oyster, bringing a bright, relaxed air to the space. Crisp white moldings and window casings were added to frame the walls and the surrounding artwork.

Darko Zagar

In London, Boutlier's mother bought him this oil painting of an anonymous royal.

In London, Boutlier's mother bought him this oil painting of an anonymous royal.

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A series of dreamlike, Edwardian-inspired photographs grace a wall in the dining area.

A series of dreamlike, Edwardian-inspired photographs grace a wall in the dining area.

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Also in the dining area is a framed set of "brass" knuckles made from eggshells by local sculptor Christopher LaVoie.

Also in the dining area is a framed set of "brass" knuckles made from eggshells by local sculptor Christopher LaVoie.

Darko Zagar

"You have very little wall space in this house because of these huge windows," Boutlier says. "I really wanted to maximize the amount of space we had, and also have separate areas. If you're in the hallway, you can have one style of artwork there, and another somewhere else ... like clean little rooms. The problem is, if you have a huge open space with all of this different artwork ... it tends to compete."

"You have very little wall space in this house because of these huge windows," Boutlier says. "I really wanted to maximize the amount of space we had, and also have separate areas. If you're in the hallway, you can have one style of artwork there, and another somewhere else ... like clean little rooms. The problem is, if you have a huge open space with all of this different artwork ... it tends to compete."

Darko Zagar

On a dare, Boutlier painted the walls of his home office Farrow & Ball's Pitch Black, and the bright, early-summer light throws the room and its contents into deep shadow and contrast. His collection of antique black-and-white photos of men in period dress decorate one wall.

On a dare, Boutlier painted the walls of his home office Farrow & Ball's Pitch Black, and the bright, early-summer light throws the room and its contents into deep shadow and contrast. His collection of antique black-and-white photos of men in period dress decorate one wall.

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Boutlier inherited this original Monet pencil sketch from his French maternal grandmother.

Boutlier inherited this original Monet pencil sketch from his French maternal grandmother.

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Baltimore stone carver Sebastian Martorana calls this marble-and-metal piece an "uncommissioned Holocaust memorial" and originally equipped the sculpture with audio -- the soft, hushed breathing of a sleeping infant.

Baltimore stone carver Sebastian Martorana calls this marble-and-metal piece an "uncommissioned Holocaust memorial" and originally equipped the sculpture with audio -- the soft, hushed breathing of a sleeping infant.

Darko Zagar

The ugly bifold doors hiding the water closet in the hallway were replaced in the renovation with simple double doors to streamline the narrow space and shift the focus to the artwork on the opposite wall.

The ugly bifold doors hiding the water closet in the hallway were replaced in the renovation with simple double doors to streamline the narrow space and shift the focus to the artwork on the opposite wall.

Darko Zagar

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