HOUSE TOUR | Washington DC Apartment with a Library to Die For

Eric Motley's Georgetown home is full of rare books and old master drawings. When he's not searching for a book from the 16th century, he's an Executive Vice President at The Aspen Institute and author of Madison Park: A Place of Hope. Enjoy!
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[@tommoncrieff1154]

This is a home, not an apartment done over by an interior designer for hire. He actually reads these books and can undoubtedly discuss them at an advanced level of critique. He searched for each of these art pieces and acquired them to treasure and satisfy his mind rather than just to look attractive. I like that amongst Byron, classical philosophers and Milton, he stopped to show us his grandmother. Ad we all loved the TV in the closet. His apartment is beautiful and well designed but most of all it’s totally a reflection of him and tells his story. A joy.

[@annmcneal7804]

That’s me- my book collection is so similar

[@twistoffate4791]

His apartment is one of the best I've ever seen online, but then again, I love books & art & so I would totally be at home there. I'm grateful he let us see it.

[@jaynenewman7691]

Such a rich, stimulating interview. Thank you.

[@lckaren]

Wish it was longer! Rich ancestry, great loves- honest and true❤

[@norfolkreads]

Okay, I love him. Anyone who loves books this much must be wonderful.

[@frankiethedoxie]

😍

[@sonjas6481]

Right!

[@sandramalone3522]

You said it!!

[@conservativemovement]

I love him more 😍

[@katarinasvensson9801]

Wonder if his single

[@sandp.7472]

I loved him from the start. But the TV in the closet truly sealed the deal. A beautiful home!

[@isabellewhite3505]

I've not owned a TV for 30 yrs. If I did, it too would be hidden away...

[@marysmith2846]

Eric, this was too short. We need another video about all the other treasures in your home. I like the "layaway" explanation 😀.

[@donnaerickson3059]

I remember layaway!

[@Wolfhailstorm]

That book with the hidden pictures on the edges is so cool

[@katrinas8128]

Oh my God, this man is fabulous!

[@DeShawnHatcher]

Love how the statue has a bold graphic symbol behind it-it made it feel modern. The TV was the icing on the cake lol

[@sandramalone3522]

What a distinguish gentleman. Love his decor style, his intelligence and his love of wonderful things.

[@abeltootlejr.300]

Loving the LIBRARY. I, myself always wanted to LIVE IN A LIBRARY!

[@debiwilliams1588]

Sigh...books, art, great stories. This was just great.

[@heatherthompson8837]

How I would love to spend hours sitting with him and listening to him explain the history of every item, its relevance and what it represents to him that he would choose to have it in his home. Everything looks so well curated - it would be fascinating to hear his stories in greater depth. Lovely home to look at, but I can tell there's so much more to its story.

[@magicworld3242]

I agree

[@karlenespencer3106]

A man after my own heart. He says “ I’m a nerd”, love him already. I remember these books as a child, my uncle was a professor at Oxford University and he would bring home the best books to add to our collection. Eric’s library looks like our living room. Love the TV in the closet...vhs & dvr, :)

[@MM-Iconoclast]

This guy brings nerdiness to new levels. Love it!

[@susanmyers6375]

I don't know this guy. However, he is so personable and genuine. I have lived 60 plus years in Alabama. I understand that he is a product of a tremendous upbringing. Alabamians are usually kind, thoughtful, and decent. This young man is living a blessed life.

[@dianeyoung2666]

What an inspiring man and what a beautiful library!

[@miareal1746]

What an inspiration this Gentleman is. I want to be like him when I grow up. I’m 66 years old

[@crdulus]

That painting of the grandmother was exceptional.

[@twtw7345]

He lives in a Barnes and Noble art museum!

[@Mrrossj01]

You don’t buy his books at B&N. He’s a collector.

[@twtw7345]

@@Mrrossj01 I get it!

[@MTMF.london]

A man of culture and taste. Be still my heart!

[@amapparatistkwabena]

What an intriguing gentleman. Forget the space--tell us more about HIM.

[@fordwayne3833]

Very nice home, comfortable, classy, easy to emulate on many budgets. Thanks for showing.

[@s.p.5213]

OK, I'm a 40yr old fellow nerd, DC resident, less than 2 years away from retirement, and believe I've just met my hubby thru this video! Find me good Sir, find meee 😉 😆

[@LaineSterlingHale]

In your dreams!

[@zoenjeri4010]

@@LaineSterlingHale a girl can dream 💫

[@ACCOMPLISHEDSHEIS]

I LIKE HOW CLEAN AND SPACIOUS THE PLACE IS. LOVE THE ART WORKS AND THE CLASSICAL FURNISHINGS.

[@Sieffre_Tawr]

Yes yes a testament to the Dark Continents contribution towards civilisation. Meanwhile Washington DC remains a capitol city with a drug problem

[@MTMF.london]

@@Sieffre_Tawr Is that relevant to this video?

[@marygreen3529]

As a southerner, I knew he was going to say lay-away!! Bravo for him for getting the mirror he wanted. Also, what about that closet! So neat and tidy!

[@lesliecarnes8775]

Ahhh! This is one of the most meaningful and thoughtful homes I have seen. I think I might be watching this particular video again and again just for the beautiful inspiration. Eric is a phenomenal human!

[@keshaheffron4425]

I'm touched. It is obvious his home is a reflection of his soul. Just referencing Bunyan and Milton did so much for me. I also enjoyed the fondness of which he spoke of his home in Alabama. The obvious adoration of his grandmother made me smile. TV in the closet and books on the shelves say so much. God bless him.

[@mariealv4888]

There you have Americans, put television in the closet, start reading the pre historic times until you reach 2020 Imagine spending time with people like this man, you'll never get bored, but you have to have same level of knowledge.

[@sandragruhle6288]

Georgetown is really the most interesting place in which to live and socialize in the D.C. area. It is also the most expensive place in the city proper, but it is really special.

[@polynesia8733]

love his aesthetic...preppy, intellectual, traditional, old school in a young person's style

[@yeyeyod2029]

He is so "REGAL"... Inspired...Such BEAUTIFUL SOUL...🤗

[@hansvriend4327]

I would love to drink a beer with this man.

[@deenad3562]

He only drinks the finest wine🍷

[@nllove7937]

Me too, and I do not drink 😁

[@josephinebrevig8748]

@@deenad3562 😂

[@aashleyk78]

Eric: "I own a Tv" Also Eric; *opens closet where the tv is sitting on the floor unused*

[@annmcneal7804]

That is me.

[@murph123able]

So refreshing not to see a gigantic tv on the wall. A tv anywhere but put away.

[@JimOverbeckgenius]

As a retired English bookseller with a vast collection, I'd just like to say the fore edge forgery of antique books had a genius whose living it was: also 'antiqued' maps with chemicalized colours spot on, which fool the greatest experts. Books are it & your pots look great.

[@lightingnabottle6065]

What a fantastic man ! ... Great place, and the TV in the closet, lol ❤❤❤.

[@nllove7937]

👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 class, smart, well read and so much style. The total package we call that in the Netherlands

[@monicacappetta7017]

I love all his beautiful books.

[@korib.7691]

I'm obsessed with him and his beautiful collection of art and literature!

[@mansahasare9450]

At last one black person like me... I also love old stuff. My apartment is getting filled with old masters paintings and gilded everything 🥰

[@ellenm3803]

Lay away is the vendor retains the goods until paid in full. Instalment or credit plan is paying for goods you already have. Stunning apartment, great taste. 🙏

[@margaretm.7079]

I was deeply impressed with the unique horizontal pages of Lord Byron as well as having a meticulous arrangements of your precious figurines/items. Appreciated you tour!

[@esosaimasuen8122]

In an uppity (transatlantic) accent: Have you ever heard of the concept... Layaway...? Haha. I love this man.

[@missmyabcmissgm2918]

I hollered, rolled and remember my grandmother stating, "if you want it and are genuine, they will accept your money, on terms." Credit cards are the current layaway for many with exorbitant interest added.

[@misshughes3614]

He is so charming!!!! I’m so thrilled he just owns being himself and his story. Phenomenal!!!!

[@tw9946]

Mr. Motley: your humility is refreshing.

[@carlowashington3593]

Thank you Mr. Motley for sharing your home with us. It is very inspiring

[@lisabaurmeister1572]

I love his nurdyness. I know that's not a word, but it fits! I agree, it's not an apartment, it's a home.

[@lucanolallo1776]

Love his style. Exquisite

[@kathyhansen2820]

Love the treatment of the statue in front of the red modern art piece. Quirky and it works.

[@jasondownsnet]

It I lived alone this is how I would live. I crave this. With a family there is just constant noise and tv.

[@englishrosemania1045]

love his wonderful books

[@aprilyisrael1654]

NERDS 🧡💛💚 amazing book collection.

[@judywhiting4684]

Libraries are WONDERFUL...l too watch the TVs.with the VHS&DVDs...no more cable...just WONDERFUL old movies.....and l LOVE his gallery of art.....A BEAUTIFUL way to live...BRAVO !

[@annmcneal7804]

The books- had me with all those books 📚!!

[@daustin14441]

This video ends much too soon!! Encore!! BTW I remember lay away too. Used it to buy dishes long ago. My sister in law built trust with antique dealers. She would get beautiful things with a down payment and 10 post dated checks. Her art, furniture and sculpture collection is AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your space!!!

[@meganblasco2]

Like his style and his attitude. Really nicely put together. Feels like home...a home of a thinker.

[@FemaleVillageElder]

I thought the sculpture was a toilet seat at first! Your grandmother’s picture is everything. Really wish I could have seen more of his beautiful home.

[@jacryan2004]

That gold leaf book is stunning... this whole home is just breath taking

[@tammyr2966]

Absolutely love this guy! I could sit and read with him for hours! Love the library! Love how he honors history! Going to get his book!

[@natalielawyerchick]

Aww. Unique people are so great

[@kefaad]

Certainly my cup of tea! Exquisite taste!

[@brendastraley8829]

That book is amazing. I never knew something like that existed. Love the mirror, the art works and the wall colors.

[@murph123able]

Love him and his home. The art is amazing.

[@TheFreeBlackWomensLibrary]

He reminds me of the character Fraiser

[@tierradavila8019]

Oh my gosh I thought the exact same thing!

[@mariahh6309]

Yessss

[@chumabanjwa4662]

Yes!

[@z3lda808]

Yeah, but not as pretentious!

[@malinmaskros]

I used to own a very similar TV, a big white Panasonic, no VCR player in mine though. I bought it used in 1993, I think I kept it for 20 years, to about 2013-14 something, when I finally threw it away. It had been dropped in a move, I didn't have a remote, but the TV worked great for all those years. I never got a new one, I've been without a TV now for 8 years or so, I love not having to decorate around one - I chose to make my livingroom into a library instead. Yes, I find this home very relatable... ♥♥♥

[@jilltodd622]

This episode will be re-watched by me and I’ve never said that about any of the other episodes! So I feel like I want to go there and check everything out and have a conversation with a fun interesting person. My spouse also will not get rid of any of his VHS tapes like “Dolamite”🙄 Certain “old fashioned” stuff is a fun connection to our past and good memories so it needs to be celebrated! Love granny’s painting. 💜

[@jenniferlynn3537]

As so many of the other commentators have acknowledged, this gentleman stole my heart. I’m tickled to pieces that he shared the hidden images of Lord Byron contained within the gold leaf edges of that leather book, the fact that his apartment is built around books, and that in homage to great authors he displays busts of their likenesses. Be assured that all incorporated within those ivory walls have inspired me to echo them!

[@Vivi-cu7ez]

Love it! What a wonderful personality! In a world where everyone needs to be so cool Lol - ❤ and beautiful home!

[@kwoylee5617]

That's my kind of house and my kind of person!

[@theresakline3274]

I need this man to be my frend so we can spend weekends geeking out over book edges ❤️

[@sharonkaysnowton]

I love a library in a home. Beautiful.

[@fionnuala333]

Really cool home, must be crazy expensive since it’s in Georgetown

[@willboy4u]

Thank YOU for sharing your beautiful home with us -- your very VERY special book collection and your art works. What a beautiful world you live in and share with your friends and us. Bill

[@lorielle5005]

Awe, I wanted to see more. It would be pretty cool if he had a KZbin page. I would really enjoy hearing about his travels and books.

[@PapaGiorgio200]

Love it. I have over 5,000 books in my collection... but wish I had a room dedicated to them. Loved the history and the passion.

[@Jessica-kk1cz]

He seems so interesting and fun!!

[@stephaniegreen2428]

Eric is an absolute gem! The best our city has to offer! Thanks so much for this!

[@magicworld3242]

WOW........ This guy is amazing and his home is beautiful.

[@williamfahey6066]

I Love your place. It is Beautiful. Your Book collection is amazing. I love Books. Thank You for the enjoyable video. Jeff

[@monicasaffar6315]

Like you we love books to be part of our life and part of our walls! So proud of you! I am French and my husband of 45 years was an Arab.

[@williamfahey6066]

@@monicasaffar6315 He was an Arab.? Am I right in assuming he has passed? Jeff

[@happyhollee596]

What a lovely man and home and all those lovely books! Amazing

[@jacquelinemarsac3691]

I like that you got the mirror you wanted by asking the store owner to put it in layaway for you.

[@ellenhanratty8197]

We, too, watch vhs tapes. The first one we ever bought was Jeremiah Johnson. Cost $100. Still have it. Still worth it. Lovely home. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

[@ericarthurblair537]

This man is my hero.

[@27seaglass]

I love this apartment, but I love the gentleman even more!

[@bonnieschindler4338]

Super fun guy! Beautiful apartment! Thank you for the little tour.

[@ms.porter8866]

Nice, lets see the kitchen.

[@normamimosa5991]

Fabulous. Someone who loves books, literature, poetry, art and doesn't watch TV. I am similar, but no nearly as interesting and learned as Eric Motley.

[@jrghti]

Knowledge is everything, noone can steal it from you ! It makes me so happy seing a person nowadays so affascinated by history and literature and especially greek one as it happens for me to be also Greek :) The best piece in your apartment is definitely the water color picture of your grandmother!

[@mikemcalister4919]

In great company always... Books! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home.

[@colleenkochman9656]

thank you for sharing this part of your self, sir

[@spiralpython1989]

What a delightful man! And such a lovely home.

[@sbalman]

Loved this man and his home but when I saw the tv in the closet....loved him more!

[@missmyabcmissgm2918]

People, especially my boss, are shocked that I DO NOT own a television set. I rather read myself to sleep.

[@shonabeggs4640]

Beautiful classic home. Well done sir.

[@PennyPowell-fr9ec]

Oh man, this is too short! Eric is a gem.

[@JSCDR]

The best tour so far! I’m intrigued. Love this so much. I want more!

[@janedough2492]

I think this guy is a genius!!!

[@martialag]

That TV was so nostalgic 😂 It brought back so many great memories 😍

[@cmpe43]

Great museum pieces! Great story!

[@malaikasdurbin8960]

Beautiful home, perfectly curated.

[@amg3021]

People complaining about the "sound", but I was so nosy and intrigued by him, I didn't even notice. This means it might have been a great first date for the most of us commenting here LOL !!

[@brandonburrell8517]

I want to read his book.

[@elizabethk3238]

Wow! Would love to visit that room. 5hank you for sharing this beautiful space with us.