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Behind the Studio

Background

Capitol Hill Studio got its start as Impact Graphics in suburban Virginia. The name change reflects the neighborhood where Mr. Palmer and his wife settled after getting married in April 1999. For more on the studio's building, see below.

Most of the business that comes to the Studio is from repeat customers and word of mouth. No advertising or promotion is really done for the business at this time. Eventually, we may get around to making business cards for ourselves, but that's about it.

Mr. Palmer has always enjoyed working with type and print. When he was 11, he created his first "newspaper" with a manual typewriter and some creativity. He wrote for his high school newspaper and in college worked with various student organizations involving marketing, publicity, and student affairs. Upon graduation, Mr. Palmer decided to continue his pursuits in publishing and graphic design and furthered his education at George Washington University. The Publications Specialist program provided a great deal of insight into typography, graphics, the printing process, proofreading, and copyediting.

Family Life

Mr. Palmer and his wife enjoy spending time outdoors, going for walks in the neighborhood, biking, and travel. Some of their most memorable trips include New Zealand, Fiji, and the Cook Islands (with a stop in Hawai'i on the way home) in 1995/6; an Italian excursion to Venice, Florence, the Cinque Terra, and Milan in 1998; and two weeks in Spain for their honeymoon. Last sping, they spent two weeks on a cruise in Alaska, which provided a much-needed respite from the day-to-day of Washington, and a chance to see one of the most beautiful places in the country. Also on the journey, they made a stop in Vancouver, BC, and were thoroughly impressed.

NEW! Kevin and his wife, Erin, are happy to report the birt of their first child, Cassandra Noelle, on April 16, 2005. Nearly two weeks late, she has added a great deal of joy, and exhaustion, to their lives. She came out at 9 pounds, 2 ounces and has grown like a weed ever since.

The Palmers became aunt and uncle, as Mr. Palmer's sister gave birth to a baby girl, Madison Faith, on July 30, 2002. They were fortunate to meet her only a half-hour after she was born. What a beauty! Click here for a brief look at the newest member of the gang.

About the House

The Studio is situated in a row house in Northeast Washington, DC which the proprietors have been slowly renovating and upgrading. There's always something to be done. Previous projects have included repointing the brick on three sides of the house (by ourselves), removing the plaster from a back bedroom wall, rebuilding the retaining wall and patio out back, installing Pergo over awful linoleum in the bathroom, putting new ceramic tiles in the vestibule, and painting the façade using a more modern palette (see the nifty time-lapse animation of the work). Future projects include replacing the chain-link with a brick and iron fence, finishing/digging out the basement, and adding a roof deck.

Community

Wherever he lives, Mr. Palmer believes in being an active member of the community. He works with various organizations around Capitol Hill and the city at large, helping to promote good causes such as doingsomething, the Earth Day Partnership, and various preservation groups. He is also active in helping to plan the revitalization and physical improvements in his neighborhood and encourages others to get involved (see the H Street website for more details).