[So it looks like 2012 is the year of bizarre, freak-show storms on the East Coast. First, there was the derecho (a new word added to my vocabulary). And now there’s the impending “frankenstorm“—Mother Nature’s pre-Halloween mash-up of a nor’easter and a hurricane. Or, you could call it by its more technical name: a hybrid cyclone! I’m about to venture to the store fully expecting to have to tackle other shoppers for scarce provisions, so excuse me while I get my panic on. In the meantime, here’s my regularly scheduled post. Stay safe, everyone!]

There’s a Baptist church located right near my office. It also happens to sit across the street from an Asian restaurant that’s on my regular rotation of lunch places. One day, I decided to take a good look at its façade:

Greater New Hope Baptist Church near Chinatown in Washington, DC.

Not exactly sure what the building material is, but the overall effect is a weathered, distinctive pattern. The less romantic description would be that it’s encrusted with accumulated dirt and soot!

Another brick in the wall: close-up of the façade.

The gradation of black and tan reminds me of the ombré trend in fashion (which has also been big in design and especially hairstyles!). Check out these color-shaded frocks:

Robert Rodriguez ombré draped silk dress.

The rear view.

Hervé Léger ombré bandage dress.

Now every time I walk past that church, I can’t help but think of two-tone apparel. And I hope they never sandblast the exterior (although the frankenstorm might act as a power wash)!

Images via net-a-porter.com and nordstrom.com