This apartment is as pictured and described. Lot's of *amazing* artwork, a well-supplied kitchen, and very clean. The house is located on a quiet street in Columbia Heights. It's about a ten minute walk from the Metro. The grocery store, FedEx, etc. were all within 15 minutes.There are buses in very short walking distance of the home and I was able to walk daily to Howard University where I worked throughout my stay. If walking isn't your thing, rides on Via or Lyft were also very inexpensive.
Something I didn't consider when booking: this is a basement apartment. These are common in DC but note: there are people living upstairs. You will hear them (though I never actually saw them).
Mel (Juanita's husband manages the AirBnB) was willing to accommodate an early check-in but he was travelling when I arrived. It was difficult to reach him (and his housekeeper). Based on my experience, I think two things would improve the stay of future guests (especially those on a tight schedule like myself):
(1) more communication ahead of time about how to retrieve the key upon arrival
(2) a written guide to the home. In hosted AirBnBs, you get the benefit of a guided tour. In lieu of this tour, a document of where things are in the home or other tips would be beneficial to guests. And even just a quick introduction to the folks upstairs.
While communication at the beginning and prior to arrival could have been improved, Mel did check in during the middle of my stay.
As a woman who's done quite a bit of solo travel, I can honestly say that this is a place I would recommend to others.