Fresh cut wood. Whether old or new, it has an earthy fragrance and organic appeal. See how to use reclaimed wood in your home to give it a bit of rustic flair. Photo by Frederick + Frederick Architects Most people opt to use reclaimed wood for flooring. Pick up any copy of a country decorating magazine and you're sure to find a story how a homeowner used word from an old barn to dress up their floors. Photo by Rauser … [Read more...]
Victorian Houses and Details to Tickle Your Fancy
July 26, 2018 By 10 Comments
Victorian houses provide an abundant supply of eye candy when admiring their intricate gingerbread trim and interesting roof angles. If you're a fan of this historic architecture, you don't want to miss this round-up of exciting homes. Photo by Klassen Remodeling & Design, Inc. Whether small or large, Victorian houses are crafted with numerous details. No one ever seems to say, "Oh, this house is too small for all those details and … [Read more...]
Eclectic Neighborhood in Naperville, IL
June 16, 2018 By 4 Comments
A variety of home styles and exteriors creates an eclectic neighborhood in Naperville, IL. You'll find a mix of new and historic homes in this quaint yet bustling town. Victorian Ladies Last month when spring trees were in bloom, we took a stroll in one of Naperville's residential neighborhoods just northwest of the downtown area. The streets feature a range of home styles, from old to brand new, and everything in … [Read more...]
Painted Staircase Ideas and Inspiration
April 28, 2018 By 4 Comments
For some people, stairs are simply a vehicle to get from one floor level to the next. And then there are some of us who view stairways as a potential work of art. They can add architectural beauty to a home. An easy way to customize a stairwell is with paint. Here's a few painted staircase ideas to get your wheels spinning on what to do in your own home. Pale blue and white come together to create a fresh staircase in an old Colonial … [Read more...]
Aurora Historic Homes: Part Two
April 26, 2018 By 11 Comments
Two weeks ago I shared a walking tour of Aurora, Illinois' westside historic district. Today is round two of touring this amazing residential area with amazing historic homes. First up on today's tour is this lovely clapboad Victorian home painted green with creamy trim and accents of red. Note the unique treatment on the windows and the corbels at the roof line. A side view of this beautiful home reveals a bay window and … [Read more...]
13 Blue Houses with Charming Curb Appeal
March 17, 2018 By 8 Comments
Do you have a favorite color house? I tend to like colorful exteriors as long as they're not too bright. Today I'm sharing a collection of 13 blue houses with great curb appeal. Craftsman style homes look good with a darker shade of blue, especially when paired with white. Photo by Convex Development Historic Victorian houses create a perfect canvas for going bold with color. A deep shade of blue is paired with cream, taupe, red, and … [Read more...]
Modern Craftsman: Charming Home Tour
March 4, 2018 By 7 Comments
When I think of solid home construction, I think of craftsman style. Even the name "craftsman" sounds strong and authoritative, resulting in quality design and building. Today we're touring a modern craftsman house with oodles of curb appeal, gorgeous interiors, and attention to detail. I've never seen a craftsman style house I didn't like. There's just something about the strong lines that makes them stand out in any neighborhood. Photo by … [Read more...]
14 Charming Front Door Ideas
February 28, 2018 By 4 Comments
Perhaps the fastest and possibly easiest way to add instant curb appeal to your home lies right at your front door! A simple coat of paint or a minor architectural embellishment can pack a punch for making your home stand out on the block. Here's 14 charming front door ideas to get your wheels spinning. Purple? Yes, purple! Who else has a purple door on your block? Likely no one. This is such a playful hue and we recently talked about decorating … [Read more...]
Historic Homes of Yorkville, Illinois
February 17, 2018 By 5 Comments
Winter in Illinois can get a bit crazy and can change on a dime at any given time. For example, last week we received about ten inches of fluffy white snow. This week it's much warmer and that fresh dusting of snow is already melting. Before all of the cottony drifts of the white stuff had a chance to melt, I wanted to capture pictures of beautiful homes dressed in snow. Hubby and I set out photograph the historic homes of Yorkville, … [Read more...]
13 Houses with Great Curb Appeal
December 30, 2017 By 3 Comments
Have you ever stopped to wonder what goes through the mind of an architect when she designs a house? Sometimes you see a home with great curb appeal and you wish you could live there. Other times you walk down the street and an ugly ducking of a house pops out and you wonder why anyone would design a structure like that. I've always been fascinated with architecture and the thought process that went into the design. Here are 13 houses with great … [Read more...]
Stone Wall Decor: Adding Texture to the Home
October 7, 2017 By 4 Comments
Something about the fall season brings out the need for warm and cozy texture in the home. Pillows and throws are a simple solution, but what about the architectural appeal of a stone wall? In my childhood home there was a large stone wall fireplace in the center of the room, running up to the peak of the vaulted wood ceiling. I never appreciated that room as much as I should have. This rustic stone fireplace brings back memories of that … [Read more...]
Bungalow House: An American Classic
September 28, 2017 By 5 Comments
One of my favorite home exteriors is a bungalow house. The first home I ever purchased as an adult was a Sears kit catalog bungalow. The minute I stepped inside the doorway with the realtor I knew I needed to call it my own. One day I'll go back and take a photo of it to share with you. But for now, I'm sharing a roundup of adorable bungalows that I found on Houzz. Tell me if you love these charmers as much as I do! Photo by Cottage Company of … [Read more...]
The Return to Small House Living
September 9, 2017 By 42 Comments
Turn on HGTV today and chances are you might see one of the popular tiny home shows. Before the economic downfall, the housing trend was leaning toward McMansions and then around 2009 a movement toward small house living was launched. You've probably seen those tiny houses that are less than 500 square feet in size. While that's a little small for my liking (I have claustrophobia), I can see the attraction toward cozier cottages. How adorable is … [Read more...]
Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life. 
