Everyone seems to have a favorite color house. My first house was blue, the second one was a creamy off-white. My current home is butter yellow. But truth be told, I’ve always loved a red house! Photo by Most red houses are converted barns, which seem to be growing in popularity. Photo by Ryan…
Viewing architecture
Let the Sun Shine In with Gorgeous Skylights!
Growing up, I remember friends who lived in homes with skylights that always seemed to leak or were dirty. So I’ve never been much of a fan of skylights until now. There are a lot of amazing options to let the sun shine in from above. Photo by Lisa Gabrielson Design I’m fascinated with…
The Beauty of a Stone House
Earlier this week I posted a photo of an historic stone house on my Instagram account. It received a lot of positive feedback. Since so many others love stone homes, I thought I’d share a few more here on my blog. Photo by Rikki Snyder A stone house immediately evokes a sense of charm….
Window Shopping: What a House Needs
Window shopping is what I always do when I look at a home to purchase. What I mean is – the windows are one of the most important home design elements in my book. I love lots of windows and the more unique, the better. Photo by Hinkley Lighting I’m the type of person…
Cabin Inspiration: Sweet Summertime
I’m in the mood for some homes with cabin inspiration! Apparently the month of May decided to stay in bed and April had to do double-duty. Too many cool rainy days! But now, June has arrived and we’ve got warmer sunny days which is putting me in total summer camp mode. Photo by Goose Creek…
Hunting for a Starter Home with My Daughter
Do you remember the excitement of searching for your very first home? Today I’m heading out with my daughter and her hubby to find their dream starter home! My daughter is a stay-at-home-mom so they’re living on one salary and need to be conservative while house hunting. I collected a batch of small houses –…
8 Built-In Ideas for the Living Room
One thing I love about older homes is the unique built-in ideas you find within their walls. It’s nice to see some of the newer homes adding these custom features. Photo by Lisa Tharp Design I started writing this post about built-in ideas for every room in the house, but I found so many…
Create Character with Bead Board
Character is the main reason I love old homes. Quirky rooms, quality wood trim, built-in cabinets, and more. All those things that lend charm and interest. You can create character in your own home with something as simple as bead board. Photo by ML Interior Designs Bead board is fairly easy to install and…
The History and Charm of a Red Front Door
A red front door is often found on traditional homes but they’re pretty on a variety of architectural style houses. Here are 11 examples that show how to make your front door stand out. Photo by Gatling Design I’m totally smitten with this rustic front door that reminds me of a home you’d see…
Two-Story Porch for Ultimate Curb Appeal
Have you ever visited the deep South and admired the gorgeous plantation homes with a two-story porch? This architectural feature provides ultimate curb appeal for the appreciative eye. Photo by Brickmoon Design The thought of having two porches, one up high, is a dream home feature I’ll probably never get to enjoy. But at…
Nighttime Curb Appeal for Shorter Days
Shorter days create a seasonal coziness both inside and outside the home. See how nighttime curb appeal can be achieved with porch and landscape lighting. Photo by Creole Design You don’t have to get overly complicated with landscape lighting to enhance your home’s curb appeal in the evening. Sometimes all that’s needed is a…
How to Use Reclaimed Wood in Your Home
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…
Victorian Houses and Details to Tickle Your Fancy
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…
Eclectic Neighborhood in Naperville, IL
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…
Painted Staircase Ideas and Inspiration
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…
Aurora Historic Homes: Part Two
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…