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 - any one of them would be a cute starter home for a young family! Photo by Boyer Architects LLC A bungalow style home would be a great … [Read more...]
8 Built-In Ideas for the Living Room
February 5, 2019 By 4 Comments
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 great examples I decided to focus on just one room at a time. The photos above and below are the same room. Above you see the built-in bookcase, and below … [Read more...]
Create Character with Bead Board
December 29, 2018 By 11 Comments
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 it really makes a great impact in a room. Photo by Cushman Design Group I love the look of natural bead board. It immediately adds … [Read more...]
The History and Charm of a Red Front Door
December 6, 2018 By 8 Comments
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 in the Rocky Mountains area of the U.S. Photo by SWABACK pllc But if rustic isn't your thing, a high-gloss red front door might provide … [Read more...]
Two-Story Porch for Ultimate Curb Appeal
October 24, 2018 By 4 Comments
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 least I can admire a two-story porch from the curb. Photo by Aerial Development Group This historic home … [Read more...]
Nighttime Curb Appeal for Shorter Days
October 13, 2018 By 3 Comments
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 simple porch light, in addition to leaving a few interior lights on. Photo by John Lum Architecture, Inc. … [Read more...]
How to Use Reclaimed Wood in Your Home
August 7, 2018 By 3 Comments
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...]
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. 
