Are you ready for more eye candy when it comes to charming Swedish cottages nestled in the woods of Good Templar Park in Geneva, Illinois? Last Saturday I shared the first batch of these cozy summer houses and today it’s time to see the rest. A couple times per year, Good Templar Park opens to…
Many of you know that I grew up in Geneva, Illinois, due west of Chicago on the outskirts of the suburbs. The town has a Swedish history and features Good Templar Park where members of the International Organization of Good Templars would come to celebrate Midsummer, which is Swedish Day, or “Svenskarnas Dag” in Sweden….
Not too far from where I live is a community of small, newer homes that enjoy waterfront living. I previously shared a tour of adorable cottages at Heritage Harbor, and today there’s more to enjoy. I love this new community in Ottawa, Illinois where you can find unique and affordable riverfront homes. There are also…
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…
My daughter has been on the hunt for a new home and it’s been slim pickings in today’s real estate market. Luckily for me, she often asks me to tour the houses with her. I have to confess, the more curb appeal the home has, the more likely we want to see it. Sure, there…
Happy Wednesday, friends! It’s time to head back (virtually) to historic Ferndale to see more of the town’s stunning historic homes. The first time I posted about our trip to Humboldt County, I shared a collection of the Victorian cottages. Today it’s time to see some of the other beautiful homes that grace the streets…
Sometimes when a house has great bones, it’s best to keep its decor simple so that you can truly appreciate the beautiful details. Today’s light and airy waterfront home by Chango & Co. incorporates a blend of whites and wood with texture provided in the form of flooring, paneling, and built-ins. The result is a…
Victorian architecture lovers, gather ’round. Have I got some eye candy for you today! Ferndale, California has some of the most amazing examples of colorful Victorian cottages and buildings that I’ve ever seen. Walking along the quiet streets is truly unending pleasure. The entire area is filled with beauty and splendor that I wasn’t expecting,…
Who else is suffering gloomy spring weather right now? I’m raising both my hands! We haven’t had a pleasant spring so far but I’m not going to let it dampen my spirits. Instead, let’s pretend we’re overseas visiting the colorful gardens and homes of Spain. This little virtual tour is sure to put a smile…
Do you have memories of vacationing in cozy summer cottages? I have vague memories of a lakeside cottage vacation in Canada when I was just a little girl. A few years later I remember taking a trip to Arkansas to vacation in a woodsy cottage with my grandparents. Both trips are fond summer memories from…
One thing we miss living in America is the vast array of really old buildings and homes. Can you imagine living in a house that’s over 500 years old? I think about the lives and history of older homes here in the United States, but old houses in Europe have seen so much more. Today…
Years ago we installed board and batten in our downstairs bathroom and also on the wall up the stairway. More recently we added it to our dining room. It’s one of my favorite architectural elements because it’s easy to install, it adds instant dimension, and it’s fairly inexpensive. In addition to all that, board and…
Have you ever visited the deep South and admired the gorgeous historic 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…
You gotta love spring in Chicagoland! It’s either snowing or it’s 60 degrees. There’s no in-between. So as long as there’s snow on the ground today, let’s take another snowy walk around an eclectic neighborhood in Downers Grove. Although today’s walk actually took place several weeks ago, I took so many photos that I’m still…
At the beginning of this month I showed a collection of Sears catalog homes in the quaint Chicago suburb of Downers Grove. Today I’m featuring Victorian home exteriors from the same neighborhood. I loved my snowy trip to the town where my daughter lives because I found plenty of eye candy to photograph. And believe…
I know I’m not alone in dealing with lots of snow. So much of the U.S. has been hit with recent winter storms, including Texas! Rather than lament our recent snowfall, I decided to get out and enjoy the beauty of the new fallen white stuff. Hubby and I headed to Downers Grove, which is…
