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 –…
Viewing architecture
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…
13 Blue Houses with Charming Curb Appeal
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…
Modern Craftsman: Charming Home Tour
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…
14 Charming Front Door Ideas
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….
Historic Homes of Yorkville, Illinois
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…
13 Houses with Great Curb Appeal
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…