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…
Viewing architecture
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…
Stone Wall Decor: Adding Texture to the Home
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…
Bungalow House: An American Classic
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…
The Return to Small House Living
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…
Tiny Houses: Inside and Out
Do you think you could live in a tiny house? I mean, really tiny, like a few hundred square feet or less? I’m always amazed by people who choose to live in tiny houses. Yes, the homes are cute but I need a little bit of space. It might be fun to transport one of…
Charming Older Homes in Riverside, Illinois
Last weekend was my grandson’s first birthday! My daughter decided on a lumberjack party theme and rented a little log cabin in Riverside, Illinois. It was such a cute party and I took lots of pictures which I’ll share in a future post. After the party, hubby and I toured the tree-lined streets and of…
