Lake houses offer an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, providing a serene haven where nature meets comfort. Whether your idea of the perfect lake house envisions lazy afternoons on a sun-drenched dock, invigorating water sports, or cozy evenings by a crackling fire, lake houses promise a rejuvenating experience that captures…
We’re visiting the pretty town of Alexandria, Virginia one more time because I didn’t share all my photos during my first post about this waterfront area that captured my heart. I think you’ll see why I believe this New England town has the best early American homes in the U.S. Add the cobblestone streets, brick…
Have you ever been to England? If you answered yes, hopefully you were able to explore the southwestern countryside that features charming Cotswold cottages. Much to my surprise, I was asked to go to England in July to attended a waterlily symposium. Yes, there is such a thing! Many of you know my day job…
We’re back to Alexandria on the blog today to see a fine collection of historic doors that you’re sure to love – especially if you’re a bit of a history buff. No two doors are alike and most are a bit ornate or are painted a fun color. I don’t know why they don’t typically…
Have you ever been to the amazing Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC and enjoyed its rich history and architecture? Located just west of Downtown DC, Georgetown is a National Historic Landmark. The homes are Federal in style and a little more diverse than the Capitol Hill area where we recently stayed. Following are some of…
Are you ready to tie on your virtual shoes and take a walking tour of beautiful Washington DC and its epic historic homes? There are so many interesting neighborhoods, gardens, museums and more in our country’s capital – it’s hard to fit everything into a single trip. Hubby and I were there last week and…
Have you ever been to Alexandria, Virginia? During our trip to Washington DC last week, we took a side trek to this charming town with its old houses, brick sidewalks, and cobblestone streets. I felt like a kid in a candy store and didn’t want to stop exploring its welcoming streets. Join me as we…
Happy Saturday morning, friends! It’s hard to be in a gloomy mood when the birds are singing, the spring bulbs are making their appearance, and the sun is shining. To celebrate the upcoming spring season, I’m sharing a collection of colorful pastel houses that are sure to make you smile. This pretty Victorian duo is…
It’s time for another old house architecture post! I don’t know about you, but I never tire of looking at old homes. I follow a few Instagram accounts that primarily share historic home photos They’re some of my favorites. If you’re ready to join me – let’s take a look at some of the architectural…
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…
Older homes get a lot of attention here at Town and Country Living, but new homes can be equally charming and unique if they’re custom built. Today I’m featuring a new house porch collection that proves you can add character to new construction. Each porch and home has its own unique details that create interesting…
Yesterday I shared a craftsman style home that featured an amazing coffered ceiling in the dining room. As I thought about this often-neglected element in interior spaces, I decided it would be fun to write a post about different types of a decorative ceiling treatment. Let’s start with a classic vaulted ceiling that’s lined in…
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 (see my recent post about historic home details). They can add architectural beauty to a home. An easy way to customize a…
Historic homes. I fell in love with them back when I was 18 years young. They have soul, quirks, and oddities that you just won’t find anywhere else. And when you walk along historic streets, no two house exteriors are alike. My own house is over 150 years old and I take a bit of…
Let’s take a little trip across the country today to see historic home exteriors in different areas. I think you’ll have fun learning a little history while enjoying all the curb appeal! Let’s start in Florida with the Brokaw-McDougall house found in Tallahassee. Construction began in 1856 and took four years to complete. It now…
We head to Galena this week to enjoy our annual family Christmas together, but I don’t think we’re going to be blessed with snow. For me, it always feels a bit more festive when snow is on the ground for the holidays. To get myself in the spirit, I’ll enjoy today’s collection of 13 cozy…
