On the Road: Southwest Colorado

My baby brother was just married in Ouray, Colorado and we had a great time visiting. I think most people were busy taking photos of the mountains, but there were other grand details that caught my eye.

I was impressed by the Victorian cottages, dripping in trim.

There were beautiful chandeliers hanging in the barn where the couple were married. They were made to look like old oil lamps and it brought a refined touch to the rustic architecture of a barn.

The Beaumont Hotel was full of interesting things. This safe at reception was painted with pretty details, I love when someone thinks to adorn a utilitarian object.

The wrought-iron supports for the ceiling fans in the cafe, I love this kind of detail.

The house had some fun trim, I love the "eyebrows" over the upper windows.

Here's the happy couple leaving the wedding, isn't the Beaumont Hotel beautiful? That staircase was so grand.

Accidental Stalker: 9 by Design edition

We had a busy weekend, but it included accidentally stalking the nice family featured on "9 by Design". We were driving through western Massachusetts and I was looking at houses when I noticed the Great Barrington house that looked familiar. We made a u-turn and I said "I'm pretty sure that's one of the houses that Bob and Courtney own!" Yes, we are on a first-name basis.


This was the only photo I was able to get,

but you can see better photos here, look under the projects section.

Then, the next day, we were sitting in traffic on the West Side Highway in NYC and I was looking at the houses when Jeff and I both said "I think that other house is right near here, the view seems familiar." Sure enough, we saw this house overlooking the Hudson (the white one).

A little closer...

The facade, with the blue faux-bois boards is very fun and distinct.

We didn't set out to find these houses but it was a nice surprise during a fun weekend. Maybe I should watch less TV?

Its getting a little out of control

We can't stop looking at house plans. Here's one that Jeff found that we really love, but I'm not sure the exterior farmhouse style fits in with our Victorian-filled street.

I love the wide front porch.

I love the open kitchen with the dining room and family room all visible. We have recently heard from friends who did not like the open floor plan in practice, but we might be able to separate the family room so the TV noise isn't overwhelming when someone is cooking.

The upper level seems fairly open and not crowded and although I dont' think we truly need 4 BRs, it would help with resale value. I like the built-ins in the hall, I envision a window seat with books underneath.

The idea takes root

What started out as a little seed of an idea has us obsessed with house plans. Its hard to nail down what you want in a house if you were to build it from scratch.

The previous plan I posted had a staircase in the side/middle of the house, and it wasn't visible from the foyer. It seems a little strange to me to not have the stairs near the front of the house. All the houses I've lived in have had the stairs near the front door.

This house has the front stairs, but no garage. So, we'd just need to figure out where to put the door to a garage.

 

We like the stairs to the 3rd floor, for a potential rec-room/guest suite.  The bathroom between the bedrooms is good for our Beechnuts. But, we'd need a garage and an easy way to have a mudroom installed to hold coats. Now that we have our giant mudroom, we can't go back to coats on the backs of the kitchen chairs!

Its been fun to imagine a new house, but I think its also time for some Spring cleaning in our current house. Just as soon as Spring arrives...

What's going on over here

There hasn't been much progress at Shade of a Beech Tree. The winter is getting us down a little and we're eyeing the crack-house next door as a possible new endeavor. What if we made a low-ball offer and they accepted it? What house would be build? What should the house look like? How many rooms do we need?

We're looking at house plans, like this one from Frank Betz:

 

  

 We like the 2 story entry and the Family Room off the kitchen. An attached garage would be a nice upgrade, currently we have to walk from the garage to the house, braving the elements the entire 15 steps! I also like the idea of a covered front porch, where Jeff can greet our daughters' future suitors while sitting in a rocking chair with a shotgun on his lap. You have to think ahead, you know.

Don't forget, the Library would need (yes. need!) a coffered ceiling, and we'd need nice hardwoods throughout, with a granite kitchen, and marble bathrooms.

Then, we think about the yard!

From bhg.com 

 We'd need an outdoor kitchen!

 

From bhg.com

And a place to relax and have drinks!

Then, the next thing you know, there's no way we can have this dream house we want for the budget we'd have. But dreaming about it is more interesting than watching the thermometer fall.

House Envy, x100

I saw this website, 100 Abandoned Houses, and spent the rest of the day dreaming about the former glory in these homes.



I'm sure they would disagree, but wouldn't it be fun if one of our siblings lived next door in a mirror-image house?



This is my favorite: