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  • A Walk Around The Hood 2012 Part One

    A Walk Around The Hood 2012 Part One

    This week I'm taking a break from my regular flea market finds post to take you along on a walk through one of my local neighborhoods. I took an earlier tour through a more modest neighborhood HERE if you'd like to visit.
    For a change it wasn't raining... and that's been a rare occurrence lately *winks* So off the hubster and I went (umbrella at the ready just in case) to see if we could spot a dream house or two... And we did indeed! Do you love to look at houses as much as I do? And envision how you might change and redecorate a place? I absolutely love to! I only wish I could go inside each one to check out the interiors as well *winks* I did manage however to do so with one of them... And I'll be sharing that in Part Two of my walking tour... But come on and follow me and I'll show you Part One of the beauties we found!
    I'll start with this grandest of the grand 10,000 sq ft.+ turn of the century classic revival style mansion. Isn't it something? And strangely it's only valued at around 1 mil. Less than many small New York city apartments. I can only imagine the upkeep it must need? Would you be willing to take it on? I think I'll stick with something a good lot smaller *winks* The view certainly is pretty though!

    And from the side. It also has a beautiful water view from the back.

    Perhaps this smaller Victorian gingerbread house at around 5000 sq ft is more to your liking?

    Or how about a smaller yet classic colonial?

    Or maybe something in between in sunny yellow? One of the things I love most about this neighborhood is it's diversity of architectural styles.

    I really love the ribbon detailing on this pretty red house.

    Or how about this Victorian Gothic (?) style mansion?
    By the way I was wondering how large a house needed to be to be considered a mansion? And I found there isn't actually any set size, but the Realtors association consider homes of 8000 sq ft or larger to be "mansions" This one is much larger than it looks from the picture as it goes back quite a bit.

    Perhaps a 1920's Tudor house is more to your liking ? Isn't this one a cutie?

    Or how about this large dutch colonial style?

    Maybe this turn of the century four square house in pink is more your thing? I'm sure lovin' that pink! And the cute ledge for flowers.

    Maybe you'd like to go REALLY large in a gorgeous Spanish style 1920's 11,000+ sq ft home currently a short sale for 900k. Hence the less than stellar landscaping. It really doesn't look that large does it? Again looks can be deceiving *winks*(It had been purchased a few years back for 1.6 mil so it's almost half price... yay!!?

    Here's the "little" guest house that goes with the Spanish style house. I would love to have a separate space like this for my guests, wouldn't you? Or do you have one already? If so I'm green with envy! *winks*

    This smaller Spanish colonial revival style house (4800+ sq ft) was almost my house, but it needed quite a bit of work done and we didn't feel we were capable of doing it at the time, so we opted for a newer house. How I wish we could go back and do it over! It had so many beautiful period features... including said guest house *sighs*

    I thought it was really interesting that this Victorian mansion had windows in the chimney. I can't say I've ever noticed that before. Isn't it odd? But yet interesting!

    From the front. You can barely see but at the top of the turret roof is a fleur-de-lis lightening rod. Loved that touch!

    And from the side a white picket fence.

    Well that's all for Part One of my tour. Did any of these houses speak to you? Or were none of them quite right? I have my favorite to share coming in Part Two ( I hope you won't be completely underwhelmed *winks*) Along with the house tour I promised. I hope you'll come back to join me for that, and please leave me a comment! I LOVE to hear from you! Vanna

  • A Walk Around The Hood 2012 Part Two

    A Walk Around The Hood 2012 Part Two

    Are you all ready to stroll again through one of my local neighborhoods? It's a long walk so you'll need your favorite tenni shoes. Oh and lets grab a latte because this IS the coffee capitol of the country *winks* And it's a little chilly outside so the cup will warm your hands. Come on I'll show ya some cool homes !
    Starting with this brick colonial beauty. Not too big and not too small... but is it just right?

    Or how about this trio of Victorians? Aren't they cute?! And so well kept. I wouldn't want to be the neighbor who didn't keep up with the maintenance... Quelle pressure! Lol!

    I really like this stately white Georgian colonial style house.

    And it even has one of the things I long for... A guest house! Nice size too *winks*

    Or how about this neighborhoods version of a fixer upper? This Spanish style house has lots of potential. I'm thinking maybe a little round awning above the balcony door, maybe some flowers trailing off the balcony... and...

    I think I'd paint the door black. Paint the detail (above the door) and detail pieces on the front of the house a darker shade to highlight them. Add some flower pots next to the door and clean up the landscaping. How about you? What changes would you make? (If any) I really love that swagged detail above the door and the arched entry.

    This brick house is large at over 7000 sq ft or for my European readers 659 sq metres. It has lovely statues of angels in front, as well as dual urn fountains and ponds on each side of the door. They make lovely noise. Cost about 1.5 million.

    Close up on one of the angels.

    And from the side.

    I really like this Spanish style house on a hill, but getting down that hill in the snow would NOT be happening!... Come to think of it that's not a bad thing *winks*

    Can't go wrong with this classic baby! Big and so friendly! Grandma's perfect home don'tcha think?

    This one's a little "fairy tale" Hansel and Gretel could live here.

    Something in salmon perhaps?

    Or a larger Tudor?

    Or something tall and skinny?

    I promised you a house tour and this Georgian colonial mansion is a beauty! It was built in 1905, has 8 bedrooms and 6.25 bathrooms and it can be yours for $1,350,000.

    Please overlook the furniture and decor in this house and instead focus on the architectural details. There are some really lovely ones.
    This is the entry with a really pretty staircase and lots of nice mouldings. Beautiful ceiling too.

    A nice fireplace to warm the entry and welcome guests. (There are 6 total)

    To the right is the gentleman's parlor and dining room.

    Another nice fireplace. I like the column detail.

    And to the left is the ladies parlor. It has beautiful grand gilt mirrors as well as a wonderful circular window seat. I think it's the prettiest room in the house.

    The ceilings are 10' Can you see the window seat now?

    Very pretty from this side with so much light and the view into the gentleman's parlor. Oooooh I could have so much fun decorating this house!

    Nice large kitchen with a commercial style wolf range and stainless counter tops. I think it works well with the age of the house.

    And the master suite which appears to be long and narrow with nice arched ceilings, and again has so much potential!

    And yet another area for relaxing in front of a cosy fire. Hmmm for me I think that wallpaper would have to go, but maybe I could work with it... I loathe removing wallpaper!

    And the view from the balcony of the water and surrounding mountains. So that's it for the house tour. I'd love to own this house! Would you? How do the prices compare to those in your part of the world? Our housing market is way down so this is a great time to fetch a deal!

    As for my favorites I have two. This gorgeous brick mansion is wonderful! But not currently for sale alas.

    And I know you'll be completely underwhelmed by my other favorite... this sweet Italianate house that just called to me... I've never seen another like it around here, and I love the Juliet balcony! I think this house would be just right for me!

    So thank you for joining me on this (not so little) stroll. I hope you saw something you liked?
    And I hope you'll come back on Wednesday for more Flea Market Finds! I have some sweet new things to show ya!
    And if it wouldn't be too much trouble would you leave me a comment? I LOVE to hear from you! Vanna

  • UPDATE: Orange Izakaya starts serving food

    On Wednesday, I expressed some disappointment that the former Cafe Orange (now going by the name Orange Izakaya) reopened a month ago but hadn't served any food yet.

    Lucky me, Orange rolled out its lunch menu today. It looks like a mix of fairly traditional Japanese and Korean dishes (mainly Korean). This is somewhat interesting because izakaya means "pub" in Japanese. Typically an izakaya serves small plates of Japanese food. Some compare it to Spanish tapas (in terms of size, not flavour).

    That being said, I look forward to tasting what the new Orange has to offer.

    Word has it that a full dinner menu will be up and running next week.

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