Amazing before and after of a 1912 Craftsman
image from: http://www.laurelhurstcraftsman.com
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image from: http://www.laurelhurstcraftsman.com
In 2010 Jeff and Sharon Kidder purchased this 1912 bungalow in Portland, Oregon. The house was in decent shape but many of the original features had been obscured over the years as successive homeowners left their updating marks. Remember a few years back when it was all the rage to “lighten up” old dark wood in vintage craftsman homes by painting it all white?
Case in point: the house’s entryway when Jeff & Karen bought it…
House of the Crazy Ruggles
image from: http://www.tradewindsrealty.com
image from: http://www.tradewindsrealty.com
historic photo courtesy of: Mark Wilson
My tour of Rosemount Manor (with kids)
In early March of this year, I toured the Rosemount Museum in Pueblo, Colorado – about 45 minutes from where I currently live.
Rosemount is a historic mansion that has been exceedingly well preserved as an old house museum.
photo credit: Sarah Felix Burns
I visited with Lupe and my two kids and we were treated to a personal tour from a very knowledgeable (and serious) tour guide.
image from: www.rosemount.org
Built in 1893, the 24,000 square foot mansion took over two years to construct. It was designed by famed New York architect Henry Hudson Holly.
This 37-room mansion was home to the John A. and Margaret Thatcher family and named for Mrs. Thatcher’s favorite flower. It remained a family residence for 75 years.
from: www.rosemount.org
The Rosemount is yet another one of those impressive Gilded Age monuments to personal wealth. But it stands apart as an old house museum because nearly ALL of the furnishings (decorative arts, custom paneling, wallpaper, window treatments, accessories and appliances) are original to the house.
The Dragon Run Country Store
image from: www.oldhouses.com
Run by dragons since 1913… no, just kidding. This historic gem is actually located near the small town of Church View in Middlesex County, Virginia.
If you are on the market for a quaint country store with living quarters in 5300 square feet, then have a look at this place…
image from: www.oldhouses.com
Per the listing, the building features ”all original floors, walls, ceiling, counters, etc. intact and never painted“. [emphasis mine because that is just extraordinary.]
image from: www.oldhouses.com
The exterior is cypress wood but the inside is all pine. Built in 1913 by a local lumber merchant, the sturdy, well-built Dragon Run Country Store served local townsfolk for many decades. In recent years it was used as an antique emporium with living quarters above.
The former storefront area retains the original unpainted wall shelves with dentil moulding and 2 antique track ladders…
The fabulous Haeger House
image from: http://www.bairdwarner.com
The Haegar Mansion is located in East Dundee, Illinois and it is currently on the market!
Thanks to Tim Cooper – a nearby neighbor of the Haeger House - for bringing this historic gem to my attention.
image from:http://www.bairdwarner.com
It was built in 1877 by German immigrant David Haeger, who owned a local brick company. He apparently became very wealthy after the Great Chicago Fire because he sold bricks in the rebuilding efforts.
The bricked exterior of the Haeger House is a tribute to this good fortune. Inside is where you’ll find all the lovely, elaborate woodwork…
