2019

Over at @CheapOldHouses, we share a steady stream of amazing old houses that are under $100K. The beauty-cost ratio of these babes makes it endlessly fun for browsing but also introduces the idea of, "What if we actually bought this house??" We've cultivated a beautiful little restoration community full of old house dreamers and hands-on fixer uppers along the way and we love to exchange inspiration and...

This 28 room mansion is *surprise* good 'til the last room. The entryway is all stained glass and mahogany, there are NINE fireplaces throughout, and the wood paneling was imported from Chatham Mansion's namesake in England. The family that built it (a wealthy lumber broker, mmhmm) sold it after World War Two and it has been owned by the same family ever since. They've really made the place shine and we...

The Kaufmann Desert House, designed by architect Richard Neutra in 1946 for Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar Kaufmann, who had previously commissioned Fallingwater. Source: Library of Congress Grab your No. 2 pencils, everyone! It's time for CIRCA School, where we uncover the fascinating facts behind everyone's favorite old house styles and details. The Mid Century Modern decorative aesthetic...

I could write a novel about the McNally Estate. Our very own Cristiana Pena visited this beauty today, and she can absolutely confirm that it is even more amazing in person. It's a really unique and imposing shingle-style Queen Anne that is bursting with history both architectural and stemming from its famous owner, Andrew McNally. Yes, that McNally! He was one of the most successful cartography publishers...

  There are so many amazing communities with pockets of well-preserved homes around the country, and one-off old house gems found on rural stretches are certainly irresistible to me. When stunning homes just start ROLLING in from the same town, though, I have to investigate. If it's spectacular, I'll then try to convince you to move there. Let's not pretend like Edenton, NC is a well-kept secret....

I know, I know. We hear it a lot, don't we? "Charm of Yesteryear with Modern Conveniences!" "Historic Details with the Comforts of Today!" Usually, I'm a purist. Most of us here are. The best details have to go through an "uncool" phase to come back big, right? Those Mid Century console sinks with the thin chrome legs?? I'm obsessed with those sinks! That look is so fresh now, somehow. Thank you to...

I guess I'm addicted to huge hearths this fall! I can't stop and won't stop when it comes to these moody, cozy areas. Many modern-update sins can be forgiven by their presence. Not that it's needed here- it's Colonial perfection with incredible wide plank flooring, several fireplaces, super wide window and door casings. All of our favorites. The raised paneling, mantel and accents in the living room are...

Online bidding begins October 21st and concludes October 29th at 1 p.m. (ET) Bid here! Friendly Hills! The name makes me smile, the views are pretty incredible (I'm a Carolina Girl with a soft spot for Blue Ridge panoramas) and Margaret Banning lived here seasonally and wrote many of her bestsellers on site. Really fun to think of her roaming this grand property and working away in the small log...

This home is a quirky combination of two structures- one framed and one brick. The framed portion is actually quite a bit older and according to early deeds and newspapers, was probably built somewhere between 1747 and 1748. The brick portion was built in 1812 (hence the name!) with bricks made from clay found on property, and is the oldest brick home in the Washington Valley area. The look of these two...

A twist on a classic. The purple door on this one is really striking and the lovely Flemish bond masonry is painted green! Flemish bond is a decorative masonry style; sides of the brick (stretchers) and ends of the brick (headers) alternate and the pattern created is really refined. You'll often see Flemish bond with the headers in another color, and that contrast is seriously superb. The technique...

It's been especially rainy and gray in my area the past few days. This weather will not let up! Since nothing pairs better with the impenetrable gray than heavy blankets, hot tea and a fire, I'm finding myself drawn to the warm wood and cozy fireplace situation here. I'm also a big fan of the wallpaper and love how much wallpaper can transform a room - I'm so glad that making a statement with it is...

Telescope style - ever heard of it? It's one of my favorite vernacular phenomena. They're the homes with multiple attachments connected in a row and in decreasing size until, yes, the structure starts to take on the appearance of a telescope! They're usually created over time with the addition of several expansions to an original structure, but the Nelson Homestead is really interesting because it seems...