Old Houses

In a mystical realm called Wisconsin 😉 stands @elvencottage, a c. 1926 cottage straight from your favorite childhood fairy tale (or adulthood fantasy novel). West and Alexis have painstakingly and carefully restored windows one by one ... and that’s just the beginning. The vaulted Great Room of Elven Cottage is anchored by a soaring chimney; West’s plans for the Game Room/Library, with a bookshelf to climb up and over the door, are wonderfully fun; the Guest Room, destined for exposed beams in the style of coffee shops West and Alexis experience in York, England, is sure to be warm and welcoming.

The hashtag #LookUp was surely coined with All Saints House in mind! Follow homeowners and restorers Anastasiia and Gunther through the arched doorway and into this converted chapel. The soaring ceiling is impossible to ignore (ok by us!), and the Great Room is filled with stories — some anchored by objects and others as memories that Gunther and Anastasiia generously share with us as they guide us on this “one-room journey.”

Shortly after the CIRCA Instagram account got its start, founders Elizabeth and Ethan created another account exclusively showcasing affordable old homes, @CheapOldHouses, and it quickly became the space for the *really* good ones, if you like old houses and a project - the ones that might look a little forgotten, but never flipped, where the fixtures are original but the prices are still alluringly low. Fast forward a few years, and 1.6 million Cheap Old House lovers follow along.

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...

My inbox was sprouting daisies this morning when Estately emailed me this incredible 1970s A-frame time capsule home for sale in Midway, Utah. The listing is calling it a fixer-upper, but I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING, least of all the shag carpeting and that daisy-patterned vinyl flooring in the kitchen. Retro-fabulous!   Catch You on the Flip...

By Elizabeth Finkelstein. I AM SOOOOO EXCITED!!! Way back in 2013, CIRCA featured, as one of our Friday Fixer-Uppers, a 9,000 sq. ft. home in Emporia, Kansas that needed (let's put it lightly) just a bit of rehabbing. Well, someone actually bought this house, and is indeed fixing it up, and suffice it to say he is one TRULY inspiring person. I'm so excited to share with you my conversation with the...

For Country Living Magazine this week, I featured the most adorable Victorian farmhouse over in the beautiful Chester County, Pennsylvania. I'm obsessed! Why do the most beautiful old homes always turn up in Pennsylvania? See all the photos at Country...

by Katy Mendenhall. Photo Courtesy of Boston Business Times How about a little fall vacation? Hoping in the car and driving to a quaint, historic inn for the weekend sounds perfect! I have researched and come up with some beautiful pieces of history that you can stay in today. After all, inns and B&Bs are a great alternative to the more expensive hotel chains. They offer a more personal experience and...

by Rhonda Montague (All photos courtesy of: Château de Gudanes.) Constructed in the mid 1700's, Château de Gudanes commands attention snuggled up against the soft green hills near the small village of Château-Verdun in the south of France. Few of us can imagine seriously shopping online for an enormous French château needing extensive and expensive renovations, yet, that’s how exactly how Craig and...

by Lauren Spinelli   Whether you own a large chateau in the rolling hills of Burgundy or a modest farmhouse amidst the hills of West Virginia, it’s easy to incorporate un peu de Français country into your living space. To achieve this look, one must embrace a balance of gentle hues, ornate elements, textures, and Parisian-country flair. Enjoy my antique picks a la French country style....

by Lauren Spinelli   All Hallows’ Eve is upon us, folks! It’s time to binge on fun size candy bars and listen for things to go bump in the night…at least that’s my plan ☺   As a treat for you (no tricks), I thought I’d share favorite pieces of vintage Halloween décor from my personal collection.   Take a peek… if you dare! Happy Halloween!...