If you’ve been following my real estate adventures (follies?), you may recall that I had an extended dalliance with the idea of buying a farmhouse with a barn in Upstate New York last summer. I fell in love with the idea, but researched it and estimated costs of repairs and was overwhelmed with the idea … Read more
I was in the IKEA store when I noticed this pair, and was curious why these little characters were frowning at me. It seems they are considered “mood vases” with the product name “Fröväxt,” which means “seed plant” in Swedish. They’re meant to be mini plant holders, with the idea that whatever greenery that comes … Read more
I drove up to Wurtsboro, NY yesterday to see an open house that seemed too good to be true: the listing describes “Nestled on over eleven acres of serene, wooded land in a peaceful Sullivan County community, this classic six bedroom, one bath Victorian stands as a testament to timeless architecture.” A reasonable price with … Read more
If you like the Southwestern vibe, as I do, wouldn’t you love to have a home with an entrance like this? This adobe wall with the painted longhorn skull over a weathered turquoise door makes for a very cool front entrance to a property on West Rodeo Road in Santa Fe. Of course all I … Read more
I have a favorite home furnishings store in Santa Fe: Mexico Lindo Furniture. The showroom features a collection of unique, rustic and custom-built furniture which is hand-crafted and designed by artisans. The material used to create these phenomenal pieces comes from salvaged antique doors and shutters which have been taken from haciendas located in small … Read more
I had pretty much let go of the idea of pursuing the old house in the country in Upstate New York, when on a recent Sunday morning, I was minding my own business, drinking coffee, and reading the Sunday Times … and then I was triggered. There was an article about a dance studio building … Read more
I’m struggling with a decision. I’m doing my best to convince myself that a rural estate upstate with a cool Mission Revival style house, old barn, and 2nd house (and a few sheds thrown in) is a bad decision, as there’s so much expensive work that would need to be done, renovation-wise. And it’s far … Read more
When I was in Ithaca on a long weekend with my girlfriend, the living room of the Airbnb where we stayed had these two chairs. We were rarely sitting in this room at the same time, but it seemed like the few times we did, I somehow always ended up in the chair on the … Read more
I’m considering the purchase of an old house, and the phrase “this old house” came to mind, which I see is a television show on PBS that perhaps I should start watching. You can see my back-and-forth debates with myself as to whether this is a a good idea or not here. I’m still in … Read more
… and that is the question. What is the more-likely thing that a person might say: “I took on a historic house that needed a lot of work as a new chapter in my life, and it’s the most satisfying thing I’ve ever done,” or: “I bought a historic house that needs a lot of … Read more