**Spoiler Alert**
Oh wait, I always do that backwards. So now you know we didn’t buy this house, but it is so gorgeous, I thought you enjoy seeing it, any way. We are looking for a new city place closer to the mister’s office, and so the house hunting has begun. (We divide our time between the city and the country.) We don’t want to sell our current city house until the youngest graduates in two years, so the plan is to just become familiar with the neighborhoods, streets, and so forth. I knew that we weren’t ready for house now, but I also knew a gorgeous historic home on a double lot wouldn’t come around very often. That’s why we I seriously considered buying it.
If you like to peek into other people’s houses as much as I do, then come along.
Just look at this gorgeous kitchen with 10 ft. ceilings.
This house was built about 100 years ago, and has been on the local home tour. Did you see the original light fixture, the transoms above the doors, and the stained glass window?
The kitchen though is entirely new.
The house has very tall ceilings, and transoms over the doors to let lots of light into each room.
There were I think three fireplaces in the house.
I always wanted a large bathroom that had room for an armoire, and this one does!!
Rather than a living room, I believe this house has a PARLOR.
Upstairs there were two bedrooms, including the master.
This is the guest bedroom. Check out those big baseboards!!
Here’s another fireplace in the foyer.
This is a sitting room downstairs.
Here’s another view of the foyer.
This is the breakfast room.
The breakfast room was behind one of the fireplaces, and therefore had this charming wall of brick.
Not sure if you can see the swordfish above the fireplace, but let’s just say for the record, that was a major yuck for me.
The postivites included a great location, a historic house, a huge yard, and 2 guest quarters in a separate building, and the garage did not need maintenance.
The downside was that the quarters looked a bit ragged, all of the bathrooms needed an overhaul, it backed to an apartment that looked less than savory, and there was NO garage. The fence behind the house looked like the kind they use at prisons. Mr CH kept pointing to the apartments, the scary fence, and the missing garage, but I ignored him.
In the end, we didn’t buy it, since Mr. CH said it looked like a money pit, with questionable neighbors. “Well, I said, but there’s a church on the other side of the house.” He gave me that, “you nutty blogger” look. (Have you seen that look? I thought you might have.) As you may have surmised, my arguments did not sway him. I knew the house would not last long on the market, and that proved to be true. It came on the market on a Monday, and by Thursday morning, it had a contract on it. It was a wonderful house, just not OUR wonderful house. (sigh)
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what a wonderful place for potential! Don’t you just hate it when you have to consider the fringe element when buying a house? LOL!
Has alot of character. Love the chandelier in the entryway.
Cynthia
I love old houses and this one looks like a wonderful one…except for the not so great neighbors 🙂
Definitely a pretty house. Thanks for sharing.
How often have a seen a nice house in the wrong place!
I always think when you get disappointed by something like this, it is because a better place is just waiting to be viewed.
I am a sucker for historical homes. The detail is just awesome. Thanks for sharing Anita.
Cheers, Gee
That house had some terrific features, and a great kitchen…but you know what they always say…”location, location, location!” You’ve got lots of time…you’ll find something great!
Wow! A fireplace in the foyer. What a beauty.
Brenda
What a lovely house! (except for some of the wallpaper!)
Gorgeous staircase and I love the parlour.
Oh well, onto the next!!
What a beautiful home!!! They just don’t make them like that anymore!
xx
Anne
Well now you know to check the fence and neighbors before you bring the mister along!
~Bliss~
Oh Anita, you would have so much fun transforming this house into your home!
As the saying goes, “it’s got great bones.”
Leslie (aka Gwen Moss)
Oh, that house has so much charm! Obviously, the buyers thought the lovely home had many positives and they were willing to overlook the negatives. Well, darn! At least you’re not on a tight schedule and have plenty of time to find the right one.
I can see why your were serious about this one. It looks gorgeous. 😉
Off to the fields tomorrow……..
It was a wonderful house but if wasn’t convenient for you then you must have a patience for looking .I am sure that you will find the gorgeous house !
Olympia
Don’t be sad! Your perfect house is out there waiting for you to call it home. Just hold on a little bit longer.
Lisa Rose
I love this house! I love victorian looking houses. take care, Darlene
Thank you Anita you don’t know how I like peeking into other people’s houses. Very, very pretty house and also tidy. I have a teapot like the one in copper you have in the kitchen. It was a wedding present
Yeah, I totally agree with oldthings. If you feel inconvenient with your home try to have a makeover. Just search on the internet for more makeover ideas.
Ohhhhh it is a wonderful house, with so much potential. I love old homes, they just have so much character. Sigh… you were right, it’s sold… but maybe just clearing a path for another even better place for you when you’re ready…
Cindy
Anita, thanks for the house tour. Can you imagine what you could do with it? WOW! I am so drawn to beautiful old homes!
Your home is waiting for you somewhere!
And tell your hubby… all homes are money pits!
Oh man, oh man what a charmer! I’ve got it really bad for those century old homes. Hope it will be around when you are ready to buy??
Lynn
Oh man, oh man what a charmer! I’ve got it really bad for those century old homes. Hope it will be around when you are ready to buy??
Lynn
I feel for you having found this terrific place to early! Bittersweet, thanks for sharing I love to look at all kinds of homes!
You had me at transoms and stained glass…drool!
You could have done wonders to that house for sure Anita! Sorry Mr CH didn’t go along with ya. I am sure your perfect house will find you soon!
Sorry Anita, I thought the house was already yours
Wonderful kitchen Anita!
Nice house–I would have fun decorating that one!
Beautiful! Now I know why you feel like really buying it. Anyway, just a tip: don’t rush and be carried away by impulse. Put into consideration a home that you and your family will really love and cherish for the years to come. =)
“so the plan is to just become familiar with the neighborhoods, streets, and so forth.” Well, that’s a good way of starting things in buying a new house. In that way, you’d be able to further scrutinize your options and foresee possible disadvantages.
Avril Copperfield
The part that interested me most was the fireplace. It’s where I read a novel before I go to bed. All in all, the house defines nobility. That’s okay if you didn’t buy it, you’ll always find another one, anyway. What do you know? The next one might be the one you’ve been waiting for – coming at a very affordable price. 🙂
What a beautiful home! I would have bought it if it came around. The interior looks good as well! I guess if you think that house is not for you, then it’s not for you. It was the same thing with my husband and I. We disagreed on every house that we wanted to get. I wanted wooden flooring but he wanted a modern Victorian house, and guess what? We both got what we wanted! I got my wooden floor with the color and design that I like, and he got his Victorian house.
This house look so much like mine I just had to share! http://www.houzz.com/photos/6759228/Victorian-House-Exterior-traditional-exterior-detroit