Snapshots from Annisquam, Massachusetts

Posted on | September 14, 2011 | 5 Comments

Annisquam is small summer community within the town of Gloucester on the north shore of Boston. After brunch at The Market Restaurant on Sunday we took a stroll around the neighborhood checking out beautiful old homes overlooking the water. So cute! It’s seemed almost everyone had water views. The streets were so quiet we could here crickets. Anyone we did run into was heading down to the docks, coolers and life jackets in hand. Snapshots from some of the beautiful houses we saw. Click here to view on a map.

Category: architecture, historic homes, massachusetts

Pumpkin Beauty: Cogswell’s Grant House

Posted on | September 12, 2011 | 16 Comments

On Sunday we took a drive up to Essex to check out the Cogswell’s Grant House. Situated down a long road on a 165-acre property looking out to the Essex River and east to the Atlantic ocean. The main part of house was built in 1728 and a number of additions have been added to home.

We spent some time outside before the tour checking out the exterior clapboards, cornerboards, rake and fascia—examining the similarities to the pieces we’ve renovated on our house. The house was recently painted pumpkin. How crazy is the gloss shining off the side of the house? During the tour our guide mentioned The Littles painted it pumpkin after seeing a similar house Mrs. Little loved in a painting.

The Littles purchased the property in 1937. The Littles were avid collectors of folk art and used the home as a summer house. “Though known for their meticulous research, the Littles decorated with an eye for visual delight rather than historic accuracy, and the result is a house rich in atmosphere and crowded with works of strong, even quirky character.” Mrs. Little took account for every single object she purchased including auction notices and notes on each piece. Hmm maybe I should start a file system?

Above and below snapshots from the property. Sorry, I was not allowed to take photos inside. Note the Beverly Jog #3 photo below. We’re hoping to add a door to our Jog this fall and I love this look with the transom above.

Check out more photos I snapped on flickr.

Cogswell’s Grant
60 Spring Street
Essex, MA
historicnewengland.org

Category: architecture, historic homes, interiors, massachusetts

Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia

Posted on | August 5, 2011 | 12 Comments

One last post from Philly! After I checked out Independence Hall I heard a few guides talking about the “our nation’s oldest residential street” nearby. I walked in the 90+ degree heat feeling like I was going to pass out to check out Elfreth’s Alley, how could I miss it?

Since 1702, Elfreth’s Alley has been home to more than 3,000 people. Today thirty-two houses, built between 1728 and 1836, line the alley. They form one of the last intact early American streetscapes in the nation. Elfreth’s Alley is a National Historic Landmark District, one of the first districts that celebrates the lives of everyday Americans. (elfrethsalley.org)

I was struck by the color combinations of the doors and trims. Blues, red, greens and yellows intermix on different doors and shutters. The red door with the blue trim stopped me in my tracks, stunning! And the yellow trim with sage green door, had me thinking of my favorite yellow sofa and my green molding in my den.

I strolled down the cobble stone street entranced by the houses. Each feeling like a character in a play telling a story of the past. Below a few snapshots of the alley.

8 panel blue door and shutters.

Sage green and yellow, what a striking combination!

A red door with blue trim.

A view looking down the alley.

A beautiful eucalyptus green door.

Reds, greens and black.

A blue dutch door, check out the top of the door…Is that a crown?

A brick pathway off the main alley had me dreaming of my someday brick driveway.

Category: architecture, pennsylvania

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