TIPS WHEN HOUSE HUNTING

We had another weekend looking for houses in Connecticut. From all the 8 houses we visited there was one that called my attention. It was not a perfect house, but it has so many nice features that I think I could make that works… The first amazing feature about the house is the fact that it is an antique (circa 1780s) house still in very good shape, and of course, full of charm. It needs a little of love and good decorating skills to make it a perfect retreat weekend home. Mike (my hubby) was not totally convinced about that one was the one... which is pretty normal for him. He might have hard time visualizing what the empty place and in careless condition could turn to be. He might not be able to look at the potential of the raw gems. (Well, I am going to give him a chance because he was able to find ME!)  Anyway, I find out that lot of people have difficulties to see the potential of neglected houses that are for sale. One of the ways that I use to not loose the hope is to be positive, look at the good side of things, and try to find a lot of inspirations.  First, I take lot of pictures of the exiting conditions, and then carefully I study it later. Find inspiration images of decorating spaces and architectural features that you like (that matchs to the style of the house). It is simple to do… but it can be a challenging work because you would find a lot of beautiful ideas and then you would not to know what really works for you and your budget. If you have the patience and time to develop the ideas it’s great and you can have a lot of fun; otherwise it's better to hire a designer who would really help you to "see" and possibily would help you making a decision when shopping for a house.

Here I would like the share with you some pictures that I took of my adorable antique cottage that I saw so much potential. And at the same time I want share some inspiration images that would be very helpful when and if the time comes to polish the gem.

POOR THING! It needs somebody with a hat, garden boots and tools!!!



That's the living room. Little funny layout... for sure.

Below just some living rooms that I love... and I think I could some how create a style similiar to these amazing living rooms to the "funny layout" living room above.  I am not sure how my designs would come up.  I would have to take measurments, draw a the floor plan of the area, and try to understand the space better... and then find the right sizes and right pieces for the area.  The photos below are just inspiration images for what kind of style that I want approach.

Design by Lisa Sherry Interiours

Via House of Fifty Blog



Via House to Home

The image below is part of the kitchen... another kind of award layout...

I would have to really think about it!

I would might considered opening the space a little bit more... breaking one wall that separates the kitchen and dining area right now.

Design by Kelly Hoppen (one of my favorite interior designers)

The dining area is really nice.  I like that is filled with light and I can use the space to put a long dining table.  I love skinny and long dining tables!

I am using this beautiful photo taken by Michael J. Lee to inspire me to design the guest bedroom:

"Sweet and simple"

This is the space downstairs that I would have the guest bedroom.

Let's go upstairs!

Let me introduce you to the exiting master bathroom:

It's quite big for a cottage house!

Do you see the pontential?!?

Inspiration....

Source Unknown. 

Inspiration...

And here is the general view of the master bedroom.

That's how I visualized it "to be"! I mean, the bed "to be"!

Via Paper Mulberry Blog

And don't forget the sweet details...

For me... "G" for Gross.

The interior has some many weird rooms, when you see for the first time you ask?

"What is the room for?" But then I think... and think... we could explore these areas and create unxepected inviting vingettes like these beautiful ones below.

For the outdoors I would like to add some bright color.

Some really purple blue! And for materials: some metal, some wood, some cotton.

And that blues would complement the blowing of the summer lavender flowers that I would plant all around the short stone wall.

THE END.

HOUSE HUNTING CT

This weekend my hubby and I went house hunting in Connecticut. We been traveling there once in a while checking out the area and looking for houses without any serious commitment. Sometimes we consider of finding a get way weekend, where we can mellow out life, after hectic weekdays in the city. This weekend we moved one step forward. We met our real estate agent, Ileana Santore from Marrin Santore Realty, LLC. What I nice lady! And she drove us around from 10am to about 5pm on Saturday showing a bunch of houses, and she even paid lunch for us! We looked at a lot of cottages, capes, ranches, colonial types; all generally surrounded by a good size of land with a lots of trees, grass, and even a stream. Almost all of them need to be fixed, or need great updates. Mike, my husband, is not happy about it; but for me this is kind of an exciting the idea… saving a lost house or fixing it up and making into beautiful home. Today I my post is about exercising the idea of fixing up a house with a new paint coat, adding some features here and there, cleaning it up like removing the old carpets and wallpaper, and adding charming furniture and accessories, and of course planting a lot of flowers. I choose one of the houses we looked at (one of my favorite) and started imaging what that could be transformed into without spending too much. First, I took pictures of the house when I visited. Now I found beautiful images of well done rooms that I like that kind of assembly in some features with the “potential house”, then try to image the possibilities…

I would paint the exterior of the house in white, the doors in back, the windows and doors' frame the color that is there, which seems to be a warm gray....  Then get some black pots fill with lavender... and lot's of hydrangea around the house.  Ah, and one lantern of each side of the door!

 

Living room before...

After...

The sunroom before...

After...

The dining room before...

Dining room after...

The kitchen before...

The kitchen after...

The Master Bedroom before...

After...

Guest Bedroom before...

After...

The backyard before...

After...

And then if we could afford later... much later...

maybe we can extend that porch... to...

And then... if the baby comes...

Let's keep looking...!  And letting the universe undersdand what you are looking for!

THE PLEASURES OF AUTUMN... A DAY IN THE COUNTRY

Autumn might be my favorite season… I mean, I love all seasons.  Each one has something different to offer… I remember when I moved to US/New York my first years here I used to be so excited waiting for the fall season to come. I mean, REALLY excited about it.  You have to think that I am girl from a tropical country where the colors of autumn is a little less defined compared to here.  In the tropical countries the fall colors are not so bright as much as here...  and also there isn't the red tons.  


Fall has a quality that is earthier then the other seasons, with a deep and soft vibrancy that makes me feel good. The warm tons of color, the spicies fragances, the textured materials of wood, baskets and wool, the so and so cold in the air… Oh... Ah... the crispy days with blue skies and gold yellow leaves...  Ah, it's a season that makes me feel like escaping to the countryside; and enjoying all the "goodie & goodie" pleasures of life.

LET'S START HERE!

If you don't have one of these "cutie beauties", rent one and head to the country!

 Next day: maybe you are lucky enough to get this kind of glorious morning...

(Photo: via The Paper Mulberry from 1st-Option)

How about a mellow walk?

Hum... feeling a little tired after your long walk?  So, now... how about grabbing a good book,

 and enjoying a relaxing time in the couch?

(Photo: via one of my old Elle Decor - Designer: Michael S. Smith)

LUNCH TIME!

Maybe some warm and delicious soup from the book "The Soup Bible".

NAP TIME!

(Photo: via one of my old Elle Decor - Designer: Michael S. Smith)

In the afternoon: going to the local art gallery would maybe be a good choice...

Don't forget to bring "organic apples & pears" to home!

(Photo: Still Life by Cezzane)

Before supper I think would be fun to go shopping online...  Jayson Home  is one of my suggestions; if you are looking for something charming for your home or garden!

Hum... but while your are shopping for your favorite item, how about that yummy cupcake

with coffee or tea?

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting

by Barefoot Contessa

{Makes 10 cupcakes}

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup canned pumpkin purée (8 ounces), not pie filling

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Maple Frosting (recipe follows)

1/2 cup coarsely chopped Heath bars, for serving (2 1.4-ounce bars)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush or spray the top of 10 muffin tins with vegetable oil and line them with 10 paper liners.

2. Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Add the flour mixture and stir until combined.

3. Divide the batter among the prepared tins (I use a level 2 1/4-inch ice cream scoop) and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.

4. Spread the cupcakes with the Maple Frosting and sprinkle with the chopped toffee bits.

Maple Frosting

6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 teaspoon Boyajian Natural Maple Flavor

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth. Stir in the maple flavoring and vanilla extract. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

AND FOR DINNER  _  A RICH STEW!

(One of my favorite kind of food: Stews)

Oxtail Stew in Red Wine - Rabo de Toro

from the book: The Culinary Institute of America One Dish Meals

{Makes 6 servings}

Oxtail stews have incredible body and flavor. We recommend that you make this a day or two before you plan to eat it—the flavor deepens as it rests. Boiled, mashed, or pan-fried potatoes are good accompaniments to this dish, along with a glass of the wine you used to make the stew.

 

1/4 cup olive oil

2-3/4 lb oxtail pieces

Salt as needed

Freshly ground black pepper as needed

2 cups chopped yellow onion

1-1/2 cups chopped leek, white and light green portions

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 cup diced plum tomato

1 tbsp sherry vinegar or as needed

1 tbsp honey

2 cups dry red wine, such as a good-quality Rioja

3 cups beef broth or as needed

4 parsley sprigs

4 thyme sprigs

1 bay leaf

2 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish

1. Heat the oil in a casserole or Dutch oven over high heat until it shimmers. Season the oxtail pieces generously with salt and pepper; add in a single layer to the hot oil. (Work in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pieces.) Sauté the oxtail, turning as necessary, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate, letting the oil drain back into the casserole. Cover the oxtail loosely and set aside.

 

2. Return the casserole to high heat until the oil shimmers. Add the onion, leek, and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the diced tomato and cook until it deepens in color and smells sweet, about 2 minutes.

 

3. Add 1 tbsp sherry vinegar and the honey and stir until the honey is dissolved. Return the oxtail pieces and any juices they may have released to the casserole and fold the oxtail into the vegetables gently with a wooden spoon.

4. Add the red wine and enough of the broth to cover the oxtail. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Tie the parsley, thyme, and bay leaf together into a bouquet garni and add to the stew. Cover the casserole and simmer very gently over low heat until the meat on the oxtail is nearly falling from the bone, 2 to 3 hours.

 

5. Transfer the oxtail pieces to a heated serving bowl and keep warm. Remove and discard the bouquet garni. Return the casserole to the heat. Skim the fat and oil from the surface and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer rapidly until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with additional sherry vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour the sauce over the oxtail pieces, garnish with parsley, and serve at once.

Happy "tummy"...?!  Get a glass of wine; or some hot chocolate and the blanket...

A little romantic movie... I think would be an excellent option after dinner!

And if you have a fireplace to go with the movie it would be more then perfect!

(I know... the image shows a living room during day time.  Please, just use your imagination to make the room at night time.) I just love this living room _ another beautiful creation of

designer Michael S. Smith.

Ok... next day is time to go back to the city.  I feel so bad to leave the country, don't you?!... 

I love all about it!  How about you? Do you have any suggestions that apply to our intenerary?

Ok...  Let's not fell bad about it, next time let's create an "Autumn Day in the City". 

I promise to you that I would come up with one.

By the way,  before you head to the country don't forget to check the:

NYSTATE FOLIAGE REPORT