Category: HOME

The Wellfleet Cape by Classic Colonial Homes!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House Plans1 Comment

The Wellfleet Cape by Classic Colonial Homes

I would like to introduce Classic Colonial Homes, I haven’t featured them before and their plans are stunning! New England plans at their finest! This is the Wellfleet Cape with it’s steep, gorgeous roof and attached 2 bay carriage shed with 420 square feet of space above! What fabulous design! This plan is 2,120 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. What’s so nice about Classic Colonial Homes is that they can work with you to customize their plans to fit your needs. They work with you to make your new home your dream home, and their website… wonderful! Look through the many actual photos of homes they have built, on their website, it really helps to get an idea, and WOW! They are beautiful!

The Wellfleet Cape by Classic Colonial Homes

The first floor layout is so functional! The master bedroom, bathroom and closet are at the far end of the house, which is nice. The kitchen and gathering room are open to each other, so the cook can be part of what’s going on in the house. The dining room and living room are nearby. This is perfect for families who need an additional living space, or it could work well as a library, etc. especially with a nice cozy fireplace!

The Wellfleet Cape by Classic Colonial Homes

The upstairs has two nice size bedrooms with closets, a small loft area, which is all you need and a bathroom. Perfect layout!

Read a little blip about Classic Colonial Homes, from their website:

“Classic Colonial Homes, Inc. is an experienced and quality driven residential design and manufacturing firm, specializing in traditional New England architecture and custom craftsmanship of period inspired building components. Since 1992, our experience in the construction industry has evolved and grown with the demands of our customers and needs of a changing marketplace. The depth of our team of professionals encompasses several areas including Comprehensive Design Services, Construction Management, Specialty Product Manufacturing, Sales, Service and Owner’s Representation. 

Guided by the architectural principles of Early America, Classic Colonial Homes is dedicated to designing and helping create distinctive homes for those who appreciate authentic historical detailing combined with modernized living spaces, creating period homes with character for the 21st Century.  Our commitment to deliver quality and satisfaction to our customers runs through the very foundation of our enterprise, strengthening our reputation to serve an ever expanding customer base. 

From our idyllic home base along the banks of the Sawmill River in Western Massachusetts, Classic Colonial Homes, Inc. is conveniently located to serve clients within the greater Northeast and beyond. Please contact our office today at 1-413-341-3375. to find out more about the joys of designing and building a Classic Colonial Home.” Continue reading HERE…

All images via CCHOnline.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the architectural firm.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: The Chestnut (NC0003) by Allison Ramsey Architects!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

The Chestnut (NC0003) by Allison Ramsey Architect

The Chestnut (NC0003) by Allison Ramsey Architect is quite the fabulous plan! This plan is in their Blue Ridge Inspirations I plan book. I think this timeless design will work well in so many locations! This plan is 1,979 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

The Chestnut (NC0003) by Allison Ramsey Architect

The Chestnut has such a wonderful porch, which adds living space outside, a dream! You enter into the living room, then onto the kitchen and dining area. Did you notice those wonderful French doors that lead to the deck between the kitchen and bedroom? Master bedroom/bathroom towards the back of the house with a powder room situated off to the side. Perfect!

The Chestnut (NC0003) by Allison Ramsey Architect

Two bedrooms, a loft and a bathroom upstairs. A loft could be such a cozy spot as an alternative to the living room. It’s so wonderful to have small spaces to get away.

All images via AllisonRamseyArchitect.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the architectural firm.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Check out the 23 Covington Court House Plan by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

23 Covington Court by Our Town Plans

This is the 23 Covington Court house plan by Our Town Plans. This plan is 1,986 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. There is an ample front porch, a screened back porch and a private balcony off of the upstairs bedroom and a screened porch off the upstairs master bedroom!

This is one sharp house, I love the metal roof as well as the carport, it’s done so nicely, with an entrance into the breakfast room.

Be sure to check Our Town Plans website for real images – they’re amazing!

23 Covington Court by Our Town Plans

What do you notice? Porches, porches, porches! Love, love, love! I cannot imagine how wonderful this plan would be during beautiful weather, when you can open windows/doors! How nice to fall asleep to a nice breeze! Do you see the fireplace on the porch? Another treasure! The main floor of this plan has a living/dining space, kitchen, breakfast area, powder room and bedroom with a separate bathroom. I like that there is a bedroom on the first floor!

23 Covington Court by Our Town Plans

The upstairs has a small porch off the bedroom and a screened porch off of the master bathroom – what a treat! This plan seems to have so much more useful room than some of the more traditional plans.

All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the architectural firm.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Northbridge Park – Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, PhotographLeave a comment

Charleston, SC

Wonderful clouds, bright green marsh grass – a feeling of fall in the air despite the hot temps. I am thrilled to be getting closer each day to the cooler, less humid weather! Woohoo, cool temps make me so happy!

Isn’t this a beautiful setting? It’s located right here in Charleston, off Cosgrove, for those of you who are local. This is Northbridge Park… Spectacular views!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Live Oak Trees, Spanish Moss and Resurrection Ferns!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Charleston, SC

We live in an area where live oak trees were planted in front of each house (back in the 1930’s) – they are so beautiful. Each and every one makes the street we live on something extra special. I love when the sun hits the Spanish moss, or when the resurrection fern that grows on the limbs goes from crispy and brown to lively and bright green – it’s amazing! Click that link to see the before and after (rain), it’s so cool!

These trees are like something in a fairytale! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Cistern at the College of Charleston!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph, SC1 Comment

Cistern at the College of Charleston

Charleston, SC is full of beautiful locations, one being the Cistern at the College of Charleston – so historic, stunning with those grand oak trees. If you’re ever in the Charleston area, the College of Charleston is a beautiful campus to walk through – bring your camera!

What is a Cistern? Here’s some info from the College of Charleston’s website:

The Cistern

The large, grassy oval adjacent Randolph Hall is called the Cistern. Constructed in 1857 to help control flooding due to heavy rain, as well as to provide water for fighting fires, the Cistern was later covered and planted with grass. Today, it is a favorite studying spot for students and the site of commencement in the spring.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Bowens Island Sunset – Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, FOOD, Photograph, SC2 Comments

Sunset

Can you believe it’s the first day of Autumn? Whew! Thank goodness! My favorite months are coming up, and I am looking very forward to them!

We all have favorite times of year, what is yours? I cherish the cooler, crisp weather – times when we can open windows and let fresh air in. I love the dramatic October skies, soon to come. Life goes by so quickly, you really do have to make a mental note to appreciate the present, but you can still have your favorite times of year ;)

This photo was taken at Bowens Island Restaurant (Charleston, SC) – which I highly recommend. It’s not fancy, but whew, the seafood is out of this world!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Window Boxes – And Ideas to Fill Them…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, HOME, SC1 Comment

Charleston, SC Windowbox

Charleston, SC window boxes are stunning. I read in Southern Living that they’re so popular on the homes in the downtown area because many homes are built right up to the sidewalk leaving no room for traditional planting. Well, this certainly does the trick!

Here’s a great article from Southern Living magazine, they also give ideas for what to plant in your window boxes for both warm and cool weather:

http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2011/04/21/charlestons-winderful-window-boxes/

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sunrise Reflections- Monhegan, Maine

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph1 Comment

Sunrise Monhegan Maine

Can you imagine? This sunrise woke me up! I flew out of bed and was stunned! I ran outside (down 3 flights of stairs at the Island Inn to get outside in my PJ’s with my camera). The sunrise was bright red above the lighthouse, yet the water was the prettiest pink with a lone kayaker enjoying the show. I bet the sunrise was amazing to watch from the perspective of the kayaker!

Photo from the archives… Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo – The 5 East Battery, Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph, SCLeave a comment

Colorful Charleston, SC

5 East Battery is an amazing example of Charleston architecture.

Read a bit about this amazing example of Charleston architecture from the Charleston County Library:

5 East Bay Street – John Ravenel House c.1847

The three story stuccoed brick house was built between 1847 and 1849 by John Ravenel. Ravenel, who was completely of Huguenot descent and a member of the planting aristocracy, sold his patrimonial acres to become a merchant, and built up one of the city’s leading shipping houses. He was also president of the South Carolina Rail Road and was instrumental in developing the Northeastern Rail Road. This house was also the home of his son, Dr. St. Julien Ravenel, the noted scientist who designed and built the Civil War semi-submersible torpedo boat, the Lucy and was a leader in the development of the phosphate fertilizer after the Civil War. It was also the home of Dr. Ravenel’s wife Harriett Horry Rutledge, who, using the name Mrs. St. Julien Ravenel, authored the book Charleston: The Place and the People, and other works on local history. In 1886, the property was purchased by John Ravenel’s son-in-law, Elias Horry Fronst, president of E.H. Frost & Co., one of the city’s leading cotton brokerage houses. He was also head of the Stono Phosphate Company and president of the South Carolina Loan and Trust company. Frost was a noted art collector and owned one of the best libraries in the South. The house was built in the Italianate sty;e popular in Charleston in the antebellum period. After suffering severe damage in the 1866 earthquake, the house was extensively rebuilt by Frost, who kept the original plan and mass, including the prominent bay on the front, and added features in the Victorian Italianate style fashionable in the 1880’s. The property remained in the hands of John Ravenel’s descendants until 1953, when it was sold. (Stockton, unpin. M.S.; Stockton, DYKYC, December 13, 1975)

There is an interesting article from the Post & Courier HERE.

🙄To subscribers of this blog… this post may look a teeny familiar to you (although it’s changed quite a bit), that’s because I thought I was scheduling this post to publish today, BUT the date showed August – of course I noticed it AFTER I HIT THE BUTTON. I am human, gasp! So let’s all pretend this is fresh and new, ok?

Back to normal posting next week – Catch you back here tomorrow!

A Checkerboard Shadow!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, PhotographLeave a comment

Checkerboard Shadow

A checkerboard shadow! I love walking and spotting cool shadows in the road. I swear I need to bring my phone when I walk in the morning, there is a tree that gives off the most dramatic shadows in the road – it’s simply beautiful. I spotted this shadow downtown (from a brick wall) during a walk and took a quick photo…

What kinds of things do you notice when you’re out and about? I try to pay attention to the little things. For it is the little things in life that are truly BIG!

Back to normal posting next week – Catch you back here tomorrow!