We had an appointment this morning, with a Realtor. Jenny was very knowledgeable about this style of home as she lives in one herself. She has renovated her own home, which was useful while discussing what might be needed, in the do-ups we were viewing with her.
First up.
This lovely old girl was in better condition than any of the others we viewed, as it turned out.
We have few pet peeves greater than seeing what others have done in these lovely old ladies to literally make them unlivable (in our opinion!). Fortunately, this first home wasn't as bad as the rest. You can see for yourselves!
She has a return veranda with two swings! yes, spoilt for choice, there:) No screened in porch though.
I am standing on the side veranda looking towards the back door and entry, taking this photo. The first swing is right beside me on the front part of the veranda.
There is a sharp decline on the deck, towards the railing. This is because of the rain/ storms. We were told this house is about 3 ft above the flood zone, so flood insurance would be minimal. You have to remember that this area is all Marshes and swamps...very close to water!
To our left, from this point on the front stoop, we turn left, into one of the Living Rooms. You can see the front door to the left in the photo below. I am looking towards the front of the house here. We asked if some of the furniture conveys with the house? The answer was that the house has been almost emptied of furnishings, out of necessity, and there may be some furniture available for sale. None of this looks very comfortable! The color and the wallpaper/border isnt our thing, but not to worry...also the 'window dressing'.Hmmm.
Another of our pet peeves is how paint is used to cover up so much damage. This is a classic! on the ceiling molding.
While I like the light fixtures, they are useless at night. You would be forced to have reading lights.
This home has most of the original door hardware:) Lovely!
I made sure this pocket door worked, looking back into the living room, from the formal dining room.
To my left is this highly figured dresser, in the living room. Not something we would be interested in, although Waz likes it. You might notice the good condition of the flooring. The house is apparently made of Pine. Most of the floors are in excellent condition.
The dining room is yet another room with a fireplace. There are 8 of them in this house.
The kitchen is very livable as is, but it all needs updating and a jolly good clean. Apparently the home is now owned by the children of the former owners, and they visit sometimes. It is as if someone just walked out and left everything. I guess they did!
The cooktop is in the island with a pop-up extractor fan. Not my favorite kind. That is the Butler's Pantry straight ahead there, with a second dish washer and an ice maker and to the left, a second large fridge/freezer. Where the second sink is, under the window there, used to be a doorway. Outside there are brick steps leading down to the kitchen garden...or what was a kitchen garden...raised beds..
Why anyone would do this with a microwave??? I hate this sloppy kind of thing...and directly above the sink??eh?
This is a pop-out window that has been added in the last 20 yrs. Hmmm....might take that one out, you think?
Waz in the downstairs powder room/laundry. That is the outside back door to the right. He is standing beside the shower stall. the door frame above him is the door into the kitchen. I don't like the washer and dryer being there, but, well....never mind:)
What was an office, when this was a bed and breakfast. This whole portion of the house, at the back of the house, is an add-on, and not a pretty one. This is common in these homes. We have the idea that we would replace the window with French doors and put a lovely big deck out there...but...we don't own the place:) and it might never happen.
Looking back to the front door, and the large cupboard under the stairs. Lots of storage in this home.
Nice wide hallway, and I do like that lamp!
On the ground or first floor, as it is called here, there is a large public room that was made into a bedroom...here, below. It has an ensuite, of course.The door ahead leads to the library/media room, which is very dark and has been added much later than the original house was built. I do love the white walls and brightness in this room.
The ensuite attached to the bedroom above.
One of the many stained glass windows.
The bathroom hardware attached to the claw footed tub...looks like it hasn't been used forever.
The library/media room in the add-on. Dark everything. Perfect for media room, says Waz.
The upstairs landing is generous. Bedrooms left and right. The door straight ahead goes out to a small landing that has been almost totally covered in with lattice. There is also a closet outside that could be used like a trunk room.
The Blue room ensuite...much roomier...these are all upstairs!
The Realtor thought this small single bedroom might have been a trunk room at one time. It has no bathroom, no does the room next door which is also a bedroom.
Since I started this blog post, a few days have gone by. We have been to the County to ascertain what is required when one buys an Historic Home in the Historic district. Not a lot, apparently, but we wouldn't be able to change the outside without applying for variances etc.
We also need to meet with other people, but have yet to decide if we want to live not just in Brunswick, but in a home like this that requires a lot of work, despite what you see that looks just fine to most.
Ceilings need re-plastering and boards replacing...among other things!...MANY things.
We went looking at another few homes just to compare them with this one. We visited a home that had 'everything already done', but we couldn't see how we might live in it...not enough windows! We need light and something that leads us outside on a daily basis. This home didn't, and was a bit Mickey Mouse.
Anyway, we continue to look, but have other things to do for the remainder of the week. Can you believe it is the 10th of July, already? heavens...before long it will be Christmas! Aieee!
That's a lovely Victorian home! One thing I feel I should mention is that, although it's a hassle to apply for variances to change the outside of it, you can do anything you want with the inside. For example, to make it much more livable, you could get comfortable, neutral-colored furniture that looks great with any décor.
ReplyDelete