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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Downsizing Home Search: Am I Really Looking At Victorians???


I told you a few posts ago that over the next year or so hubby and I are looking at homes in Lexington to begin the process of downsizing.  We are still in the quandry of “do we build” or “do we renovate/restore”?

I think it will be fun sharing some of the homes we see as we begin this journey.  Here are some Victorian era homes we have looked at:

House #1 was built in the late 1800s and has had some renovations already done.


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View to the street from the front steps.


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Four car garage! Hubby likes that!


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Fireplace in the foyer! So Victorian!


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Large dining room.


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Updated master bath with clawfoot tub.


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House #2 was built in the 1870’s and is definitely a Romanesque style.


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Grand foyer and staircase.


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 Notice the original tile in the grand porch entrance.


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Beautiful ceiling treatment.

 
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Perfect place for my own piano.

 
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Farmhouse type kitchen.  The ceiling is tall and has been painted black.
 
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House # 3 is a rare Chateauesque style with roots in French chateaux!  It was painted sometime in the 1900s and the paint is naturally flaking away to its original red brick. Notice the 3rd story tower and zinc finial on the left.


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It was built in 1875 and even has a porte cochere!


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A grand dame that needs lots of updating!  But imagine the possibilities!!!


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Looking toward the music room with an inlaid floor on the perimeter.  Another fireplace in the foyer (on the left)


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Of course it has a tower room!


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Can you see the bottom of the stained glass window on the left?  It’s magnificent and large. The owners have previously tried to strip the staircase.


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These homes are all magnificent and have good bones, but I’m not sure if I want to tackle a house this OLD.  They all have basements, attics, and boilers!!!

But I love these old gems and have a soft spot in my heart for them.  Hubby and I used to stay in Bed & Breakfasts a lot and these homes certainly remind me of them.  What do I like about  Victorians of this era?  Tall ceilings, huge moldings, pocket doors, lots of fireplaces, hardwood floors, and interesting architectural features like leaded and stained glass windows.

I know you are thinking…”This is a downsizing search?”  One of the comments from a dear reader on a previous post said she and her husband had “flunked” downsizing.  I think my hubby and I may be candidates for flunking, too!

Which of these 3 do you think we have already eliminated? Can you guess?
Stay tuned for more houses,
Kim

8 comments:

Sarah said...

Each one is beautiful, Kim. I'd say you've already eliminated #3 because it appears to need the most work. #1 with its 4 car garage looks very promising. '-)

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Yes, I was surprised you had gone to see some Victorian's with that love of French Country running through your veins...I do love the wonderful history and historical areas of the towns have always been a favorite of mine!

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Oh, gosh, Kim! I can see potential in all 3 of these! I'm surprised that you are looking at Victorians; but, I remember you saying in some of your earlier posts that you love them. I could see you working your magic with any of these!

Cynthia said...

I am somewhat surprised but one has to do what one has too. You can throw French in one of those. Go where you love and decorate with what you love!!!

Cynthia

Mimi said...

The bones on these are fabulous and would make a beautiful backdrop for French decor- lots of character to work with!

Best,
Mimi@A House Romance

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

These are beautiful and I would love to live in an older home. Such character.

Pamela said...

Those homes re just amazing Kim!

jacklynn4 said...

Ok, so I ran across this post-from several years ago-only now (2016!) but I've just got to know. Which house did you pick? I hope it was the red brick, French influence, victorian in this post. Are you still going to France? What are you up to these days?
jackie
blissfarmantiques@gmail.com

ps we are in the process of downsizing just now. Our house goes on the market in May, 2017

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