One of my favorite features in Country Living is the “Real Estate Sampler” page, so I put together a sampler of my own today. Click the links below each house to see the interior photos, then let me know which one is your favorite!
House #1: Recently featured in Country Living‘s “Real Estate Sampler,” this 1913 home in Mound City, Illinois, has a neoclassical portico, a parlor with working gaslights, and a copper turret. Asking $289,000. More photos: Coldwell Banker.
House #2: This Classic Sag Harbor Beauty (New York) has been renovated with modern amenities but retains historical charm with pumpkin pine floors, crown molding, and four fireplaces. Asking $1.295 million. More photos: Corcoran.
House #3: This Victorian-style home in Raleigh, North Carolina, has three stories, a big front porch, and all the modern amenities. Asking $700,000. More photos: Fonville Morisey.
House #4: This 1928 English Tudor is in Homewood, Alabama. It features leaded-glass windows, hardwood floors, and two fireplaces. Asking $499,000. More photos: Tinsley Realty.
House #5: Built in 1895, this is “One of Ohio’s original Railroad Houses.” It has a huge front porch, 10-foot ceilings, and lots of built-ins. Asking $698,000. More photos: Coldwell Banker.
Which of these houses would you most love to live in? (The prices and locations don’t matter–we’re just talking the houses themselves today.) Vote below!
~
{ 55 comments }
Personally, I love the Tudor in Alabama, and you can’t beat the price. The realtor didn’t include a photo of the kitchen, which makes think it hasn’t been updated. Too bad I’m not moving to Homewood anytime soon!
I am equally in love with the Tudor and Railroad House. They’re both gorgeous!
Fun poll, helps me stay away from the real house shopping! I’ve been in my house for coming up on two years, this is the time I’d typically be looking…the family (and housing market!) has stopped me in my tracks.
Janell
They are all GREAT houses! Nice finds! I have to go with the Tudor in this case, though I’m not usually drawn to that style architecture. It’s been updated, yet maintains a lot of the original charm with “nooks & crannies”. Great curb appeal. It’s hard to find double staircases these days with the shared landing. Great design with functional and liveable space… and price is nice too boot!
House #1 is a gorgeous structure with tons of character, but unfortunately, looks like it was papered in the 80′s to *look* victorian. It needs quite a bit of work to correctly capture the period and could use some better curb appeal. But that’s just estethics. The price is right to work that in to the budget. House #5 has great spaces (size-wise) but it’s lost some of the charm with the expansions, in my humble opinion and the kitchen is a little on the small size for workspace and storage. Unbelievable porch though ~ I could just live there!
I love both the English Tudor and Victorian homes. I voted for the Victorian since I live in Raleigh. Too bad it is way out of my price range.
.-= Missie@Crafting with Cat Hair´s last blog ..How I Met My House =-.
I love 4 and 5!! I live only 45 minutes from Homewood, but I would have loved it anyway! Real Estate is our area of the world is so cheap in comparison to further north and west!
Have a great day!
Lou Cinda
.-= Lou Cinda´s last blog ..I just had to share this… =-.
Would love to get my hands on #2. I love the curb appeal and classic design.
Thanks Julia.
Karena
Art by Karena
.-= Karena´s last blog ..Signature Canvas, Made in the USA =-.
I should like the railroad house since my hubby works for them but I like the Alabama one:)
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..How I Met My House. =-.
How fun! Love the Sag Harbor one. I shoot homes for realtors and next week I have 2 homes I can’t wait to see, a 7k square foot Victorian and a brand new Craftsman that has it’s own airfield. I can’t imagine either!
.-= desiree´s last blog ..Naglee Park Offers A Historic Home Tour =-.
Not usually a tudor fan but I really like that Homewood house.
#1 hands down, no competition at all.
#5 FTW!
This decision was so hard. I loved three of them but eventually went with the Tudor.
I’d pick the English Tudor – it had the most character with the fireplaces, windowseats, sitting areas, and the gorgeous brick! I love them all, but based on the pictures I would choose that one!
Great post!
Fonville-Morisey was the realtor I used to sell my old house! I wish all realty websites were like theirs: you don’t have to register to use it, so you can look to your heart’s content without divulging any information about yourself.
I chose the Homewood, AL house, just because I know and love that neighborhood. We used to live in Birmingham, and Homewood is one of my favorite areas in B’ham.
A fun post, Julia! You’re so smart!
.-= Richella at Imparting Grace´s last blog ..English teacher =-.
I like 2, 4, &5. I have always loved Tudors, I drool over one on my way to work every day, but they are too formal for my style. I settled on #5 because the rooms are larger than #2, but mostly because of the entry in #5.
I had a hard time choosing. That’s my favorite feature in Country Living, too.
.-= Nichole´s last blog ..Customer Service – the good, the bad and the why are you in business? =-.
Well, as of the time of my vote, I’m in the majority with the Tudor. But, I also like the Sag Harbor (#2). My taste actually runs more modern, but of these, those are the two that really stand out for me. Thanks–Hope to see more of these samplers!
This was a great post, Julia! Great homes. I voted for the Tudor, but I’d love the Sag Harbor as my summer home. A girl can dream!
It was between the Tudor and the Sag Harbor. Sag Harbor wins for me, love the Tudor interior but I could not possibly ever live in Alabama since I can’t handle heat. No one would want to live with my grumpy I’m-too-hot complaining self. Really New England gives me plenty of cause to do the I’m-too-hot thing as it is.
The Illinois house is gorgeous but after I read that it had working gaslights, having seen that creepy old movie, all I could think of was how freaked out I would be if they dimmed or flickered!
.-= hip hip gin gin´s last blog ..Marry Me =-.
The tudor was very nice-loved the stairway, but I opted for the railroad house because its interior is more “me.” Liked the white wainscotting and the white kitchen cabinetry. I could doll up the outside for more curb appeal after I move in!
number 4
The home in Illinois is stunning on the outside, but too futsy on the inside. I’d go with the Ohio railroad house – it’s my favorite and I wouldn’t have to leave Ohio!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Once Upon a Time . . . =-.
OMG!!! Where have I been the last year or so, that I’ve been missing out on one of the best “house” blog ever!!! I’m new to your blog, and I’ve literally wasted 1 hour and 15 minutes of my work time coz I just can’t stop perusing all your posts. I’m now a huge fan and follower and adding you to my “j’adore blogs”
-marie
.-= Marie´s last blog ..Santa Barbara – the American Riviera =-.
Please Please Please! Do this again. I loved it.
I voted for the brick tudor in Alabama- but really, really love the Sag Harbor house. (less painting and maintenance on the brick home – plus, I am a Southerner )
-Trish
.-= Trish @TheOldPostRoad´s last blog ..Florence Griswold House =-.
I’m in love with house #3! And it’s in North Carolina… how I miss living on the East Coast!
.-= Melanie Beth´s last blog ..The start of a new dining room… part 1 =-.
The Tudor house was my fav. It was the sunroom full of those fabulous windows that pushed me over the edge.
.-= Connie @ Hartwood Roses´s last blog ..How I Met My House. =-.
After looking at all of the pictures, I pick the railroad house. I would have never guessed that at first sight. I just LOVE that porch!
.-= Vicki´s last blog ..The parental stare =-.
this was fun! more! more!
hey, ever thought of doing dave’s place on “alvin & the chipmunks”?
.-= tina poulsen´s last blog ..Sweet pink kitchen =-.
Tina–
You’re in luck! I wrote about that house right here:
http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/12/06/jason-lees-cottage-in-alvin-and-the-chipmunks/
-Julia
i love house #2. it’s simple but has an old world charm to it
I must say they are all beautiful homes! I chose the one in Alabama.
I adore red brick and my sister lives in the same city.
~Ah. How nice it would be to live near my family again.
Blessings to you. ~Melissa
.-= Melissa Miller ´s last blog ..~*~Lead Me To Your Door~*~ =-.
I loved the Tudor. I’m such a sucker for beautiful windows!
That was a hard one, Julia! I liked the space in the Tudor, but the built-ins and white picket fence at the Railroad house made me smile.
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Mississippi Mud Giveaway! =-.
Definitely the beautiful Victorian in Illinois! It’s a great price for a big old home like that. That big porch and upper balconies, dreamy! I’m a sucker for Victorians. It needs a lot of work inside, but I prefer houses like that cuz I’d want to put my personal taste into it. It also seems to have a big yard; I don’t like being on top of neighbors. I love that section of Country Living too. I just checked out a bunch of back issues from the library so I’m looking forward to checking them out.
While all of these homes are beautiful, I have to say that my dream home would be much, much smaller. These homes look like they are all at least 3,000 sq ft of living. I have always loved the smaller homes with the beautiful built in hutches, bookshelves, display niches and dressers. I grew up in such a house. My father built it with my brothers when they were young, and my parents have lived there for over 50 years. When I think of real, loving family homes with personality, it’s houses like this that I dream of.
That’s one of my favorite features in Country Living too! I voted for the Victorian (#3) but I have to say, I wouldn’t complain about living in any of them. I think my next favorite was #5. (Oh, and I couldn’t BELIEVE the PRICE of #1!!! Yikes! I’ll take it!)
.-= Courtney @ Nesting Instincts´s last blog ..friday’s fabulous finds: pretty art for your wall =-.
I thought for sure I was going to say #4. But how can ya pass up the charm of #1?
I had to sit and stare for awhile. I really liked them all ! None stood out more than the others, they’re all so lovely ! I secretly yearn to live a double life as an East Coaster so I picked the North Carolina home.
.-= Kate at Centsational Girl´s last blog ..Living Room Inspiration: I Need You =-.
Well, maybe after that last comment, I should stick to the NY home !!
.-= Kate at Centsational Girl´s last blog ..Living Room Inspiration: I Need You =-.
Oh I am in love with number #1! Something about a tower just gets me everytime!
.-= Jess @ Frugal w/a Flourish´s last blog ..Eight Great Finds – Mirrors =-.
After looking at them all, I think the one in Raleigh is the most “me”, but I do not care for the current paint or furnishings.
Which one do you want, Julia?
#1- Haunted
#2- Awesome
#3- Boring
#4- Haunted
#5- Haunted
I voted for #3, but #5 was a close second. I’d change the paint colors in #3, though.
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Furniture arrangement dilemma =-.
Wow, that victorian is an amazing deal! It sure does have a lot of 80s “Victorian” wallpaper though, which is kind of a bummer. I voted for #3
.-= Jen´s last blog ..How I Met My House =-.
Fun. I picked #2. Would have picked #1 but could just picture the arguments I’d have with my hubby — I’d want to paint the woodwork white to lighten it up, and he’d want it kept stained.
I choose house 1 because of the exterior, those porches! But, I would completely revamp the inside and since I’m being unrealistic anyway, I would invite my pretend best friend Candice Olsen to come help me. When we’re finished moving walls and painting we’ll play croquet in the yard with our other friends, George Clooney and James Marsden.
That first one is a great deal!
My favorite house based on the exterior pics is #5. I then checked out the inside of all of them and #5 is for sure my favorite! I love the colors and trim and details!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..I’m Lovin’ It Friday: The Best Brownies Ever =-.
That turret on the first house won me over.
we actually looked at #4 in homewood! it was loaded with character, but short on kitchen space and closet space..but for a gal who doesn’t like to cook or have many clothes it would be great! just needs a bit of tlc to be fabulous. we ended up buying 4 houses down. the street is gorgeous.
Dede–No kidding?! How interesting. Thanks for giving us a first-person account of the house! -Julia
Did the Tudor house have no kitchen? LOL If there was no photo, it kinda makes me wonder why……
DOH! Just saw Dede’s comment….see, I thought so! Still my favorite tho!
Railroad house..too expensive for me but I felt so ‘at home’ looking at those pictures..just one pic hit me wrong..was the color..otherwise can’t say wouldn’t just feel right st home..
Comments on this entry are closed.