About
Welcome! I’m Julia, and it’s no secret–I’m hooked on houses.
I’m married to my college sweetheart and we have two children, Jake and Lily. I write for a living, mostly for magazines and college textbooks. I started this blog in January of 2008 for people who love looking at houses as much as I do. You can also find me at my other blog: Beach Cottage Love, where I live out my fantasies of living by the ocean.
I’m on Facebook–come be my friend! It’s a “fan page,” which means anyone can see if and you don’t have to send a request to me or anything.
You can also join the Hooked on Houses Blog Network on Facebook, which is a fancy way of saying you can add a link to my blog on your Facebook page to show you’re a fan.
I’m on Twitter (@hookedonhouses). Click on the birdie below to find out what I’m chatting about between blog posts:
I’m a regular contributor to Kiki, a magazine for girls who love art and fashion:
I love hearing from my readers, so I hope you’ll leave a comment and introduce yourself!
To learn how to advertise on Hooked on Houses, click here. Check out my FAQ page for answers to the questions I get asked most frequently by visitors, from what color I painted my family room to whether I’ll add them to my blogroll!
Please note: I always strive to give credit for photo images that I use and try to link to the original source if I can locate it. If you find that one is in error or if I have used one of yours and you want it removed for any reason, please let me know.
You are free to use my images as long as you give credit with a link back to Hooked on Houses. Thank you! -Julia
P.S. The painting at the top of the page was done by Fifi Flowers of my childhood home.
DISCLOSURE POLICY
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This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Julia. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will usually be identified as paid or sponsored content. ~ I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I receive compensation for some posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question. ~
To create a disclosure policy for your blog, go to www.disclosurepolicy.org.
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Thanks for visiting my blog!
Hello dear friend. Yes, I am obsessed with houses. I love them all. They speak to me. Well, I talk for them. I name them, I love them, they all have their own personality. I espcially like the ones that are begging for a little love!
I’m a lunatic and cannot figure out how to email you! Please go to my profile page and email me. You will wish that you never left a comment on my blog. I will now haunt you. But, I want to send you my before and after of our old nest. The post about it is filed under decorating dork and budget living it’s called “I can always find something to complain about”. Hate me.
I’m hooked on your blog! I visited through tag surfer, and this is so informative, interesting - and addictive.
Congratulations on a site very well done.
Welcome, Castlebuilders! (Love your name.) If you’re hooked, then I’m doing my job. Hope to see you here again soon! -Julia
lol, it’s actually our company name: Castle Builders. We build custom homes, the owner’s name is Castleberry, and we believe every home should be a castle.
thanks for the comment! i thought my parents were the only people in the world looking at our little blog.
-a fellow HGTV addict
Hi Julia,
I don’t know how I missed this on your profile when I first started visiting you…but Indianapolis is my hometown! I now live in Northern Virginia, but the Midwest will always be home. I know you are in Cincinnati now…but no wonder I love you girl!
Tracey
Tracey–
I LOVE Indy. I was sad to leave it. What part did you live in? We spent some time in Carmel and then bought a house out in the country on the East side (New Palestine). It’s a small world! -Julia
Hi there, I just happened upon your website during a night of insomnia when I was thinking back, as I often do, on the interiors of the Stokesay house featured in the movie “Atonement”…….. I can’t get those beautiful rooms out of my mind - the ‘white’ ones, with all the chinze and painted woodwork. I’m wondering if you know, or know how I might find out, if the owners of the house retained the decor created for these rooms after the film crew left? We are visiting England this summer and I would definitely go way out of my way to tour this place if that were the case. What do you think? Thanks, Deborah Harris
Deborah:
They do give tours. Check out the official Stokesay website for more information:
http://www.stokesaycourt.com
I just added more photos to the post about Stokesay Court, so be sure to check those out!
-Julia
I’m so excited to have found your blog. Great style and very informative. As a professional faux finisher, I love anything having to do with homes, decor and paint (imagine that). I will definitely be frequenting your blog:)
Julia.
I could get lost looking the pictures…but then reality sets in when I walk through “normal” homes.
Great site.
koops@thecincyblog–
Since you’re a Realtor, I’m sure you see a lot of reality! Thanks for stopping by. I enjoy your site, too. -Julia
Great site!
Sorry if you’ve already addressed this, but do you know of photos of the “California Mansion” where “The Holiday” movie was filmed?
Thanks so much!!
Monica–
Here’s what I found out about the house in “The Holiday.” It was a set they built for the movie. According to Wikipedia:
“Exterior scenes of the house of Cameron Diaz’s character in the film were shot in San Marino, Los Angeles, California. The interior sets for Amanda’s house were built on a sound stage and cost approximately $1 million, without exterior walls, a roof, plumbing, heating and electricity.”
I just linked to you from my blog. I have a new place to come, sip coffee, and relax! I love your site!
Julia,
I’m delighted to tell you that you won my giveaway! The turquoise watch will be on its way to you as soon as you send me your address at daisyaday [at] gmail [dot] com. Congratulations. And thanks for entering! I’ve got you on my bloglines, now, and I’ll be
stalkingfrequenting your blog.I love houses too! A friend sent me the link when you featured the smallest house that was about 300 sq ft. I have a degree in interior design but I’m way more interested in the architecture of a building than the finishes! I love just staring and driving around to look at all the different kinds of houses. I put your blog in my google reader
julia-
thanks for stopping by my site….i came over to see where you came from and am in love! seeing how others live and getting to peek in the windows is so fun! i’m bookmarking your site.
Hi Julia!
Amber
I got your message and sent you an e-mail, but I had problems with your e-mail address. Please let me know if you didn’t receive it! You can e-mail me or leave me a comment.
Just discovered your blog and I love it! You have already solved my living room decorating crisis , so I am excitedly checking out the rest of your site in hopes of more helpful gems.
: )
You had me hooked on your blog with the first paragraph, and I do all those other obsessive things you do too. When I was little and played with my Barbie I would spend the first hour or two making her a house and decorating it, and I dont’ think I ever changed her clothes. I love this blog cause now I know I have fellow house junkies. Thank you!
Curious on the dog bath, that is how I found my way to your website. I have to create two doggie grooming stations for two clients and I was looking for some inspiration. I didn’t see any pictures-but a blogger talks about it. Could you share with me any pictures or info. you might have on the doggie bath.
Thanks!
Natalie
I absolutely love your blog! I’ve wasted an entire afternoon (at work no less
reading through all the entries; I’m addicted! Keep up the good work!!
I am going to be a regular too. I feel like I have just found some new friends.by the way, My House talks to me too…
fantastic job…
We’ll I guess I’m a house junkie too. We live in Red Deer Alberta, we’re an hour north of Calgary, and an hour south of Edmonton, the past few years all 3 citys have gone CRAZY building homes, I’ve never seen anything like it, I’m always looking and taking pictures of different style homes, I was even like that when I was little, I guess it’s in my blood. Thankyou Julia I will be visiting your blog daily.
Hi Julia,
I am new to blogging and so enjoyed your blog and your creativity. I too am obsessed with houses and have my own Interior Design business to feed that obsession.
I have just recently started blogging and hope that you will enjoy my blog also. It might take me awhile to get it looking great, but I am trying! Http://jodyguler@wordpress.com -The Queen’s Quarters. Thanks for the wonderful work, I will continue to nourish my addiction with your talent and writing on your blog.
Jody
I’m sure you have seen it, but just in case you haven’t, watch What’s With That House on HGTV
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/episode_archive/0,1783,HGTV_24598_581,00.html
No new episodes any longer (pout) but they have some really interesting houses on the show.
I love your blog! I’m adding you to my blogroll.
Hi, Julia! So glad I found you at Blissfully Domestic! I, too, live in Cincinnati, and I share your house passion! Maybe someday we can meet up and go look at houses together! It’s not really my husband’s thing…
I just found your lovley blog, and will mark it as a fav.
great taste!
kasey
Me again! I’m bringing the shop with me as i set up in Columbus for the Country lIving Fair on Sept 12-14th.
I think you are in Cinc. right?
If you go, stop by and say hello, as i would love to meet you!
Kasey
Lola B’s Boutique
Well hello Julia … I have found you thru http://www.soulmoxie.com and what a fabulous find !!
I am your down under equivilent … I LOVE to look at houses … and in fact I only need a minor motivation or ‘push’ to spend half the night web viewing homes. Alas with competing demands of wee children it does not happen to often nowdays ..
At last count I have lived in 27 homes between birth and 41 years. Seems we don’t mind the odd move too …
So I have a heads up for you … maybe a week of viewing Dunedin New Zealand homes … a divine 100 000 people city in the south island of NZ and one of my personal favs.
Will be back again soon - my best to you Leanne
Hi,
I am Lesley Smith an interior designer in Michigan. I recently started a blog page and when writing a post about how your house should not look like a model home, I came across your post. I enjoyed reading the post and linked your site for further info to my readers. Thank you for your great thoughts. Visit my sight paintyourspace.com. I offer online paint consulting.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Lesley
Just wondering, when do you think this mortgage mess and the down-ward spiraling home values will clear up? I really enjoy your site.
Julia,
I love your site. Please visit my new art site. A great way to beautify and complete all of the homes you love! Would appreciate any comments!
Oh, yes, I do believe you need an “Art” category!
Hi, I’ve been hooked on your blog for a while now and wanted to share this with you. It’s a listing for the house where the movie Disturbia was filmed. In the shot taken standing on the porch you can see the house of his girlfriend next door. The house of the creepy guy is not really behind it, that was shot somewhere else. I go up to Whittier pretty often and drive through the old house district and when I went to see this movie I whispered to my husband “I know where that house is!” I think that is proof I am a house addict. Enjoying your blog, as always, and thank you for it.
http://www.socalmls.com/Listing/ListingDetail.aspx?Listing=33930701
hello Julia …. you might like to have a wander over here - http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/search/label/Straddie
cheers le
Ok, this is sad, but I can agree with all 9 of your bullet points. That leads me to the realization that I have yet ANOTHER problem! Thus, the name of my blog “Confessions”.
Hi Julia, I came across your site a few weeks ago, but today just found you “quiz”. I scored a 6 and it makes me feel better to know that there are other people like me out there! I’m an architect by trade but my job doesn’t really capture my love of houses. I love to see what people do with their houses, what colors they paint their rooms and how it makes me feel. Keep up the great blog, it’s a source of inspiration for me!
Thank you for calling attention to all the beauty that Cincinnati has to offer in the way of homes. We are in the process of fixing up our own on the West Side (Covedale/Price Hill) built in 1913. Cincinnati has tons of wonderful homes that have been neglected and abandoned for the newer cookie cutter homes of the suburbs.
Julia-
Love the site! As a realtor I see plenty of funny MLS pics, it is actually a little bit of a pastime of mine to find bad pics and funny mistakes in listings! I will have to send you some! I wanted to give you a link to a house in our area that the owner is looking to possibly sell. If any of your readers in the Louisville area would like to take a look it’s at http://www.ourestatehome.com.
Thanks for a great blog!
Hello Julia …. the xmas house hook up - I can’t seem to see the orginal post - is it our house or some one else - I take it it is an xmas theme …. ta le
ps it has inspired me to whack up the xmas lights - outside ones - a MIC job - should have been ….. hmmm ! le
I think I am hooked on Houses.
I remember the layout of my parents house in France, America, Kuwait and one or 2 others, and seeing as I have had 38 address’s in 38 years then I think I have a few house to compare over the times.
I look forward to catching your blog more in the New Year.
I just discovered your blog this week and absolutely love it! Thanks so much for all the hard work that makes the site so much fun! By the way, are there any pics you can post of the set design for Graham Simpkins (Jude Law’s character) from The Holiday? I loved the entryway and library. Also fell in love with that beautiful tent they designed for his “daughters’” bedroom! I’d love to know if anyone else who visits Hooked On Houses has created a similar tent for their child(ren) or perhaps, even for themselves!
Paula–
It’s like you read my mind. I’m working on getting more photos from “The Holiday” right now and hope to post pics of Graham’s house and the tent he created for his girls soon. Thanks for asking! -Julia
I would like to ask your opinion about using a very dark blue carpet on the second floor of my house. The color is more like Pratt and Lambert Gloxinia (Dark Blue, Indigo with purple tone). I have all the walls linen white which is final for me and I only have the doors and cabinets with different colors (light blue, lemon yellow, ice cream orange, ice cream pistachio green). I wish I could send you pictures but I cannot do it in this submission form.
I love decorating and viewing houses so I spend a good deal of time on Realtor.com though we can’t afford another house. That being said, I’m constantly trying to make the one we live in more comfortable. I found your site and absolutely became infatuated with everything on it. I’ve been agonizing over the next color to paint our walls and now know which direction to go. Although, I went on a color spree last year and painted the walls swimming pool blue and rosemary, I need to go neutral again because they are driving me crazy. Thanks for the great website that you have created.
Oh my, I took your quiz just now. I have to admit I’m hooked too.
Can’t wait to check out your postings! I’m renting a house right now and have already painted the front door red, the kitchen a pale aqua and my studio turquoise (with permission, of course).
The living room is next. Right now it’s beige. I hate beige.
Am thinking of a soft blue gray… ah, such a dreamer I am.
Hi Julia,
I’m definitely hooked on houses. I wanted to let you know that I was going back and reading some of your older posts and saw the pics of your beautiful black and white living room. Girl, I have got to tell you, you have got the right idea doing black and white and then adding color for the different seasons!! You are brilliant! Your room is stunning!
Hi Julia, Im so looking forward to meeting you at Blissdom. I cant wait!
Hi Julia. Thanks for your email today and for adding “Practical Magic” to your movie house list. Can’t wait! So I had time to dig a little deeper into your blog today (I’ve been an occasional reader for a couple of months — came over from Cote de Texas, I think), and found this page with your little quiz. Yay me! I scored all the points! (That is good, right? Or does it make me kinda nutty?!) And let me give you another qualification that may (but probably doesn’t) apply only to me: You know you’re “Hooked on Houses” if you hand your real estate appraiser husband the address of some random house that intrigued you as you drove past it today and ask him to “look it up” so you can have all the details (sq footage, year built, photos, lot size, value, misc features, etc) just for fun. Crazy? Maybe. Easily entertained? Definitely!!
Hi Julia, I took the quiz and let me tell you… I passed with flying colors:-) Isn’t marvelous to have a passion that you can share with so many others? Family, friends, and now strangers but hopefully soon to be friends. This is my sort of place! I took a short tour and cannot wait to get back and see the rest! I love your blog, you have so many interesting homes to view and BTW, loved Britney’s kitchen! Never seen it anywhere before.
Thank you so much for stopping by my place and leaving such a lovely comment. Getting ready for that post was by far the most rewarding experience I have had in a long time. It was wonderful to share with you all.
I’m hooked on the outside of houses. Can’t really get inside except in the magazines where the pictures rarely show signs of people. The exteriors are always out there for folks to see.
Hi Julia,
I have been dreaming of a site like yours! I love to look at houses, inside and out, and glean ideas from all of them. Thanks so much for sharing your passion with us!
Hi Julia,
I just wanted to thank you so much for visiting my blog. I very much appreciate the comment that you left for me and your kind words. It meant so much coming from someone with such a beautiful blog as yours. I also want to thank you for yesterday’s Hooked On Fridays. It drove me a ton of great traffic.
Thanks again and I’ll be reading!
Scott
Your Online Handyman
Hello Julia!
Wow, you’ve created a wonderful housebloghaven that’s so cozy to visit….informative and fun, and definitely addictive….I only wish there was some way I could read great blogs and sleep at the same time, with 3 kids, blog and a business, shuteye is something I tend to give up!!! But, I will keep an eye on you! Thanks, you are inspiring!
Jillian
Julia, you’re a rock star!!!
Hey Julia-
I’ve had a good time looking at your MLS pics from hell. I’ve been writing about the “Crappy” house style awhile now and it’s so good to find someone else who gets a kick out those houses. My wife and I are building a “Not So Small House” and are trying to blog every step of the way. You might find it interesting:
http://tobuildacottage.blogspot.com/
Here’s the link to my “Crappy” house explanation:
http://maready.squarespace.com/blog/2007/10/28/for-sale-the-perfect-crappy-house.html
Hi, Julia. I just found your blog and love it! I tend to focus on houses and interiors in movies also. One of my all time favorite houses and interiors in a movie is Isak Dineson’s (played by Meryl Streep) house in “Out of Africa.” I would love to see that featured here someday. Thanks again for featuring the yellow farmhouse from “Baby Boom.”
Hi Julia, I just discovered your blog and love it! Yes, I’m definitely hooked on houses…even sold them for a while. I also love decorating and just started my blog “Playful Decor” to be focused on kids rooms. But right now I need inspiration because my kiddos have zapped all my energy and I’m trying to re-discover my passions and decorate my house that is in desperate need! I look forward to visiting and hope you’ll have time to pop over too. See you!
Julia, I’m wondering if you’ve ever visited Augusta, KY, and New Richmond and Ripley in Ohio. There are some interesting houses and I love river towns. I’d love to have a peek inside some of them.
Hello,
Came across this sight. I am from Cincinnati and think I have a very special home you may want to post on your web. It a 1936 Art Deco Moderne home on one of the most desirable streets in Hyde Park. It will be for sale soon and believe someone would love the opportunity to own this one of a kind gem. It was actually in the movie Milk Money. They chose this home because of it’s uniqueness and location. Send a note if you would want the opportunity. Thanks, Toni