About Julia
I’m Julia, and it’s no secret–I’m hooked on houses.
After working for years as a writer and editor, I realized I had never had a chance to cover one of my favorite topics: houses. In January of 2008, I created this blog as a space where I could do just that.
By 2010 Hooked on Houses had grown so much that I quit my day job and began to focus on blogging full time. It has truly been a dream come true!
Just to clear a few things up–I’m not a designer (so don’t ask me how to decorate your living room), and I’m not a “house snob” (so don’t be afraid to invite me over!). I’m more likely to swoon over a cozy, well-designed cottage than a sprawling, show-offy mansion.
For me, looking at houses is a form of entertainment. I think they have personalities, and it’s fun to get to know them, regardless of their size, shape, or style. (Which may explain my fascination with Funny Real Estate Photos!)
I’ll also admit I’m a little bit obsessed with pop culture, which is probably obvious if you’ve seen my sections about Celebrity and Movie Houses. Recognize this famous Victorian from the movies? Hint–Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman lived here:~
I married my college sweetheart Dave, and we live in Ohio with our two kids, Jake and Lily. The blog is a family affair. My computer-savvy husband and son help with the technical side of things, and my daughter contributes with posts of her own from time to time, like the one she wrote about Taylor Swift’s house.
My house isn’t the focus of this blog, but I do post photos of it from time to time. You can see them here.
We recently adopted a sweet little Shih Tzu pup named Maizie who pops up on the blog now and then, too. We got her from a wonderful rescue organization called Louie’s Legacy and she’s been through a lot, but she’s happy and healthy now (you can read her story here).
I love hearing from my readers and hope you’ll leave a comment and introduce yourself. You can also find me on:
If you have a question I haven’t answered here, shoot me an email. I get hundreds a week but I read every one and answer as many as possible. Thanks for visiting! -Julia 
P.S. A little more info…
- Are you hooked on houses? Take this quiz to find out.
- Want to recommend a TV or Movie House? Leave a comment over here.
- New to HoH? Check out my Top 20 Posts.
NOTE: I don’t host giveaways, write product reviews, accept guest posts, or sell small ads and text links. All of my advertising is now handled by Haven Home Media.
Painting of my childhood home by Fifi Flowers.
BLOG DETAILS:
Hooked on Houses is a legally trademarked name. This is a self-hosted WordPress blog running the Thesis Theme. Shannon of Eight Crazy Design is my talented blog designer.
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DISCLOSURE POLICY
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. 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 opinions on various products. 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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Hello
thanks a lot for your blog I am so happy to find it! I am living in France ( and I am french) and I always looked after a blog like this .I found it after a reseach about John Grogan’s house , because I realy like his farm house, and I was creazy when I saw all the others photos about Brother’s and sister’s house, Baby boom ..thanks a lot !! have a good week end !
I just watched “Yours, Mine & Ours” starring Rene Russo and Dennis Quaid . Do you have any pictures of the houses and the lighthouse in that movie?
Hello, Julia! I write to you with Russia.I am very glad that has casually found your block:) Inspiring, fine and very positive!!! Good luck to you in all and good mood!
Zara
Do you have any information/photos of the house used in the movie ‘Ghostwriter’?
I don’t. You can see all of the TV shows and movies I’ve researched here: http://hookedonhouses.net/houses-onscreen/. If it’s not on that list, I haven’t featured it yet.
Hello, I’m not sure if you can help, but the search engine directed me to your website! Although there are many wonderful pieces on the Parenthood show, one piece that always sticks out to me is the First Aid Cabinet in the Bravermen Grandparents kitchen, do you happen to know where I can purchase one like it?
Hi Julia, I enjoyed your blog and you pictures of White Christmas. After noticing you are from Ohio, you should visit Augusta, we are located on the Ohio River and the home of the Clooney`s and the famous White Christmas parade. (I`m on that committee too) You can also check my shop out on facebook at Jacqueline`s Place in Augusta. Augusta, Ky also has a facebook too! Have a great holiday! Jackie
I love Rosemary Clooney! I really should get over to Augusta one of these days. Never been!
is that white GORGEOUS home picture above your home???? its ABSOLUTELY beautiful!!!!!
Oh, no. I wish! That’s the house from the movie “Practical Magic.” I wrote a post about it that you can see if you follow that link above.
Hi! I just found out about your website today and I am so deep into it that I can’t even remember how I came across it! I was searching for something that I can’t even remember now. I love your blog, it is absolutely amazing! I am obsessed with houses and can’t wait to own my own house someday! (have to graduate college and start making a larger income!). Unfortunately I found your site during finals… which is tragic because I just want to spend hours on your blog and not studying… haha. I guess I should get back to that…
Just wanted to say I love, love your blog! So happy to have found it! (And to know there is someone else just as hooked on houses as I am!)
That’s so nice! Thanks, Felice, and good luck with your finals!
looking for Futuro I am happy I found Your side.
Wandering through the pages I just recocnized I have been invected to loving houses
long since. Thanks for Your side, and greetings from Germany , Herrmann.
The Futuro “UFO house” was one of the first ones I wrote about when I started the blog in 2008. Glad you found it. Always nice to hear from my readers from around the world!
Great Job on your blog, I am just begining to dig into it and I love it! I did not think that there was anyone else out there like me who was so into houses like me, so cool! It is fun for me as you have tracked down and described some of my most favorite tv and movie homes!
Hi Julia,
I just found your blog and LOVE it! I sent the link to two of my friends who I’m sure will also pass your “Are you hooked?” quiz with flying colors. I just wanted to mention that I don’t see anything on here about the house in the movie “Far From Heaven” from 2002. I loved the house in that movie and would love to read more about it. If you’ve featured it already, I cannot find it here, so I would appreciate a point in the right direction. If not, consider it a recommendation for future coverage, if you haven’t done so already. I’d love to see more!!
Dear Julia,
I absolutely love this site! I like to see what the tv and movie houses look like up close because whenever i’m watching a show or movie I get a tiny glimpse of the houses which are usually beautiful! I really appreciate your time in capturing each possible frame of these pretty rooms! I have looked at American Horror Story, both Father of the Brides, Somethings Gotta Give, The Holiday, and many more houses. I was wondering if you could feature the many houses of the television show The O.C. This show ran from 2003-2007 and it follows the lives of the Cohens, the Coopers, and the Roberts. A very good teen drama/soap opera. The houses are really pretty and I would love to see more of them! Please e-mail me if you need any information and if you are interested in doing it! Thank you!
Thanks, Caroline! You know, I don’t think I ever saw The O.C. I’ll have to look for it on Netflix!
Yeah! Check it out! It is more of a teen show so I don’t think most adults have seen it but I think it would be worth checking out for your site!
Hello,
You have very beautiful blog(hookedonhouses.net) and the content quality is great. I liked your blog and want to contribute to it by being a guest blogger if you can allow. I promise you that the content quality will be excellent else you can reject my articles.
It would be great if you give me an author login or else I can mail you my write-ups. It’s all up to you how you want?
Please think seriously, I am looking for a long term relationship.
Kindly respond, I am eager to hear you.
Thanks and regards,
Matt Walker
Whenever the movie Candleshoe from the mid 70′s starring Jodie Foster and David Niven is playing on the classic movie channel, I always make a point of watching just so I can see the house that was filmed on location at Compton Wynyates in Warwickshire, England. I am not sure if the interior is a soundstage or if they actually filmed inside the estate.
Julia, It’s SO great to run across your site in these troubled times. Wall Street made so much money throttling the real estate market, and even more when they slammed on the brakes. A lot of people, towns, and families have been hurt or destroyed in the process, so it’s a tribute to the strength of the American Dream’s appeal that so many of us still seek places like yours to connect with positive energy. I spent nearly 30 years restoring Historic houses for a living, but it wasn’t until the reckless greed of the large banks destroyed 3 decades of my work and home equity that I honestly knew I had followed my heart. Owning my own home is still the greatest investment I’ve ever made… in myself. -KEEP UP THE WONDERFUL WORK! (Happy New Year too!)
Thanks, Warren!
Hi Julia. I’ve found my twin. Not only in our names, but our vocation and interest as well. I’m a writer who also is obsessed with homes. I thought I was the only one. I stumbled upon your blog and now I’m hooked. Can’t wait to see more.
Julia, I love your site! I was looking up Spelling Manor and found you. Lucky me! I can see why your site is such a smashing success.
I tried to click on some of your “Funny Real Estate Photos” with no luck.
I also tried to subscribe to your latest posts … with no luck their either.
Please advise.
Thank you, Barbara
And Happy New Year!
Were you trying to click the posts listed here:
http://hookedonhouses.net/bad-mls-photos/
I tried clicking a bunch of them at random and the posts all came up fine for me. What happened when you tried to click on them?
Just checked the RSS feed and I can see all of the latest posts. Not sure why that didn’t work for you either. Here’s the link:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/hookedonhouses
Sorry you had so much trouble, Barbara!
Julia, I have an idea for the two of us, using both our strengths and connections. Can you email me privately? Julia
Hey Julia,
My name is Ray Johnson and I am a fellow Cincinnatian and fellow house junkie. My wife and two daughters and I currently live in Oakley, but are selling are house and are moving to Clifton next month to be closer to there school. Anyway, I have not visited your site in awhile, but when I had a desk job I used to check it out daily.
The reason I am emailing you is to bring to your attention 1843 William Howard Taft Rd which came on as a new listing today in Walnut Hills. You have to check out the mls pics of this one, I mean I was actually frightened when I did. I know you have a section for bad mls pics and if this is not already on there I have a feeling you might want to add a few of them from this place. You will see what I mean.
From visiting your site it looks like things are going really well. Keep up the great work and thanks for all of the wonderful pictures and great copy to go along with them.
Take care,
Ray
Thanks again for your great site … I LOVE the house in Utah (and know right where it is … near Park City and just outside the charming little town of Heber)
PS … have you gone to buyronpaulshouse.com … UGH. That’s all I need to say. I think voters should see that site before they vote … it definitely says “something” about him.
Have a great new year.
It shouldn’t be surprising that we seek solace in the wisdom of others, whether it’s from our friends, or from passages and songs that we can identify with and which see us through our grief and pain. We not only learn that we aren’t alone, but that eventually we will mend our heart, heal our open wounds and perhaps even love again.
Hello Julia,
Where was this blog when I needed it ? I love it! I found it today doing research for decoration of my sun room / office.
Here is why I was searching every where for housing information a few years ago (wishing to find something like your blog):
Bought a 1950′s house in 2006, donated it to local fire department for fire fighting exercises, razed it, designed new house myself, including new kitchen. Searched Internet endlessly for ideas on house design, room design, landscape design. Finally did it all myself. Gave plans to architect who rendered my design in blueprints, built house. Took 3 years – the usual nightmare complete with lawsuits. Moved in July 2009 (still unfinished – builder abandoned the project). But the house turned out beautifully – or so I am told. Kitchen designed for two working professionals – 2 dishwashers, 2 microwaves, 2 refrigerators, and 2 huge islands. Great house for entertaining.
In 2010, came down with incurable cancer and given two weeks to live (as a result of house stress???) Had surgery, radiation, and multiple sessions of chemo (which caused neurotoxicity and hallucinations, delusions (messages from hell), delusions of grandeur (need to save the universe), mutism (refusal to speak), suicide talk, persecution, conspiracy. In a coma for several days). Health has been precarious for the past 2 years. In December 2011, we were ready to start new clinical trial when CT and MRI scans showed that there is currently no evidence of disease!
House is beautiful, I’m now busy getting the garden ready for posterity, have written, illustrated and published a children’s book for my new and future grandchildren as a legacy, and I love driving up my driveway and coming home to my beautiful house. I am loving every day!!!
Wow! Loved your comment, Sally. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to tell us your story. You’ve been through a lot! Maybe you need to start a blog so we can follow along on your journey? I’d read it!
Wishing you a healthy and happy 2012!
Julia,
Just found your blog! I love it! I have just spent the last 2 hrs. enjoying all the movie/tv homes! As Gilmore Girls was my all time fav show I had fun checking out the pics! And I loved all the info on Meet Me in St. Louis, Pollyanna and White Christmas. Thank you! Carolyn
Hi Julia,
Sorry for leaving this comment here but I wasn’t sure where else to put it. I am writing to inquire about advertising opportunities on your site?
I am working with a major DIY brand; I think it is a good match for HookedOnHouses.
Kind regards,
Jude
Haven Home Media handles all of my advertising now. You can contact them if you’re looking to do an advertising campaign with “house blogs” like mine!
Hi Julia.
I wrote to you not long ago about starting my own blog. Well here is the link to my first post, http://twentyphive.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/step-one/
I’m a little overwhelmed with the design elements that wordpress offers, but in time I’m sure I’ll pickup on it and my blog will evolve into something hopefully half as fantastic as your’s and other amazing bloggers like yourself. If you have any advice to offer, I’d gladly accept. Again, thanks for the inspiration.
Baby blogger,
Lisa
Good for you, taking the plunge! I’ll be over to say hello. Best of luck with it, Lisa!
Hello!The “Home Alone” House for Sale in Winnetka-Now to be this house in cost?-Tell what price? Where exactly you are, the matter is that I live in Belarus, nearby to Russia. and How many years to the house?With impatience I look forward to hearing from you.
Natalya–All the information about the “Home Alone” house that I know is in this post: http://hookedonhouses.net/2011/05/08/the-real-home-alone-house-for-sale-in-winnetka-illinois/
Thanks for the help.
Julia you couldn’t prompt to me with whom I can communicate concerning this house?
It would be the real estate agent who listed the house. Follow the link to the listing. If it’s still active, there will be an email address and phone number on it for the agent.
many thanks, I will try to find
hello,
I am stuck with a navy blue carpet and light green walls. am finding it so difficult to get a curtain or decorate the room and feel at home. please help me out.
Thank you
You made the Wall Street Journal!
http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2012/01/10/finding-flaws-in-real-estate-photos/
Very cool–thanks, Pamela!
I stumbled upon this wonderful blog two days ago and have been obsessed ever since!! My husband and I have lived and worked in boarding schools for twenty years and have never owned our own house. Looking at houses for sale (not that we could ever buy; we are teachers remember) is my obsession. Well, looking at ANY house is my obsession, just like all of you. I love everything about your site, especially the cottages section!!!!!! My new “house porn” blog!! Thanks so much.
Hey! I am hooked on your site and on houses as well! One house that I can’t get out of my mind is the ‘Chicago’ house from the movie Cheaper by the Dozen (it’s really in LA) – any info on it? You know, for my dream where I have millions of dollars to spend? LOL
I actually started a post about that house over a year ago but keep forgetting to finish writing it. One of these days I’ll get back to it! Thanks for the reminder.
Hi Julia,
I just discovered your article on The Mack house from 2008. Jacob Mack was my grandmother’s second husband. My parents were married in that house and I spent many days there as a child for family get together’s. I remembered the wonderful kitchen with the built in refrigerators, the goldfish pond in the back garden and the “gold” bathtub in the 3rd floor suite. There was a rose garden like the one in Alice in Wonderland, a grand piano on a dais in the living room and a flagstone terrace. I believe the tub had a brass surround that was always polished to a bright gold color. I remember that there were 2 balconies, one on the tower and one on the back of the house and an elevator. It was lovely to see that the house has been restored and saved. I was afraid that it might have been cut up into apartments.
You can pass this email on to the Luniewskis’ if they are interested and thanks for the article.
Niki
Oh, wow! That’s one of the first posts I ever wrote. Loved that house–how wonderful that you have childhood memories of spending time in it. Thanks, Niki!
Hi Julia,
I’ve been following your blog for quite awhile now, and I always love the TV/Movie houses that you write about. My kids make fun of me for noticing the details of houses when we are watching movies, but I just can’t help myself!!! Yesterday I saw the movie “The Descendants” with George Clooney. I cannot get his house out of my mind. It is beautiful!! I would highly recommend it for a future blog. Besides, I would LOVE to know more about it.
Thanks! Donna
Hi, Donna! I haven’t seen “The Descendants” yet, but I like George Clooney and keep hearing good things about that movie, so I’ll have to check it out. Thanks!!
Hi Julia,
I am smiling while writing this because I love the serendipity of life- finding your blog. I love everything about houses, even ugly ones. Home tours, open houses, model homes, have always been favorite entertainments! An hour ago I found your blog and I expect to spend a lot of time with you. Thank you for “Hooked on Houses”.
Sunny greetings from Arizona,
Erin
Nice to hear from you, Erin! Thanks so much for your comment!
I’m a great fan of “Hooked on Houses” but you need to gt rid of (or at least reduce in size) those adverts. above your picture to the lhs of your articles on homes-houses. They block parts of the text and images of your pieces.
Regards,
AWJR
Sometimes the ads go awry like that, which is frustrating. Everyone sees different ones, according to their browsing history and the posts they’re reading at the time, where they live, etc., so I’m not seeing the same ones you are and didn’t know there were issues. You can always hit “refresh” to load the page again and get different ads. They should change each time. But sorry for the trouble!
I have a 200 year old home that is in need of remodeling – can you help?
I’m afraid that’s not my area of expertise. I haven’t remodeled any old houses myself. Sorry!
You should totally do the Kensington House in the movie “Flushed Away”! Super fun movie, and a beautiful flat!
That is all
Erin
OMG – I just stumbled across you (hope it didn’t hurt) and decided instantly that we were separated at birth. From the time I was designing 65-room mansions for myself at the age of 8, I have been addicted to looking at house architecture and imagining what the homes look like inside. The birth of the HGTV network was like the invention of crack cocaine. My four televisions are tuned to it about 80 percent of the time they’re on. Like you, I am less impressed now with size as I am with style and form and function – not to mention that certain “je ne sais quoi” that just makes so many homes so fun to look at. Even though finding your site has caused me to lose a lot of sleep over the past few nights, I am so happy to have found it. Thank you for doing what I wasn’t ambitious enough to do for myself!
Hallo
congrats for your perfect site.
Is it possible that you add some photos from the movie “last night”?
great movie, great place
thank you in advance
I love this website….and I love houses. Do you have any pics from the Beetlejuice house?
Sorry, I haven’t featured that one. You can see the entire list of movies and TV shows I’ve written about here:
http://hookedonhouses.net/houses-onscreen/
Hi, Julia. I came across your site when I was searching for something else, and I’m really glad I did. I also love anything that has to do with houses. It is a relatively new interest for me. I know I will enjoy your website and intend to read everything that you are offering. Please keep posting, and I will keep reading.
Here is some info on the filming sights of the movie Secretariat. I love your blog!!
In the movie, when Secretariat runs his first race, the stunning race track you see is not really Aqueduct, but Keeneland. When he runs the most important race of his life, what you see in the movie is not really Belmont Park, but Keeneland. Sharp observers will also recognize the incomparable paddock area at Keeneland as the back drop for the pre-Belmont Stakes press conference. Historic Keeneland Race Course is no stranger to film making. Both Dreamer and Seabiscuit were filmed in part at this national treasure.
Immediately past CastlePost, take a right on Pisgah Pike for a brief scenic driving tour through a small part of Kentucky’s famed horse country. You’ll pass a charming church on your right, Pisgah Presbyterian. The graveyard behind the church has Revolutionary war era graves. You may recognize it from a scene early in the movie. This is where the graveside service for Penny Chenery’s mother was filmed.
Follow Pisgah Pike to Old Frankfort Pike (State Highway 1681) and turn right. This is one of Kentucky’s best scenic byways. You’ll drive past stunning farms, including Darby Dan, a top-rate equine facility since the beginning of the 20th century. Its white fences, stone entrance, manicured fields and white columned manor house make it a quintessential Bluegrass horse farm. The distinctive green-roofed barns to your left may look familiar. The scene where Penny Tweedy and Seth Hancock discuss syndicating the breeding rights for Secretariat was filmed at Darby Dan.
Thanks so much, Kim!
Affordable house plans, home plans, floor plans, and blue prints direct from the leading US residential designer. Home plan professional provides CAD Drafting services including design development . Free designer consultation.
So I’ve had your blog “favourited” for ahile now, love it!! Great job!! Anyway, I was playing on mls for something to do and came across this and thought you might like it
Flower power much??
http://www.homes.com/listing/photo/156320546/196_Columbia_Dr_AMHERST_NY_14221#photo
Wow! Words fail me. Thanks, Sabrina!
Hi, I first found your site almost a year ago when you featured the home from Modern Family, thank you so much for your detail and attention to the smallest detail. I loove that home! I was just watching How I Met Your Mother, Marshall and Lily have moved into a home and it is beautiful, the dining room has fabulous curtains, amazing paint color and the plates, with clocks on them hanging on the wall… love it. Could you pretty please add that home to your list of goodies, I would soooo appreciate that. And yes, Dave’s home on Alvin and The Chipmunks was to help the moms get through the movie, love that house!!!!
Love keeping up with your blog,
~Kelly
That’s so funny that you should mention Marshall and Lily’s new house. I kept pausing the episode when I watched HIMYM last night to get a better look at the rooms. I especially loved the lavender dining room.
Thanks for the suggestion, Kelly!
I have since found out about the plates… they are salad plates from Pottery Barn and are only available during the holidays *tear*, the dining room is gorgeous, the kitchen, not so much! I am glad to hear you have been enying the new show as much as I have
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