Anxiety and dread vs. Ballrooms and river views.

This is what I’ve learned: Mortgage regulations for muli-family properties have changed drastically since the finance debacle/economic explosion.

Any property over 4 units automatically requires a commercial loan—regardless of whether it’s a commercial property. So, at 7 units, this house is well into that territory. And? Commercial loans require 30% down.

Plus? Banks in our state now require a property’s rental income to cover its expenses. Which? If you saw any of the photos? You can see that any rent would be minimal. And that actually we would have to pay someone to live there.

Wow. This is totally fascinating… keep reading.

Aug 9, 2012 By Victoria Elizabeth Barnes in Biddle Mansion 52 Comments Tags: Architecture, Biddle Mansion, DIY, Envy, Gilded Age, gutting, House, island, Kitchen, multi-family, NJ, Philadelphia Summer Community, Riverton, Second Empire, serpentine stone

How to rip apart your entire life… throw sanity to the wind… sign up for more stress than ever before…and commit to it for years without end.

Paul and I went and looked at this. Because it for sale. And because we are insane.

Wow. This is totally fascinating… keep reading.

Jul 25, 2012 By Victoria Elizabeth Barnes in Biddle Mansion 43 Comments Tags: Architecture, Biddle Mansion, Gilded Age, green stone facia, Marriage, NJ, Philadelphia Summer Community, Riverton, Second Empire, serpentine stone, Stress

Worth Reading – The Big House.

I’ll only buy books that I’ve already read and loved. I will linger months and months on the library’s waiting list… Because it irritates me to buy something and be disappointed. Except at the library booksale—where for a dollar, you might discover something wonderful. Which is where I picked up The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home.

If you have an interest in American architecture, Gilded Age history, or memoirs, you should read The Big House. I loved it. (Although it left me irritated that my great-grandfather didn’t have the foresight to build a summer mansion in Cape Cod. )

Wow. This is totally fascinating… keep reading.

Jun 13, 2012 By Victoria Elizabeth Barnes in Reading 4 Comments Tags: Architecture, Gilded Age, Reading

Society Hill. Philadelphia. Trinity houses.

Here’s the second half of the Society Hill walking tour we did two weekends ago.
Most of the homes we visited were trinity houses.

Wow. This is totally fascinating… keep reading.

May 29, 2012 By Victoria Elizabeth Barnes in Philadelphia 10 Comments Tags: Antique, Architecture, Built-in Bookcase, Decor, Greek Revival, Philadelphia, Society Hill, Trinity House

Today’s Obsession: Philadelphia. Society Hill Architecture. Home and Garden. Door fixation.

Paul and I did the Society Hill home and garden tour yesterday, in Philadelphia.

I continue to be obsessed with old marble stairs, ornate entrances, any kind of interesting entablature, and elaborate architectural elements.

I thought I took pictures of the interiors and gardens… but when I uploaded my photos, it appears I spent most of the day ogling doorways.

It was wonderful and all… but by the end of the afternoon, I was really tired of looking at other people’s beautiful homes.

Way more doors… after the jump.

Wow. This is totally fascinating… keep reading.

May 21, 2012 By Victoria Elizabeth Barnes in Philadelphia 10 Comments Tags: Antique, Architecture, Decor, Doorway, Envy, Exterior, Greek Revival, Home and Garden, P&V, Philadelphia, Society Hill, Trinity House

Today’s obsession: A Personal Church.

There is a post on Apartment Therapy about churches that have been turned into homes: The Ultimate in Upcycling: Homes in Converted Churches.

It corresponded nicely with a home I was in over the weekend. The house was built in 1883, and has a private chapel inside. With 20’ ceilings, and an organ to match.

The owners use it for “storage.”

I wasn’t there for a house tour, so I was a little reluctant to gape and frame pictures beautifully… but you can see that when this house goes for sale, I’ll be marching Paul over there. To show him all the “storage” space.