A Different Kind of 80th Birthday While we were working to close on our house in Hartford, both of my parents quietly turned 80. In the past, that would’ve been cause for a big party — the kind where friends from every chapter of life gather in one room, sharing…
When we first toured the house, one of the upstairs bedrooms was labeled in the MLS listing as a “future bathroom.” That simple label gave us exactly what we needed: a vision. It allowed us to imagine how we could live in this historic home we love — with all…
When we first toured the Denison House, the fireplaces immediately caught our eye. They were beautiful—rich with Victorian charm—but also, frankly, a little mysterious. During the home inspection, the inspector flagged the second-floor chimney flue as a major concern. It couldn’t be opened, and it appeared to be filled with…
When my husband Tim and I bought a Queen Anne Victorian in my hometown of Hartford, WI, we fell in love with the charm—but had so much to learn. From turrets and gingerbread trim to stained glass and formal parlors, this post dives into everything I’ve discovered (so far!) about Victorian homes, using our 1880 beauty at 42 South Street as the real-life example. Come along as we move in, update gently, and make this historic house our own.
March 21st marked a turning point—today, we closed on our historic home, and we couldn’t be more excited to share our story with you. When Tim and I first discovered this gem online, we pored over every photo in the MLS listing. Those images captured not only the beauty but…