The original mobile home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AlQMz0vevkSXCnigl2h9x9p6RlJyxkLLaVtiKBZy3FfG2iW4RSk__NIVQfYiHfnOKtH_-Iu57Jx6InQ3RRL2WYbn2ZafLkI32BZ1aJQdtw_PfDuVXTfgl2bajAb8NvQnhye0lCzQo28/s1600/IMG_4246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AlQMz0vevkSXCnigl2h9x9p6RlJyxkLLaVtiKBZy3FfG2iW4RSk__NIVQfYiHfnOKtH_-Iu57Jx6InQ3RRL2WYbn2ZafLkI32BZ1aJQdtw_PfDuVXTfgl2bajAb8NvQnhye0lCzQo28/s640/IMG_4246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> This historical society (DRHS) in my hometown of Duxbury, Massachusetts posted this great old photo of "Halls Tavern" from 1908. This original Federal style house was built somewhere between 1790 and 1810 (1810 per DRHS and 1790 per Wikipedia referencing the National Registry of Historic places). The house was moved to Cambridge at 20 Gray Gardens West in 1930 and in 1983 it was listed on the Registry of Historic Places. Interestingly, the City of Cambridge's real estate records list the house as having been build in 1700, but it's not the right style for that. Unfortunately, what stands in its spot today is a gas station. The town, which is quite beautiful, is known for being very hostile to business development and maintaining it's original rural splendor. This section of town - Hall's Corner - still revolves around a flagpole as seen above in the 1908 pic above. Five roads lead to this traffic circle and we're still required to "keep to the right". You can always tell an out of towner when they go the wrong way and chaos ensues. The smaller house to the right of the original Halls Tavern was a school and is now known as the Girl Scout House. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshsAGWHwkMBWYlq7LUvpQB81DgCH4l9aEIfv0TuG60TL3gU3mTZVvbWAabZcpow99-b8_TfbUQDLxEJj_6BDs_WWY1pod-qMqeWazulPha2v_hsY0X4Pi3rbsiaKShOakIA8LNYu_nW8/s1600/IMG_4247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshsAGWHwkMBWYlq7LUvpQB81DgCH4l9aEIfv0TuG60TL3gU3mTZVvbWAabZcpow99-b8_TfbUQDLxEJj_6BDs_WWY1pod-qMqeWazulPha2v_hsY0X4Pi3rbsiaKShOakIA8LNYu_nW8/s640/IMG_4247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Here's the house today. According to the records, it's been in the same hands since 1966 so there are no interior shots that I can find. Can you imaging watching this house being dismantled and trucked 40 miles up to Cambridge?  An amazing feat and a testimony to good original workmanship!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxecrijgSDCiVvYNx8LF3gaLJD1xyymu6Hcg9C9fT24gMC2Iah4XtkkuJ6GtBhzqvknxaD93cgjRIKpHZM_HLsO5hE_AZcrrIEQng_gIlMrMyLNTGtaREMtwPDORKtdMaN1xnFIR-Hz4/s1600/IMG_4245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxecrijgSDCiVvYNx8LF3gaLJD1xyymu6Hcg9C9fT24gMC2Iah4XtkkuJ6GtBhzqvknxaD93cgjRIKpHZM_HLsO5hE_AZcrrIEQng_gIlMrMyLNTGtaREMtwPDORKtdMaN1xnFIR-Hz4/s400/IMG_4245.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Am battling my first cold of the season right now. Yuck - though I do enjoy my medicinal hot toddies in the evening! My recipe: tea, lemon and a liberal dose of honey and whiskey.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jMLC05iLoszjZd3MBul1cCxEi7TlYmpqdZMBKx4Uq0BsNXRfptZTfLsJiXWBuGcRedbfX5DRAzckSE2KDDyo9wG6DTS69Br2GRi-MonmVt7x18K1GwVmS4rZvSQ0sLi8Mj_Wp3ycceM/s1600/Art+&+Design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jMLC05iLoszjZd3MBul1cCxEi7TlYmpqdZMBKx4Uq0BsNXRfptZTfLsJiXWBuGcRedbfX5DRAzckSE2KDDyo9wG6DTS69Br2GRi-MonmVt7x18K1GwVmS4rZvSQ0sLi8Mj_Wp3ycceM/s640/Art+&+Design.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've also been busy working on my upcoming Art & Design lecture. Here's a sneak peak of one of my design schemes around artist Rick Fleury's painting "Perception"<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cxgLjHkw0tNtJVaL5z_pv4Mbzu6eoPjerpOWw0Mq5AwpDPR2LlGuW08v_Xi6VDbGUst1pWj2Po58jjhH8k0uZg6JIRQ_LH1hdhjAiNuh-ggIw77BpDxWrzKPu2n9-3dZl6kmei6rgIY/s1600/Perception+Sample+bd+masc+modern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cxgLjHkw0tNtJVaL5z_pv4Mbzu6eoPjerpOWw0Mq5AwpDPR2LlGuW08v_Xi6VDbGUst1pWj2Po58jjhH8k0uZg6JIRQ_LH1hdhjAiNuh-ggIw77BpDxWrzKPu2n9-3dZl6kmei6rgIY/s640/Perception+Sample+bd+masc+modern.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It's going to be a fun evening with great refreshments provided by Snow & Jones and we're giving away design consultations, Rick's art prints and a fabulous Kohler shower head! <br /><br />For more information and to register to attend, <a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Art.html" target="_blank">click here</a>. <br />

The original mobile home

 This historical society (DRHS) in my hometown of Duxbury, Massachusetts posted this great old photo of "Halls Tavern" from 1908. ...

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Possibly the countries oldest woodwoorking shop discovered in my hometown!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_960w/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/08/BostonGlobe.com/Regional/Images/chin110712oldshop_so09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="http://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_960w/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/08/BostonGlobe.com/Regional/Images/chin110712oldshop_so09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />A very exciting discovery was just made in my hometown of Duxbury, MA! What is thought to be the oldest still in-tact woodworking shop in the country was just discovered on the grounds of a pre-school in town. They were actually using it as a storage shed and had no idea what they were overlooking. You can read the full story <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2012/11/23/eighteenth-century-woodworker-shop-found-duxbury-said-one-kind/ou50acy7YQ5xwTlEFI05XK/story.html?s_campaign=sm_tw" target="_blank">here</a>. The town was a very prosperous place in the 18th and early 19th centuries due to its shipbuilding industry. Many beautiful homes were built during those years and its assumed that some of those interior finishes were likely built right in this shop! <br /><br />There are a lot of similarities in the image above to a <a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Antique_Sunroom-Interior_Design-Massachusetts.html" target="_blank">project I did in a Duxbury house</a> about a mile from this location. It's located in the are known as Tinkertown and this homeowner believed this original structure, which was eventually added onto, was the cobbler's shop. The original windows slid side to side - perhaps to allow for walk-up business? This room dates to the 17th century and I can tell you - the original beams and woodwork are hard as nails!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Antique_Sunroom-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/cooktinker-filtered.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="479" src="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Antique_Sunroom-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/cooktinker-filtered.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Antique_Sunroom-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/100_0704-filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Antique_Sunroom-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/100_0704-filtered.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Possibly the countries oldest woodwoorking shop discovered in my hometown!

A very exciting discovery was just made in my hometown of Duxbury, MA! What is thought to be the oldest still in-tact woodworking shop in th...

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Decorating the Seats of Power

So, we've been all chewing over President Obama's new Oval Office decor. It has been received with an overwhelming ... eh... and that's on the positive side. Some people, perhaps unwilling to publicly criticize Michael Smith, rumored to be the designer, have supported the decor as at least being satisfying to Mr. Obama. Because after all, the client is always right, right? Personally, I think the designer's job is to bring to the client more than he or she thought was possible. But it must be acknowledged that whether it was Mr. Smith or someone else who did the design, it couldn't be easy to design by committee. Some wonder why we should care, it's his office after all. And to that, I say, no, it's not. The White House isn't known as "The People's House" for nothing. The Oval Office is meant for ceremonial purposes and should reflect the national and international importance of that room. Of course, the President should feel comfortable in the space, but he does have a private office as well. This is his public office and "We The People" are the owners of the space. All our Presidents are temporary inhabitants, there because a majority of those who voted gave them the permission to move in. And so I think it's entirely appropriate that we all weigh in on how we're represented to the world. And, it got me wondering, how does The Oval stack up to other heads of state around the world? (In all honesty, I thought this would be an easy post but it turned out to be more time consuming than expecting. So I've only pulled pics of the French Presidents Office and the UK's Prime Minister's office.)<br /><br /><b>US: The White House</b> (recap)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/WhiteHouseSouthFacade.JPG/800px-WhiteHouseSouthFacade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/WhiteHouseSouthFacade.JPG/800px-WhiteHouseSouthFacade.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/west-wing/oval-office/oval-office-2010-new-overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/west-wing/oval-office/oval-office-2010-new-overview.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>France: The Élysée Palace</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Palais_elysee.jpg/800px-Palais_elysee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Palais_elysee.jpg/800px-Palais_elysee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />President Nicolas Sarkozy's office, open for tours during a Heritage Day celebration.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbBq6cwTByObw41-E6-_cTXm8uk89e4WEUnyjzxTHOquAEzcmgv6ELbEkMdN8ML7gs4Gda_IZoORXBSUBFgPEb2SMTgt_K9UlohU8hZQ0AFIclXpSZY-JE5qcsrEEl8RGsWBEE5IMh2Ry/s1600/PalaisDeL'ElyseePresidentsOffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbBq6cwTByObw41-E6-_cTXm8uk89e4WEUnyjzxTHOquAEzcmgv6ELbEkMdN8ML7gs4Gda_IZoORXBSUBFgPEb2SMTgt_K9UlohU8hZQ0AFIclXpSZY-JE5qcsrEEl8RGsWBEE5IMh2Ry/s400/PalaisDeL'ElyseePresidentsOffice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://travelwithterry.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html">Travels with Terry</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rue89.com/files/20090929bureau2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.rue89.com/files/20090929bureau2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.globaldashboard.org/2008/10/01/nicolas-sarkozy-has-a-very-modern-telephone-table/">Global Dashboard</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09xY9Rp0jNeC0/610x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09xY9Rp0jNeC0/610x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.daylife.com/photo/09xY9Rp0jNeC0">Daylife</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04aZ8EL93RaJC/610x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04aZ8EL93RaJC/610x.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like The White House, The Élysée Palace (finished in 1722) consists of private living space as well as offices and formal public spaces. However, French Presidents seem to have made individual choices as to whether to live there. Mitterand preferred his own home on the Left Bank, Chirac did live in the Palace and Sarkozy apparently prefers to live at Carla Bruni's home in Paris (according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89lys%C3%A9e_Palace">Wikipedia</a>).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>United Kingdon: 10 Downing Street</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4953955159_8cb6e79e2f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4953955159_8cb6e79e2f_z.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/conservatives/">Conservative Party </a>on Flickr</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PM David Cameron and his wife Samantha welcome their new daughter Florence home to the iconic front door at 10 Downing, today! (via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/conservatives/4953955159/">The Conservative Party</a> on Flickr)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Former PM Gordon Brown with some Americans</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00158/g20-No10group_158492s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00158/g20-No10group_158492s.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00158/g20insideNo10_158404s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00158/g20insideNo10_158404s.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/obama-the-perfect-guest-ndash-shame-about-philip-1659995.html?action=Popup&ino=12">The Independant</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/4619144748_c1601471f3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/4619144748_c1601471f3_z.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Current Prime Minister David Cameron (r) in his office</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/4601280123_dbd648ae3d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/4601280123_dbd648ae3d_z.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://richardwillisuk.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/cam-and-thatch.jpg?w=500&h=325" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://richardwillisuk.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/cam-and-thatch.jpg?w=500&h=325" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">10 Downing Street was once a private residence and is a fairly congested section of London. The famous black door entrance is relatively unassuming as compared to The White House or The Élysée Palace. The rear of the building is much bigger looking and is the true entrance.  The Prime Minister's and their families do live in the building, which Margaret Thatcher referred to as "living above the shop". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think the differing design styles of the three spaces is pretty obvious and expected. All showcase their own countries decorative arts and architecture. France is bolded and gilded to the extreme, England is classic and conservative; and the US is certainly classic, but still a bit of a mish-mosh. One thing I've realized that our Oval could use - large and bold artwork, or groupings of smaller pieces. The small scale of the artwork on the Oval's walls just seems skimpy compared to the sumptuous detailing of France, or ancestral portraiture of England. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't forget, I'm<a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2010/09/potus-in-oval-who-did-it-best-decor-of.html"> running a poll</a> about who's Oval Office (from FDR to BHO), so cast your vote if you haven't already done so. You may be surprised by who's winning! And, since we've all been saying what we would want to have seen in the Oval's design, I'm challenging those interested to come up with a design board of what they would do. Let's put our design chops where our mouth's are. Entries accepted between now and September 30th. I'll post all and offer a prize (TBD). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Decorating the Seats of Power

So, we've been all chewing over President Obama's new Oval Office decor. It has been received with an overwhelming ... eh... and tha...

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Historic homes, charming shops and a tragedy barely escaped in historic Newburyport

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT-eEgeeAVrmXSsLG8v3cvPgJ38UlewypfX1C6NaAYLTXptatN5nbrzKjFDVLwfoOPtI46AioMWFnjpwrd-mFQRIRkzkNMjBeP5A4cSKoijOkCzbmxp99G40NvZBSkSU13PUlDt8vKR4u/s1600/red+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT-eEgeeAVrmXSsLG8v3cvPgJ38UlewypfX1C6NaAYLTXptatN5nbrzKjFDVLwfoOPtI46AioMWFnjpwrd-mFQRIRkzkNMjBeP5A4cSKoijOkCzbmxp99G40NvZBSkSU13PUlDt8vKR4u/s640/red+house.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Sorry I've been so short on posts these last couple of weeks. I've been dealing with non-stop problems at my condo, including a broken water main and a resulting sink hole, an oil tank that needs to be moved and now an electrical problem. Every day, a new joy.<br /><br />So, I thought it was a good day to continue with my phototour of my favorite city Newburyport, MA, where I lived for a few years. Located on the ocean, at the northern edge of Massachusetts, Newburyport is a fabulous city to live in and to visit. Founded in the 17th century (my many times great grandfather Nathaniel Merrill was an original settler), Newburyport was a thriving shipping capitol through much of the 19th century because of it's location at the mouth of the Merrimac River as it hits the Atlantic Ocean. The city of Newburyport proper is densely settled and boasts beautiful examples of America architecture from the 17th through late 19th centuries. Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian homes abound. One of the things I most loved about this city is that it didn't take itself too seriously. Houses are painted all sorts of bright and happy colors, some historically accurate and others, well, not so much. There are purple and teal blue houses mixed in with traditional brick structures. For me, it is this mix of high and low design that made the city so memorable.  There is not a lot of available land space in the city, so many buildings are painstakingly refurbished. And where there is new building, the owners take pains to create outstanding reproductions. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4881449262_c1ded509fc_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4881449262_c1ded509fc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The yellow house above is  wonderful Federal period home. Notice in the photos how close these homes are to the road. Most houses have only a brick sidewalk for front yard. Some homes have larger side or back yards, but many, as you will see, sit cheek by jowl. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4880840943_c9fab5878a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4880840943_c9fab5878a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Here we see a Federal brick home followed by the classic white Greek Revival, followed by another Federal. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4881448884_d60fa7dec9_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4881448884_d60fa7dec9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>So many of the homes have beautiful front doors and small gardens. The houses above and below are relatively modest Greek Revival style. Modest compared to some of the large Federal and over the top Victorians. There is such an elegant soberness to the Greek Revivals, I think. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4881448714_a1ed94dc09_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4881448714_a1ed94dc09_z.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4881448544_7e09d32b88_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4881448544_7e09d32b88_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4881447936_9fa9c1ee89_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4881447936_9fa9c1ee89_z.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4880839789_4c929d3326_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4880839789_4c929d3326_z.jpg" width="590" /></a></div>The brick house above was built in 1809-1810 (see sign below). Note the widows walk on the roof. From this vantage point, one would likely have been able to see the ships return up the Merrimac River to the harbor. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1OChtmUZBiXrAOtHm6BX6iRBUFULhX1FfpMDfr0ujJG1j-kr4JBRYCqVBQufG60NE68VjEP1L-VkFj8x__0rW6fn9cXrXOOSdtFiaFX0bcmvGjzw6oLaEYTM_EN_T0uWwL8_3kibjMVT/s1600/Atwoodhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1OChtmUZBiXrAOtHm6BX6iRBUFULhX1FfpMDfr0ujJG1j-kr4JBRYCqVBQufG60NE68VjEP1L-VkFj8x__0rW6fn9cXrXOOSdtFiaFX0bcmvGjzw6oLaEYTM_EN_T0uWwL8_3kibjMVT/s400/Atwoodhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />The peach house below has always been one of my favorites. It's located very near my first apartment in the city and I drove by it regularly. The building is a salt-box Colonial with three stories in the front and two in the rear. I just think the peaches and cream color palette is so beautiful. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4881447770_1f37f6b557_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4881447770_1f37f6b557_z.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><br />The charming white house below was likely added onto over time, with the left half being from the colonial era, and the right sections coming later. This home is located in the more rural Newbury, which was once joined with Newburyport. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4881447638_d7868690a6_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4881447638_d7868690a6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And this little charmer has been my dream house ever since I laid eyes on it.  It's next to the white house above across from a park. It's adorable in the winter, covered with snow, and in the summer, covered in ivy. I used to stalk this house mercilessly when I lived there. And I never saw signs of life. I've imagined it owned by a little old lady, but who knows. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4881447358_2f00d5eefb_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4881447358_2f00d5eefb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4881447136_447f6e8c64_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4881447136_447f6e8c64_z.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br />And now the shopping portion of our tour.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4880838303_b296feb86d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4880838303_b296feb86d_z.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><br />If you find yourself up in the area, take a few minutes to visit <a href="http://www.tendercropfarms.com/">Tendercrop Farm</a>. The store features all locally grown produce, fresh and dried flowers, meats and baked goods. It's the go to place for pumpkins, Christmas trees and spring flowers. Step into the front door and you are hit with an amazing scent of fresh produce, dried flowers, herbs, spices and handmade soaps.  I am very partial to their cheddar cheese bread and fresh flowers, cut from their own fields.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4880838179_fa6975f059_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4880838179_fa6975f059_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4881446308_53b8fc9ecb_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4881446308_53b8fc9ecb_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />One of my favorite shops in town for gifts (for others and myself!) is Wishbasket located at <a href="http://tannerymarketplace.com/">The Tannery</a> in Newburyport. They have an ever changing assortment of home decorating and gift items. The image below shows a painted round ceiling panel hung in the store. Gorgeous. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4881449504_92c4fe2290_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4881449504_92c4fe2290_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Also in The Tannery is Red Bird Trading Company, which features a mix of antique, vintage and reproduction products. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4880841615_9906d57c71_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4880841615_9906d57c71_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This brick building below is the corporate headquarters of<a href="http://www.bennettcompany.com/"> Bennett & Company</a>, a lingerie firm. They have recently undergone a, extesive renovation project after a sprinkler accident caused major internal damage. The project focused on sustainable energy design and the owner expects that the cost of the rebuild will be paid for in five years in energy savings. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4881449804_abf181e287_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4881449804_abf181e287_z.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><br /><br />And here is a pretty bad photo of downtown Newburyport (yes, I was driving!). The small downtown area, Market Square,  is notable for it's beautiful and original brick buildings which are filled with shops and restaurants of all types.  The downtown area as we know it today is courtesy of a massive fire in 1811. New fire code laws resulted in these sturdy brick buildings. <br /><br />This image shows State Street to the left and Merrimac Street to the right. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4880841901_b229e8ddfb_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4880841901_b229e8ddfb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This image below is a postcard from 1906, looking up State Street, from Market Square. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/State_Street_from_Market_Square%2C_Newburyport%2C_MA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/State_Street_from_Market_Square%2C_Newburyport%2C_MA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Below is an image from the exact opposite direction as those above, looking down Water Street. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pics4.city-data.com/cpicv/vfiles21122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://pics4.city-data.com/cpicv/vfiles21122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.infolizer.com/?title=Newburyport">source</a></span></div><br />Although the town had a rich and wealthy history, by the 1950's and 1960's, the downtown Market Square area had fallen into hard times and disrepair. This was due to the new highways which made shopping in other larger cities more accessible. With Federal funds, the downtown area was slated to be completely torn down and rebuilt with newer buildings, and horror of horrors, strip malls and outlet stores. Luckily, there was a groundswell of unhappiness that these beautiful buildings and the historic nature of the town would be wiped away and at the last minute, the town changed plans and received grant money to embark on a multi-year historic preservation plan. In the end, they redeveloped the downtown into a vibrant place for both tourists and residents. And that is something I've always loved. I started out visiting as a tourist and realized that when I moved there, the "locals" spent as much time downtown as did the tourists. The town doesn't close down in winter and it's not overrun by tourists in the summer. Bravo. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Historic homes, charming shops and a tragedy barely escaped in historic Newburyport

Sorry I've been so short on posts these last couple of weeks. I've been dealing with non-stop problems at my condo, including a brok...

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Road Trippin': The New Hampshire Seacoast

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0Cqfo9Ga3atEgGGWcCQNLUopsiZxASoVSmix2sNqvTPLymH4aCiP2YxTnaxHhm5XyuGT5yb-Ik9zR6oN-q97uVpnLfcWMWHccQiHRVmICdUuYXD3f26ZO7Uy6g3pHwCqcpkPo2fM3lCN/s1600/seacoast+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0Cqfo9Ga3atEgGGWcCQNLUopsiZxASoVSmix2sNqvTPLymH4aCiP2YxTnaxHhm5XyuGT5yb-Ik9zR6oN-q97uVpnLfcWMWHccQiHRVmICdUuYXD3f26ZO7Uy6g3pHwCqcpkPo2fM3lCN/s200/seacoast+house.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Last week I was invited to a luncheon <a href="http://www.jewettfarms.com/">Jewett Farms Cabinetmakers</a>, at a their showroom in Newburyport, MA.  Newburyport is on the north shore of Massachusetts, just south of New Hampshire, about 90 minutes (without traffic) from where I live on the South Shore.  Normally, I wouldn't bother driving that far to visit a showroom, however, I used to live in Newburyport and absolutely adore the whole area. So, it didn't take much to twist my arm.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4851528681_fdf59c8782_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4851528681_fdf59c8782_z.jpg" /></a></div>I started my day by driving straight up to Portsmouth, NH, which is a fantastic, quaint sea coast city. There are great little shops, restaurants, theaters, antique homes coming out the wazoo - what's not to love? Portsmouth was settled in 1630 and incorporated in 1653. Always a successful shipping capital, the city is filled with gorgeous and colorful homes from all periods of American architectural history. One of the things I love about Portsmouth is the gorgeous colors on the homes. Not a city to stick to stereotypical white clapboards, beautiful colors like ochre and Nantucket pink (photo above) are common. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4851528943_e510a9eac1_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4851528943_e510a9eac1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Gorgeous shingle styles...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4852146808_e21ba7ea8b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4852146808_e21ba7ea8b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And yes, we do have some classic white clapboard homes such as this perfect example of the Federal style. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4852146920_069bdac2f2_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4852146920_069bdac2f2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />A row of Colonial homes. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4851529389_58cb2311af_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4851529389_58cb2311af_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Loved this Georgian house peeking from behind the tree. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4851529575_72b8c45f30_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4851529575_72b8c45f30_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Notice anything interesting about this house? The angle of the front is straight on, but we can still see the right side. A trapezoid house! <br /><br />I didn't have a lot of time in Portsmouth because I wanted to take the seacoast route (Route 1) back down to Newburyport. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4851529751_ce7675ecbf_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4851529751_ce7675ecbf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On the way I passed the Portsmouth Naval prison, located at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which was built between 1905 and 1908 and occupied between 1908 and 1974. Known as "The Castle", or "Alcatraz of the East", it is still maintained by the Shipyard. It did looks like there was some kind of construction going on, so hopefully they are going to do something interesting there at some point. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4851529975_bf92517c80_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4851529975_bf92517c80_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Just outside of Portsmouth is the small exclusive town of New Castle, which is actually an island. There are incredible views of the ocean all along the drive. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4852148284_9277feb76c_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4852148284_9277feb76c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Some houses with great views of the ocean in Rye, NH. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4851530781_7bdc85b5bd_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4851530781_7bdc85b5bd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Of course, more ocean views...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4851531023_477c593bf8_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4851531023_477c593bf8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Coming up, a little tour of Newburyport's architectural and natural beauty, plus a tour of Jewett Farms Cabinetmakers.  Here's a sneak peak of my condo building when I lived in Newburyport. A 200+ year old Federal home converted into 5 smallish condos. I loved it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXum6P5b3wE8i1Qh3AaMYSsJNxmEjrQlYjSyh4WNjD5thtGJlbgQekbuaqcExaPI7B8daiSPFtHWc_NigyqZ5SXrasYfWjjKzS1sE1ljZxHyIxj3S9Hc7B2u5VIUnyh2QRzNsWM2g0lj6_/s1600/DSCN3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXum6P5b3wE8i1Qh3AaMYSsJNxmEjrQlYjSyh4WNjD5thtGJlbgQekbuaqcExaPI7B8daiSPFtHWc_NigyqZ5SXrasYfWjjKzS1sE1ljZxHyIxj3S9Hc7B2u5VIUnyh2QRzNsWM2g0lj6_/s640/DSCN3515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Road Trippin': The New Hampshire Seacoast

Last week I was invited to a luncheon Jewett Farms Cabinetmakers , at a their showroom in Newburyport, MA.  Newburyport is on the north shor...

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