AUTUMN IN THE NORTHWEST

I love the foggy days here.  This is the view from our front porch.  It is so very Twin Peaks, isn't it? 

This is a busy time of year, as projects that started not long ago are hurrying to get "dried-in" - meaning plywood sheathing on, the roofing installed, building paper up on the exterior walls, and windows installed.  All of this happens while the plumbers, electricians, and heating systems subcontractors are busy running all of their lines (the "rough-in phase" of their work.)  

This is what that phase looks like for an interior space being remodeled:

And this is what it looks like for an addition:

Note the lovely green tarp that is temporarily protecting the area from rain (not foolproof, but the best affordable option there is).  

REJUVENATION'S ANNUAL SALE

For all my vintage homeowners... and those who love classic style fixtures, Rejuvenation is having their annual sale:  15% off American Classics Lighting. 

HOME PLANS FROM LONG AGO

I found this great little treasure when browsing at an antique store the other day:  "House Plans for Everybody" by S.B. Reed, Architect, published in 1896.  

On the title page, it reads, "For Village and Country Residences, Costing from $250-$8,000 - Including Full Descriptions and Estimates in Detail of Materials, Labor, and Cost, with Many Practical Suggestions and 175 Illustrations."  It turns out that this is a very early (maybe rare?) edition.  The cover is prettier than any other covers I've been able to find researching online, and this edition is even older than the one in the collections at the Cornell University library.

If you love old homes, can you imagine having built this one for $700? 

At 16' x 29', the main floor has just two rooms:  a living room and a parlor.  Upstairs, were 2 small bedrooms ("chambers"), a large bedroom, and two small back-to-back closets.  No running water.  No kitchen.  No bathroom.  

Check out the cost estimate (and note that this was considered a detailed cost estimate in 1896!):

The next model up, "Design VII," has the added luxury of a kitchen, and would range from $750-$1,050.  The $300 price difference would add an unfinished basement ("cellar") and two covered porches ("verandas").  Still no bathroom.  

I also love this vintage advertisement from the 1950's for modern homes designed by architect Cliff May (known as the father of the California Ranch house).  You could move into your dream home for just 1 cent down! 

Long Beach area homes like this now sell in the $500,000 - $800,000 range.  I love the last line:  "It can be said in fact that a CLIFF MAY Home makes a community with a personality."

I wonder if there are any original owners of Cliff May homes still living in them and whether they'd agree that the homes afforded them "more time for relaxation and recreation."