The New York I know: some old house inspiration

Summer's officially over today, and we're back in Tennessee, back at The House of Goodwill, getting back to work again.

Our goal is to have our groovy 1970's house finished and ready to rent by the next summer season.  More to come on that.

But first, before I turn the page from our summer in New York, I wanted to share a few more images.

I've lived in Tennessee for twenty years now, and over the years, when I meet people and tell them I'm from New York, I usually get a reaction along these lines: "Wow, New York!  Nashville must seem so small to you," or "Oh wow, Tennessee is so different.  Do you get bored?"

Which is funny because I am from New York state, not New York City, and anyone familiar with New York knows that once you leave the city, the rest of the state is tiny little redneck towns and villages.  (Which is how all the Californians who have moved to Tennessee describe California too.)

But the assumption is usually that I am from the city (which was FAR from where I grew up).  Ironically, Nashville is a huge city compared to what I knew before.

When I return to New York, I am keenly aware of it's rural beauty, which I (of course) took for granted growing up.  The Adirondack Mountains, the Finger Lake region, the Great Lakes, the farm lands and the Thousand Islands are all part of the magic of New York.  (Unfortunately the ridiculously high taxes trump a lot that's good, but I won't take this down a political path...)

Anyway, my summer was spent in the town I grew up in, and I made some new running routes through the city in different neighborhoods.  Which gave me lots of opportunity to observe all the old, historic houses, which I love.  Love!  I love old architecture!

When I could, I took photos of some of the places that inspired me.  I thought I would share a few here.

I just love to see a house and imagine what could be.

I passed this house on a rural road heading out to the flea market.

The sea of orange lilies was breathtaking.

Just look at them all!

This beautiful old stone house was surrounded by the most beautiful flower beds.

I'd love to sit on that upper porch with a glass of lemonade on a summer afternoon!

The Monarch butterflies were everywhere in the gardens at this house.

The ionic columns on this Greek Revival house are amazing!

Over the years this great Victorian house sadly lost a lot of detail.

But wow, those hydrangeas!

Hydrangeas of every color and type surround this place, and they were stunning.

This is the front and back of possibly the oldest house in the city.

It was bought and restored several years ago, after falling into disrepair.

I was told the owner's daughter got married in the gazebo in June.

Aren't they beautiful?  There's nothing like an old house, especially when they receive the care and attention they deserve.  I love to glean inspiration from great outdoor spaces.

The weird thing about New York (at least to me)?  The only inexpensive thing about living there (once you escape the city), is the houses themselves.  None of these houses were expensive, at least compared to most cities.  (I think most people would agree they're downright cheap.)  But you'll probably pay the price of your house a second time in a decade or two of tax payments.

My feelings about New York are complicated.  I would liken the state to a beautiful (but very expensive) ex wife that you sometimes miss but is ultimately not worth the cost.

It was a great summer though!