Modern interiors in ancient homes

I LOVE old, historic homes. The character, the charm, the history, and the quality of craftsmanship far surpass the cookie cutter houses most of us have to settle for. What I also love is to see how people of today integrate modern technologies and furnishings into houses built long before those technologies were ever dreamed up.

PS - click on each image for a larger version



A home in Sri Lanka - I like that so many of the original architectural elements haven't been tampered with.



Love this bathroom and bedroom - check out the nooks above the desk

the 3 images above are from another Sri Lanka home.


2 images above from a farmhouse in Santiago, Chile

This kitchen is one of my favorites. I love exposed beams, and these have been painted yellow to brighten up the place.

2 images above from a home in Provence, France


2 above from a home in Mantova, Italy

LOVE the stone with a modern take on a classic chair. Gorgeous. From another Provence home.

What do you think? Do you live in an old home? What do you love about it? If you don't, would you like to live in one?

all images © Richard Powers.

Ellen Pompeo's Home from Elle Decor

Have to say I love the unpretentious, down-to-earth style that is Ellen Pompeo's Hollywood home.







via Elle Decor

Historic Building in England

This morning takes us to a four-bedroom two-and-a-half bath historic house in Surrey, England. It is on the market for 999,950 pounds ($1.5 million).

Portions of this 2,332-square-foot home date to the 1600s, when it was two separate cottages. The structures were combined around the turn of the 20th century.

In 1975 the house was nearly razed to accommodate a new highway. Demonstrations led to a rerouting of the road, and the house was then deemed a “building of historic interest” by the Surrey County Council. It is in Lyne, a village about two miles outside of Chertsey. London is about 45 minutes away.

This photograph would have been perfect without the flashy car. I'm guessing the roof must have been thatched before they renovated it.





The house retains historic details like exposed beams on the walls and ceilings, brick fireplaces and casement windows.


That TV set is a flaming eyesore. Pretend it's not there. Cover it up with your hand and enjoy the beam framed fireplace.


Another brick fireplace in the dining room.





Fantastic windows and doors in the conservatory. Love the metal framed table and charis.


Two of the three bedrooms upstairs have exposed beams. The master has three exposures; the two smaller bedrooms both have washbasins.

I linked this post at Leah's blog who was hosting a Toot your horn MckLinky party this week.
And I'm linking it once again today at Melissa's The Inspired Room. Thanks Leah and Melissa for these MckLinky parties! Great way to explore and find new awesome blogs!

Photography Jonathan Player for The New York Times
A few more pictures right here.

More homes from Espana

I promise all my posts from Spain won't be of Spain, but right now it's still fun to explore what they like and how they live- one of these homes is actually in South America. What do you think?

Love the high ceiling and the super dreamy bed.


Unfortunately this photo is the largest I could find - but if you look closely there are some really nice details.

All of the pictures above this caption are from the home in the photo above - which you can rent for a season. It is in Punta del Este - in Uruguay.
via IntercambioCasas




These photos are from the magazine Casa Diez - their aesthetic reminds me a lot of Ideal Home.
via Casa Diez