From House 173
Interesting people. Good stories. Places worth visiting.
Blogs don't have voices. The people behind them do.
Every now and then, while wandering around the internet, I come across someone whose writing, photographs, projects, or observations make me want to stay awhile.
Some of these folks restore old houses. Others garden, make things, create art, or simply share the interesting little moments of everyday life. They don't all write about the same things, and that's part of what makes visiting them enjoyable.
These are a few of the people I've particularly enjoyed getting to know through their work. I thought you might enjoy visiting them, too.
The Art of Doing Stuff
Karen has a marvelous way of making almost anything entertaining. Gardening, repairs, cooking, unexpected household adventures—whatever she's doing, there's usually something interesting to learn and something to laugh about. She's wonderfully funny, refreshingly direct, and an excellent storyteller.
Visit The Art of Doing StuffGrandma's House DIY
Tarah's adventures with her old farmhouse are full of ingenuity, hard work, and the determination to make something useful out of things other people might discard. I particularly enjoy her appreciation for old materials, her willingness to tackle just about anything, and her candid accounts of the process.
Visit Grandma's House DIYOur Old Victorian
This is old-house restoration documented in remarkable detail. Jeff and his family have been working on their Victorian since 2000, photographing and recording an enormous amount of hands-on restoration work. Windows, porches, woodwork, and countless other projects receive the kind of careful attention that old-house enthusiasts can appreciate.
Visit Our Old VictorianVivacious Victorian
Amy's restoration adventures combine beautiful photography, craftsmanship, a wonderful appreciation for architectural details, and a delightful sense of humor. I particularly enjoy the way she shares both the discoveries and the occasional complications that come with caring for an old house.
Visit Vivacious VictorianThe Creek Line House
Courtenay writes about old-house living, decorating, gardening, and making a home both beautiful and practical. Her work has a lovely appreciation for traditional character, along with plenty of useful ideas and observations about living in an older home.
Visit The Creek Line HouseDiary of a Stay at Home Mom
Sandra's journal is a window into ordinary life—family, cooking, household routines, photographs, faith, and the thoughts that accompany an everyday week. There's something especially appealing about a writer who can make room for the small details of life without feeling the need to turn every day into a grand occasion.
Visit Diary of a Stay at Home MomCindy Vojnovic
Cindy is an artist and educator whose work explores painting, ceramics, natural materials, and traditional techniques. I enjoy the curiosity and craftsmanship behind her creative process, particularly her interest in making and working with the materials themselves.
Visit Cindy VojnovicManhattan Nest
Daniel's adventures restoring an 1865 Greek Revival house in Kingston, New York, are full of ambitious projects, architectural discoveries, and the inevitable surprises that accompany old buildings. His writing is candid, engaging, and frequently funny. He's not afraid to show what happens between the before and after photographs.
Visit Manhattan NestMy Place to Yours
Susan writes with warmth about old houses, vintage linens, decorating, restoration, and the personal stories attached to the things we keep. Her renovation accounts are especially enjoyable because they capture not only the finished rooms but also the decisions, discoveries, and occasional frustrations along the way.
Visit My Place to Yours
These are simply places I enjoy visiting. There are no
rankings, partnerships, or reciprocal-link arrangements
here—just some interesting people doing interesting things.
And, as with most things around House 173, I expect this
little collection will continue to evolve.