Tour Two Beautiful Historic Homes, One in New York and One in Georgia

I love historic homes.  Before I ever landed on my first blog site back in 2008, I used to get my house fix by “touring” houses online via real estate listings.  Of course, it’s much easier now to tour all the gorgeous homes and interiors you’re little heart could desire, but I still have to stop by some of my fave historic home sites periodically to check out what beauties have recently come on the market.  I found two last night that I knew I had to share with you.

Historic Greek Revival Built in 1827

I absolutely love how the owners of this 1827 Greek Revival went bold and painted the exterior a beautiful sunshine yellow.  Notice how they left the top part white.  Love that!   The listing states the home had been abandoned and left to deteriorate but a “34 year labor of love” transformed it back to its original glory.  I’m so thankful there are brave souls willing to take on such noble endeavors.

Let’s go inside…

Historic Greek Revival Home for Sale in New York

Beautiful living room!  Notice the wall sconces above the mantel and in the transition areas between the rooms.  Have you ever seen a home built with little transition areas between the rooms?  The only thing I’ve seen that is similar is the small butler’s pantry you sometimes see between a kitchen and dining room.

Living Room in Historic Home

Walking through the arched doorway you find yourself in another beautiful room with the same wall treatment.   I wonder if these were the Gentleman’s and Ladies parlors (back in the day) where the men and ladies would retire after dinner.  Love the huge fireplaces.  They put such wimpy fireplaces in homes these days.   Did you notice there were two pianos in the other room and a grand piano here?  I envision wonderful dinner parties followed by beautiful music, maybe even festive sing-a-longs.

Living Room Historic Home

  Look at that chandelier!   Isn’t it beautiful?  I wonder if it has wax or resin candle covers and silk-wrapped bulbs?  You know I wonder about that now when I see a chandelier. 😉

Now, that my friends is a real fire in a real fireplace.  I don’t think those are gas logs.   I love to see a real wood fire.  Imagine having a candlelit dinner on a cold winter’s night with that wonderful fireplace crackling and popping near by.

Dining Room in Historic New York Home

This completely blew me away.  This is the wine cellar for this home.

Amazing Wine Cellar in Historic Home

I think I would be entertaining here for every party.  What an amazing space!  You could throw some wonderful wine tasting parties in this cellar.

Amazing Wine Cellar in Historic Home

A winter view…sooo beautiful!

Historic Greek Revival Home in Snow

You can see more of this beautiful home at this link, Historic Home in Goldens Bridge New York, where I found all of the above photos.

 

A Classic Revival Builit in 1920

This historic home built in 1920 is located in Newnan Georgia.  I love the porte cochere (French for coach door) on the right side of the home.   Why do we no longer build homes like this?  I love how each dependent is different, yet the house feels balanced.

Historic Classic Revival Home in Newnan Georgia

I think this is the entry.  The design of the flooring is just amazing!  Can you imagine installing it?  Or, do you think that design is painted on the hardwood flooring?

Entry  in Historic Classic Revival Home

Large sunny rooms with lovely French doors…just beautiful!  I think the mirror is a French Trumeau mirror. Anyone know?  I’ve never seen one quite like that.  The draperies appear to be blue and cream striped, silk-taffeta.  Did you notice the ceiling is painted blue?  Ummm, wonder how my dining room would look painted this way.  I’d love to know what color they chose for the walls.

Living Room with French Trumeau Mirror

A sun-filled kitchen.  Do you think this is the same wall color?

Kitchen in Historic Home in Newnan Georgia

 

Kitchen in Historic Home in Newnan Georgia

There’s a formal dining room; you can see it at the link I’ll include at the end.  I’m guessing this is the breakfast room below.  I think it’s the room we saw on the other end, opposite the porte cochere.   I really like the subtle colors in this room.  This feels like a home you could live in, doesn’t it?

Historic Home in Newnan Georgia

There’s a second dining area.  Actually including the formal dining room, this would be a third area I suppose.  I love this room!  I love the design of that wonderful hutch, the old table and the idea of having lunch or dinner in front of those lovely windows.  I bet the view is beautiful.

Historic Home in Newnan Georgia

Love this room!  Nor sure if it’s the den or a gentleman’s study/library, but I love the warmth of this space.  It had me at the plaid draperies. 🙂

Study Library with Red Bookcases, Red Walls, Leather Furniture and Plaid Draperies

Feast your eyes on this gorgeous lantern!  It has to be antique.  What a stunning fixture!

Beautiful Entry with Antique Light Fixture

At the top of stairs you’ll find a cozy window seat.  I think I would have to feign being tired just so I’d have an excuse to dally here on the way up. 🙂   And again I ask, why have we removed so much of the personality out of today’s homes?  ~~~Sigh~~~  Love the runner they have up the staircase.  I so need to add something similar to mine.

Romantic Window Seat on Landing of Historic Home

This post would be too long if I shared all the rooms upstairs, but you’ll find those at the listing linked below.  I’ll leave you with a view of the back of the home…

Historic Home in Newnan Georgia

 

…and the gardens.  Imagine how beautiful it must be during the spring and summer months!  You can see more of this wonderful home at this link: Historic Home in Newnan, Georgia, where I found all of the pictures above.

Backyard Gardens of Historic Home in Newnan Georgia

 

Love historic home tours? You’ll find 50+ historic home tours under the Home Tours category at the top of BNOTP. Or, click here: Historic Home Tours

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Comments

  1. Linda Page says

    What a great way to start my day……touring houses! Probably my top favorite pasttime. I love going through old houses. Both of these are beautiful. I love the window seat in the home in Newnan. I would be spending lots of time sitting right there reading. In May I am taking an aunt on a tour of the River Road plantations between New Orleans and Baton Rouge and seeing these two homes is making me ready to pack my bags. As always, thanks for sharing. Love it!

    • Linda, that sounds like so much fun! I’ve seen pics of the exteriors of some of those in books, would LOVE to get inside them for a tour. I need to make the trip one day and try to tour some of those.

      • Linda Page says

        I have a lot of pics on my computer at work. If I can figure out how to send some to you of the plantation homes, I will. But beware……….you will start packing your bags!!!!!

  2. Patricia Morris says

    Hi Susan. Love your blogs because you have the same sensibilities as me. And I can always count on an interesting post. Who knew there was another person crazy for all things home and antique,cooking and decorating? Like the home tours.

  3. I wanted to let you know that I’ve been making pretty good beef stew for many many years, but decided to give your recipe a go this morning. OMGoodness! I am not sure what the difference is (our recipes are very similar) but on this very cold and rainy day in England, dinner is going to be a delicious treat with a taste of home in Virginia. Thank you for this recipe that will now be a standard in my winter meals. Yummy doesn’t come close.

  4. This was SO FUN! Next to beautiful tablescapes…it’s home tours!! THANKS!! franki

  5. Love this post. Can’t wait to click the links and view all the details. As always, your house tours are some of my favorite posts.

  6. Oh, Susan – love this. I lived close to Newnan, during my early years and my very first tour of a grand home was there, when I was probably 9 or 10. What a remember most was the attic (I use that term loosely!). It was gorgeous and the lady of the house showed us so many treasures, including outfits that she had worn during various periods of her life. I was totally enthralled with the one from the Roaring ’20s. I wonder, if the gorgeous house that you posted was on the same street. Thanks for waking up a very happy memory!

  7. Sheila C says

    Hi Susan,
    What fun! Have you seen the Public Television tour of Downton Abbey? Lots of transiton spaces between the rooms there… The present Lord Carnarvan discovered one that had been hidden and then he discovered an even bigger secret, a closet filled with pieces from the tomb of King Tut!!! that hadn’t been returned!!! He did the right thing and returned the pieces. Evidently he has built a complete replica of the famous discovery … Just another reason to hurry off to England and take that House Tour…
    Enjoy the weekend,
    SheilaC

    • Oh, that’s right! That house is so big, I forget those areas. I haven’t seen the tour of Downton Abbey…would love to see that! Wow, I can’t imagine discovering that in a closet! Amazing!

  8. Vicki Daugherty says

    Susan, I love these houses. What a great Friday gift! Strangely for me, I enjoyed the second one most, it seems most ‘homey’. I am not certain that the eating area behind the staircase is in its original state. The area is very a narrow width, just a hallway at most, and I’m thinking it might have originally been a butler’s pantry. But who cares….. I love it the way it is now and would enjoy it as is. Our house was built in the 1890’s and we’ve lived here nearly 40 years, still changing things, making repairs, etc. It never ends!

    • I wondered about that…or if it was part of a sunroom. I bet you’re right about it being a Butler’s Pantry. Looking at it again, I’m wondering if it could have been a back porch or storage room originally. I just love the windows in that room. I love real double sash windows with real mullions. It makes me sad to see those all being replaced with newer models. I know you love your wonderful old home! 🙂

  9. What a great tour, I would love to do this Susan…maybe I’ll start doing it from around here, there are some beautys in historical houses too! Thanks for the tour, loved the gourgeous house and it’s decor is to die for!! Have a nice weekend.
    FABBY

  10. The first thing I said when I opened this OMG!!! These are simply gorgeous, from outside to inside. Thanks so much for sharing these beautiful homes.

    Cynthia

  11. Hi, Susan!
    Beautiful houses, especially the Greek Revival one, even though I’d expect a little more decorations in such a huge and elegant house… their fireplace mantles look… a little… sparsely decorated (especially in the dining room)… but beautiful, though! (Not a fan of minimalism, here! lol)
    • ~♥~ • ~♀~ • ~♣~ • ~♥~ • ~♀~ • ~♣~ • ~♥~ • ~♀~ • ~♣~ • ~♥~ • ~♀~ • ~♣~ • ~♥~ •
    Susan, even though every single day should be a women’s day (!), I wish you and your (female) readers a very happy W♀MEN’S DAY! (March, 8th=♥ International Women’s Day ♥)
    • ~♥~ • ~♀~ • ~♣~ • ~♥~ • ~♀~ • ~♣~ • ~♥~ • ~♀~ • ~♣~ • ~♥~ • ~♀~ • ~♣~ • ~♥~ •
    “Sometimes people are beautiful.
    Not in looks.
    Not in what they say.
    Just in what they are.”
    ~Markus Zusak
    • ~♥~ • ~♣~ • ~♀~ • ~♣~ • ~♥~ •
    “WOMEN!”
    ~Cecilia
    P.S. Got beautiful yellow mimosa from dear hubby!
    (This is a lovely tradition in Italy, which I love very much! :-))
    ~Hugs to you~

    • I bet they were told to clear things out for it to go on the market. Realtors really encourage that. Cecilia, you have a wonderful hubby! What a lovely, lovely gift! 🙂

  12. Margo Kuhn says

    Susan, these are both dream homes. I agree with you about the personality of the homes. Today they are more cookie cutter homes. That was one of the things I most noticed when I went to Europe, was the personality of each home and they were amazing.

    Thanks for sharing.

  13. Thanks for the tours… I’m going to have sweet dreams about those houses tonight!

  14. Well, that was fun. I notice one is yellow, but I think the other was calling me. I love the tufted ottoman in the den. Actually I love it all.

  15. Hi Susan,

    Gorgeous homes! Like you, I love the grand, historic homes. Heck, I even love the modest historic homes, lol. (They’re so cute with their low doorways) When I was young, I wanted to be an architect. Did you ever want that too? I wish I would have pursued it. I’ve often thought the same thing about how more modern houses are often so devoid of character and those details that truly ‘make’ a home. I have assumed it’s due to cost of labor and materials for such grand details. That, and sadly, it seems there aren’t as many craftsman around who take pride in their work. Oh well, at least we have these beauties on which to feast our eyes and drool.

    Did you ever tell your readers about the tradition of blue ceilings in the south? When I moved to the south about 20 years ago, I was so curious because I had lived all over the country but never encountered blue ceilings, both in and out. I was told by a local the purpose for painting a porch ceiling blue was to keep birds from nesting up in the corners. They were supposed to see it as being sky, and therefore unsuitable for nesting. I’ve since read other reasons, including to keep bugs away and to ward off evil spirits. Haha. Who knows, I guess each homeowner has their own reasoning for doing it.

    Hey, just fyi we had the soup last night with some crusty french bread and now I have loads left over for the weekend. Yay! Thanks again for posting that recipe. It was yummy!

    • Pam, it’s so true…houses today are missing a lot of those wonderful details that I so love in the older homes. I’m sure a lot of it is to keep the cost down. Yep, I mention that from time to time. You’ll like this post:
      https://betweennapsontheporch.net/haint-blue-for-the-porch-ceiling/
      I love the tradition of the blue ceilings…they are just so pretty even if all the reasons for painting them that color don’t really work. lol I personally like the “haint blue” party of the story. Love the idea of it keeping those bad haints away. 😉
      I’m so glad you liked it! I’m still enjoying it…had some for lunch today. 🙂

  16. Anne Boykin says

    Hi Susan, I live in Newnan and I love that house! I’ve never been inside but it sits back from the street and is just beautiful. It’s the kind of Southern home that so many of us can only dream of owning. Thanks for your lovely blog.

  17. Joy Fling says

    Susan, I recently found you website and you have really captured my attention! I love your writing style not to mention your intriguing tablescapes. I thought I had some latent childhood problem that I love playing “dishes”.
    Just wanted you to know that Virginia Metalcrafters is returning … this time down the road to Harrisonburg. My mom lived in Waynesboro, and we always enjoyed a field trip to visit VMC and dream.
    Loved the historic homes on today’s post. I will try to give you the link to a beautiful home that I have had the privilege to visit. If my computer skills don’ t work as planned, google -Canterbury Warrenton, Va.
    http://www.thomasandtalbot.com/Property-Canterbury
    A friend of mine has sold this house three times!!
    Joy

    • Joy, that’s what I’ve heard! Maybe there’s hope for some of the beautiful traditional styles returning. 🙂 When I wrote the post a few weeks ago about how brass was making a comeback, a gentleman left a comment saying he had purchased VM and it was reopening. I couldn’t believe it! He said in his comment that he liked seeing all those old catalogs I’ve held onto all these years. I never made it to VM, just the Baldwin Factory. Would love to have toured the VM factory, too. Canterbury is amazing! Thanks so much for that link. I loved touring those beautiful rooms! I also checked out some of their other properties under the “Hunt Country” category. I love how all the homes have names. I’m headed to a home in Highland’s NC this weekend and it’s called “The Treehouse.” I noticed one at Thomas & Talbot called, The Squirrel’s Nest. lol What a great name for a home in the mountains! So, does Canterbury have a good ghost story? Is that why folks don’t stay? Just kidding!

  18. Hi Susan,
    My guess is you’re familiar with Madison, Georgia (50 miles east of Atlanta on I-20) and its’ extensive collection of antebellum homes still occupied. We lived there for a few years recently. They hold a tour of several historic homes in early May, you and your readers might want to attend. Madison’s claim to fame: it is “the town Sherman refused to burn” due to its’ beauty on his march across the state during the Civil War. Wonderful downtown for shopping and dining.

    • Oh, yes…love Madison! I’ve been on their Christmas tour…that’s where I first fell in love with Lenox, Winter Greetings. I was ruined and had to come home and buy some for my Christmas table.
      I’ve never been on the Spring tour. I noticed, if I read correctly, the Georgia Trust Fall Ramble is there this year. I think that’s what I saw on their site recently. Thanks Nan for the tip about the spring tour!

  19. Thanks for sharing…I’ve gone on the Christmas tour of homes in Saint Michael’s MD for the last 17 yrs..and believe it or not…only one house so far was a repeat…I’m hoping to start adding the Garden tour this yr…I love everything about both of these homes…I would guess those areas in the NY home…between the rooms may be there to accommodate that huge fireplace…it must need a few feet for that firebox…that area would be a great space for some book shelves…I can’t help myself from looking at things and thinking what I might have done with it myself…I also rarely make a recipe the way it’s called for twice..do you ever watch Selling New York on HGTV…I love watching House Hunters International too…that’s the cheapest way I’ve found to visit Italy & Paris…for now……..looking forward to what you decide to share next…..hope your weekend is warmer..hoping mine is at least dry!…for a change…………Wende

    • Wende, I’ve just been getting the lower channels since I usually only watch about 15 minutes of TV a day while I eat lunch. I am thinking about subscribing again to the upper channels since I miss HGTV, some of the cooking shows and a couple other channels. Just dislike having to pay so much more to be able to watch 3-4 more channels. I remember watching HGTV used to make me want to start a new project every day. 🙂 I didn’t know there was a Househunters International! That’s a great point about the firebox…that’s probably why they needed that space. I know, I do that same thing when I am looking at rooms (thinking of ways spaces can be used, etc…). I especially love squirreling in bookshelves wherever you can throughout a house. I love to decorate with books and just love seeing them, so the more bookshelves, the better! Have a wonderful weekend!

      • You know if you haven’t seen HGTV in a while…it’s probably nothing like you remember…I miss all the garden shows they use to have on some yrs ago…and I argee about paying for channels never watched…maybe one day they’ll actually give us the choice of channels we want to pay for…I always joke that between the DIY & food channels…I’m a carpenter chef.

  20. Anne Shaheen says

    The wall color in the second home closely matches the wall color in our home. Its ValSpar Woodrow
    Wilson Blush. I use the satin wall finish and a satin enamel for doors,baseboards,etc. Its just a
    beautiful creamy color–can’t say I see any “blush” , such name meaning a pinkish tone. But it
    is a beautiful color.Your postings make my day! Anne

  21. Gorgeous homes Susan!! I don’t live far from Goldens Bridge.
    Thanks for the great tour!

  22. I remember seeing the first one a few months back (it’s not too far from where we live) and admired that beautiful winter scene! I love older homes, and like you, am sad the character of new homes is practically non existent. Oh well. I look at it as a challenge for us diyers to instill our own ;).

  23. Susan, again what a treat to see such beautiful homes. Sitting here in my sunroom on a Sat. moring with my cup of coffee and looking at your blog. What more could I ask for. You mentioned wanting a staircase runner. Do you know Rhoda at….. [email protected]? She just completed a house remodel and also added a very nice looking staircase runner. You, Rhoda and a few more are my favorite bloggers.
    Thanks for sharing, God bless

  24. Hi Susan: Such beautiful homes….now if I only had four million dollars!!! My hubby would love that wine cellar. I would love the lie on that window seat, with a book and open the window to hear the birds sing.
    The paint in the living room with the mirror, has green in it, if you notice the reflection in the mirror of the opposite wall, looks green.
    Thank you for continuing my everlasting hobby…..looking in people’s homes!!! My hubby said the reason I never notice things on a journey, is because I am too busy looking at houses!!! 🙂

  25. Hi again, Susan,

    I noticed your comment about not having seen House Hunters International because you rarely watch t.v. and don’t have that channel. Cable t.v. IS infuriating, isn’t it? To me it’s a bit like going into a dress shop, picking a couple of dresses you want to buy, and being told you have to buy the whole rack in order to get the ones you like. Ugh! I have learned there is a reason for it, but like a lot of bureaucratic rigamarole it’s a bunch of hooey (imo). Anyway, you HAVE to watch House Hunters International. I have seen some truly gorgeous homes in France, the U.K. the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, etc. Like the other poster, it’s my way of traveling to all those beautiful places. They also usually show a fair amount of scenery (something I know you like, lol) and the quaint, elegant and often gobsmacking city centers and plazas. Everything from the cute little corner cafe or pastry shoppe to the incredibly beautiful medieval churches, government buildings, etc. Some of the architecture is stunning. I know you’d love that show. And what I wanted to tell you is, you may be able to find it online. I watch a lot of British t.v. online because they don’t show those programs (or shall I say, programmes) lol over here. There are several sites I use and though I generally don’t watch HHI that way, I’ll check and see if any of my usual sites have it. In fact, I’m thinking of canceling cable anyway because it’s just not worth the money and most things can be found online. If you have a fairly new t.v. you can even hook your computer up and watch the online shows, on your t.v. We’ve actually done that and it works pretty well. So I’ll see what I can find out for you and report back. 🙂

  26. Susan, no luck so far but I’ll keep watching. I’m sure I’ll find a source somewhere.

    In the meantime, I was looking at these pictures again. There is so much I love about both houses. Those little transitions spaces between parlors in the first house are so charming and would allow a bit of space for a closet behind the fireplace. I even like the warmth the wallpaper brings to the room.

    In the house below did you notice the sideboard in the picture with the old wooden table? It’s hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like it’s either recessed into the wall or it’s a very shallow sideboard. I love the idea that it’s shallow because you could get all the beauty without it taking up too much space. Look at that top section – see how the curved sides look like they’re only about 4-5″ in some places? Yet you get all that architectural beauty of the piece and still have a great way to display dishes and small items. I love it! I’m going to keep this in mind. I have the best cabinet maker around and I’m going to mull this over and see what I can come up with for him to create. Thanks!

    • I don’t think it’s built in since it doesn’t appear to go to the other wall, but I do love the depth, too. I especially love all the curves…great piece! I bet a good cabinet maker could build something very similar. 🙂

  27. I just looked a little closer and realized it must surely be at least a little recessed. No matter! Now that I’ve got it in my head I’m bound to come up with a shallow version, lol.

  28. Susan,
    LOVELY houses beautifully decorated. Enjoyed my tour!
    Keep ’em coming. Always a huge treat,
    d

  29. Hi Susan,

    I checked some of my more reliable sites and most of them didn’t have House Hunters International, but luckily, Hulu does. Here is the link. Now the thing about Hulu is, it has a few commercials. It’s not too bad though, and you’ll probably enjoy the show enough to put up with them. Here is the link: http://www.hulu.com/house-hunters-international

    My personal favorites are the shows that take place in Europe. I’ve seen several in France, the U.K. the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Norway, etc. They also have quite a few placed in Australia, South American countries and the Carribbean. Hopefully you’ll have time to check a few out and enjoy them. And gosh, you’ll be grateful for living here because you won’t believe the prices people have to pay for a tiny, run down apartment in some of these countries! Btw, they also have the episodes on Amazon, but they’re not on prime (yet) so you’d have to pay to view.

    Alright, have fun and report back if you see any!

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