Merry Christmas!

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas with wishes for a very Happy New Year!

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Housetour: Hoyt Mansions of New Castle PA or 1 plan 2 ways

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The mid-west is full of industrial small towns and each has at least a few examples of spectacular mansions from the turn of the last century. New Castle, PA was once home to many different industries and has a rather impressive architectural collection (now rather down-at-heel) but the cream of the crop are two mansions which are currently used as the town's art center. Designed by local architect Frank Faulke between 1914 and 1917 for Mr & Mrs Alex Hoyt and his sister Ms May Emma Hoyt, the two houses have very similar floorplans but each is in a different style. The brick beaux-arts house pictured here was Ms Hoyt's home until her death in 1962 when it was converted to an art's center and linked with her brother's home next door in 1970 through a glass breezeway. Her home now functions as an art gallery and classroom space for many art and music classes.  It also has a permanent display of one of the local industries, Shenango and Castleton China, whose factories ...
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You too can live in high design!

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Now is your chance to live in your own lovely apartment in the heart of the elegant Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington. Listed for sale is the pied-a-terre of designer Michael Hampton ; Don't worry he's not leaving DC but moving into another home to decorate! Located on the main first floor of a newly renovated townhouse, the apartment boasts tall ceilings and lots of natural light. Ever since 'You've got mail' I've dreamed of a floor-through apartment like Meg Ryans (see that apartment HERE )! The large living room has space for a separate dining area (or grand piano as currently set up in the listing photos). These photos are from his website . Hampton filled the space with his own collection of furnishings and art but I'm sure he would happily decorate the space for you as well!  The large open kitchen is perfect for entertaining (and plants and herbs love that deep window sill!). Hampton, pictured here with his dog Spencer, uses the 2nd bedroom as...
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If it ain't baroque - Karlskirche, Vienna

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Vienna is a city known for its' baroque architecture and within that city the best example is the Karlskirche. Consecrated in 1737 the Roman Catholic church was built by Emperor Charles IV in honor of the saint Charles Borromeo.   Borromeo is revered as the saint of plague sufferers and Vienna had suffered its last tremendous plague in 1712 (construction began in 1713).  The prolific Viennese architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach designed the church which was later finished after his death by his son Joseph Emanuel.  Located in the narthex is this wonderful clay model of the church.  Above the altar the gold statue represents the symbol Yahweh. The high altarpiece below shows the intercession of Charles Borromeo.  Many of the churches in Vienna had wonderfully ornate glassy interior bay windows overlooking the Apse.  I can't help but wonder who these were built to house!  Many of the frescos are by the important artist Daniel Gran and were rec...
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