Recommended upcoming New England tours

Gloucester Home for the Holidays Tour (Gloucester, MA) Saturday, November 21, 2009 11:00 am-4:00 pm

Marblehead Holiday House Tour (Marblehead, MA) Saturday, December 5, 2009 10:00 am-4:00 pm and Sunday, December 6, 2009 noon-4:00 pm

New Bedford Holiday House Tour (New Bedford, MA) Saturday, December 5, 2009 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and Sunday, December 6, 2009 1:00 pm-5:00 pm

Plymouth Holiday House Tour (Plymouth, MA) Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2009 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Christmas in Salem Legacy Tour (Salem, MA) Friday, December 4, 2009 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, Saturday, December 5, 2009 10:00 am-4:30 pm, and Sunday, December 6, 2009 11:30 am-4:30 pm

Stockbridge Holiday House Tour (Stockbridge, MA) Saturday, December 5, 2009 11:00 am-4:00 pm

Westport Holiday House Tour (Westport, CT) Sunday December 6, 2009 11:00 am-4:00 pm

Essex Holiday House Tour (Essex, CT) Saturday, December 12, 2009 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Newburyport Holiday House Tour (Newburyport, MA) Saturday, December 12, 2009 10:00 am-4:00 pm

West Falmouth Library's Holiday House Tour (West Falmouth, MA) Sunday, December 13, 2009 noon-4:00 pm

Woodstock Holiday House Tour (Woodstock, VT) Saturday, December 12, 2009 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Portsmouth Holiday Home Tour (Portsmouth, NH) Sunday, December 13, 2009 1:00 pm-5:00 pm

Sometimes great information is hiding in plain site.  I’ve been aware of Fivecat Studio in Pleasantville, New York for probably two years now.  They’re a residential architecture firm owned by husband-and-wife team: Mark R. LePage and Annmarie McCarthy, serving Westchester County (NY), Fairfield County (CT), and the lower Hudson River Valley.  They came to my attention via Mark’s blog Living Well in Westchester which is an informal and informative read about residential architecture within and beyond Fivecat’s stomping grounds.  It highlights projects, practitioners, products, publications and more.  I periodically check in on Living Well in Westchester and somehow managed, until recently, to overlook the jewel tucked into the blog’s sidebar.  It’s Fivecat’s Complete Guide to Residential Architecture on Squidoo.

I have to admit; I had never visited Squidoo before.  For those few of you who haven’t either, Squidoo is a platform where folks can create pages, or “lenses,” which gather or compile information focused on their specific interests.  Mark’s “lens” assembles in one place links to many residential architecture guides, resources, organizations, directories, conferences, and award programs.  It’s a very handy compilation.  Of course, most compilations are ever evolving, so if you know of a worthy item missing from Mark’s "lens", I’m sure he’d be happy to hear about it from you.  Let him know via blog@fivecat.com.  For instance, I’d like to see him add an architecture- and house-museum category.  He also includes his favorite residential architecture blogs, magazines/journals, firms, books, and videos.  Naturally, some of my favorites differ from his, but it’s always fun to learn of someone else’s.

Mark’s “lens” takes great strides towards illuminating the realm of residential architecture and making it more accessible to a general audience.  The more we can engage folks in the built environment of their every-day neighborhoods, the better for those folks and their neighborhoods.  I hope you’ll explore his guide and the residential architecture around you.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Click on this photo to see it in the KHS photo note cards/prints gallery.Cinema Salem is hosting a Salem Arts Association show November 6 - 30, 2009.  Drop by to see some of my fine art photography and the work of five other new SAA artist members.  My limited edition photos are printed with archival ink on archival rag paper which has a deckled edge.  If you’re in town on Saturday, Nov. 14, join me at the artists’ reception from 4-7 pm.  Then grab a movie at Salem’s inspired independent movie house.  For art and film buffs, it’s win-win.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Click on this photo to see it in the KHS photo note cards/prints gallery.If you haven’t recently (or ever) visited Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, this is the weekend to do so.  The weather outlook is good, and there’s an Art Show & Sale in the Great House.  Visit this stunning Trustees of Reservations property to view more than 150 pieces of art which celebrate exquisite North Shore landscapes and landmarks.  Attend the Artists’ Reception on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 from 5-7 pm or take in the show on Nov. 7 & 8 from 10 am–4 pm.  Click here for an earlier post I wrote singing the Crane Estate’s praises.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

A pleasing entry needn’t be grand. This one, on a favorite house, offers entry essentials with grace, ease, and comfort.

The integral shed roof, which extends from beneath dormer window sills, is just deep enough to provide shelter over a brick entry stoop.  White, wooden brackets and rafter tails modestly highlight the point of entrance.  Spare, white, wooden benches offer a place to rest a package or await a visitor.  High bench-backs double as guard rails and help frame the doorway.  Narrow sidelights provide a glimpse inside and of approaching guests outside.  The intimate scale is both personal and inviting. 

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 (just like the street number here); provide shelter, a welcoming flourish, and a place to rest something or for someone to rest.  Enter and enjoy.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast