1675 Narbonne HouseThis Saturday, August 1, as part of the 2009 Salem Maritime Festival the 1675 Narbonne House, the 1762 Derby House, and the 1819 Custom House will be open for free, self-guided or ranger-guided tours. You can sign up for tours at the Orientation Center on Central Wharf in Salem, Mass. Check the event website for schedule.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Click on this photo to see it in the KHS photo note cards/prints gallery.It’s been a while since I’ve received a good, general-interest question to address in an Ask Katie post. So, I’m sweetening the pot. If you have a residential design question that many might share, email it to me at Katie@katiehutchison.com and put “Ask Katie” in the subject field. Please do not include or attach photos. If I select your question to answer in the next Ask Katie post, you’ll receive a complimentary box (chosen by you) of KHS photo note cards. I look forward to hearing from you.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

So you want to convert a small firehouse to a residence. What do you do with the space behind the firehouse overhead door? Taa, daa. Here’s a great solution. This inset porch, featuring worn, bright-blue, wood decking and white, clapboard walls with five-panel entry doors, sets a festive summer stage. White, wood rockers with natural rattan seating, companion footstools, and patriotic throw pillows, plus tongue-in-cheek firehouse accoutrements all contribute to a brilliant show. What fun! Often it takes an unusual circumstance to prompt an inspired design. Change of use can be a great instigator.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Set on a grassy perch, the symmetrical building elevation, approached via symmetrical landscaping, shapes a dignified and balanced little bungalow. The simple, broad strokes of the thick mullions and repeated, large, double-hung windows on the enclosed porch delightfully offset the quiet, low-sloped, gable wall which peeks above it. Blue door, matching blue planters, and flanking flounces of lavender are cheerful accents which contrast the milk-white trim and sunny, yellow shingles. The narrow sidelights, featuring muntins designed to align with the double-hung window divisions, and fence-like shutters are appealingly quirky details. This small package brims with gusto. It had me at hello.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Happy Fourth! I’ll be celebrating at the Marblehead Festival of Arts. It runs through Sunday, July 5. Highlights include: live music at Crocker Park; an Artisan’s Marketplace outside Abbot Hall (c. 1870s) Saturday, July 4, 10 am-5 pm and Sunday, July 5, 10 am-4 pm; a Model Boat Building workshop (for kids accompanied by adults) outside Abbot Hall Saturday, July 4, 11 am-2 pm followed by the Festival Regatta on Redd’s Pond at 3 pm; and the Photography exhibit at Old Town House (c. 1727) as well as the Crafts exhibit at Abbot Hall. There are plenty of other attractions to consider which are described on the festival website. Give it a look.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast