Wow Home Idea

Whether taken 1620 or 1920, Turkey Day pictures make us smile. Getty 1621 A rendering of settlers and Wampanoag Indians sharing a harvest feast in 1621, a meal that is considered the precursor to our modern day Thanksgiving feast. Getty 1864 An engraving of Union troops of 5th and 9th Corps receiving Thanksgiving rations during the US civil war, circa 1864. Getty 1910 A group of children in fancy dress, as part of a Thanksgiving pageant, circa 1910. Getty 1918 New York City turned host to the boys in service and cared for every man in uniform during Thanksgiving circa 1918. Getty 1929 Part of the Thanksgiving Day Parade that officially brought Santa Claus into New York City in the late 1920s. The Fish Balloon was 35 feet long, while the Tiger Balloon behind it was 60 feet long. Getty 1942 In 1942, instead of spending Thanksgiving in the usual way, U.S. troops in London gave a party to two hundred British children at the U.S. headquarters. Getty 1945 A mother, father, and young ...

The Front Door Project / Designed By Sarah Baugh They say it's what's on the inside that counts, but with this photographer, it's all about the exterior. The Front Door Project, a blog and Instagram undertaking run by Connecticut native Deb Cohen (which is where you'll notice most of the photog's snaps are taken), showcases gorgeous homes, front doors, and select history of residences and towns around the country. Cohen's mainstay is New England, but you'll also find selects from places like Charleston, Naples, Florida and more. Here, 10 inspiring homes that make fall and winter just as alluring as the warmer months: 1. I didn't think this house could look any brighter, but in the snow it really jumps out at you! #westhartford A post shared by Deb (@thefrontdoorproject) on Jan 26, 2015 at 10:03am PST 2. Had a fantastic walk in Old Wethersfield today! Can't believe this amazing historic district is only 20 minutes away and I have never spent a...

Journeying back in time is easier than one might think, at least at this English farmhouse. Step through the doors of the Queen Anne-style country home and you'll feel like you're back in 1940s England. Virtually unchanged for 80 years, this Warwickshire residence is a treasure trove of antiques and artifacts from a bygone era, with some pieces dating back to the early 1900s. Vintage odds-and-ends are scattered throughout the house, and a variety of printed wallpapers – many beginning to peel and fade – add unique personality to every room. Courtesy of the Coventry Telegraph So how did the home manage to avoid modernization? After inheriting Grange Farm from their parents, siblings Jack and Audrey Newton moved into the estate. Though they remained there until their deaths – Audrey in 2011 and Jack in March of this year – the pair never made any significant changes to the decor and never renovated. Instead, the two enjoyed simple pleasures of quaint, country li...

Miguel de Guzmán; www.imagensubliminal.com Studio living is kind of like solving a puzzle: You have to figure out how to fit a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room all into one space. Which is why Dido Fogué decided to call in the professionals to help her achieve optimal function in her Madrid home (nicknamed the Didomestic Home aka Domestic Diva).  Enter: Elii Architects, the architecture firm that helped Fogué upgrade her 620-square-foot attic loft with space-saving features like hidden compartments, trap doors, and a hanging dining room table that can all be tucked away when not in use. In fact, if you stumbled upon this home on Airbnb you's probably think there wasn't a single place to sit in the entire place! Confused? Let us to break it down for you: The first genius feature includes partitions that roll on rails and allows the homeowner to determine how she wants ...

House to Home via Lighter Side of Real Estate File this under rooms we never knew we needed. For ladies who are jealous of their partner's "man cave," there is finally a solution for you: "She Sheds." As The Lighter Side of Real Estate has mused, "Why should men have all the sheds?" and they're pushing for women to have a place to call her own. Man Caves were born out of the assumption that most women (read: wives) control the home — and a fella needs his own space (read: a converted garage, basement or attic full of "his things"). So what's a She Shed for then? Different styles we've seen include an English Country-inspired sitting area, a crafting command center, and a diner. But, hey, if this just gives you one more space to kick back with a glass of wine (or two) and your favorite book/craft/group of girlfriends, then we won't knock it. Take a look at some designs below: Blogger KsCraftShack from Hometalk turned her ga...

When Santa makes his list and checks it twice this year, we plan to be right at the top: these mini Santa cheesecake bites are the easiest way to show just how nice you are.  We're obsessed with this dessert for two reasons: 1) They're ridiculously cute. And 2) They're ridiculously simple. Press a small circle cookie cutter into any homemade cheesecake (or a store-bought one — a Sara Lee would work perfectly here) to create a bite-sized base. Next, fill a piping back with whipped cream and cover the surface of each cheesecake bite with a swirl. (Hack this part if you have a steady hand — a can of whipped cream should work just as well.) Next, slice the bottom off of a strawberry and set it on top of the whipped cream. Add one tiny dollop to the tip of the strawberry and Ho, Ho, Ho-ly cow , you've done it.  The beauty of this idea is that you can use it on any holiday treat — cupcakes, cookies, Jell-O s...

Courtesy of Magnolia Homes It's no secret that we've been counting down the days until the opening of Magnolia Market's new location at the Silos. Well, much to our surprise, that day has already come and passed.  The Waco Tribune reports Magnolia Market held a "soft opening" this past Monday, allowing the public inside for the first time. Although the opening was unannounced — seriously, there's not a peep about it on any of the Gaines' social media accounts — 1,000 people showed up to Chip and Joanna's new storefront at the Silos.  Fixer Upper  fans Cathy and Charlie Dandel told The Waco Tribune that they discovered the soft opening while visiting the former Magnolia storefront on Bosque Boulevard. There, they noticed a sign directing costumers to the Silos.  Starting to feel real now?! Thks @jimmydon522 for the help on our sign! @magnoliamarket A post shared by Joanna Stevens Gaines (@jo...

Courtesy of Christie's International Real Estate Even from the outside, its clear this home is owned by the most stylish, kitsch-loving owner ever. Kitsch gets a bad wrap for being tacky or too over-the-top, but this home proves that a refined eye (and a clear color palette) can make the look work – even if it's not everyone's cup of tea.  First, you're greeted by a perfectly manicured lawn, complete with manicured hedges and wide stone walkway. The purple color of the shutters (and matching benches that flank the front door) might be same color as Willy Wonka's famous velvet jacket, but they pop handsomely against the gray exteriors. But the quirky interior is what really makes this house one-of-a-kind — starting with the pig in the kitchen. Sure, it's a pig planter , but a pig none-the-less. And after inspecting more rooms, we discovered each one had their fair share of surprising accessories. For starte...

There's nothing quite like a piece of history gaining a new, interesting life. The Astley Castle in Warwickshire, England has been around for nearly a thousand years, and served as the fortified manor for three generations of the royal family. Through the centuries, it changed hands many times, and was last used as a hotel during World War II before it was sadly abandoned and vandalized. In 2007, it was listed as one of the sixteen most endangered sites in Britain, and The Landmark Trust (a preservation charity) decided to search for an architect to restore and repurpose the structure. Witherford Watson Mann Architects won the competition, Designboom reports, and their vision and final result is simply a breathtaking display of the new marrying the old. The new design honors the castle's history, relying on the natural look of brick and wood blended with the structure's original materials, and huge glass windows to showcase the estate's countryside view. The rooms ar...