Chocolate Box Houses

Tent

2011-02-27T10:41:00.001-08:00

Found here

House in the Woods

2011-01-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

Found here

House in the Woods

2011-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

Found here

Treehouses

2011-01-04T04:54:00.000-08:00

Found here

Caravan Window

2011-01-03T21:26:00.000-08:00

Found here

Round House

2010-12-29T07:43:00.001-08:00

Top Five Home Delivery Pizzas of 2010

2010-12-21T01:15:00.000-08:00

One of the best things about having a house you love is that you want to stay in it as much as possible. Or perhaps I'm just lazy. When I get home at the end of the day and dump my things on the floor, the last thing I feel like doing is going back outside and finding something to cook, especially at the moment when my road has been turned into an ice rink and walking down it makes me certain I'm going to die at any moment. And so instead I turn to my trusty local pizza delivery people and ask them to bring me yummy food. Here are my top five home delivery pizzas of the year:

1. Tandoori Chicken

Easily my favourite. Chicken in a tandoori sauce with jalapeños and peppers. Fantastic.

2. Mexican Hot

Remarkably similar to the Tandoori Chicken, but more jalapeños and Mexican sauces. Yes, it's wonderful. You should try it.

3. Cheeseburger

Husband ordered this a while ago, and I wondered what in the world it could be. A pizza made of cheeseburgers? Surely not. What it actually is: beef, cheese, burger sauce, tomato. Mixed together, put on a pizza base. Absolutely wonderful.

4. Meateor

The kind of pizza I call 'proper man food'. It's big, it's meaty, it'll take you a long time to eat. It's worth it.

5. Veg-a-Roma

And, for the vegetarians among you, the veg-a-roma is pretty cool. Sundried tomatoes, garlic sauce, onions, mushrooms, herbs...

I'm hungry now. Off to the pizza place!

Fairytale Cottages

2010-11-21T19:07:00.000-08:00

I would love to live in any of these.

Found here

Crazy House on the Water

2010-11-21T17:36:00.000-08:00

Found here

Temple Entrance

2010-11-20T06:37:00.000-08:00

This temple in Cambodia is absolutely beautiful. I'd love a doorway like this to my own house, but it might look a bit out of place in a little flat:

Found here

On a Summer's Day

2010-11-14T12:24:00.001-08:00

This looks like a beautiful place to be:

Finding a mortgage

2010-11-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

So, you’ve worked all your life (or for the past few years of it, anyway), and now you’re finally in a position to buy a house. Of course, the first thing you do is come here and look at the pretty houses you could have, and that part of the process tends to be quite fun. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed moving house, mainly because it involves a lot of time nosing around inside other people’s homes. Once the fun bit is out of the way, however, you’re then left to deal with the slightly stressful process of getting a mortgage.

And so you find yourself at midnight on a Friday, sitting in front of your computer screen, comparing loans instead of being out gallivanting with your friends, or whatever you’d prefer to be doing. And it’s so hard to work out all the bits and pieces you have to compare and think about. Here are a couple of seemingly obvious tips to get you started, but they’re things lots of people appear to completely overlook! Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to catch up with the gang for that final beer after all...

Shop around
Sure, it’s tempting to just grab the first offer you see, not read the small print and try to get the largest amount of money possible, hoping to pay it all off later. But that’s not exactly fantastic when it comes to financial sense. It’s the sort of thing where you’ll find yourself a year later with no money at all, scrunched up in a ball on your friend’s sofa mewling pathetically about how urgent it seemed to buy your own house at the time... so, shop around. Take a look at all the different places out there, and settle on the one that’s right for you.

Find out your credit rating
This will affect the kind of mortgage you can get, and how readily people will give it to you. There are plenty of places to check your credit score, and once you’ve worked it out (and made yourself a cup of tea to recover from the shock), you’ll have given yourself a reasonable idea of the kind of money and deals you can expect to receive.

How to make a Plains Indian tepee

2010-09-28T01:19:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered how to make a tepee? Ever found yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere with no idea how to build yourself a dwelling space? Here are some useful instructions to print out and follow, found at ShelterPub.

(click to enlarge)

A few tips:

15 x 30 foot is a good size; any smaller and the tepee will be difficult to keep free of smoke.
Use eight-ounce canvas for the cover.
There is an extra strip of canvas at point C on the drawing; this will overlap with point D and will need to be secured with a buttonhole stitch or some metal grommets.
A half-circle is cut at either end, so that when the tepee is drawn together a circular door-hole is formed. You can then make a door from a round piece of canvas and insert a willow stick to secure it.
Twelve or more poles are needed to erect the tepee. They should be at least three feet longer than the width of the cover.
You only need a small fire to warm the tepee. It is usually placed just behind the centre point, in a shallow hole about 15 inches in diameter.

Tent House

2010-09-25T06:10:00.000-07:00

This is so full of awesome:

Found here

House or Shed?

2010-09-23T01:36:00.000-07:00

I think this looks lovely. I've always enjoyed living in small spaces - I think the place I loved living the most was the studio flat I rented for a while when I first moved to London. This looks small, cozy and tucked-away. Perfect.

Little House Alone

2010-09-22T11:45:00.001-07:00

I totally love this house. And the lane doesn't look too busy, which is good. I'd happily live here!

Why I Would Like to Live in Iceland: Part Three

2010-09-20T04:29:00.000-07:00

I've already posted about why I'd love to live in Iceland (part one and part two), but in case you weren't convinced by that one, here are some more reasons:

Found here

Caravans: Part Two

2010-09-19T05:10:00.000-07:00

Found here

Stone House

2010-09-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

This house is amazing, I'd love to see what it looks like inside. It's apparently built using huge boulders from around the natural landscape. So pretty!

Found at Black Eiffel

House in the Hills

2010-08-14T00:42:00.000-07:00

Found here

Spooky House in the Snow

2010-08-11T00:52:00.000-07:00

I think this looks like a lovely place to live:

Found here

Little Hut in a Wood

2010-07-29T00:49:00.001-07:00

Found here

Caravans

2010-07-28T00:56:00.000-07:00

Found here

Tiny House Made of Logs

2010-07-27T01:39:00.000-07:00

Isn't it lovely?

Found here

Why I would like to live in Iceland: Part Two

2010-07-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

Coinciding with part two of the northern lights posts, here are some more beautiful pictures of a beautiful country. I've only had one coffee, I can't do synonyms yet. Here's part one, if you haven't seen it yet.

Aren't these houses amazing?

A beautiful shade of blue

Look at this very pretty island, all on its own.

You know what's great about it?

This! A little house, with a whole island all to itself.

Found here

Imposing Entrance

2010-07-25T05:22:00.001-07:00

Found here

Sand Castle

2010-07-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be amazing to live here:

Found here

Caravan in the Dark

2010-07-23T01:08:00.000-07:00

Found here

Little House With Birds

2010-07-22T01:40:00.000-07:00

Found here

Houses Under Trees

2010-07-18T00:49:00.001-07:00

These are beautiful and I would love to live in one:

Found here

In Ruins

2010-07-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

Found here

Why I would like to live in Iceland: Part One

2010-07-14T01:27:00.000-07:00

Firstly, they have the northern lights. And I love the cold. And look at the pretties:

Found here

Abandoned Beauty

2010-07-12T16:31:00.001-07:00

Found here

Wouldn't this be great?

2010-07-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

Living in a tree, in the middle of lots of other trees:

Found here

Wonky House in the Woods

2010-07-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

Isn't it beautiful?

Found here

Tree House in a Book

2010-07-08T14:51:00.001-07:00

An Imposing Sight

2010-07-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

But I love the plants climbing the walls:

Found here

Beautiful houses

2010-07-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

Found here

Tree House

2010-07-02T01:02:00.000-07:00

House through the trees

2010-06-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

A Couple More Beautiful Houses

2010-06-22T07:39:00.001-07:00

A Very Pretty Door

2010-06-08T12:40:00.001-07:00

What's in a dream?

2010-01-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

I just Googled 'dream house' to see what came up, and it seems that other people's dreams are wildly different from my own. The top couple of results were this:

and this:

My dream house would look a lot more like this:

or perhaps this:

Yet another dream house

2010-01-01T02:52:00.001-08:00

House in a Tree

2010-01-01T02:46:00.000-08:00

I would absolutely love to look here, although the surrounding area looks too hot. Beautiful house though:

Coffee break

2009-12-01T07:43:00.000-08:00

I haven't been househunting for a while, mainly because realistically I'm too busy to move at the moment; not that that would necessarily stop me looking, but I'm also too busy to scout around housing websites. I am never too busy, however, for a nice cup of coffee; so here are a couple of videos to keep you amused while you sit down with yours.

Freaky and fantastic: How to tell the difference

2009-11-19T13:48:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, when I was walking down the street somewhere (probably Oxfordshire), I saw a bus with an advertisement on the back. I was looking for a house at the time, and the advert was for an estate agency. All well and good so far... but it was so very creepy that it put me off going to that agency altogether. It featured a small child leering slightly scarily above the words "I want to find you a house". The expression on her face was that sort of horrible expression taken from a nightmare: the 'I want to know where you live' expression. Which is one of the problems with using kids in adverts: often, they just look a bit creepy. They can't help it, they're small.

This, however, is an example of a pretty damn good advert featuring some children. Sure, it's a little bit creepy when they start flying around in spacesuits, but it's not downright scary. And it's for a very good cause: The Children's Mutual, who help parents to facilitate their children in achieving their dreams.

A beautiful derelict house

2009-11-07T00:19:00.000-08:00

Whenever we go househunting, Husband and I are always tempted to find an old, derelict wreck and move in. They're beautiful. Well, I think so, anyway. Here's one I love:

Relax At Home

2009-10-21T09:43:00.001-07:00

...go on, you know you want to! Whether you've found your idyllic country cottage, are househunting manically or happy where you are, this weekend is special because you can afford an extra hour in bed, or in the bath, or having a romantic candlelit dinner. Don't believe me? Check out this video, in which we are reminded (rather cheekily!) that the clocks will be going back on Saturday evening.

Tree House, Anyone?

2009-09-21T04:46:00.000-07:00

Beautiful, isn't it?

The Most Beautiful House in the World?

2009-09-21T04:35:00.000-07:00

I know I say that every time. But really, who wouldn't want to live in a tree?

Halifax

2009-09-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

4-bedroom detached house in Halifax, West Yorkshire. It's beautiful. Flagstones, a lovely kitchen, old wooden doors. £1,500pcm, which is actually pretty good for four bedrooms. There's a garden and off-street parking for several cars.

The bathroom is truly luxurious, with a rolltop bath and a corner shower (I've always wanted a rolltop bath).

And look at the view!

For more details, contact the agents.

Great Job's Cross

2009-09-07T04:22:00.000-07:00

In the current climate, living in somewhere called 'Great Job' could bode well, if you're a superstitious type. Here's a fantastic 4-bedroom house there. I love it because it looks like it's been cobbled hastily together from leftover bits of other houses. There's a beautiful dining room:

And check out the garden!

At £1,650pcm, it's not cheap. But it is beautiful.

More info from the agents.

Witch House

2009-08-12T06:07:00.000-07:00

"The Witch's House" is situated in Beverley Hills and was built for a film set in 1921, though it's now a private home. It is also possibly my ultimate dream house, though I'd prefer to move it to the middle of a wood first.

Studio Flat With A Difference

2009-08-12T05:59:00.001-07:00

A really, really beautiful studio flat to let in Baltonsborough. Access to a lovely garden, old oak beams, all sorts of things. It'll set you back £545pcm, which is only £100 less than my first studio flat in London; but look how pretty it is!

More info via Ashfield Property Management, Yeovil.

Detached Piece of Countryside

2009-08-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

Detached 3-bedroom house to let in Lower Wraxall, Somerset. And when they say 'detached', they mean it. If you're looking for a remote getaway, you've got one here. Having lived in the middle of nowhere, however, I'd recommend caution. It's beautiful, it's lovely, but if your car breaks down and you're four miles from the nearest shop, it can be annoying!

Agency description:

Detached period converted barn. Hall with wooden floor, sitting room, kitchen with cooker and washing machine. Two double bedrooms with ensuite, downstairs third bedroom/reception room with bathroom. Garden and parking for two cars.

For more info contact Swallows.

Rustic and Cottagey

2009-08-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

Being a bit of a Facebook junkie, I just did their 'What's Your Interior Decorating Style?' quiz, and got the result 'Rustic and Cottagey'. Very true!

Cottage in the Country

2009-08-11T05:27:00.000-07:00

3-bedroom cottage to let in Atch Lench, Evesham.

Agent's Description: A Grade II listed detached three bedroom thatched character cottage with in the popular village of Salford Priors. The accommodation comprises of sitting room, dining room, sun room, kitchen/breakfast, shower/utility room, three bedrooms and family bathroom. The property benefits from gas central heating, a wealth of period fetures, large rear garden with timber deck and large drive way.

For more details, contact Town & Country Property Services, Evesham.

Found via Nestoria

Beautiful Barn

2009-04-19T07:07:00.000-07:00

Lewes, Land of Lore. Well, almost. Conveniently close to Brighton, Lewes itself is a useful place to live. This cottage, however, is fifteen miles from central Lewes. But if beautiful barn conversions are your thing, this is a place for you!

£650pcm

Features:

1 bedroom
1 reception room
1 bathroom
Shower room
Parking for 2 cars

Marketed by Savills (Haywards Heath Branch).

Little Place Nowhere

2009-03-25T07:51:00.001-07:00

I would love to live here

2009-03-22T02:04:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, it doesn't actually exist; but check out Jan Oliehoek's website for more amazing digital manipulations.

Rightmove Widget

2009-03-15T04:07:00.001-07:00

I love Rightmove. It's the only place where you can choose 'character' to add into your search criteria. Or the only big one, anyway. Now there's the Rightmove widget, which I have yet to try, but which seems excellent. Here it is in action:

Video Break

2009-03-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

Detached Country Cottage

2009-03-03T11:36:00.000-08:00

Beautiful detached country cottage in Bartestree, Herefordshire.

Features:

- Refurbished
- Two double bedrooms
- Unfurnished
- Porch
- Refitted kitchen, breakfast room & bathroom
- Two reception rooms
- Good sized gardens
- Detached garage
- Driveway
- Additional outbuildings for storage
- Available immediately

£700 pcm

Details here