Today we went on the annual walking tour of homes in Ladd’s Addition. The owners of homes on the historical register have to be open to the public at least four hours a year, so they coordinate an event where you can visit many houses on the same day. Proceeds from the tour benefits Save Our Elms, which takes care of the trees in the neighborhood.
Most Breathtaking: The beautifully restored home that had a reading nook complete with a fireplace
I Would Be Most Comfortable Living In: Colorful house whose owner creates mix-media artwork. Totem-pole like pottery towers hiding in the gardens, kiln in the basement, kitcshy collectibles everywhere.
Whimsical Favorite: Duplex where both units were occupied by tenants very obviously into S&M. Leather gear workshop in the attic, “Golden Paddle” award hanging in the bedroom, much framed erotica photography. This home also wins my “Best Hospitality” award for having drinking water on the front porch and an array of snacks in the kitchen. Basement was not available as part of the tour – I wonder why? One of the gals in our party was waiting for us on the front porch while we finished our conversation with the owner, and said it was very amusing to compare the expressions on the faces of people going in vs. the people coming out.
Really great to be able to talk with so many homeowners about renovation work and get ideas for my house. A tour like this of renovated historic homes is much more my cup of tea than the Street of Dreams, the high profile tour of new state-of-the-art homes. They don’t make them like they used to!