I Might Need An Intervention!
I may have to abandon the Cross House.
Today, The goddess Kelly of Old House Dreams, listed a house which has caused me heart palpitations. My lust is very great.
While I adore the Cross House, it is not my dream house. That would be something earlier, from the 1860s or 1870s. I love the beefy doors of this era, and the beefy interior trim. I love the beefy staircases. I love the gas lighting…oh, my! I love the wallpaper and fabrics.
In short, the era has a robustness which delights me.
The house Kelly listed is but $99K, and with a new roof and significant new mechanical upgrades. The house is a steal. The town looks big enough, and nice enough. The winters though would be tough, being upstate New York.
The only thing giving me pause are the later wood mantels and stained glass. These 1890s alterations are at odds with the original 1870s fittings. I would remove them. Really.
My. Lust. Is. Great.
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Weather would deter me. And New York taxes.
And you’ve only just worked this out now!
OMG I saw this one too. Drooling hard. Halvsies?
Wow! But, yeah. The weather’s a big “No” here, too. I’ll keep my Midwest winters
It would be a shame to have worked so long on the CRoss House and leave it before you move in. Who is going to take over and give her what she needs.
How would you transport your furry friends that far and explain upstate New York winters to them.
Ross! Come to NY! It’s not like Elmira is THAT far upstate… it’s not the Canadian border, after all. Imagine what you could do with that place!
Don’t do it. You’ve entered slump alley. You’ve been at it for years and have advanced far enough that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s still too far out. You’re tired. Perhaps a bit bored. And the list of what still has to be accomplished is long and seems longer.
This is why projects don’t get finished. It’s so hard to push that last bit to the end.
Just think. Weather. You’d still have a lot to do that would be expensive. Weather. Property taxes. Utilities. And don’t forget the weather.
You will be very angry with yourself if you leave the Cross House in its current state now and go start a new project. You will feel even worse when those that take over from you do not continue your careful restoration but instead commit some sort of blasphemy.
What about the cats?
Don’t do it.
Ross, you buy the new one, I’ll buy The Cross House. Deal?
Deal! But the peacock wallpaper is not included!
As I said on ohd, dibs on the tower room!
Forget the winters, I don’t think I could stand the taxes. I must admit that is a very tasty looking hunk of beefcake!
OMG Ross New York wants you back. The weather is great! Four beautiful seasons. The people are great. Not joking!
Maybe a few of us OH Dreamers could split it. Make it a vacation project and a disco. Not joking! I have always wanted a ballroom.
OHD folks and Ross combined vacation love project?
And it has a porch. For me a house must have a porch.
A castle… sigh…
Yes, there are some drool worthy features, but the whole package pales in comparison to Cross House. The large extension is an eye sore and please take another, rational look. The castle house reminds me of a glamorous women with lots of eye appeal, especially from afar. But closer inspection shows the excessive makeup and jewelry and someone that is just trying too hard to be beautiful. Cross House is truly beautiful and elegant and demonstrates consistency in execution through the entire building. There might be excitement in a fling, but reality would soonest in and regret a rash move.
Consider this your rational intervention from one of your Canadian followers.
SNAP OUT OF IT!
I saw that, too! I need to add it to my “Houses I will buy and save when I win the lottery” list.
I don’t have words, but my heart is beating very fast! 🙂
OK, I replied before I saw the interior. OH MY! 🙂
I too looooooooove that place!!!!! And you came to mind as I was looking at it!! I thought,” Oh Ross SAVE this house!!””
*sits on Ross until he regains his sanity*
Ok, difficult to do from northern Canuckistan, but it’s the thought that counts, right? 😀
Please don’t do it! My dear mother would have said “Finish what you start!”
I have a feeling that you’d be disappointed in yourself if you didn’t complete the Cross house. You’d disappoint your loyal followers and who knows, will the buyer finish it the way you would? If you came back to see it, how would you feel if the rest of your restoration was done poorly or in the incorrect style for the period?
And, as so many others asked; what about the cats?
Please, Please, don’t go!
(Fear not! The post is not to be taken literally!)
Whew! That’s a relief! I truly thought you were serious.
What you’re doing for the Cross house, returning to it’s graceful and elegant past condition, is a labor of love and dedication. I love seeing what you do and the results. I’m an “oldie” (70) who loves Craftsman and Victorian style houses as well as cats and dogs. One of my kitties sleeps on top of me every night. The other likes to wrap himself around my neck and cuddle (when I’m typing or sewing of course!)
I grew up in a wonderful old Craftsman that retained a lot of it’s original condition but was never restored as my parents had little money. As a teen I didn’t recognize what a great house we lived in. But when I grew up, moved out and got married, I began to appreciate it’s wonderful woodwork, plaster walls, big windows and clean lines. My dad himself grew up in an elegant Craftsman that was designed and built by his grandfather, a local architect and builder. As a child and young teenager, I spent many happy hours in it. My aunt (Dad’s sister) lived there all of her life and only left when she had to go into a nursing home in 1969. Sadly, the house and most of the wonderful family treasures inside had to be sold to pay for her care. I think it broke his heart. I understood how he felt when about 20 years ago I had to sell the house I grew up in once both Mom and Dad had “gone to Florida”.
The wonderful care you give your cats is heartwarming. Like you, we’ve sent many cats to Florida and we just recently sent off our beloved dog. It’s hard. Now we’re looking to adopt another pup to care for and love. We need to fill the hole in our hearts.
Sharing your restoration adventure brings vicarious joy to many. Take care of yourself and please keep up your wonderful work. I often wish I could come for a visit and help out a little but unfortunately these days, such endeavors are beyond me. Arthritis and osteoporosis are slowly taking their toll. Sigh. It would have been such a fabulous learning experience!
I took a look at the NY house. It certainly is a beauty!
Be well, be happy and keep hugging cats (I do!)
p.s. You and my husband are similar in that God only made so many perfect heads; the rest He covered with hair.
BIG hug, Critter Mom!