I Still Dream of Harlem

Wanna know my fantasy?

We end up sticking it out here in NYC-metro, purchase our current condo (it's for sale and the area's about to go through major redevelopment making us want to hold onto it), when we grow out of space we rent it out and move back to Harlem in a gorgeous brownstone and eventually get a 2nd home upstate (or in New England) to visit on weekends and someday retire someplace warm keeping one floor of our brownstone as a pied-à-terre while renting the rest, always keeping a foothold in NYC (especially since Mr. Lovebird's family is here).

::SIGH::

A girl can dream right?

Well, here's some inspiration for my dreams:

52 Hamilton Terrace (all images via link) 

426 W. 147th ST (all images via link)

What's your real estate/geographic fantasy or are you living it right now? Where do you go for home inspiration? 
 


P.S. You can find the rest of my Harlem Brownstone Love posts here!

Harlem Brownstone Love Strikes Again!

Perfect timing for another post about Harlem brownstones as the WSJ just published this article about Harlem real estate picking up. 

{I found out about these on Harlem Bepsoke}

Brownstone 1

Not too sure about the paint color, but that can be changed. Love the tray ceiling though!

LOVE the windowed kitchen! A rarity in NYC

The antique fireplace in this bedroom is uber-romantic.

Photo credit

 Brownstone 2

Lusting after the dark wood floors!

That shower is definitely high enough for Mr. Love Bird! Double sinks are awesome too.

Adore the light/dark contrast!

Love the bay windows AND fireplace in this kitchen.

Photo credit

Brownstone 3

What a dramatic entryway!

A bit too rustic for my taste but a great space to work with.

Exposed brick, beams and dark wood floors are a decor trifecta.

Light colored ceiling beams open up the room

Photo credit

More Harlem Brownstone Love

Continuing my obsession with Harlem brownstones, I have a few more to share.

Brownstone 1:

{Photo Credit: Harlem Bespoke}

Brownstone 2:

{Photo Credit: Sotheby's Homes}

Brownstone 3:

{Photo Credit: Harlem Bespoke}

Brownstone 4 (my favorite!): 

{Photo Credit: Prudential Douglas Eillman}

More Harlem Brownstone Love

Yesterday, as we walked through Harlem on our way to Fairway's Customer Appreciation BBQ, Mr. Love Bird and I admired the brownstones in the nearby historic district. We aspire to purchase and renovate a brownstone (check out the WSJ's recap of such a renovation), and I thought it would be fun to continue to highlight a few nearby brownstones as I've done before:

This is on my block {photo credit: Harlem Bespoke}

I adore the contrasting colors of the wood

The green walls are so bold, and the Anglophile in me loves those chairs!

Speechless

 This lovely brownstone was featured in Elle Decor:

What amazing light!

The unique rug print draws me in and the window molding is gorgeous!

This reminds me of Newport, RI; very nautical

Those shells are a great way to bring nature indoors

Loving these original mahogany shutters

Finally, this well appointed brownstone a couple blocks away left us breathless {photo credit}:

Corner home is ideal

Beautiful woodwork

This would be perfect for entertaining

I'd love to invite my girlfriends over for a SATC marathon here!

This is where the guys could hang out during the SATC marathon!

This room has an old-school, yet modern feel to it