Sunday, April 22, 2012
Kerrwood on Blue Hill Harbor
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Although the streak of warmer weather was a tease last week, we know that summer is right around the corner. This photo was taken on a recent beautiful afternoon from the second floor landing at the historic Danforth Inn in Portland. Architects often feature palladian windows, like the one shown below, in staircases and foyers to allow for more natural light.
Andrea Palladio, an Italian Renaissance architect, first used "palladian" windows in his constructions in the 16th century. Featuring a central window with an arch on top and two narrow panels to each side, palladian windows were used in many architectural styles throughout the 17th and 18th centuries and can be spotted in many homes throughout the historic West End of Portland.
Photo and reflection by Alyssa Bouthot, Sales Agent, Licensed Assistant to Kimberly Swan
Andrea Palladio, an Italian Renaissance architect, first used "palladian" windows in his constructions in the 16th century. Featuring a central window with an arch on top and two narrow panels to each side, palladian windows were used in many architectural styles throughout the 17th and 18th centuries and can be spotted in many homes throughout the historic West End of Portland.
Photo and reflection by Alyssa Bouthot, Sales Agent, Licensed Assistant to Kimberly Swan
Saturday, March 17, 2012
History...
Some of our clients want only a new, modern home. They like being first. But many others seek a property with a storied past and timeless appeal. It’s the comfort of permanence, the romance and charm of imagining the past.
Historically significant homes add their own lives to yours. We take great pride in presenting to the world unique places and their stories, and in using our innovative marketing tools and global connections to perfectly match time-honored properties with those who give them new life.
Historically significant homes add their own lives to yours. We take great pride in presenting to the world unique places and their stories, and in using our innovative marketing tools and global connections to perfectly match time-honored properties with those who give them new life.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Portland Magazine New Issue
What an absolute thrill to see the hot off the presses March issue of Portland Magazine today and see our listing in Bath, York Hall ON THE COVER! And the additional photos and story by Colin Sargent are just as cool!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Understanding the Language of Historic Preservation
by Alyssa Bouthot, Sales Agent- Licensed Assistant to Kimberly Swan
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When discussing historic homes it is important to understand several key terms that are often used incorrectly to describe the conservation process.
Preservation generally refers to the concern for the rate of consumption of a building. The most commonly accepted practice of preservation involves stabilizing the building, first and foremost, and then maintaining its features in their most original form possible.
British Philosopher and Architectural Critic John Ruskin is known for his “let it be” approach to preservation. Ruskin believed that the aging surface of the building, referred to as the patina, should remain untouched to simply add character to the building.
Drayton Hall in Charleston, South Carolina is arguably the most pristine example of preservation in the United States. With no plumbing, electricity, furnishings, or major renovations, the 300 year old home stands at near original condition:
Restoration refers to returning a building to its appearance at a specific point in time. This involves either adding features that are missing, or removing features that were added at a later date. One familiar example of restoration in our community is the Victoria Mansion in Portland’s West End. This picture shows the restoration completed in the mansion’s Turkish Smoking Room:
Similarly, reconstruction also brings a building back to its exact appearance at a specific point in time; however, reconstruction refers to reproducing a building that has vanished or was beyond the point of restoration. This process starts from the ground up, and the first stages can be seen at the site of Benjamin Franklin’s historic home in Philadelphia. Here at Franklin Court, the National Park Service built a steel frame outlining Franklin’s former home so that any future plans for reconstruction would be executed accurately:
The final two terms refer to the practices that are most common with historic homes today. Rehabilitation is used to describe updates to a home that save historically important features (such as fixtures, moldings, etc) while adding more contemporary components that make the home more efficient by today’s standards. Renovation, on the other hand, generally refers to updates to a home that completely replace historic features with modern components. These two approaches are most common for private historic homes that are not being used as museums or public viewing sites.
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When discussing historic homes it is important to understand several key terms that are often used incorrectly to describe the conservation process.
Preservation generally refers to the concern for the rate of consumption of a building. The most commonly accepted practice of preservation involves stabilizing the building, first and foremost, and then maintaining its features in their most original form possible.
British Philosopher and Architectural Critic John Ruskin is known for his “let it be” approach to preservation. Ruskin believed that the aging surface of the building, referred to as the patina, should remain untouched to simply add character to the building.
Drayton Hall in Charleston, South Carolina is arguably the most pristine example of preservation in the United States. With no plumbing, electricity, furnishings, or major renovations, the 300 year old home stands at near original condition:
Restoration refers to returning a building to its appearance at a specific point in time. This involves either adding features that are missing, or removing features that were added at a later date. One familiar example of restoration in our community is the Victoria Mansion in Portland’s West End. This picture shows the restoration completed in the mansion’s Turkish Smoking Room:
Similarly, reconstruction also brings a building back to its exact appearance at a specific point in time; however, reconstruction refers to reproducing a building that has vanished or was beyond the point of restoration. This process starts from the ground up, and the first stages can be seen at the site of Benjamin Franklin’s historic home in Philadelphia. Here at Franklin Court, the National Park Service built a steel frame outlining Franklin’s former home so that any future plans for reconstruction would be executed accurately:
The final two terms refer to the practices that are most common with historic homes today. Rehabilitation is used to describe updates to a home that save historically important features (such as fixtures, moldings, etc) while adding more contemporary components that make the home more efficient by today’s standards. Renovation, on the other hand, generally refers to updates to a home that completely replace historic features with modern components. These two approaches are most common for private historic homes that are not being used as museums or public viewing sites.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
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