Oh, Iowa!
We loved Iowa City.
We loved the old houses. We loved the people. We loved our hosts from Foxcroft. We loved talking to the folks from the Friends of Historic Preservation. We loved meeting Becky and Elsa from That's a Cute Little Farmhouse. We loved it all. Iowa, we loved you. Even after we had to travel a few hours in below freezing weather to see you.
We loved Mike and Lisa's house (Foxcroft) and really think that he has been holding out on his houseblog because, zowie! What a house!
If you don't know the story of Foxcroft, it is well worth the read. Not every house comes with its pedigree tucked into cardboard boxes in the attic, but this one did. As Mike explains in an early entry, the box contains:
...all the correspondence between Bess and the architect (30+ letters) the original house contract, letters to the realtor (15+ and he ended up building next door) catalogs: house plans, millwork, plumbing, carpets, fireplaces, wallpaper etc. AND the notebook Bess sent to the architect complete with her idea for the floorplan and all built ins, room colors, and more.
I was shown the box. It was a magical box. The box did not disappoint. Imagine a collection of catalogs from Gordon-Van Tine, millwork manufacturers, bathroom fixture suppliers, etc. etc. All from the 1920's. All in pristine condition. I hyperventilated a little as I was turning the pages. It was like finding buried treasure. Well, it was if you are an old house geek!
This house is in amazing condition as well. Original trim, doors, flooring, light fixtures....sigh.
Some beautiful custom library cabinets...
There is more, much more, but you'll have to catch it on the Foxcroft blog. I'm still swooning.
Did we mention that they are also a musical family? You can catch more of those photos on Flickr. Right after you play a few of Acoustic Mayhem's mp3's on this website. We caught the live show, with Mike on banjo, on Saturday night and sang along to the album in the car all the way back to Chicago.
Gracious hosts, lovely kids, adorable pets, gorgeous old house, and great music. We'll give the roadtrip to Iowa City a Big 10 (heh). Thanks for inviting us Mike!
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Comments
Oh those library shelves! How divine!! What a pretty house too. Glad you had a great trip. :)
Posted by: Aimee | January 22, 2008 10:12 PM
Jeanne and Aaron,
I'm still blushing after reading this yesterday morning. I was already drafting my version of your visit when you published! Our page load count yesterday was quadruple anything we've ever had, and the unique visitors were double the previous high.
To be a total stickler for the truth: the pendant light above the kitchen nook is new, we got it and the one above the sink from Rejuvenation.
I don't think I explained about the library barrister bookcases very clearly: The bookcases aren't "custom" but were ordered by Bess in 1916 (we have the catalog and letters from the company) They were made by the Weis Company of Michigan (a competitor to the much more popular Globe-Werneke Co.) The catalog lists the 8.5 inch unit at $1.25 each, the taller 10 inch units were $1.50. When you add in the top cover for each stack, and a base unit at the bottom (there are four stacks of 6 units each) The entire wall cost somewhere about $40.00.
Bess designed the library to fit the bookcases with enough room on one side to slip her folded up card tables against the wall (she was an avid bridge player) I also have a letter she wrote to the moving company asking if the units couldn't be brought down with the books in them. (His reply was a kindly "No".
-Mike
Posted by: Foxcroft | January 24, 2008 8:53 AM
I love Iowa, too. In fact, I am from Iowa, but haven't lived there in many years. What a trip to see these houses.
We're always working on our modest little place out here in Prescott, Arizona, and I've enjoyed finding resources for projects from your blog. Soooo... I have tagged you for a meme.
A little fluffy, I think, but just way to connect with you folks, whose work I really enjoy!
Posted by: Katie | January 28, 2008 1:19 PM