architecture - The Inspired Room

I enjoy looking at beautiful houses. I always have. When I was a kid I imagined I’d probably live in some sort of fairytale castle someday (whatever, I was dreaming), today I live in a modest new house in an average neighborhood. I’m blessed to have a home, but there is nothing perfect about it.

I don’t have a beautiful fence, a stone walkway, perfect landscaping, an iron gate or the most charming lanterns around a fairytale front door. And while I think those things are wonderful, I’m really OK with not having them.

I’ve lived in lovely houses and amazing neighborhoods in my life and I can honestly tell you that living well within your means is a way better feeling than trying to live in a perfect house you cannot afford. So, I do not covet these houses at this point in my life, I just appreciate their beauty.

I really enjoy a Sunday Drive By, and when it is all over I go home and live my own dream life in my normal home in a normal neighborhood.

So in the effort to embrace Autumn, let’s enjoy this absolutely beautiful Fall day in Seattle!

It was actually SO LOVELY this Fall day in late September that I actually did most of this tour as a walk by. My oldest and youngest came along with me on this journey. I had to laugh because I normally sneak around all quiet like so I can snap photos without being arrested. Have you ever tried to be all quiet like with a 10 year old boy bouncing down the sidewalk? Yeah. Challenges. But, walking along with two of my kids made the day even better. Louder, but better.

Of course, what am I complaining about, my red cow girl boots were kind of loud on sidewalks. Should have worn my sneakers, they would make it much easier for scaling those fences and slipping through bushes to get a closer look. I KID! I KID! Don’t worry, this won’t be dangerous at all.

I am very discreet when I am trespassing.

Well, isn’t this just a lovely little nest? Lest you think that is all there is to this house, heh heh, let’s keep walking…

Yes, there is more! Another wing!

It is more like a villa than a house. The most yummy shade of yellow ever… but wait, keep walking …

Sigh. Hello, very massive villa.

And then it just keeps going around the back, with a balcony that overlooks….{drum roll…}

Ta da! The Seattle skyline. Too bad the villa has such an awful view.

Moving on to another neighborhood now! That villa was lovely but it is a little big. Let’s see what else we’ll find.

This is not quite so fancy pants, I love this little curved picket fence.

Now this is precious!! I adore this little gate and the sweet sign.

Do you name your house? I’ve always wanted to do that. I might call mine Spider Manor.

Oh! This one is kind of fancy. I wanted to go in so I could see more of the house, but the gate was locked. Darn. Don’t worry, even if it wasn’t locked I wouldn’t go in without ringing the bell. There could be big dogs behind a gate like that.

Now this is pretty cute! It is a hobbit like fairytale house.

That door kills me, love how it comes to a point!

Zooming in with my spy lens for a closer look.

This porch is so pretty. I’ve always wanted one of those.

This is a cute little entry and dormer. I really enjoy unique architecture.

So many houses behind gates.

Look at those vines growing across the brick, they are starting to change colors!

Too bad they weren’t home when the delivery boy dropped that package off, I might have been able to sneak a peek inside when they opened the door.

This house is SO pretty! I love the shades of blue on the shingles. Can’t you just picture the cool attic room at the very top? That would make an amazing artist studio or scrapbooking room. Or MOM CAVE!!!

The views up here in these neighborhoods are ridiculous! Can you imagine? Hello, cruise ship in the front yard.

We’ll resume our Sunday drive next Sunday! I’ve got some other charming places to show you, including a house that has very cool chess pieces as art in the front yard and a house my husband decided was his favorite house ever. Tomorrow though we are back with INSIDE posts!

Where do you go on Sunday drives in the Fall?

These houses are in Queen Anne and Magnolia in Seattle.

Do you enjoy going on Sunday drives as much as I do? If so, you might have fun pouring through Drive Bys from the past three years!
For the entire series links, click the 31 Days Button below!