Making My Wife's Dream Come True. Almost.
Last week I had the loan of a Canon 5d with a 17mm wide angle lens. My photographer neighbour lent it me to so I could go and take photos of a friend customer's self-catering property. It let me take photos like this one, this one and this one. All of these shots would have been almost impossible with a compact camera or anything other than a wide angle lens and a proper flash gun.
While I still had the camera I thought I'd go round the house and grab some shots. It's Karen's dream to one day have the house featured in Period Living magazine. Can't say I'm that fussed about it, but hey, if that's what she wants.
First off, the office, where I'm sat as I type:
And about the house:
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Wow Jake looks amazing with detail and perfection everywhere. I think I will stick with my magnolia "everywhere" approach for now, but it is pretty boring!
I wish my office looked so tidy and organised!
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She won't be happy you've left your towels on the bannister! ;)
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All of the photos above represent what Karen would consider a "complete mess". If she ever sees that I've posted them online I'll be for it!
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Jake, impressive lens, impressive house! As a former professional *film* photographer who has not owned an SLR since the early 90s (to give you a sense of how "former" I mean), I am now totally lusting after one. With a 17mm lens. This lens might as well be called "The Real Estate Lens" considering what it can do to sell a property.
I still agree with the notion that the "best" camera in the world is the one you have with you, and have carried a nice wide-angle Lumix point and shoot everywhere for years. But do please keep these pictures up as they will definitely help convince my wife that we *need* a new camera. :-)
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The owner of the property raised a valid point when he was worried that it might well over-sell the property. Whereas before people were impressed when they get to see the house for real, as they rooms appear bigger than on the web, the reverse will probably now apply. They'll expect huge great rooms and might not get that.
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nice house
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Wow, if the 'old style' furnishings didn't come with the house that is some serious expense!
Though, you are one of those weird folks who puts paper on his walls! Madness I tell you!
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I try not to think about how much we've spent on the house.
Although, saying that, most of what we've bought have been "bargains". If you shop around and know where to go (antiques fairs rather than shops) you don't need to pay too much for "brown furniture". For example the antique dining room table and 6 chairs was £1500. Not cheap, but for something that's 100+ years old that will probably last as long again, you can't go wrong.
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And the coffee table in the living room was £50 off ebay!
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Sweet place!!! Looks like your projects are done, for now.
Yeah, get the pictures in the magazine so that she doesn't get so mad when you get the android :)
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Karen is now sat next to me reading through these comments on the ipad and just turned to me and said "What's an android? Are you buying a robot!?".
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The house is looking terrific. Looking back at all the work (and your Dad) put into it, it is well worth the effort even in "complete mess" mode.
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Jake,
Very nice place. I particularly like your library. Is the dial telephone in the foyer a working phone? How old is the house?
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Thanks Richard. Yes the phone works. Although we tend not to use it. Especially not for dialling out, as it has a rotary dialler.
House is ~107 years old.
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Thank's Jerry
It's nice to know that some one remembers that I had a small part to play. And Ian's quite right people who put wall paper on walls are weird, like the same people who have a chrome plated cistern.
The best bit is the book case in the 'library' all my own work. You would think now Karen's finished work she keep the house tidy!!!!
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Yeah - that bookcase was the first thing to come to mind but seems I remember some brick work, floor reconstruction... wasn't there some work in the loft an some walls rearranged at some point? Now I'm pretty sure Leo was paid for the garage work... ;-)
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Robert has worked hard on the house, but not as hard I keeping him in coffee and chocolate whilst doing said work. And as for the comment regarding my housekeeping skills- up yours! Xx
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Nice photos, especially the downstairs hall.
As 'special' lenses can easily be £600+ i've recently discovered that you can hire lenses from several sites online - ideal for specific jobs or just to have a play!
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Jake, this is quite impressive. Not what I expected from your office. Why is it that offices have to be so "business"?
Your wife is right. This should be in a magazine.
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Good question, not sure why it's so businessy-looking. It was the practical aspect I went for - lots of storage - over anything else. You tend to sacrifice that aspect when going for the clean and modern look. It was also cheaper too.
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Fab house! And an office nearly as tidy as mine ;-)
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Nice Jake!
Could do with a period rad for the landing though ;-)
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Have you seen the price of them! I'd have them throughout if they were cheaper and more efficient (I'm assuming modern ones are better in that regard, but don't know for sure).
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Wow...Nice house.
Specially the Library.
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