a historic five-sided row house

The other weekend, we spent a night in the city. Halifax isn't too far from us, but with everything going on lately, we've sort of avoided going since spring. While we do have everything we need locally, the city is always an interesting change of scenery. So when we couldn't put off going any longer, we decided to give ourselves lots of time to explore. One of my favourite things to do is walk around and see the historic buildings. The British settlers arrived in 1749, so it's a city that has a rich history, and therefore an abundance of beautiful old architecture to admire. Of all of the old homes I walked past, 1597 Dresden Row was my favourite.

Built in 1835, the Bollard House is a five-sided home that was designed to fit the small, irregular plot of land it sits on. It's one of the oldest wooden houses still standing in the city and has become a local landmark. Bordering three streets, it faces Citadel Hill ( the old fort) and is only a few blocks from the Public Gardens. It's said that it's unique shape resembles that of the stern of a ship, which is fitting given it resides in the city who's port was known as the gateway to North America. 

I just think it's completely peculiar, and reminiscent of something you'd stumble upon down some cobblestone street in London. I can only imagine what it must look like inside. There's probably a triangular closet or a sitting room with five walls. I'm sure for years it's owners have probably fretted over sofa placements and trying to create symmetry where it simply wasn't possible. That, or they completely embraced it's uniqueness, and lived out their days in their cozy five-sided house on the corner.

Just look at that profile! It's out of a storybook.

There is a tiny garden around the back, completely with two large apple trees. There are three separate entrances, one with a charming little portico, and the other two, each with a pair of narrow doors instead of one larger one. There are plenty of windows, most of which open out instead of sliding up, and the two chimneys have the most beautiful brass flues.

While we did spend a decent amount of time walking around a few neighborhoods, there are so many other's that I'm looking forward to spending more time in. I'm sure there will be other homes I fall in love with, but I think I'll be hard-pressed to find one quite as interesting as this one!

a walk through green gables

Welcome to Green Gables. If you've ever read the beloved series, Anne of Green Gables, this white and green home probably holds a dear place in your heart. I does for me. I read the books and watched the series and fell in love with Anne's world and this beautiful place she so thoroughly described. Tucked away in my grandmother's night stand is an old piece of paper written many, many summers ago. My cousins and I, while spending our summer holiday at our grandparent's house, made a plan for our Green Gables. The three of us would move to Prince Edward Island, buy an old farmhouse, and live out our days together. We listed how many hens we'd have, which kinds of fruit trees would grow in our orchard, and I, sacrificially, agreed to be the one who married so that we would have someone "handy" around the farm for repairs. I've recalled that little piece of paper many times recently as I've been making our home here on the East Coast. Walking through the house, seeing details from the books in person, was wonderfully nostalgic, and for once, I was kind of thankful to be able to walk through quietly myself.

I've been through once before, but this time, I felt like I spent more time admiring more of the details of the house. There were so many well-curated details that I would have loved to have myself!

The bold patterns in the house are so striking - from the colourful floral wallpaper and green trim in the front entrance, to the dark green carpet throughout the parlour and the dinging room.

I really did love the green trim throughout. I also liked the simplicity of Matthew's bedroom, shown here. I mean that little commode with the ironstone vanity set and the perfectly simple wallpaper...

I also loved the laundry room with it's antique baskets and dry rack, the linen aprons and the rug broom.

And of course the pantry!

When I saw it, I immediately thought of fall tables! I absolutely love this painted hutch.

Anne's bedroom with the pretty floral paper. They did a great job of trying to add elements from the book to the decor. Marilla's room is plain and in the darker corner of the house. Matthew's bedroom is downstairs, off the kitchen, because of his heart condition. Anne's closet door has a dress with puffed sleeves hanging from it. In the kitchen cupboard there's a bottle of raspberry cordial and a bowl of plum-pudding sauce (no mouse though!).

You can even walk down Lover's Lane out back, or down the Haunted Hollow path which leads to the author, Lucy Maud Montgomery's home. Apparently, each day Anne and Diana make an appearance at the museum, but a lot of those details had been suspended for the time being.

I think it's important to note that while a lot of details in this whole area of the island had become very touristy, Parks Canada has done a good job trying to keep the property as best as they can, true to how L M Montgomery would want it. It's simple compared to everything else around it, and that makes it all the more special.

a historic rental in the heart of charlottetown

For our second extra long weekend, we decided to head to Prince Edward Island. We took the ferry, though you can take the bridge. For the same cost, we'd much rather take the ferry and be able to get out and enjoy the water. It's about an hour and it breaks up the four hour drive to the island nicely. Because we were catching the last one for the day, we boarded just as the sun set. It was a beautiful night on the water.

We decided to spend the first two nights in Charlottetown, the capital, and then make our way around the island, spending a few nights on the opposite side. Whenever we are staying anywhere, I always try to find a reasonable home to rent first. Often they're a little more than a hotel stay, but for us as a family of six, having our own space is so much more relaxing. Especially if we're staying in the same place for more than one night. Because we booked last minute, this historic, three story town house, right downtown in the historic district, was significantly discounted. It had everything that we could have wanted. The kitchen was well stocked. There was a charming little backyard area, as well as a large second floor balcony. The beds were very comfortable with hotel linens and towels. They even had set out everything we could have needed for our littlest, from baby gates to a high chair and toys.

While all of that is important, the best part of this home was the character it had. Being over two centuries old, the house simply oozed character. The floorboards were warped and creaky, and the treads on the stairs had been worn thin in the centers from decades of inhabitants climbing up and down. And what's more, the owner had furnished it with some lovely antique pieces, like this stunning wardrobe in the front entrance. How I would love to find a cabinet like this...

There was a cheerful dining room that overlooked the sidewalk just out front. The sun streamed in windows while we ate breakfast and because the house was set right at the sidewalk, and downtown being only a block away, people we always walking past. Beyond the dining room was the kitchen, which was dated and quite cramped, but still functional. And then beyond that, a few steps up, was a small sitting room and doors to the back yard. It wasn't a large yard, but rather a small deck and a patio area with a grill, perfect for dinging outside. It was just what we needed. There was also a very long, narrow front hall that led back to the kitchen from the front door, along the staircase. At the end of it was a tiny little powder room tucked under the second floor landing. The boys absolutely loved these little details. This, as well as the tiny little desk build into the kitchen cabinets with a stool and mounted radio. They took turns playing DJ while I flipped pancakes, and joked that if they were Harry Potter, the powder room would be their bedroom.

As I mentioned, the kitchen was very well stocked. There was a full spice cupboard, wonderfully sharp knives, a good variety of pots and pans, and a large collection of plain white china (much to my pleasure). They even had thoughtfully provided coffee and a French press, as well as gourmet hot chocolate and a couple snacks. This was particularly convenient as we had checked in long after the grocery stores had closed. Another reason we can justify the cost of a home to rent is because even though the accommodation might be more expensive than a hotel room, we're able to make meals at home, which for us is much more cost effective. After enjoying coffee on the balcony the next morning, I popped out to grab groceries and then came home in time to make breakfast for the boys.

The second floor had a small den at the top of the stairs. Here they had a sofa bed made up for the two little ones. They were beside themselves with the giant television mounted on the wall, as it meant they could watch cartoons in bed the next morning. And there was a tiny, half-sized door that you climbed out of to reach the balcony. It felt very New York!

Here you can see the upper balcony over the small patio area, as well as the attached neighbors.

At the other end of the hall, looking out the front of the house, was a small bathroom, and the master bedroom. I absolutely loved the natural light in the bathroom!

Then, up in the attic space of the third floor, with it's wonderfully high ceilings and exposed beams, there was a bedroom for the two older boys, as well as their own bathroom and small little sitting area with a chair and desk.

Their bathroom was the perfect little bath, with it's antique claw foot and cozy feel. 

After arriving late the first night, when we had finally managed to get four very excited boys settled in bed, I climbed the two flights of stairs with my book and a cup of hot chocolate, and sunk into the tub with my book. I had lots to see in town the following day, but at that moment, I was just thankful for this little space which felt so much more like home than a hotel room.

day trip - chester, nova scotia

This past week, following an announcement from our Premier declaring all parks and outdoor spaces open for the good of our mental well-being (to be enjoyed at a safe distance, of course), we packed a thermos of tea, piled into the car, and promptly headed to the coast.

The Chester Basin has been on our list of places to drive to for a while now, and it would take more than some grey skies and threatening rain to keep us home.

While I did expect a pretty town sort of set in a bay, and a lot of nicer newer cottages, I didn't expect to find so many charming older homes. I was delighted. As we rounded the inlet and the roads narrowed, the homes with their low roof lines and groomed hedges encroached on the lane ways. They were tucked around the basin and sat proudly on the hill on the other side overlooking the water. So many beautiful homes. I just wanted to get out and wander. Those are my favourite kinds of places - the ones that make you pull over, grab your camera and start walking, not minding if it starts raining, always saying to yourself, "Just one block further, then I'll turn back."

I'm looking forward to returning when the leaves are out and the vines are climbing the picket fences and I can sit on the patio and have a lobster roll.

They had the sweetest library and reading garden.

I absolutely loved the choice of colours for this museum.

I even spotted my first bulbs poking through.

And the first Magnolia blooms!

I think this one is my favourite so far. It reminded me so much of the low cottages in 'Sconset.

I just loved the lower room with all the windows (I imagined it as a cozy sitting room), and the little area above with the bump-out (which also in my imagination, was off the master bedroom).

It had the best view.

Others reminded me of Long Island.

And of course the town had the most charming building for their flower shop. I would take it in a heartbeat.

From there, it wasn't much further down the Lighthouse Route to Peggy's Cove, and with a whole day to waste and a little tea still warm in the thermos, we carried on. We couldn't actually visit the lighthouse as it was still closed off, but just driving around the cove was breathtaking. It was the perfect day to enjoy the waves.

It was grey and wildly harsh, rugged and yet so beautiful all at once.

All the while we just kept looking at each other saying "I can't believe this is where we live now. That we can just head out for a drive and find ourselves in places like this."