Travel the World through Architecture The holidays are over and your summer tan is a distant memory. It probably feels like time for a vacation! But travel is difficult right now, so that weekend in Paris might have to wait. Why not (safely) explore hidden gems you can find right in your own town or…
Historic Building Materials from Grass to Glass Think American homes were always cubes of 2 x 4’s, drywall, and aluminum siding? Think again! Throughout American history, many different building materials have contributed to a wide range of architectural styles. Read on to learn more: Indigenous Architecture The Native Americans who lived across North America before…
The beauty and grace of historical architecture attracts many homeowners eager to live in a piece of history. But although many historic homes have features that are still useful today, some original architectural artifacts are best left in the past. Here are several important home features that owners of historic dwellings should strongly consider upgrading:…
by Tom Seabrook We tend to picture history in shades of black, white, grey, and sepia, thanks to the earliest photographs we have. But the past was not strictly somber; in fact, most of human history has been awash in vibrant color. Take a journey through time to learn more about historical colorways. PATRIOTIC PALETTE…
A Brief Guide to Dating Authentic Old Houses Classic architecture goes in and out of style, but never completely goes away. Whether you’re on a leisurely Sunday afternoon drive, or exploring a neighborhood to potentially purchasing a historic home, it’s sometimes easy to get confused about whether a home is actually old or if it’s…
Architectural Home Features with a Cool Purpose Sometimes, architectural details only serve one purpose: to look pretty or interesting. But in many historic homes, an archaic detail that lends charm to the structure may once have had an important function beyond the aesthetic—often helping the home’s residents stay comfortable before the invention of modern HVAC.…
Take a journey through hometown history with architecture Sometimes we take it for granted that where we live has always been more or less the same. But from the smallest village to the largest city, change happens constantly; nowhere is quite the same as it was 50, 100, or more years ago. Most places have…
by Tom Seabrook Welcome to Nest’s Historic Highlights. In this series, we delve into tidbits of history, architecture, and lore that hide in plain sight in the Charlottesville area. The estates of the two early presidents who called Albemarle County home are very well known. James Monroe’s Highland has been the scene of exciting archaeological…
One of the reasons we love our Nest communities is the abundance of museums. They bring art, science, and history to locals and visitors alike. Many institutions offer online alternatives to physical tours, so you can expand your mind from home even if you can’t visit your local museums in person. Here are some of…
Have you ever looked at something on your home and wondered, why is that even there? Where did it come from? Why the heck do we call it that? Let’s explore the inspiration behind classic architectural features you might run across in your town…or even in your own home. Read on to learn more, then see if you can spot…