MATCHING DOLLAR HUD & NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GRANTS AVAILABLE TO REFURBISH HISTORIC HOMES AND BUILDINGS

The Main Street Grant Program is offered by The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to finance projects that preserve the historic architecture and design of historic homes and buildings in the downtown or “main street” areas.  Grants can also be used to convert unused buildings into affordable homes for rent.  Grants are given to areas with less than 50,000 residents and 100 public housing units. Local government agencies are eligible to apply for these dollar-for-dollar matching grants.

These grants do not have to be repaid.  Funds cover costs including equipment, supplies and labor and administrative costs.  Contact HUD, 451 7^th Street SW, Washington DC 20410 or call 202-708-1112 for information.  You might also find information at http://wwwhud.gov.

The National Park Service partners with other non-profit organizations to provide dollar-for-dollar matching grants to preserve and conserve significant historic, intellectual and cultural properties within the US.  This includes historic buildings, structures, parks, sites, districts and landmarks.  Intellectual collections, documents and cultural artwork and sculptures may also be covered.  Eligible applicants include deferral, state, local and tribal government agencies and non-profit organizations.  Contact Historic Preservation Grants, National Park Service, 1201 “Eye” Street NW (2256), Washington DC 20005 or call 202-354-2020.  Site is http://www.nps.Gov.

Suggestion: Google for other grants as well and see which one works best for you, if you are refurbishing a historic home.

1876 3-STORY GOTHIC-VICTORIAN GARDEN DISTRICT NEW ORLEANS MANSION PURCHASED FOR $2,250,000 BY MOVIE STAR SANDRA BULLOCK

5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, parlor, ballroom with 14' ceilings are within 6615 living sq ft. There is an unfinished 3^rd floor with 1935 additional sq ft  and 10’ ceilings.  Flourishes within the house at time of purchase included opulent antique furniture, Victorian wallpaper, huge gold Gothic mirrors, antique shadow molding, ornate chandeliers, carved columns, large plaster medallions and marble mantels.  

Known as the Koch-Mays house, or the Swiss Chalet House, or Freret’s Folly, the grand entry foyer is 41’x13’ with wood flooring of alternating pecan and sycamore, large doorways leading to parlor, ballroom and dining room.  Ceilings are 14’ high.  Architect William Freret built the house for James Eustis, a U.S. Senator and Ambassador to France. The fanciful exterior is all intricate iron work, elaborate fretwork and pointy gables that have been topped with lethal-looking, spear like ornaments.

Walk up the covered front porch into a grand foyer.  The banquet sized dining room has long heavy drapes and champagne-colored damask wallpaper.  The den has deep Burgundy wine colored walls.  Kitchen is 16’x12’.  There are several fireplaces. Master and other bedrooms are on the second floor.

The exterior features a massive lawn, big lagoon-like pool and sizeable motor court. This corner property is well-shielded and includes elegant gardens.  Ms. Bullock may be making the interiors more informal… time will tell.  She owns various other properties throughout the US but N’Awlins has become the home of choice of many other movie stars as well.

ANTIQUE RUGS – AN ACCESSORY YOU MAY WANT IN YOUR HOME

Unique antique rugs can add personality, character, versatility, style and interest to your home decor.  An antique is described as an item that is at least 80-100 years old, decorative and collectible.  The owner appreciates its age, beauty, rarity, warmth and. While rugs can be the most expensive decorative item in a home, antique carpets can be less expensive than brand new rugs.  You can purchase them at auction, often getting a wonderful buy. Rugs can also be displayed as wall hangings.

Traditional style carpets usually have intricate patterns and come in a wide array of colors from the jewel tones to light and airy, giving a real and elegant look. 

Tabriz rugs are Persian and sometimes have medallion designs and allover patterns that are precisely drawn and executed with care and of a high quality, therefore long -lasting. 

Kashan rugs include some of the best classical silk Persian rugs also with medallion and overall designs, in all colors.

Knorassan/Mashad rugs are available in similar formats but often have a softer, more decorative coloration.  Their weaving technique makes them durable.

Modern design tends to be simpler in taste and style, sometimes minimalist with subtle colors and an abstract look, e.g. arts and crafts or art deco.  Moroccan rugs can have simple tribal geometric or abstract patterns and add a sophisticated look to modern furniture and can have dynamic colors.  Architect Frank Lloyd Wright used Moroccan rugs in the homes he designed. 

NEWS FLASH!

The Wall St Journal reports that Rush Limbaugh sold his grande luxe apartment in NYC for $11,500,000.  Scroll down about 4 pages and see March 4th entry with photos and descriptions.

IMPORTANT WELLINGTON EQUESTRIAN ESTATE FOR SALE

Windsome Farm, 13560 Indian Mound Road, just south of the International Equestrian Showgrounds, spreads out on 123 acres, of which 80 acres serve as a horse farm.  Forty acres contain fields and woodlands.  Four lakes interconnect.  The main house is 32,000 sq ft and turnkey.  While not historic yet, it is an equestrian property of note.  Sale price is now $39,500,000, reduced from a 2008 list price of $62,000,000.

Designed and built in 1995 for the owner’s champion show horses, Windsome Farm is a property of incomparable scale, quality and beauty and fully irregated.

There is a Grand Prix field and championship dressage ring. 

Amenities include a 72-stall, H formation stable with over 70 Corton built 12’x12’ grassy stalls imported from Holland. 

Included are 16 grooming stalls, 2 guest apartments, owners lounge, an office, industrial laundry, computerized hot-walker, medical suite and 19 paddocks.  There is a trainer/manager office, property management building with 11 bay garage and A/C garage for 18-wheeler. 

Beautifully landscaped, the property is fenced with three electronic gates.  The Bermuda grass is manicured, roofs are low-sloping barrel tile.  There are rich hand-crafted wood finishes,

impressive tree-studded drives, covered walkways and enchanting courtyards. The northwest 40 acres, partly cleared, can be developed.

AUCTION STARTS TODAY AT CHRISTIES/LONDON OF PRINCESS DIANA’S FAMILY ITEMS

(NOTE: the REUBENS painting above sold for  nine million pounds (13.6 million dollars, 10.8 million euros)

Most important item to be auctioned is an important Old Master painting by Peter Paul Rubens titled, “A Commander Being Armed for Battle,” that is expected to sell for between 8MM and 12MM British pounds.  It was painted about 1613, and has been in the family collection for 200 years.  This art masterpiece has been at Althorp, the Spencer family’s 14,000 acre country estate, occupied now by Charles, the 9^th Earl Spencer, Diana’s 45-year old brother.  The estate is undergoing a 10MM pound restoration and renovation.  Diana, former wife of Prince Charles of England, who died in an auto accident, is buried on the grounds of Althorp, where there is an exhibition about her life.

Included will be 19^th C. carriages, including one used at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, other paintings, furniture and porcelain, items owned by the family such as harnesses, saddles, furniture, snuff and cigarette boxes, military uniforms, coachmen’s uniforms and butler’s trays, some from Spencer House, which overlooks London’s Green Park. The trustees said they decided to sell off items “that were not core to the collection.”

It is anticipated that Earl Spencer will add 30MM pounds to his 100MM pound fortune with this sale of items from the ancestral home in Northamptonshire and the Spencer House, the family home in St James’s which is one of London’s last remaining private palaces. These auctions will be held for three days.

Princess Diana’s family to sell items for auction