2007 Victorian Flatbush Tour: The Day After
From the looks of the massive photoset that local blogger Flatbush Gardener uploaded to Flickr last night, this year’s house tour of Victorian Flatbush was a winner, a sentiment echoed in his blog post on the day. “This was the third year in a row I’ve gone on the house tour [and] this year was…
From the looks of the massive photoset that local blogger Flatbush Gardener uploaded to Flickr last night, this year’s house tour of Victorian Flatbush was a winner, a sentiment echoed in his blog post on the day. “This was the third year in a row I’ve gone on the house tour [and] this year was actually one of the best overall,” he writes. “There was variety in the houses shown, largely because nearly every neighborhood of Victorian Flatbush was represented on the tour.” Were other readers also impressed? What were the highlights of the tour?
2007 Victorian Flatbush House Tour [Flatbush Gardener]
2007 Victorian Flatbush House Tour [Flickr]
First year I did this tour, and while it was very enjoyable and the number of great houses in the area is amazing, I didn’t feel like there were that many blockbuster/over-the-top homes being shown. The first house with the oval dining room and original Tiffany fixtures was pretty amazing, but even that one had aluminum siding. I didn’t make it to the last 3-4 houses, so maybe I missed something great.
Maybe this will help: http://www.marykayg.com/html/large_map.html
Does anyone know the different neighborhoods in Flatbush. It seems like a large area, and I’m not clear on if Victorian Flatbush is truly and area or just an knickname. I know Prospect Lefferts Gardens is an area, but Midwood falls outside of Flatbush, as does Prospect Park South.
Also anyone know the best side of the park to be on? I know PLG is near the botanical gardens but let’s face it there is a wendy’s across from there so something tells me it’s not the most desirable corner of the park.
I concur with all the praise for the homes above, but I was equally impressed with the neighborhood. It’s kinda weird how one second your cruising down Ocean Avenue, make a turn, and all of a sudden you’re going down streets lined with enormous trees and old Victorian homes. If you’re not used to it, it’s a spectacular transition…very cool. And the neighborhood seems to have a great vibe about it. Should be interesting to see where this nabe is in a couple of years, after some of the big plans for the continued development of Cortelyou Road have been implemented.
I found the tour satisfying, but didn’t compare to the jaw-dropping selection of homes featured two years ago… three story cantilevered stair case with a stained glass oculus, private double lot gardens… etc.. Sigh.
I don’t know, Brenda, my keyspan bills aren’t that bad… But my house is a lot smaller than yours!
Oh come on Brenda, our Keyspan bills aren’t that bad! It’s just a few months a year 😉
Anon 9:45 and 10:05: Thanx!
There was at least one home in which interior photography was NOT allowed. I was informed firmly and pleasantly by the volunteer when I entered with my camera. I thanked her, put the lens cap on and stowed my camera. This may also have been the case for the South Midwood and Ditmas Park West homes, but my camera battery died before I got to those, so I didn’t ask, and I didn’t take note of whether or not others were photographing.
There were also at least three homes in which the second floor was also shown. These are interesting, but few have any architectural details of note, especially compared to the rich details of the ground floors. Most of these homes were originally built as single-family homes, with the ground/first floor as the public area for receiving guests, entertaining, and so on. The first floor has the richest architecture and details: the tallest ceilings, inglenooks, round and oval rooms, fireplaces (often more than one), built-in cabinetry and storage, stained glass, wood inlay floors, and lots and lots of wood, (usually oak, rarely mahogany) trim. The upstairs living quarters tend not to have so much detail, and what there is usually adorns the center stairs.
Didn’t go on the tour this year, but I always have fun watching folks moseying around, clutching their guide-pamphlets and peering up at “detail.” Makes me feel like I live on the celebrity homes tour-bus route in the Hollywood Hills! To temper all the romance, the owners should all have to post their Keyspan bills on the front porch…