Everything's Coming Up Roses

This is one of those rare beauties we stumbled across and can't get out of our real-estate crammed noggins: known as Rose Valley Farm, the 1862 home, with 7500+ square feet and priced at $3.2 million, is located southwest of Philadelphia near the bucolic town of Media. Completely reno'd and updated, the house has 5 beds/4 full/2 half baths, and splendid details like arched windows, multiple fireplaces, tiled and hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, stained and leaded glass windows, as well as the dazzling kitchen of our dreams. Outside, the property's 3+ acres include a 70 foot long pergola that leads to a romantic water tower, as well as a new barn, formal gardens, ruins, terraces, and an open pavillion. We're running out to buy a lotto ticket—we suggest you do the same! To see more of Rose Valley Farm, go here

Urban Yearnin'

The love for Portland, Oregon, is pretty much universal at this point—the air! the trees! the groovy people! the fabulous homes!—so we're not going to bang that drum again. Rather, we're just going to present this $339K home and let you fall for it on your own. Just a year old, the 3 bed/2.5 bath has a modern but warm design, and the walls of windows, high ceilings and open stairs make it especially bright and inviting. There are exposed mechanicals, a sleek kitchen and baths, an attached garage and awesome decks on the third floor. Creston Park's many amenities (the dog park, the tennis courts, the play areas, the huge pool) are within walking distance. So there you have it. Now admit it: you're crushing hard. For more info/pics, go here

Chic in Chattown

Did you know that Chattanooga, Tennessee, has the fastest internet service in the western hemisphere? We're too technologically challenged to understand why, just that at one gigabit per second, it's like greased lighting! So if that's the kind of thing that makes you mad with desire, perhaps you should relocate into this roomy, revamped loft in the middle of town. Asking $575K, the 3100 square foot condo, located in a 1900-era building, has 2 beds/2.5 baths, a large artists' studio, plus 1000 square foot terrace with dazzling views. You can walk to bakeries, restaurants, shops and galleries, or head down the street to the Choo Choo Hotel, which has a half dozen restaurants and rooms that are actual vintage railroad cars. What more could you want? To see more of this lovely loft, go here

Mid-Century Modern Monday: Piermont, NY!

This is what Westchester Magazine said when it named affluent Irvington, NY, the best place to live in all of Westchester County: "Charming, quiet, green, with a darling Main Street, stunning river views, and a burgeoning dining scene, this unassuming town is pretty near perfect." We couldn't agree more, and think this 1963 stunner there is also pretty perfect. Sitting on over an acre of bucolic loveliness, the $999K, 5 bed/3.5 bath home has rich wood floors, pitched ceilings, this fantastic arched brick fireplace, and humongous windows that bring in the surrounding greenery. The master suite has an office and private deck, the media room has a kitchen/bar, and the there's an in-ground pool. Sigh. This might be love. To see more, go here

MCMM: Historic Houston Hottie!

Designated a historic district just last year, Houston's Glenbrook Valley is a little-known urban nabe consisting of around 1200 post WWII homes built between 1953 to 1962. Referred to as the Sputnik House for the fabulous pendant light that welcomes you to the front door, this 3 bed/2.5 bath home there was built in 1957 and has been lovingly maintained and updated. Today's deal at just $192.5K, the house has a new roof, stainless steel kitchen appliances, landscaping and newly-poured driveway and patio. But the original details haven't been erased—terrazzo flooring, vintage tiled baths, vaulted ceilings and interior brick wall with fireplace are all intact. Makes us want to buy an old martini shaker and play a game of Drunk Twister! To see more, go here

MCMM: Riding to the Rapids

Not only was the 38th President born in Grand Rapids, Michigan (he and wife Betty are actually buried on the grounds of the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum there), but one of our favorite actresses, Gillian Anderson, basically grew up here from the age of 11. It's also the kind of town that has a giant red Alexander Calder sculpture smack in the middle of downtown. In other words, it's a groovy place to live, so why not do that from this 1956 3300+ square foot beauty in East Grand Rapids? We're digging the ebony-hued floors, rich wood ceilings, and sparkly new kitchen in the 3 bed/2 bath home, but we're equally wild about the salt water pool out back. $428K and you can dive right in. For more info/pics, go here

TGIF: Darling Deco on the English Coast!

Our penchant (or obsession) with art deco architecture often turns up nil (or something too wrecked to cover), so our search went overseas and we struck gold! Today's bargain is an exquisite 1930s beachside condo in Blexhill-on-Sea in Sussex, England (less than 2 hrs from London). On the fourth floor of a gorgeous building designed by architect Henry Tanner (who also did London's famed Park Lane Hotel), this 2 bed/1 bath with a balcony has nearly 1000 square feet of clean, bright living space with unobstructed views of the seaside. While not overly fancy, the deco bones of the $365K apartment are quite apparent, especially in the rooms' proportions, windows and kitchen cabinets. We're mad for the much of the artwork that's there now, so you might want to ask if they'd consider throwing some in as an incentive. (You never know!) We command you to see more here

Solar Eclipse of the Heart

We can't seem to stay away from the rolling hills of Bucks Country, Pennsylvania, but in our defense, this house is atypical of the area. Built in 1987, this attractive wood-clad 3 bed/2.5 bath, 3000 square foot contemporary happens to be solar efficient. We love the soaring ceilings, warm wood floors, massive floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, but the outdoor space might be the best part. Privately situated, the $499K property includes 11 acres of mature landscaping, two ponds and a glimmering pool that looks especially enticing to those of us suffering through this summer's endless heat wave. The charms of the Delaware River Gap, Lehigh Valley, and New Hope are a short drive away, and you can reach Philly in less than an hour and NYC in about two. What more could you want?! For more info/pics, go here

A River Runs Thru It

Or near it, anyway. Known as The Morgan House, this 1910 Queen Anne resides in Bozeman, Montana, home of the East Gallatin River and backdrop for Brad Pitt's A River Runs Through It. (Did you know that a super-young Joseph Gordon-Levitt was also in it? He was, and soooo cute!). Carefully restored, the $1.425 home has 3800 square feet of picture perfect period details: quarter-sawn oak floors, birdseye maple trim, lead glass windows, intricately carved oak woodwork, and claw foot tubs and an cast iron fireplace with Italian tile surround. There are 3 beds/2 baths, plus parlor, living room, dining room, a wine room, and a nicely updated kitchen with fancy stainless appliances and soapstone counters (a nice change from granite). The gun room kind of freaks us out, and there are too many trophy heads for our taste, but otherwise, it's pretty amazing. Take a closer look here

Bless This House

Oh, it's already been blessed: it's another church conversion! The former Little Stone Church in picturesque Belfast Maine was built over 100 years ago, but after a meticulous restoration and revamp, it's now a dreamy home. Original details include deep-set gothic windows, stone walls, and intricate woodwork, especially the stunning doors. Upgrades include a new kitchen with exceptionally beautiful custom cabinets and tilework, plus radiant heat floors so your delicate tootsies won't shiver in colder months. The $599K price tag comes with 1.8 acres of stellar gardens, a tiled courtyard—and walking proximity to the luscious Young's Lobster Shore Pound restaurant. We've never been, but its reputation precedes it (so please buy this house and invite us!). To see more, go here

Lakeside Superior

While we're not snow bunnies by any stretch of the imagination, wintering in Minneapolis' striking Lakes of the Isles nabe might be kind of fabulous. South of the city center, the quietly posh area surrounding the lake takes full advantage of the bounty of nature, with kayaking and canoeing in the summer and skating in the winter. And one night every winter, the trail along the lake is lined with ice castles and luminaries for a magical scene. We'd really like to experience that, especially if we could do so from the confines of this splendid $3.75 million 1958 contemporary with 6500 square feet (including 5 beds/4 full/2 half baths) and 1.27 acres (with a pool). Truth be told, we'd probably view most of winter's magic from the home's panoramic windows, but it wouldn't be any less stunning. For more info/pics, go here

Le Petit Chateau

In the hills northeast of Los Angeles, just beyond Pasadena, sits this charming 2 bed/1 bath ranch perfect for two with a backyard bonus. First up, the house: a compact 800 square feet, it was built in 1947 but has been updated into a bright, modern space with skylights, hardwood floors, vaulted cilings and french doors. The best part might be the exteriors, though: there's a rambling patio, yard, patio, multi-level garden and...this pool and cabana area! (We know: we tipped out hand with the pic, but we're a little hung over, so forgive us.) $399K and you can start hanging moroccan lamps, testing recipes and planning your first pool party. See more here

Treasured Island

Just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, Washington, in the middle of Puget Sound, lies Bainbridge Island, home to 20,000+ mostly affluent, mostly art-loving citizens. Pristine shores, rolling green hills, farms, vineyards, galleries and restaurants—they all populate but never overwhelm this 36 square mile slice of heaven. If it sounds like your kind of place, we humbly suggest this $2.895 million hilltop home that comes with 16+ acres and spectacular water views. Although it was built in 1990 (we're shocked to include anything built after the 70s!), the 3 bed/3.5 bath home has been beautifully designed with coffered ceilings, massive stone fireplace, marble floors, and a kitchen to kill for. There's also a stable and pasture (presumably for horses, though we'd get a herd of darling pygmy goats). You need to see this one, so go here already!

Queen of the Bargains

Did you know that Charlotte, North Carolina, was named after the wife of England's King George III, Queen Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who was a patroness of both Bach and Mozart? Well, it's true, people, and since it's thus been established that she had great taste, we think Queenie would  love this dear little 1947 3 bed/1 bath ranch in her namesake town, especially as it's asking only $189K. We love the contrast between the dark wood floors and bright white interiors, the open floor plan, reno'd kitchen with maple cabinets and granite counters, and the dining deck and shady yard.  Now consider it your royal duty to take a closer look here!

Reality Show n' Tell

Imagine this: a 19th century Gothic Revival farmhouse in Philadelphia's pricey, preppy Chestnut Hill area, with over half an acre of land. Picture 3 beds/2.5 baths and over 2500 square feet of nicely renovated, but overly modern living space—i.e., the electrical system's been upgraded and there's a brand new bathroom, but many of the interior walls are original stone and the hardwood floors have the kind of rich luster that only comes with age. You can walk just about everywhere—Fairmount Park, The Woodmere Gallery, and tons of fab restaurants and shops (we want, like, everything in the Hipster Home store). The asking price for all of this awesomeness? $545K. Truth is, you can make it a reality—so why don't you? For more info/pics, go here

Wanted: Water & Wood Nymphs

If you've always dreamed about swimming against a snowy backdrop, here's your chance: this 1974 contemporary in artsy Rhinebeck, New York, comes with an indoor pool! Priced at $699.9K, the 4000 square foot home has 3 beds/3 baths and lots of other handsome details: beamed ceilings, interior stone walls, imposing fireplace, and a gourmet kitchen with unusual built-in grill. The 1.5 acre property's enormous wooden deck is a real eye-popper—surrounded by trees, with stairs leading up to another level and a gazebo. So, let's recap: a great house with a pool, gorgeous outdoor space and access to Rhinebeck's great restaurant scene (we like Calico—tiny, romantic, and utterly scrumptious). What are you waiting for? For more info/pics, go here

Stone Cold Fabulous

Gothic arches? Barrel ceilings? Checkered stone floors? Humongous carved fireplace? Yep, it's a Tudor Revival and an exceptionally lovely one at that. Built in 1930 on over an acre of in Clayton, Missouri (just outside of St. Louis), the rambling 8500+ square foot home has been finely renovated and virtually glows with rich finishes and museum-quality restorations. Asking $3.5 million, there are 6 beds/6 full/2 half baths—including a separate 1 bed/1 bath apartment, complete with kitchen and living room, over the 4 car garage (perfect for nanny!)—and details like terrazzo flooring, leaded glass windows, domed ceilings, marble baths and original plaster moldings. Outside you'll be enchanted by the stone gazebo, walkways, terraces and gardens galore. So stunning, we demand you go here immediately to see more!

Postcards From The Edge

As in, you could send postcards from the edge of Lake Champlain if you snap up this darling deal in Georgia, Vermont, for just $225K. Not posh, but cute as the proverbial button, the 1945 blue bungalow in the area known as The Pines has 2 beds/1 bath, enclosed sunroom, and this large, flower-strewn deck, perfect for summer snoozing or entertaining. There's a large, matching detached garage and the local sandy beach is literally feet away. Add a hammock, a couple dozen fresh clams and a case of icy cold Heady Topper (fantastic, India pale style beer made in Vermont), and life woul be pretty perfect. For more info/pics, go here

Mid-Century Modern Monday: Darien, Connecticut!

Like its neighbor, New Canaan, the well-heeled town of Darien is populated with many mid-century modern properties, but even so, the Goodyear House stands out. Designed in 1955 by John Johansen (the only living member of the Harvard Five, the high-regarded group of architects who settled in the area), the dazzling 6200 square foot modernist home is comprised of a central structure with "bridges" to two connecting structures. Spectacularly bright and airy, huge walls of glass bring the surrounding nature views into the 6 bed/4 bath living space. And since there are 2.24 acres of lush gardens and all manner of greenery included in the $2.795 million price tag, it's an exceptionally secluded paradise. Take a closer look here and then go buy that lotto ticket. Or rob a bank. We won't judge.

MCMM: Anticipation in Ann Arbor

Nicknamed "Tree Town" for its dense tree population of both public and residential spaces, Ann Arbor is one of America's greatest college towns, and the University of Michigan is its biggest employer (a 30,000 person payroll!). It's also where Iggy Pop grew up, so you know it's cool. It's also home to some remarkable mid-century modern homes, like this gorgeous 4 bed/4 bath in the Burns Park nabe. Situated on a shaded .53 acre lot with gardens, walkways and lounge areas, the 3900 square foot, $639K home is bright and airy with floor-to-ceilings windows, hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, 3 fireplaces, and fancy-schmancy stainless kitchen appliances (ie, Viking, Sub Zero). We're imagining a soak on the deck's hot tub with "Lust for Life" blaring. Nice, right? For more info/pics, go here

MCMM: It Had To Be Eugene

Fifty miles inland from the Pacific coast, Eugene, Oregon, is a small city with big beauty—forests and hills surround it, and rivers run through it (the Williamette and the McKenzie). Long known as a liberal, funky place to live (after all, the Merry Prankster himself, Ken Kesey, had his start here), it's also a college town (in addition to the University of Oregon, there are several smaller colleges), and a center for arts and music. So, like, why don't you move there? We've already done the hard part and found you an awesome bargain: this 3 bed/2bath 1966 contemporary with vaulted wood ceilings, huge stone fireplace, deck and hot tub for the happy price of just $245K. You're welcome! To see more, go here

TGIF: Thru the Looking Glass, Grandly

A lot of modern homes just leave us cold—too stark, too white, too boring—but sometimes the gods of architecture hit paydirt. Built in 1977, this roomy 5400+ square foot Washington D.C. home has the right stuff: dramatic walls of glass, rich hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, unique floating staircase, covered walkway, and—yowza!—a swanky 40' indoor pool! The 5 bed/4.5 bath home also boasts a green roof (as in actual plants!), lawn, patio, deck, stacked stone waterfall, and is within walking distance of Battery Kemble Park and the restaurants and shops of MacArthur Boulevard. The $2.9 price tag also puts you in close proximity to the upcoming election and all the ensuing shenanigans. For more info/pics, go here

Louisville Tugger

As in tugging on our heartstrings, 'cuz this magnificent manse in the Kentucky city has us feeling love-sick that we're separated from its beauty by several states. Constructed in 1877, the 5400 square foot, 14 room home in the posh Cherokee Park nabe has floor-to-ceilings windows with splendid interior shutters, sumptuous woodwork and moldings, refurbished floors, and 10 fireplaces. We're especially fond of the master suite, with its walls of built-ins and marble bath, and the English-style garden with gravel paths, bricked patio and geometric plantings. In fact, we love everything about the $799.9K 5 bed/5 bath home, save for the giant horned animals (we believe they're gemsboks, a sort of giant gazelle from South Africa) on the living room wall. Their dead heads aside, we'd be very happy here—how 'bout you? For more info/pics, go here

Hitting Gallic Gold

We're back in France for today's bargain because while it's still true that you can't touch Parisian real estate for anything under $1 million (anything decent that is), there are deals to be had all over the French countryside. Like this attractive 4 bed/2 bath stone home near Carhaix in Brittany, asking just $229K, that's been nicely renovated with central heat, double-glazed windows and modern kitchen and baths. The upper bedrooms have views of the picturesque Nantes Brest Canal, as does the large patio, side deck and garden. The three-quarter acre property includes a darling renovated wood 1 bed/1 bath guest house with kitchen, which is where we'll stay when we come for holiday. Thanks so much for the invite! To see more, go here

Animal Attraction

We're not animal print people, per se—maybe a zebra rug in the right room, but Jackie Collins is not our role model. However, this house could change our mind. Built in 1969, the decor of this 3700+ square foot Memphis, Tennessee, ranch is swimming with animal prints (coyote throws! leopard pillows! cowhide rugs!), but we still like it. In fact, we think we love this thoughtfully updated and terribly stylish $399K, 4 bed/3.5 bath home. White brick walls, soaring dark wood ceilings, honeycomb tile floors, a seriously gorgeous kitchen (dig that steel double farmhouse sink), screening room (the cheetah throws on each seat are precious), and a back patio that's perfect for entertaining. If you buy it, maybe the owner will even throw in a zebra rug or two (or three, tops). To see more—and you must— go here

Family Affair

If your famille is extra large and extra close, we've got the perfect home for you: a charming, deceptively sophisticated farmstead of 8000 square feet with 13 bedrooms and 5 baths. Some of it dates back to the 1470's. And, no, that's not a typo: it's in Sweden! Sitting on over 3 acres of heavenly countryside in the southwest—including an actual babbling brook, apple orchards, stone walls, and views of Laholm Bay—the rambling $1.7 million home's bright white interior (very Scandinavian!) is kicked up a notch via the many enormous windows and glass walls. There are 2 fireplaces, multi-levels, a unique steel staircase, a swanky kitchen that includes a cast iron stove, and spa-like baths. This is the kind of property we die for, so hurry up and take a closer look here before we keel over from sheer bliss.

Lofty Aspirations

A thimble-sized history lesson: Corktown is Detroit's oldest neighborhood, a historic district named for the Irish immigrants (many from County Cork) who arrived during the great potato famine of the 19th century. It's also where you can nab this jaw-dropping 6000 square foot loft for the rather reasonable price of $475K! (All inhabitants of Brooklyn lofts: feel free to sob now.) Situated on the top floor of a 1920 industrial building, the 2 bed/2 bath aerie has high end finishes (Viking, Sub-Zero), parking, panoramic views, and is close to downtown's restaurants and nightlife. We can't be the only ones to think about how much fun it would be to roller skate around the joint, right? For more info/pics, go here

Wowed by a Wee Wonder

Thank God Los Angeles has such a large metropolitan area, otherwise we'd never be able to even think about relocating, prices being as high as they are. And this tiny but perfectly formed 1950 home really does make a case for packing up and heading to the other coast. Situated in the hilly northeastern nabe of Mount Washington, the 2 bed/1 bath has just 630 square feet, but they're well-utilized and well-designed. We're loving the wood ceilings, sleek red kitchen cabinets, gorgeous modern bath, and interior opaque glass doors. Outside is this sizeable stone patio surrounded by flora, fauna and views. The cost for this truly sweet little piece o' paradise? $399K. You'd better hurry if you're gonna grab this one before we do. For more info/pics, go here

Holy Church Conversion, Batman!

Our fondness for church conversions is well-documented, but it's been a few weeks since the last one, so this nifty example in the tiny English village of Strandlake came along at the perfect time. Located in the countryside outside of Oxford (about an hour and a half west of London), The Chapel on the Green has been revamped into a comfortable, modern 2 bedroom home incorporating green design. The walls are super-insulated, power is by wood-pellets, and the floors have radiant heat. The main living space is drenched in light with lofted ceilings and gothic-shaped windows, the kitchen's new, the bathroom's marble, and there's a lovely dining deck outside. $625K and it's yours. Bless. To see more, go here

Halston (and his Famous Friends) Slept Here!

We pass up lots of celebrity homes that are on the market because they're ugly (most sports stars') or just blah (sorry, Kelly Clarkson, but your farm is Texas isn't all that), but we couldn't possibly resist one this special: the late, great Halston's pad on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Architect Paul Rudolph revamped the former carriage house into a 4 story minimalist masterpiece in 1966 with 32' living room ceiling, double height master suite, floating staircase, bamboo garden, 1600 square foot terrace, and its own garage, among other delights. But it's the Halston connection that titillates—The parties! The sex! The drugs! Liza! Andy! Bianca! Ground zero for Manhattan's golden age of debauchery is asking $38.5 million, but we're sure there's a Russian heiress willing to pay for such history. For more info/pics, go here