A Review: Great Houses of New England by Roderic H. Blackburn & Tour George W. Dixon Home c. 1830

[@cooperwesley1536]

When people ask why I enjoy dark, layered interiors and eschew all things modern, I simply point to books like this one and say, "See... this is what perfection looks like. Now be gone with your boring mid-century modern sofa and your hippy-dippy basket collection, and leave me to enjoy my Wedgwood and mahogany furniture in peace." 😉 Thanks for another great video! Cheers.

[@thetartantopiary]

Can I get an AMEN!? Cheers!

[@davyboysb]

@cooperwesley1536 Oh no! You've just committed a GREAT crime by writing down and exposing my MOST secret thoughts!! Thank you so much for this great comment. Happy greetings from David in CA.😁🥰🤗

[@joelnazaretian7513]

What an elequont, proper presentation of a region and it's architecture. Being in route to becoming a Mainer, I have always been fascinated with the simple, sophisticated architectural style of the Salt Box House, and hope to build one there. In the meantime, I will become an advent follower of yours, and obtain my copy of Great Houses of New England! Thank you!

[@kaylamson5161]

Fascinating house. Did not know newburn was so prominent. God bless, John 3:16🙏

[@janiceminuto1707]

Mary, while living in New England I have seldom seen gardens that are this gorgeous, because of the extreme climate change many plants and shrubs are not long lasting, and they often need to be replaced. You can see the influence of traditional British decor in these lovely homes, quite a contrast to light airy decor of the south.

[@thetartantopiary]

Yes, I do appreciate our growing season and climate, but we still can't grow peonies and for that I always lament.

[@janiceminuto1707]

Well, this year many of us in Rhode Island did not have blooming peonies and my David Austen 🌹 rose bushes and blue hydrangeas did not bloom at all!

[@katherinebroderick2407]

Sigh…so lovely. Thank you. As a fellow North Carolinian I appreciate the historical references of our state.

[@thetartantopiary]

I agree. It doesn't get much better than history with a house tour attached!

[@jannieo]

Hello Mary, Both sides of my family came to Massachusetts in the 1630's. Some stayed in Mass and others migrated to Maine. I grew up in Mass and moved to Maine in 1976. Growing up I loved visiting historic homes. I absolutely love New England. I love our History, our gardens, our climate, all four seasons, and most of all our beautiful historic homes. So many towns across New England have maintained these old historic homes. Some are still privately owned and others have been taken over by societies and are open at certain times. I never tire of looking at them and this book is just beautiful. Thank you so much. jannieo robinson

[@carolpipher4839]

🍂 Hi Mary, I just came in from my yard (lounging & reading) to start an early dinner & here you are! Yeah me! ~Love your shows & all of these beautiful homes & gardens you bring us! ~Happy weekend! 🍂🍁🌿🍂

[@thetartantopiary]

Oh wow, what's for dinner? I'm so glad you enjoy the channel, thank you! You have a happy weekend, as well.

[@elizabethlara4070]

I loved the home tour you took us along! Thank you Mary! Oooh the gues room chair and colors are beautiful! Happy decorating!

[@thetartantopiary]

Thank you. I'm happy with the way the paint looks with the drapes. I can't wait to get other opinions on it.

[@lindaortolano7837]

Hello Mary, I enjoyed this book review and the tour of the Dixon home. It's always a treat when you take us along on one of your trips! I love the paint color you have chosen (very calming) and look forward to seeing the finished room. With your impeccable taste I am sure the room will be just as beautiful as the rest of your lovely home! Have a wonderful week and I will see you in the next one! Hugs! :)

[@thetartantopiary]

You are a great cheerleader. I do so appreciate your positive energy. Thank you for that!

[@maryschlotter108]

What a lovely home , New Bern has so many beautiful homes it seems. I loved the book on the New England homes. Thank you for taking us along on yet another calm and peaceful video. Your inspiration photo and room color are so pretty and I look forward to seeing it and you next week. 🕊️

[@thetartantopiary]

I really enjoyed the trip to New Bern. My guest room will slowly come together over the next few weeks. The rug is taking a little longer than I expected, but I am happy with the paint and the drapes. I can't wait to get other opinions next week.

[@dulcerush735]

Hola! Mary😊 Like always, I loved the book and tour of the house, all so beautiful😍 But, I can already tell that next week is going to be fabulous, specially the room you’re going to redo, love the glimpses that you gave us and I love the colors. Have fun 🎉

[@lindaroller9612]

Beautiful book, so enjoyed the review. The tour was wonderful. Thank you Mary.

[@thetartantopiary]

Thank you for watching!

[@raffaellarabizzi129]

I bought this book while touring New England 17 years ago. One of the most interesting and Marvellous journeys I have ever gone on!!! Kisses from Italy🤓

[@thetartantopiary]

I'm happy to hear you enjoyed your visit to New England. I caught your kisses with one hand...all the way from Italy! 😄

[@annmiller7977]

I’m enjoying your tours so much! The eastern states are so beautiful! Love the history of the south also! Thank you for sharing❣️❣️

[@thetartantopiary]

I'm so glad you like them! I love a house tour and a rich history lesson as well.

[@rosariopaiz6158]

The wall paper it's beautiful, the furniture as well , thank you for your time.

[@thetartantopiary]

I agree. That wallpaper was timeless and beautiful, especially the tulip wallpaper in the bedroom. It looked like one we would use today.

[@ellenlepore3083]

Such a lovely video featuring Great Houses of New England! I recently went to a fabulous wedding at Edith Wharton’s House featured in this book 📚. Thank you for sharing this beautiful book and Historic Home tour with us ❤️

[@thetartantopiary]

That must have been a beautiful wedding. I'm jealous.

[@ellenlepore3083]

@@thetartantopiary it was absolutely incredible ✨🥂

[@kokeshidoll5863]

Wonderful book! Would love it if you would omit the background "music". Just some quiet to enjoy the beautiful tours would be most welcome!

[@thetartantopiary]

I appreciate the feedback.

[@emilypoulsen8072]

Hi Mary, Really enjoyed the house tour...beautiful house with wonderful architecture. Especially loved the wallpaper!

[@thetartantopiary]

The wallpaper was beautiful. The tulip wallpaper was also of the same period and would look great in any home today. Traditional beauty is timeless.

[@chrisogrady4956]

I enjoyed the beautiful journey through the book’s homes especially since I am a proud New Englander. The Dixon home was lovely too. How sad it must have been for this family to lose their cherished home.

[@joymoore7934]

Thanks again for your presentations, always enjoy it when you come to visit. Blessings, ❤

[@thetartantopiary]

I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you.

[@sharonchilds3871]

Thanks for the review. I’m loving the paint color you chose for the room😊

[@thetartantopiary]

Thank you. I will have to say these colors were heavily influenced by the drawing room from Downton Abbey.

[@christinahand973]

Too bad you couldn’t hear my resounding, “yes!!!” when I opened KZbin an d there you were!

[@thetartantopiary]

That made me smile. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and let me know!

[@bwiseok]

Oh that was to entertaining and informative. I’d love to visit the New England states it’s been one of my dreams. I need to put that on my bucket list

[@annettehowell9392]

What a book, the author has quite a list of acalades attached to his person. The photography was wonderful. It's amazing the luxury that the previous owners of these historic homes lived in not afforded to most of America's ordinary citizens of the time. Loved the tour of the George W. Dickson home. Good luck with your decorating I'm sure it will look wonderful. See you next week can't wait. Have a blessed time until then.

[@thetartantopiary]

Thank you, I appreciate that. I hope you have a great weekend.

[@gladysbrewer7420]

Thank you Mary ♥️.

[@thetartantopiary]

You are so welcome!

[@judithhatch6175]

going down memory lane when we lived in New Bern. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes on your newly designed guest bedroom. Can't believe you are wearing such nice clothes painting! I think "Oh I'll never get paint on me and wala paint droplets on my paints :(

[@thetartantopiary]

I bet you loved New Bern. I was talking with my husband and we entertained the idea of potentially retiring to New Bern. As for the painting, if I can keep my cat out of the room, I should be able to do it neatly...I'm sure the universe will make me pay for this certainty.

[@pcrice-lr2dn]

The Book is gorgeous,the historic houses are fabulous,it didn’t look like the was a lot of text in the book,I would Love to hear him compare the the two areas of the country,not that one is better than the other . Very interesting..The shock of wheat on the wall was breathtaking,Mary you may know what that is called,I assume it was plastered to the wall ……??? The house in New Bern was lovely,can’t wait to see it . I am excited for your project ,looking forward to seeing it ,as always Thanks You 🌿🍃

[@thetartantopiary]

This is part of an ornate wood carving that surrounds a fireplace. It is located in the Gardner Pingree Home in Salem, MA (built in 1804). It was carved by master wood worker Samuel McIntire. The book refers to it as a frieze. In layman's terms this is an ornate carved or sculpted embellishment that often, flanks a doorway, fireplace or ceiling. It can be made from wood or plaster. The book was full of these beauties.

[@doyeworrell1680]

Thank you 😊 I always enjoy a tour of a historic home 🏡.

[@thetartantopiary]

As do I, I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@mouriefeeney1903]

Nice book review and my intellect was definitely engaged. The homes were grand and breathtaking. The Dixon home was interesting with sad history but was a showcase in it's own time. Thank you Mary and how fun to 'redecorate' ~ Same time, same place?

[@thetartantopiary]

I had the same thought. Dixon moved to Alabama and lived with his daughter and her family. I think he must have slightly recovered because the docent said at the time of his death, Dixon's estate was valued at $5,000, which is about $175,000 today.

[@mouriefeeney1903]

@@thetartantopiary I too live in Alabama. Probably a good state to recover in/was more affordable I am sure. 😊

[@sylviavandegrift1388]

Loved this video just beautiful! 😊❤

[@thetartantopiary]

Glad you liked it!!

[@chriswells4400]

Lovely as always!

[@kcwatkins4377]

Your Christmas wishes brought me joy. Best to you and yours. Peace, Kevin in San Francisco.

[@thetartantopiary]

Thank you, Kevin! I appreciate that and I wish you a happy 2024!

[@vickeypierce293]

Beautiful homes!!! I love all the colors!! Homes now all look the same...cold, uninviting and just have no "at home" look

[@johnanonyimous5007]

like the accompanying music

[@hildalopez1252]

GORGEOUS and just my style

[@barbarastephenson6885]

Interesting house. It must have been heartbreaking for the original owner to loose it….and how he would appreciate the care it is getting. ❤ (the Dixon house)

[@thetartantopiary]

I had the same thought as I toured it. He moved to Alabama and lived with his daughter and her family. He must have slightly recovered because the docent said at the time of his death, Dixon's estate was valued at $5,000, which is about $175,000 today.

[@barbarastephenson6885]

@@thetartantopiary thank you! Do you remember (by chance) which video it was when you mentioned your adoptive kitty who had recently died? I wanted to watch it again- I remember at the time enjoying the video (not that kitty died 💔). I have an elderly pug who is sometimes quite frail, but always sweet, and loving. I started taking her around to elderly neighbors and elderly folk who gather in the little town where I live. She brings such joy to others- it is nice to watch their happy faces when they interact with her. ❤️

[@psisky]

I play youtube on slowest motion and do a lot of pausing and reversing when you flick through the books. Does anyone else do that?

[@guldenaydin9918]

🍃💝🍃

[@davyboysb]

Hello Sweet Mary! I'm going to have to UNsubscribe from your wonderful channel because it's become just TOO expensive for my budget! Every time I watch your extraordinary videos I just HAVE to order another one of the wonderful books that you showcase! I'm just kidding!😄I always anxiously await your videos and look forward to buying yet another one of the treasures you share with us. Rizzoli really needs to pay you a HIGH percentage of their earnings for all the book sales you bring in to them. With gratitude, David in CA🥰

[@thetartantopiary]

Hello back- your comment made me laugh. I understand, books are an expensive investment (that's one reason I began this channel). Many of the books I own were purchased used and that helps the budget immensely. I am so glad you are enjoying the content and I thank you for commenting. See you next week.