What is BlackHouse Seven
Good morning!
Yesterday I had the joy of bringing back ‘A Quarter Til Wine’ to my IG family and it felt so incredibly good to connect with my audience and I appreciate everyone for tuning in. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart, you all are awesome!
I got to share a little back story and spill the beans about the making of two very exciting projects that BlackHouse Seven got to be a part of and are… finally … able to share with all of you. My day job as a Interior Designer and preservationist, combined with being a single mom of a very busy five year old leaves very little time to keep up with my ‘media presence’ and I thought it’d be a good idea to connect the OG way and fill you in, because A LOTs be happening!
I have been blessed with opportunities to contribute to the ever increasing swell of storytelling through architectural preservation in our communities. It is my hope that when I have the opportunity to be in those spaces, I can insist that the story telling, reverence, and pursuit are inclusive and representative of us all.
Both Cheap Old Houses & Diary of an Old Home do just that, and I couldn’t be more proud.
I met Ethan & Elizabeth Finkelstein founders of Cheap Old Houses almost three years ago. Ironically it was wrapped in my request to interview them on ‘A Quarter Til’ Wine’, they graciously obliged and both showed up enthusiastically to talk about the intrinsic value in the stewardship of an old home. They saw the value in what already exists pink bathrooms anyone? Their work allowed for old home stewards, their families, and their stories who embraced a slower pace a moment to feel seen in a world of immediacy.
I was in the very budding moments of my career and found assuredness that the slow and steady building of a home is not only possible but encouraged by an entire community. We’ll get to how I thought this would be possibly for a trade professional next week.
I will always cherish how both Nina & Chris attentively watched over each and every detail
The ‘making’ of these projects were almost exactly one year apart to the day apparently July is prime time for 805 and were in part very similar. Many weeks of insane preparation, the week’s that I will question every single decision I’ve ever made in our home. But then on the big day warm faces arrive and I immediately feel a sense of calm rush over me. Warm faces that look like mine, and my daughter’s. Faces that understand the nuance of the celebration we all feel for a home like this, for a family like ours.
Chris, Nina, Kelly, & Wil from the very bottom of my heart, I thank you.
Kelly and Wil one year prior taking their time photography a very dark and moody dining room
You were on the front lines of these projects and led an entire team in a way I am still in awe of. The patience you took and the care that this moment in time was documented and shared felt natural and an extension of you. Your contribution to this home’s story will exceed our own and I am so grateful for the chapters shared with you.
I say all of this as I more accurately define what BlackHouse Seven is.
I shared during last night’s IGLive that my primary focus for this platform going into 2024 will be the use of storytelling to assist in whatever ways I can to help stabilize our housing infrastructure in the central neighborhood’s of Peoria Illinois. What this looks like is still unfolding, but what I know is that there is work to be done and I am without question doing everything that I can to see it through.
Our first project is BlackHouse on Bigelow. A single family residential rehabilitation that we are currently working towards completing. We are in the midst of figuring out the creative financing that is needed to accomplish such a feat within the very honest constraints of the current housing market. But by sheer might we are doing it!
I don’t make an assertion of success out of any external guarantee but out of only my unwavering commitment and a belief in a community that shows up each and every time.
If you or someone you know has any resources or knowledge in this industry that could be applicable to this project I humbly ask you send us a message!
And if you would like to assist our fundraising efforts please select a sponsorship level comfortable for you!
I can’t wait to see you soon, have a great weekend!