When you mention "Painted Ladies" houses, most people assume you're talking about the Victorian houses in San Francisco. So who knew you didn't have to travel 3000 miles away, but could just as easily stumble into them in Baltimore?
Charles Village, an eclectic community in North Baltimore, began this tradition ten years ago as part of a contest to encourage residents to spruce up their neighborhood. There were three categories and prize money was awarded to the winner of each category, which would help offset the cost.
The idea seems simple enough, but represents more than just a few coats of bright paint. Beautifying your surroundings can help ward off crime, a concept that emphasizes the need for civic activism. The contest no longer exists, but the colorful facades and communal pride still stand.
What are your thoughts? Has your neighborhood made a collective transformation you'd like to share?
(Images: Kimberly Watson)
OTHER PAINTED LADIES POSTS
• Flickr Finds: Baltimore Rowhouses
• Look! Inside a "Painted Lady" Baltimore Rowhouse
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
This post made me smile - thanks!
Kyle
view boston_kyle's profile
It's always nice when neighborhoods come together and celebrate the beautiful things about their own areas.
view Maroha's profile
I love the pastle row homes
view sunrise's profile
Good job Kimber! I love this kind of stuff! We need to bring more neighborhoods into AT.
Thanks for this!
view ce_pelle's profile
Fun! Now about the landscaping...
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
About 10 years ago I worked did some volunteer work in a Habitat for Humanity rowhouse community in Baltimore and they painted all the rehabed homes in pastels. It really made the neighborhood bright and welcoming in an otherwise very dreary area.
view Enamorada's profile
Great post Kimber!! And go easy on the landscaping, Lisa - it IS February in Baltimore :)
view Gregorio's profile
If you like this then check out the Victorian homes with their painted porches in West Philadelphia
view thepictures's profile
Looking forward to seeing more Baltimore posts from you Kimber!
view Cheryl K's profile
Yay, that first and third photos are my street!
view kvh's profile
(and block)!
view kvh's profile
great 1st blog...can't wait to read more of them. Love the first photo best. Baltimore is a fabulous city and I hope you continue to draw more attention to it!
view kpeach's profile
I live in a condo and we have a total of 11 units. Last summer our HOA organized homeowners to landscape in front of our two buildings. Through volunteer efforts and donations we pulled up the old and dying junipers, purchased 15 tons of flagstone and built a 100' retaining wall and relandscaped the entire front of our property. What was most rewarding was when the neighboring building's homeowners were inspired to get together and redo their landscape. Its amazing how it takes just one to start the process and see others follow. Having completed all the backbreaking work ourselves has really given all the participating homeowners a sense of pride in our shared property. Of course only about half the homeowners participated or donated but it was still worthwhile.
view dmstudio's profile
Great job on your first post Kimber. I love the pictures! It's nice to see the Fruit Stripes house made it to your blog, I've always loved that one. It makes me think about what fun colors we should paint our house.
view knw's profile
I see the house in the 2nd photo every time I walk to work. It always reminds me of Fruit Stripe gum, for obvious reasons. I'm excited to see more Baltimore posts!
Rachel
Urban Discoveries Baltimore blog
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