October 2017

Here at Nook, we have a passion for people, places and properties. There is a reason that we say people first, for what makes a neighborhood special if not the people who live there? Welcome to #TastemakerTuesday, where we’ll feature the visionaries in our favorite nooks who are dedicated to building a better community through their talents. 

I don’t even know where to start with the Winchester Mystery House. I’m the kind of person who would never enter a house of mirrors alone in fear of never finding my way out of it, so just pictures of The Winchester give me the spooks.  

Starting as a typical Queen Anne style Victorian farmhouse, it changed the moment that the widow and heiress to The Winchester Repeating Arms Company moved there in 1884.

Recently we let you into a little secret of Victorian haunted houses: they are only considered haunted because of the new gas lighting inside of them and a cultural preoccupation with death. Sorry Ghost Hunters fans.

Today, over 1200 haunts scatter throughout the United States during the Halloween season (3,000 if you include charity-driven ones), inviting all ages to test the limits of our fear. As someone who is still spooked by the story of the woman with a green ribbon around her neck, these extreme haunts aren’t really for me. I always put my fear aside, however, for a good old homemade haunted house that tells a story. The DIY haunt has a long history, and sometimes those are way more fun than the huge spectacles. But each has its places, and

When Nook Sales Experts match a buyer with their dream home, the only thing as important as architectural style is the neighborhood. That’s why we’re bringing you the #NookNeighborhoods series, where every Wednesday you’ll find cool history and culture to make sure you don’t overlook an area that could have the best nook for you.

The Eagle Rock I know today is not the Eagle Rock I first met 10 years ago. It still retains everything appealing from my first encounter, and is one of the growing Los Angeles neighborhoods that has absolutely lived up to its hype and potential. Like the bird-shaped shadow on a northern boulder which gives Eagle Rock its name, this nook will always be a home for creatives, for singles and families, inclusive of many

Here at Nook, we have a passion for people, places and properties. There is a reason that we say people first, for what makes a neighborhood special if not the people who live there? Welcome to #TastemakerTuesday, where we’ll feature the visionaries in our favorite nooks who are dedicated to building a better community through their talents.

Think about your workspace. What does it say about you? Did you have any role in designing it or is it dictated by the company? What would you change about it if you could? How does your work environment affect the work you do? Do you love the live/work lifestyle or are you most effective when you separate your time and space?

Everyone is different, every brand is different, every company’s needs are different.

Halloween in Los Angeles combines two of our favorite things: getting spooked and awesome architecture. I certainly hope that you put The Last Spookstore’s October 21 on your calendar after our write-up, and there is even more. In L.A., you can find numerous warehouses that become pop up haunts in addition to the established haunted houses (and Queen Mary) around town. Today I want to bring you a selection of the offerings to scare yourself silly and indulge in some architectural past-times.

• Los Angeles has a long, yet still young, history of development. If most of your West Coast history comes from the mission project in grade school or Disney’s Zorro, you may need a trip to Heritage Square Museum. Now, we know that Victorians make the best

When Nook Sales Experts match a buyer with their dream home, the only thing as important as architectural style is the neighborhood. That’s why we’re bringing you the #NookNeighborhoods series, where every Wednesday you’ll find cool history and culture to make sure you don’t overlook an area that could have the best nook for you.

The Mission District is San Francisco, especially for those who want a car-free life to enjoy great views of The Bay. If you crave a place where you move between a cafe where a radio show is recording before wolfing down the authentic tacquerias next door, you must see this neighborhood. The Mission District is the core of what everyone views as The Bay Area lifestyle, tempting all who fall in love with it to make it their

Here at Nook, we have a passion for people, places and properties. Welcome to #TastemakerTuesday, where we’ll feature the visionaries in our favorite nooks who are dedicated to building a better community through their talents.

“In our 100 year old building, there are fissures, doorways to other times and faraway places. We have tried to protect you, our dear guests, by obscuring these dangerous portals with a labyrinth - to keep you here - and Others out. But certain times of the year, the building groans under forces older and deeper than us.”

When I heard that The Last Bookstore was hosting an immersive Halloween party to benefit the Downtown Women’s Center, I knew it would be top of my holiday list. The Last Spookstore will have lush

Picture a haunted house.

You probably see an asymmetrical facade, three stories of brick with a pointed attic, and that steeply pitched roof, accented by a prominent tower. It looks great from all sides, but specifically a camera angle very low to the ground. Thunderstorms only highlight the gorgeous features: the window shutters and framing along with decorative details give such a stately structure its distinct personality. All those windows are ripe for spirits hiding behind each flowing curtain, slipping in and out of the shadows with a simple lightning strike.

You probably see a Victorian.

To be more specific, you picture a house built in the Victorian era (1837-1901). We use the term “Victorian” to describe many styles of architecture that

When Nook Sales Experts match a buyer with their dream home, the only thing as important as architectural style is the neighborhood. That’s why we’re bringing you the #NookNeighborhoods series, where every Wednesday you’ll find cool history and culture to make sure you don’t overlook an area that could have the best nook for you.

We can’t contain our excitement over Mid-Century homes here at Nook, so Modernism Week tickles us right in those gorgeous architectural styles upon which we’re building our name. It only makes sense that such a hallowed event in architecture takes place in the greater Palm Springs area, where the greatest collection and celebration of the Mid-Century style resides.

Between early pioneers, distinguished architects, and

Here at Nook, we have a passion for people, places and properties. There is a reason that we say people first, for what makes a neighborhood special if not the people who live there? Welcome to #TastemakerTuesday, where we’ll feature the visionaries in our favorite nooks who are dedicated to building a better community through their talents.

Even though we’re still deep in the Oktoberfest spirit here at Nook, we understand that it’s hard to cram all the Bavarian festivities into your fall schedule. If you only have time for one good meal, let us guide you to the best locations in our favorite Nook Neighborhoods. Yes, we are taking Tastemaker Tuesday literally today!

Bay Area:

Brotzeit Lokal (translated to “snack pub”) does what Oakland does best: