By Dave Twombly

(And we’re back from our Holiday Hiatus. ย I hope you all had a delicious time, regardless of what your flavor of holiday is.)

Do a quick Google (or search engine of your choosing) search on “Crooked House” ย and you’ll find “whimsical playhouses for children” , a book by Agatha Christie, ย a TVย show and a restaurant (among many other things). Sort of has a romantic ring to it, doesn’t it? But could you live in a crooked house?

Recently, I was out showing a house to some clients. Not only are they like me, living in a Cambridge condo, expecting their first child (well, my expectations have come to fruition as you know) but they have similar tastes in style and architecture. ย It’s fun to go view houses with them. They are searching for their first home in which to raise a young family.ย The house was in a neighborhood they recently discovered and seemed perfect for them. They were pretty excited to check it out.

This house had many of the details that they (we) like. ย Tall ceilings, nice wood floors, built-ins and details you’d expect from a house built around the turn of the century (that would be the LAST century). ย We made our way through the house, liking what we saw, until we got to the master suite. ย A big open space that was converted into it’s present form. It had some nice details, good light but a fatal flaw to my clients: ย A leaning tower of chimney that would make that little thing in Pisa jealous.

Aesthetically, it was actually pleasing. ย Exposed brick over hardwood floors, some nice trim. ย It reminded me of some apartments I’ve lived in. I’ve always liked the combination of brick and wood. ย Quirks are often what make a house. ย One woman’s house oddity could be another’s selling point. ย With a love of older house styles comes the inevitable quirk here and there. ย In an older area of the country, like Boston, we are used to such things.

However this lean was so drastic it threw the whole room off. ย  Almost vertigo inducing, my clients worried they would wake up every morning a little off kilter. The rest of the house had features to like and a setting they enjoyed. ย Alas this seemed to be the deal breaker.

So, that leads to a question? ย What is your quirk tolerance? ย Could you live in a crooked house?