At Its Best:

Out with the old, in with the new
Which Do You Prefer: Before — or After — Extreme Makeover?

Author Marcus LiBrizzi stands in front of the home built by Extreme Makeover for a Milbridge family.He favors new to old...

Marcus LiBrizzi,  author of Dark Woods, Chill Waters: Ghost Tales from Down East Maineavailable through downeast.com — stands before the newly renovated home of  Brittany Ray and Roy Smith. The blue and white home replaces a home reported to be haunted. Do you prefer the before, or the after? Register below to place comment.

Before

After

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Reader Comments:
Old to new | New to old
Sep 21, 2007 04:10 am
 Posted by  colleen k

compared to a lot of homes in the down east area the old home was a castle. I believe the old home should of been restored.

Sep 27, 2007 10:39 am
 Posted by  Mary M

The old home is indigenous architecture in Maine. The new home fails to address the vernacular architecture that is Maine! Nice thought, but disappointing product.

Dec 13, 2007 02:01 pm
 Posted by  Donald R

In preference I always like an older home however, if the home did not have reasonable historic significance then I can't say I have any objection to the rebuild.

Unfortunately, there is plenty of evidence to show that in the realm of the spiritual, changing the facade or structure does not eliminate spiritual activity. While it has been theorized that spirits are attracted to that which was or remains familiar, it is also believed they are equally drawn to "place" and can react or adapt to change just as we can and do.

Perhaps in this case they will simply see the change as a sign to move on.

Good Luck

Don

Jan 31, 2008 03:22 pm
 Posted by  Anonymous

The new house looks just like so many nouveau victorians here in Utah. No Maine character; just more from the catalog. The old home looked more interesting to me!

May 15, 2008 07:59 am
 Posted by  mary g.

The older home has more character and why do we all need so much space these days? Families were better off when there was less space in a home. People learned to share and live together with one another. We are raising a whole generation of spoiled brats who have no idea what it's like to have to share and compromise. Perhaps we should all go back to living more simply with less. It sure would help the global community as well.Let's revisit some old houseplans!

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