If you have always want to live in a beautiful, ornate wooden house, and have a real knack with sandpaper, then I’ve got the perfect renovation opportunity for you. It might take a bit of effort to get to, as it’s in Solovetskiy, Arkhangel’skaya Oblast’, northern Russia, but it’s a truly beautiful piece of work.

photo by Andrew Qzmn

The photo is part of a series taken by Andrew Qzmn which I highly recommend you go and look at. There are some on his Livejournal, and some more on English Russia.

The house above, and others, have been abandoned to the snow, despite the absolutely wonderful craftsmanship that has gone into them. Furniture was just left in place, making it look like the owners just popped out for a bit and fully intended to come back once they’d finished their shopping. I wonder what happened. Did they leave thinking they’d one day return, or did they pack up as much as they could take, knowing that they’d never see the house again?

Unfortunately, snow and time has done a fair amount of damage - roofs and ceilings have collapsed, walls and floors have given way, and from some photos it looks like the woodworm has been feasting. It makes me sad to see such beautiful work being left to rot.

(Link via Neil Gaiman.)