The Dame

The Dame: New York

Built at the turn of the twentieth century, this home is drenched in character and vintage charm. The dark walls and blue carpet add a bit of gloom, which actually works quite well in this nostalgic setting. However, the arrangement is slightly odd because the living room is at the back of the building, meaning there is very limited natural light, while the bedroom faces Madison Avenue, which can get pretty noisy during rush hour. But it's actually this outstanding location that makes the home special – New Yorkers call this the “Upper East Side Gold Coast.”

Home truths:
*The building is 120 years old and therefore shows signs of wear, such as the chipped windowpanes and sloped hardwood floors
*Madison Avenue can get pretty busy at times, and with it comes quite a bit of traffic noise
*Guests three and four will sleep on a high-quality futon sofa
*During colder seasons, it can take about three minutes for the water to get fully hot
*There is only one bathroom, which is accessed through the living room