Welcome to my little sister's new, old house. They started out their married years in a newer townhome but their desire to settle in an older neighborhood, in a character-rich home grew as their family did.
It's no wonder where her love of good architecture and old house bones came from, considering the home we grew up in, or even the house her big sister started her (my) family out in. The longing for beautiful, old wood, amazing hardware, divided light windows, and textured filled walls and ceiling had been growing in her for years.
This was their first Christmas in their new home, and they're just beginning to make it their own. She said I could give you a little tour, and share some of the old house beauty with you. They just don't make houses like they used to!
As I walked through the house for the first time, I was struck by a repeating pattern that I noticed had been used throughout. Good architecture will follow through with a theme, and you'll be able to see it in this house from the kitchen cupboard doors, to the light fixtures, to the archways, to the door hardware.
Although the kitchen doesn't quite function like a new house kitchen, the tall ceilings and ample space offer plenty of possibilities, in time. The way we live in houses has changed, so older homes definitely need to be adapted to accomodate.
The chandelier in the dining room and the sconces in the living room are swoon-worthy. The amber light they cast at night on the textured walls and ceiling wraps the room in a cozy glow.
There are a lot of doors in this house. The current ethos in home living is to have an open floor plan, with all the rooms flowing into one another. Back in the 30's when this home was built, keeping the kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms closed off to guests was proper. When adults were entertaining friends in this home, children could be quietly fed and put to bed via doors that were not even seen from the living and dining room. The doors feature beautiful wood, in a couple different styles, depending on what part of the house they're in.
The doorknobs and plates are also all original. A little varied, they all still have the detail that is featured throughout this home.
Aren't they beautiful? I call this "old house bling"!
Of course, the original, divided light windows cast amazing sunshine.
Old homes were built with interesting little niches to display, and usually came with very useful clothes chutes.
Even the mail gets it's own little door in a neighborhood where the postman still walks from door to door.
This home has obviously been loved by only a few occupants, hence it's very original state. My sister and her husband are looking forward to continuing that care, yet making it function for a modern family. Many years of life and love is in this home's future.
I've been waiting a long time for this house tour. can see why she fell in love with it.
Posted by: Cheryl Jarl | Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 07:56 AM
My favorite part was when you said, "she said I could give you a little tour." AKA- I came down from putting C to bed and all my doors were closed and you were taking pictures... Good job with the tour though! I do love all my 'character!'
Posted by: Molly | Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 07:17 PM
Yes, my blogger self can get going when I see the lighting is good...and I have a beautiful subject, such as your house;)
Posted by: Lora Bloomquist | Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 05:37 AM