Saturday, September 13, 2008

My New Thing: Little Houses

Austin has a cool mix of houses, a lot of old little bungalowy houses, with some modern ones mixed in. Most of them aren't huge, and it seems that very often the new construction is considerate of the general scale of the surrounding area. The one we're in has one bathroom, one bigger bedroom, living room, sun room - but I'm realizing that any much more room than this and I wouldn't spend time in whatever extra rooms I happen to have. Our place in Chicago is bigger than this house, I'd say, especially including the storage we have in the attic - no complaints, mind you, I love that place - but sometimes when Ben's in the office and I'm in the bedroom - I don't want to have to yell, or, you know, get up and walk to the other end of the house to say the three words I feel he needs to know at any given moment. Here, everything's in easy reach. It's cozy, without feeling claustrophobic. The sun room makes a nice office for both of us to work in at the same time and Ben even has room to do a little painting.

Not that I have ever had any interest in moving into a McMansion - I'm staunchly anti-McMansion aesthetically and otherwise - but these smaller homes here have such character and modesty and charm. All I want one day, when we own a home, is a designated craft area that isn't in a part of the house I can only use when it's a perfect 70 degree day. (My sewing machine is in the attic, and winter/dead summer sewing - not enjoyable.) And I've never really had a proper crafts table with all my stuff in easy reach for - spontaneous crafting!




I think this one is especially cute, even though it doesn't have the traditional front porch.






This one is brand-new, and seems like it's trying to fit in, but is just a little too big, I think.

3 comments:

igotmoxie said...

oh i love the little greeny one.

my god, how cute!

Anonymous said...

I think you should blog more about the rad classes you're teaching!


- A Mysterious Student In Your 11AM MWF Class


P.S: I am not a stalker. I Google'd you (internet makes stalking terrifyingly easy, come to think of it) so that I can check out the books you've written.

P.P.S: My previous comment probably doesn't reassure you. Hrum. Lemme think of a hint.

I think panda-patterned shoes are awesome. And I really hope I can send in my first draft and still have 5 hours worth of sleep. \o/

Anonymous said...

I will be on the lookout for panda-patterned shoes!