These pictures from a 1974 issue of American Home, a magazine no longer in
publication, served as some inspiration for the house my husband and I built in
the early 1980's. Though I wanted an old house, George said, "You never finish
with an old house. I'll build you a new house that looks old," and he did. I loved
this house the moment I saw it, and seeing it again brings back lots of memories.
My husband grumbled that he was building a house from pictures - an exaggeration
considering we had architect plans in our hot little hands. But, much of the interior
design of this house inspired the interior design in our own. Looking at it now,
warm feelings flood back - the Maine location, the beautiful antiques, the coziness,
and of course the food images. How much do you love that fireplace!!
OK, I hate the avocado green appliances and red counters, but love the hooked rug in front of the sink, the tea caddies on the shelf, cups of tea and rose geranium on the table, and antique basket on the floor. We must take the good with the bad, and it does look like cooking occurs in this kitchen.
In the images of this home's living room and dining area, I've always loved the large window in front of the table, the comfortable sofa and, again, the antique accessories on the tables.
Moving to the upstairs (where no cooking occurs, but charm abounds), the fireplace in the master bedroom is a treat, the highboy is to die for, and the canopied bed and its linens are so appropriate. Also love the oriental rugs, but I now would also love a large seagrass rug under the orientals. Am so conflicted sometimes in how to integrate my old taste with the new. Originally, we had the same trim color in this bedroom in our living and dining room. Now, the trim is all white. The attic access door looks just like ours, but, of course, ours is white. About the guest room - I am so over quilts.
Is this not a great house! And in Maine which makes it even better. Next time I will show you the same home all decked out for the holidays. I know the season has passed, but I want you to see how lovely this house is all seasons, and there will be more food in the next posting. (Why can I not keep the printing over to the left? And why is one image hanging off the page?? Bear with me as I discover the intricacies of blogging.)
Billie,
ReplyDeleteI exactly can understand why you love this house!! It is a most charming home! The fire place is amazing! So far as I know you (through emailing)I can feel this is a home for a person as you!
Talk to you soon!
xx
Greet
wow! ok i have a few suggestions - take off the "read more" and just put the post on. later, as you have more stories and your have ads, etc, you could put it back on when you need the space - but right now there's no good reason to make people click over to another page. there are lots of ways to draw traffic. first though - start writing - write -write write - when you have at least 10 or 20 stories, then start commenting on all the design blogs you love - and the cooking blogs too - when you sign your name, add the address for your blog. start to develop relationships with as many blogs as you can. email a lot - comment, comment, comment everywhere.
ReplyDeleteemail with other new bloggers - interview them, guest write for them - this will all help bring in traffic.
another very important thing to do is to participate in as many mr linky parties as you can. do all the ones that apply. nothing will bring in more readers than mrlinky parties. look for blogs that host them - like Thursday Tablescapes, etc.
Lettered Cottage has parties. A lot of blogs have them - participate.
But first- build up about a month's worth of blog stories. relax, it takes times - it doesn't happen overnight. but if you comment, email, and attend parties - you WILL get readers. Just be sure you have something to offer the readers so they will come back.
Personal stories sell. People don't just want ot look at pictures. they want to know about you, your family, your house, etc.
Use social media - start twittering!!! twitter everytime you post a new story. do it on facebook too. make new blogging friends from twitter.
always remember not to be pushy. just let it happen naturally and it will. don't push yourself on others - it will turn them off. it's just like real life. don't ask to be put on blog rolls of strangers. only the friends you make. but, after a while, if you add someone to your blog roll, you could email them and say - would you mind adding me, i would so appreciate it.
remember - content is the most important thing, then commenting, linky parties, blog rolls, twitter and emails. interviews, guest hosting.
hope this helps!!
Joni
cote de texas