11 Comments
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Phyllisa's avatar

Being a newer subscriber I missed this story it’s first go round (thank you for re-posting it), but it so reminded me of a book I read ages ago, How Buildings Learn. The tag line says’ “When a building is finished being built, that isn’t the end of its story. More than any other human artifacts, buildings improve with time…Buildings adapt by being constantly refined and reshaped by their occupants…” It was a fascinating read and reminds me of this home’s journey and your contributions to its ever evolving story.

Christene Barberich's avatar

Thank you for that….searching for that book now♥️

Jolene Handy's avatar

I remember this! So lovely, and that feeling of “who lived here 200, or 50 years ago (or yesterday) runs so deep. xx

Christene Barberich's avatar

Thank you Jolene...it was too special to keep hidden in the archives. Also, I pass this house now almost daily...and I remember!!

Iza's avatar

What an adventure in a beautiful house! Reading this made me think of going through my family’s home when my uncle died. A surreal experience of looking through belongings, furniture and 2 cellars worth of stuff. It had been in my family for 75 years and I spent my first year of life there. It seemed enormous when I was little and still massive going back as an adult. 6’ windows and coal burning stoves in each room. One of my best finds was my great grandmother’s handwritten cookbook and a green/black/grey wool blanket that could have come from the Bauhaus.

Christene Barberich's avatar

Two cellars!! Also, that blanket sounds incredible, I would love to see it. Isn't it strange how big homes can feel when we are little? I felt that way about my uncle's house, too...it felt like a mansion but in fact it was probably just a few bedrooms bigger than our house.

Iza's avatar

I’ll send you a photo of the blanket. It is strange and hard to see the space with “adult eyes” when you’ve experienced its grandeur as a kid. Takes a bit of the magic out.

Ana de Almeida's avatar

Loved this story! How lucky, what a privilege to be able to do this. It is wonderful to be able to enjoy the little things that once their owner did too. Did you reupholster that chair? The blue bottles are amazing too!

Angela Do's avatar

Love this story! It reminds me of something Wendy Goodman, Design Editor NY Mag, once said, “ Your home is your autobiography.” You got to know the late owner of the home without ever meeting him. How lovely some of his treasures will live on with you.

Kirsten Malcolm Gatewood's avatar

Such a sweet story ❤️

Hey Mrs. Solomon on Style's avatar

I just love how much you see. Thank you for this treasure.