Monday, March 02, 2009

The Little Things Part Two: # 9

I've posted most if not all of these pictures already, but my recent trip to my friends' cool house and the famous and infamous Baino's posting of her space have inspired me to share my digs again. I apologize that I am not including the messy mountains of clutter that also occupy # 9, but that will come another time.
.
For now, here's a little walk through of my home:
.
The first thing you should know is my house is mostly small. It's a seven room ranch on a third of an acre, punctuated with little rooms like this dining area. That said, it's a sweet comfy space. I love eating here, where I am surrounded by photos of JB, my Jessica and my son-in-law, their wedding, Mr. Ryan, and other favorite people.
Don't ask me to live in a house without books. I love books. Ancient and modern literature, cookbooks, atlases, poetry, coffee table art: anything that will hold my attention while I hold the book.
.
Did I say the rooms are small? This is the tiny sitting area across from the kitchen. We've since added cushions for the 1950's chairs taken from my parents' cellar. Up until recently (that's another story) this is where I start my morning with coffee, an apple, nuts, and either yogurt of a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter. (Do you care what I have for breakfast? Smile.) And then one more cup of coffee while I read the morning paper, including my astrological forecast.
.
The kitchen will one day get remodeled, two people fall on top of one another trying to cook, but all in all it's also sweet.


The guest bedroom: this is highlighted by JB's special (and expensive) wallpaper and my special (and dirt cheap) bureau. JB got to choose this wallpaper when we moved in a couple of years ago, and I got to bring this bureau home on one particularly lonely birthday many years ago. It was for sale in the front yard of a farmhouse on a back road. I offered $ 40 and it came home with me.
.
Don't ask me why but the again-little hallway has a spiritual feel to it for me, and I like that. The stain glass window is covering a traditional window that overlooks our neighbor's house. Before the stain glass, there was no walking to the bathroom in your underwear. Now--I wear even less...
.
Okay, Baino, you can see from my office that I am not particularly neat. I have a thing with papers. I can't seem to keep them organized. Every once in a while I dream that I have piles of papers on top of me and I am fighting to breathe. Still, I have an office-writing room of my own (see my laptop--that's where I blog), it has a printer and fax machine, as well as several bookcases, and I am usually happy as a clam in there.
.
Please step outside to the back yard. JB and I have transformed this space from a starved plot of dirt to a sanctuary of sorts. We grill, we eat, we rock in the hammock, we read books on the patio, we garden, and putter, and sometimes I sit at the table and write my stories.



The back yard is also home to the hot tub, which turns out to be one of the best purchases ever made at # 9. We had some extra money when we sold our old house and moved here--enough that we bought a hot tub, installed it outside, and hoped the novelty wouldn't fade. It hasn't. The water temperature is 103 degrees F, perfect when it's minus 10 in the dead of winter. And looking up at the stars at midnight, while floating in steam, is one of my life's little treasures...
.
His name is Robert Cardinal and he is a painter from Truro-Provincetown. We bought this on lay-a-way--$ 50 a month until it was paid for. It will be willed to my son-in-law, but for the long foreseeable future, the sky changes color with the sun and lighting. This is a lighthouse in Martha's Vineyard, by the way. (Val!)


And last--two favorites. Here's a side view of JB's Magic Cottage,

And here's the sweetest paws at # 9: Stella, who after 7 or 8 years of a challenging existence, has settled into her role of family dog with both grace and appreciation.

I might do this again. Anybody else interested in sharing where and how you live these days?
I for one would savor the tour...


17 comments:

  1. I loved this tour. I do enjoy seeing where people live. Your house is delightful, so well put together and the back yard looks like a wonderful place to enjoy the summer. Thanks, suki

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm stuffing my face with roasted chicken and artichoke ravioli as I tour your house! ( I just got home and I'm starving.)

    This really is a sweet place. I've always wanted my own little house and garden.
    Nice painting...I recognize the lighthouse because so many N.E. artists like it as a subject. For all my years in New England I can't believe I've never made it to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.I'll have to remedy that when I move back :)

    The dresser yu bought for $40 is a steal!! It's beautiful and goes so well with the elegant wallpaper.

    Thanks for the tour KJ. I like how you ended with Stella's "popcorn feet!" (KJ once told me that she thinks dog's feet smells like popcorn.)

    ...I'm going back for more ravioli now!
    It was a great visit ;)

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. suki, the space around us matters so much. let us both walk into the light...

    lo, there is so much i like about you i don't know where to begin, but i could start with your remembering about popcorn feet. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, I do so love life at #9! The cozy living room, the FABULOUS hot tub, the magic cottage, the sweet puppy, and my friends kj and jb.

    Hope to see you soon!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. kris, i'm smiling at your comment. i miss seeing (and hearing) you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. KJ, thank you so much for your sweet comment. It was but a fleeting moment, and so was that post.

    Did you know number 9 is my favoritest number in the whole wide world? Your home is so cozy! I really adore it. You've made it so inviting. I see lots of little nooks and crannies to sit and doodle. Your garden flowers are gorgeous. And that cottage has to be one of my favorites. Thank you so much for this wonderful tour!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love it. I wish I could share-I live like one of those people on Oprah's Clutter shows, and I hate it. I look back and try to remember what it was like to not be messy, and I really can't remember what I did differently (other than the obvious, pick up).

    I know it's just a reflection of my current unsettled state, and when I settle down, my house will too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh kj I loved your tour. I'm such a sticky beak! It's a gorgeous cosy house, totally liveable. And everyone needs a messy corner. We share a fondness for yellow! As for the hot tub . . I WANT ONE!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very cosy KJ! I realized my spaces are nice but I'm a neat freak so they are boring. Less is more makes me feel good. ;) Wierd, I know.

    ReplyDelete
  10. bella, i'm guessing your place has cozy nooks and crannies too. your imagination certainly does!

    deb, i know what you mean about clutter. when it builds up on the outside, it builds up on the inside. your last line about when you settle down, your house will too: i just love the way you say things.

    baino, i can't gush enough about the hot tub. it's like getting a massage and going to the movies at the end of a hard day all rolled up into one. i'm glad you enjoyed peeking into my house--i obviously thought of you when i decided to follow your example.

    tammy, i've seen pictures of your home and it didn't look boring to me. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. kj,
    Such a cozy home. Has an Arts and Crafts feel to it. The yellow and red palette combined with the colors of the wood furniture create warmth. Thanks for the tour.

    ReplyDelete
  12. chewy, nice to see you here. thanks for the kind words: you nailed the ambience we wanted to create.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow you certainly have a wonderful home with so many nice details! I love the little cottage! And the guestroom with the lovely wallpaper! And I love your taste in furniture.
    If you want to see how I live just click here and scroll a bit down to see some pictures

    ReplyDelete
  14. ps thanks for the tour! I love to see how people live!

    Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
  15. marianne, i love love love your artwork. i just bopped over to your blog and saw some of your home and space: i will be back to linger. i love your taste too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What fun!! I know this house so well and it's like home away from home to me -- all due to how you have JB have filled it, literally and figuratively! I love tours like this and hope other bloggers do it, too ... me ... I might wait for spring cleaning. :D

    ReplyDelete
  17. really really amazing tour...
    your house and all your belongings reflect your warmth and beauty within...
    i felt at home... and enjoyed watching them all as i was listening( i really heard you!) to your explanations...

    hugs

    ReplyDelete