House and home
Only twelve more days before we move again. But this time, we’re hanging our hats for a good few years, because this darling place is going to be ours. All ours, right down to the garbage collection bills and the taxes. Not to mention one monster mortgage. But how could we say no to such a charmer of a house? Click ye the pictures and come on in for a wee tour:
And most importantly, the den of wooly debauchery yarn parlor:
You can see actual yarn belonging to my aunt on the shelves against the far wall. She’s got a tidy little stash of Indiecita Alpaca, Donegal Tweed, and Heirloom 8-ply wool. Classy lady, my aunt, in case it wasn’t obvious from the furnishings. And see the cute window seat on which to sit and knit? What you can’t see is the spacious closet I’ve staked out for the stash. I’m thinking there will be a goodly tower of stackable clear pastic drawers in there, with containers for WIPs on the shelf above.
How do you make someone else’s home into your home, though? Every time we talk about it, it’s “Anne’s house.” Will it seem more like ours when her things have gone to her new place? All the furniture we have to put into it is coming this week from Connecticut. It’s my grandmother’s. There’s something snug and cozy about dwelling in the familial strata of the women who go before you, but we want it to feel like our own space, too. We won’t have much money to spend on new furnishings this year, or likely next. So I propose to make things. I never considered knitting for my house before I read Ann and Kay’s book, but they’ve got me thinking now. What better way to put your stamp on a new place than to adorn it with the work of your own fingers? No doilies, cross my heart and hope to die. But the downstairs bathroom could use a Mason-Dixon Bubbly Curtain, so the neighbors don’t have to see us nekked in the tub. The entry way could do with a rag rug, and Lord knows Mr. Garter has some T-shirts he could stand to donate to the cause. My grandmother’s persimmon-colored couch (I do not kid – it is exactly the color of a persimmon, and it rocks) might like some pillows with coordinating handknit covers. And some felted containers might jazz up the place and hold the flotsam and jetsam we haven’t managed to shed during the past three moves. (There’s a top-loading washer in the basement – felt on, dudes!)
I promise not to go overboard, though. Slap me if I start muttering darkly about knitting toilet-seat covers or Kleenex cozies. We must impose sane limits on the nesting urge. So have you knit anything for your home place? I want to hear about it.
Posted: June 19th, 2006 at 6:13 pm
great ideas all around. i’m sure MDK will come in mighty handy!
Posted: June 19th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
The new house looks amazing. Just right for you and Mr. G. I’m sure that all the little hand-knits you could make for this little home will be perfect. But yes, I’ll intervene if you start talking about knitting toilet seat covers – you have to draw the line somewhere. Good luck with the move! I’ll be thinking of you while I’m packing up some boxes myself.
Posted: June 19th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
Sarah, what a great house! And I’m sure you’ll make it yours in no time. Oh, I was wondering if you could email me. I have a question regarding a book, and though I had your email at one point because you responded to one of my comments, I no longer have it.
Okay, good luck with the packing and the moving, although you’re probably still pretty packed up from the move to Portland, huh?
Posted: June 19th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Oh. My. God. I love your new house! It is so cute and bright and cheerful–exactly what I would want if I were going to buy a house. If it wasn’t in NYC.
The only thing I’ve knitted for my house is a throw for the sofa–which I loved for a while, but then wished I had used better quality yarn for. But there’s something nice about napping under a blanket you have made, you know?
Posted: June 19th, 2006 at 8:05 pm
Wow, your new house is beautiful! Congrats!!! Moving can be stressful but so much fun. My husband and I just went through it recently and it never stops… we still have so much crap in our old apartment but we’re lucky we can afford to take some time to fully move over. We only have the weekends to do stuff.
Posted: June 19th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
The house looks lovely, you must be so excited about the move – and all that decorating/homemaking that’s ahead of you, I’m sure it will be yours in no time!
Posted: June 19th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
What a charming house! I understand your questioning how to make a home one’s own; I think we’ll be calling our new house “Laurie’s House” for a long while. Glad to hear you are coming out to talk with Kit on Wednesday! Cheers!
Posted: June 20th, 2006 at 2:46 am
WOW. I love that new house of yours, and especially the yarn room! If I’m not careful, someday I’ll need a yarn room just to fit the silly stash. Hope your anniversary weekend was lovely!
Posted: June 20th, 2006 at 2:49 am
Eeeee! It is so, so, so, so perfectly cute. What lucky homebuyers.
Posted: June 20th, 2006 at 4:42 am
I am having EXTREME kitchen envy.
Posted: June 20th, 2006 at 7:33 am
Your place is too cute for words! I can’t even stand it!
Posted: June 20th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
A window seat and a garden?!! *sigh*
Posted: June 20th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Of course I had to jump into this little adventure and plan out the really important things; where will all the networking equipment, 7 computers, wireless routers, etc. live (most are for my business).
Mrs. Garter was quite supportive of my very important contribution; she placed my office in the basement.
I had my eye on the wrong ball, so to speak, and serves me right.
Posted: June 20th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
Oh I voted yes on the house back when and now that I see it I should have voted a double yes! So great! And all those home-knits you want to do will just make it your style so much more! When you get in there it will be your space! When we lived in NY, my husband was always surprised that his “space” was always in the basement or garage. Hey, the basement was large I think he got a great deal! And so smart for you to have your yarn room already figured out – great priority!
Posted: June 21st, 2006 at 10:10 am
Your new home is so lovely. I’m very happy for you. I’ve only knit a pillow cover (which I never used) for our place, but once I finish the Baby Blanket Bonanza, I want to knit a sofa throw. I think your hand made touches will convert the place right on over to your own. Just make a concious effort to begin calling it the Garter Residence (or whatever) to begin cememting it in your mind (and everyone else’s) as YOURS.
Posted: June 21st, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Georgeous Sarah! I am so happy to hear you guys are getting the house. The biggest decisions in life are never easy, are they. The house will be YOUR home before you know it. Good luck!
Posted: June 22nd, 2006 at 7:41 am
Your new home is lovely. I especially like the kitchen! Your ideas for making it yours sound good to me. I’ve moved alot,and some things you might try are plants, framed photos, and new paint on the walls. And wait till you get the yarn parlor set up! That room will feel like yours right away! Have fun in your new house.
Posted: June 23rd, 2006 at 2:36 am
What an adorable house. Have a good move!
Posted: June 23rd, 2006 at 5:28 am
oh, your house is lovely! a garden, a window seat, spacious kitchen. i’m envious beyond words, but so happy for you. afghans are always a great touch, along with pillow covers. i say limit yourself to one “cozy,” but make it for the tea potty, not the toilet paper!
Posted: June 23rd, 2006 at 5:29 am
see, i meant to type tea pot, but was thinking about the word cozy and toilet paper, so i wrote tea potty. but you knew that.
Posted: June 23rd, 2006 at 7:21 pm
What a wonderful house. Please post photos with your grandmother’s furniture and your own flare. You are fortunate that the house had been restored with great integrity. I wish you and Mr. Garter all the happiness in the world in your new
Posted: June 26th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
It’s wonderful!! It looks so inviting and happy – like you want to come in and sit down and just stay awhile. It’s a great home, and you will make it yours – knitted doilies or not!! 🙂
Posted: July 2nd, 2006 at 5:52 pm
it’s beautiful – congratulations!