I am super interested in the early history of postwar housing — and the teeny tiny houses are among the most fascinating. I’ve seen these called “Tom Thumb” homes, but in reality, a huge percentage (maybe a majority?) of homes in the first few years after World War II ended were quite small — 700… 800…900 s.f. And, for a goodly number of years into the 50s, many many homes were still only around 1,000 s.f. Recently, I learned from reader Sarah that the phenomenon was the same in Canada. She and her partner Liz live in a 1946 “Victory Home” in Winnipeg. Sarah has sent photos from inside their 731 s.f. bungalow, and Sarah also shares some history about Victory Homes in Canada. 29 wonderful photos!
Sarah first wrote me in early January (umm, it’s taking me a long time to get reader submissions posted…):
Hi Pam,
I have just discovered your site and it is wonderful. My partner and I have a 1946 “Victory Home” in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It’s chock full of original features. It is very lovely, and very modest (731 sq feet)!
I wonder if you would have any interest in seeing some photos? I would also love to contribute to sharing pictures and information about early Canadian postwar homes in the hopes that there are other Canadian readers of your site out there who might contribute. There doesn’t seem to be a similar Canadian resource.
Thanks for your consideration and happy new year.
Sarah
Sarah and Liz’ Victory Home photo gallery (click on first thumbnail to launch the slide show):
I ask Sarah for more info and pictures — for sure. She sends them — what a sweet house — perfect — along with more info on Victory Homes and how she and Liz ended up in their little bungalow:
First, some notes on victory houses (most people refer to them as veterans housing, but victory housing sounds so much more exciting!):
“In Canada these homes were built and owned by Wartime Housing Ltd. The crown corporation bought materials and land and followed through with orders for homes across the country. Victory Homes came in two models: a two-room bungalow or a four-bedroom, one-and-a-half story house. They were tiny by today’s standards – and without basements and furnaces – but they met the need.
After the war, many veterans moved into Victory Homes and renovated them. Some of them, enlarged and updated, are standing today. But there was still a post-war housing crisis. The entire economy was affected by a continued scarcity of materials and of the money to acquire housing. In 1946 the federal government responded by creating the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation (now the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation). The assets of Wartime Housing Ltd. Were transferred to CMHC in 1947 (including the responsibility of housing veterans) through the Veteran’s Rental Housing program.” Source: International Metropolis…. Complete PDF…. More info from the Canada Central Mortgage and Housing Corp.
Sarah continues:
I have attached a bunch of photos of the fixtures in our house and a few of the exterior. I’ve also attached a picture of my partner Liz and I. Our house is sort of sideways on the lot (in comparison to most of the other houses like ours). There was only one owner before us, and she didn’t change a thing as far as we know.
We started our house-hunting journey in 2006 in the heat of a seller’s market in Winnipeg. We initially had our hearts set on a 1910s or 1920s 2 or 2.5 story character house. We soon discovered (to our dismay) that in the areas of the city that were convenient for us as dedicated public transit users, houses are mid-century. Liz decided we needed to develop an appreciation for mid-century houses, so she borrowed some books from an architecture library on CHMC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) house plans from the 1950s. We made 13 (over-asking price!) offers and finally had our offer accepted on a tiny 1946 bungalow/victory house. We had been making offers on 1950s bungalows and the odd 1950s 1.5 story. Our house was the first 40s bungalow we had ever set foot it.
Ours is the rarest of victory homes (2 beds, no dining room) so most of the documentation of victory homes overlooks our type. The layout is so functional, if a bit too teensy. There is a coat closet, a linen closet, and two other hall closets, not to mention bedroom closets. I included photos of the insides of the kitchen cabinets and some closets to show the colours. At first we thought the former owner just had a thing for bright colours inside her cupboards and closets but after looking at the 1941 Sherwin Williams Paint and Color Style Guide I think it was probably part of the trend shown in some of the images – bright paint colours inside kitchen cabinets.
Speaking of paint, I included some photos of the tiny back landing which is painted in two shades of green. A 1940s decor choice? Also, the covers on our light switches each have a tiny maple leaf in each corner – not sure if they’ll show up in the photos.
For the past couple of years we have been focused on getting a new roof, furnace, windows, grading, and cleaning the layers and layers of nicotine off of every inch of the house. We have only painted one room, and we don’t have our window coverings yet. We need a new kitchen counter and backsplash, and the bathroom needs some updating. We want a more efficient toilet, and the tiles around the tubs are all cracked. We want our updates to be in keeping with the 40s (and the house) but we also want a solid surface counter top. One problem: I really dislike 4×4 tile (did I say that?!?!). I really like basket weave, penny, and honeycomb tile. Do you know if they were “in” in the 40s? I am having a hard time finding distinctly 40s fabrics and tiles (other than 4×4).
Oh yes, the house really needs come curb appeal, too. We are thinking maybe a mint or spring green repaint on the original stucco. Any thoughts or suggestions you have on anything related to the house would be appreciated.
We both love mid-century houses and interiors now and are so thankful we didn’t get the kind of house we set out for! I discovered your blog over the holidays and can’t stop reading it. It’s fantastic.
Where did you live in Canada??!!
Cheers,
Sarah
Thank you so much, Sarah. What a darling house — so small, but so full of charm, I love it.
For a 1940s house, if you don’t like 4×4 tile for the bathroom, how about subway tiles for around the tub? Oh and as we discussed via email, those sure do look like plastic tiles in your bathroom. I have NO PROBLEM whatsoever with ripping those puppies out — I had three bathrooms full of them, and I was a happy pammy the day they were gone. In my bathrooms, the plastic tiles were absolutely rotted through, they were not watertight and 50 years had done their damage, no question. Ceramic on concrete board – yes! If you need to re-do the floors, I think that octagon or small six-sided mosaics (same as what you call honeycomb) — with or without color dots (which could be nice) would be appropriate. For exterior paint ideas, I’d point you at the library of Aladdin Home images for inspiration.
And I love love love hearing about Canadian postwar housing history. I lived in Canada for about six years of my adult life — I went there for two jobs with Ford. The first time, I lived in Toronto, in Cabbagetown. The second time around, I lived in the Bronte area of Oakville, a Toronto suburb. BTW, I have been to Winnipeg — a wonderful town, I had a great time! Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your home with us all. Circle back as you continue your updates, we’ll all want to see what you and Liz do with it to make it your very own.
Kelly says
I have just purchased a wartime house in sault Ste Marie . Ont. The main floor bedroom has been turned in to a dining room. Two bedrooms upstairs. One has two closets the other only one. Has anyone put in an upstairs bathroom in one of the closets. Where is the stack to y in.. Which wall for the toilet! Any help or suggestions would be appreciated????Thanks
pam kueber says
Kelly, you should consult with a plumber to determine these issues… Good luck.
Maria says
Hi there, I found this blog through Pinterest.
I have a Victory House in Winnipeg; Riverview neighbourhood to be exact. It was built in 1948 and is a 1.5 storey. Living room in front, bedroom behind it, central hallway, dining room in front with kitchen behind. Bathroom, stairs, and back entrance tucked away. It has two bedrooms upstairs PLUS a 2-piece bathroom ad a full basement. It is 1300 square feet. We bought it in 2013 from two young people who had bought it 6 years before from the original owners. The last owners did some window upgrades, furnace, roof, bathrooms, a/c, and basement – all very poor workmanship. The original hardwood floors on the main level are in horrible shape, we have constant ice damming in the winter, yard needs landscaping, but it is home. We have been debating adding another bedroom upstairs plus more closet space and a shower into the bathroom. The house badly needs new floors, trim, kitchen, and insulation.
From what I understand, these houses in Riverview were built with only the main floor finished – owners had to pay extra to do the upstairs. This makes sense why so many don’t have washrooms upstairs. I’ve noticed the door and trim is different between the levels in our house too. Plus the arched ceilings/walls in our house are curved whereas most other houses are angular. It is a nice detail if you are taller – I’m only 5’1, so have no issues there!
Brian says
WOW! what a cool old house! i love seeing these old time capsuls! i’m glad that you plan to preserve its charm.
i’ve always loved the old bakelite light switch covers, especially that pattern you have with the maple leafs in each corner. i’ve been trying to locate as many of that pattern as possible as i’d like to do my house in them.
Mary T says
So happy to find this post! I’ve been doing some research tonight trying to figure out what our 1947 “war box” as the realtor called it (and I’ve adopted; I love it) might have looked like originally. At some point some weird moldings were put in — well, not weird exactly, just a little more elaborate that I feel were original. Plus they get dirty — too many little nooks and things to clean. I’m sure that someone tore our what was probably a lovely tile bathroom too, and did a rather shoddy job putting in wood siding, and that will eventually come out, too. Sigh.
I am rambling a bit, but this was fun to find. I will say though that our actual current living area (one floor — someday we’ll double it by finishing the basement) is about 850 square feet. Compare this to our old Cincinnati house that was three stories and 2500 square feet! But you know what? Aside from our big old farmhouse kitchen, I don’t miss the Cincinnati house AT ALL. I was constantly losing things! So I say small houses forever!
Mary T.
Cyndi Lou says
I just love your little house!
Beverly in MA says
Just bumped into all of this while trying to find info on how my house might have looked originally. Great comments and house in Winnipeg is wonderful! I have a 1946 cement/stucco bungalow in Massachusetts and am feeling very fortunate because it tops out at over 1000sf. Good size kitchen with original white-painted wood cabinets (no bright interiors though) flows into dining area. Then a front-to-back living room, and two smallish bedrooms with tiny bath in between…all with original hardwood floors (except bath). Had one owner for over 50 years and those people took advantage of every inch to add storage spaces–amazing! Younger couple had it for a few years and did some critical updates (roof, plumbing and electrical) plus tile in kitchin/dining and bath. Anyway…great to read all the comments. PS….I’m stuck with an reddish-orangy roof so Ive stayed with cream body, whte trim. and the least offensive dark rust i could find for shutters.