Congratulations to Amy Hill and Cindy Friday — the two readers who won a “Love The House You’re In” collage — featuring them and their houses — specially created by collage artist laureate Mel Kolstad. Mel’s been doing a Love The House You’re Inn collage-a-month for the blog. ENTRIES NOW CLOSED. But, we thought we’d take it one step further by getting readers involved. On Tuesday night, I used the random number generator at random.org (I to select the two winners. Their numbers came up! (I did not try to “judge” the comments — everyone’s were great — I selected the winners randomly.) Mel has started working with them on their collages. Thanks to everyone who participated. Your comments — AMAZING! We love our houses, that’s for sure!
Here were the rules:
- Leave a comment below, answering the question, “Why do you love the house you’re in?”
- You must sign up for my weekly newsletter.
- Residents of U.S. and Canada only.
Additional details:
- I’ll pick two winners from among the comments with a random number generator at 8 p.m. on April 19. (I will cross-check that they are newsletter subscribers, and if they are not, I will pick again.)
- If you win, you will send up to three high-resolution images to Mel, she will create your collage and mail it to within a month. The collage is mounted on a 4″x4″ wood tile with a notch for hanging – it’s very cool!
- Pam will confirm with you whether you’d like it featured on the blog or not – your choice.
- If this all goes well, I’ll continue the contest every month.
What do you think? Wanna win? Why do you love the house you’re in?
Catherine G. says
I love my house! I was built in 1953 and I love the hardwoods in the downstairs that we have finally exposed. I love that it has character and as we make changes you can see the changes others have made through the years. Our house has a story and we’re happy to be part of it!
TappanTrailerTami says
Wow, I love hearing everyone’s stories of how they love their homes and their memories and their things. I feel a little funny posting since I don’t own a “house” per se, but I will tell everyone why I love “Craig”, my 1977 mobile home.
When I first moved to California in late 2005, I rented. Then in 2006, I decided I needed my own walls, but could ill afford the median house price here in the Bay Area of $700k. So, I searched Craigslist for mobile homes, and I found the one I bought in the area I wanted to live.
Since then, housing prices have come down, but I still can’t wrap myself around the idea of a $400k mortgage, and so Craig is here to stay in my life. I will be remodeling Craig in all things retro, and almost everything I have acquired to remodel with has come from Craigslist. Hmmm…..anyone wondering why my mobile home is named Craig? LOL.
When Craig is done, he will be outfitted in the full retro regalia, and then I believe I will truly love the house I’m in all of the time, instead of our current love/hate relationship! The best thing Craig has done for me is keep me warm and dry, and out of the poorhouse.
sumac sue says
Tami, even a trailer can be loved. And named. Before moving to our current ’59 suburban home, we lived for several years in a ’95 trailer in the country. We called it the Tin Box Lodge. It had a great floor plan. And bad plumbing. But, it was so inexpensive that we paid it off, and having no mortgage was great. But my husband switched jobs, so we moved back to town. Have fun with Craig!
TappanTrailerTami says
Thanks Sue – love the “Tin Box Lodge” moniker! Maybe Pam should have another contest to fill in the blank. “Love the _ _ _ _ _ _ you’re in! My goal is to never have to say “Love the tent you’re in” or worse – “Love the bridge you live under”. If I avoid those two things, life is good.
I also hear you on the bad plumbing part – can’t wait to get Craig’s plumbing up to par.
Laurie says
Your comment about your “Craig” home just made me smile. I hope you win!
TappanTrailerTami says
Thank you Laurie. I’m afraid of winning, because the only collage I can make now is all 1977 paneling, and lots of construction materials strewn everywhere!
Mod Betty / Retro Roadmap says
How could I not chime in? I love the house I’m in because it’s an odd 1950’s custom built spanish hacienda ranch nestled amongst the brick capes here in our little Pennsylvania town. I was intrigued by it the first time I saw it and whenever I was in town would stalk it. Long story short, when a For Rent sign went up I had Retro Roadhusband call to ask about it and we made the leap- selling a house that was OK but not us, in a town and state that was OK and not us, uprooting and moving. It has all worked out wonderfully!
We love the architectural details of our wacky little house, how our mid century furniture fits in instead of sticks out.
We love being able to walk the dog down to the park, to the library, to a pal’s front porch for a swing and a chat, to Bridge Street for a coffee or to stop in and visit pals who run the stores in our little downtown.
Leap of faith- totally worked out, couldn’t be happier!
Kathy says
Our house is not just our house – we love our house because it’s all about the choices we’re making and the values we have. The 1951 bungalow floorplan encourages the family to be together, to talk to each other, to play and eat together – you have to cooperate in small square footage.The small space also forces choices around how much “stuff” you have, we don’t have space for clutter and mass consumerism. Our location is close to everything we use – stores, library, transit, the kids’ schools, my work – and that’s teaching the kids about being “green” and having an active lifestyle, because walking is how we get around. Our community is full of young families making the same choices so the kids have teams and clubs to attend in our own community and don’t have to go out to the “burbs” for their activities. And I love the basement reno we just finished because we know we’ll have teenagers down there someday, so we’ve already sound-proofed the ceiling. I agree with the concept of solid craftsmanship too – I love the well-built feel of our house, and the quirky spaces we have.
Mholoth says
I love the house I’m in because it has character, warmth, heart. We have made so many memories in the 10 months we have owned it as we try to restore as much as possible and make crazy mistakes. Bizarre how our furniture “fits” not only in the house but the style of the house, after being in military quarters and rentals for 20 years. Even how my Fiestaware goes with our “updated” 1940’s kitchen! Our 1923 arts & crafts bungalow is home, our first to own.
Our home has changed us, taught us – old , (ahem, vintage) is awesome! I love our huge front porch, hanging out with coffee or ice tea and gabbing with hubby or the neighbor as he sits on his front porch. It is great to hear the stories about the house, how a father who lived next door built it for his daughter’s wedding present (totally explains why my back porch has a sidewalk leading to the 1850s house next door’s back porch and why our carriage house matches that house and not ours!)
There is nothing like finding a 16 year old stripping wall paper in her bedroom, when she was supposed to be working in the bathroom and getting to tell her “you can’t stop now-you have to do all 6 layers, all 4 walls!” Yup, there is satisfaction in parenting a teenager!
I have kept my end of the bargain with my hubby-I must tell him on a regular basis “I love this house!” and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
Amy Hill says
I love the home I’m in!
Right before I turned 50, my life changed dramatically when my husband of 26 years ran off to join the circus. I was left in a 3200 sq ft new build filled to the brim with possesions. I made a decision to reinvent myself and start fresh. It wasn’t easy at first, but like anything else, it got easier with practice.
I had been an antique dealer for several years and called up a local auctioneer who came an collected 90% of my belongings and sold them off for me.
About the same time, my house sold and I needed a new place to live. My special friend, now my DH, and I went for a drive thru the little southern town I lived near, and we came upon this little 1945 cottage.
It was love at first sight, if that is possible with a house. I called the rental office and told them I wanted the house, and would the owner consider selling? I first moved in as a renter because it took me a couple of months to get my financing taken care of. It’s not always easy reinventing yourself, and some things take longer than others.
I used some of the money from the sale of my antiques to get the repairs that needed to be done on the house, but overall the house was in pretty good shape. It’s a solid little house, with lots of charm, and a big back-yard.
When we got married, he wanted to move into a larger, newer place, and I just couldn’t bear to leave my little house. It is perfect for two middle-aged newly weds who don’t want a lot of maintenance, and would rather take off for the week-end than spend every Saturday afternoon cleaning a big house and mowing 2 acres!
I love living in town and being able to walk to restaurants and the grocery store. I love the fact that it’s less than 1000 sq ft to clean and heat and cool. I love having huge trees in the yard, and the cute little detached garage.
This is my house and I am completely happy here. I have lived in bigger, but never anything better.
I love the house I’m in!
Cathye says
Not only do I love my mid-century home, I have such admiration for the architect who had such a forward-thinking vision. From the exterior, it appears to be a rather standard wood-paneled home. But anyone who walks through the front door into my soaring great room is bowled off their feet. It’s as fresh today as it was in 1947. Tongue-and-groove pine walls, blond brick fireplace wall, built in cabinetry, and terrazo floors. I have it all including a pink and green bath with Cinderlla tub. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Adriane says
We LOVE our 1955 ranch home! It’s our first home, and we have been so proud of it since we moved in about five months ago. We feel good that we are teaching our two year old daughter that we don’t have to have 3000 square feet to be comfy in our home, and we love shopping at thrift shops and antique stores looking for budget and period friendly furnishings for our home. We spend a lot of time on other blogs looking at what other people are doing with their homes, and try to get inspired. We have a shoe-string budget, but our little home is full of fun and quirky finds. We would LOVE to have the collage. They are amazing!
Zew Croo Mom says
I love our 70s split level because it’s so, so 70s. We’re the third owners and are having a blast “downdating” our baths and kitchen. The house is a blank slate – there are some jewels, like the tile in the hall bath, but for the most part, I can play with it the way I want. Since I’m a stay-at-home mom, I have time to play!
Joe says
I’m so glad I bought our 70s rancher with a huge yard for the dogs compared to the 80s townhouses we were also looking at. It might not have been built in the 50’s but it’s certainly decorated that way.