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?
Christa says
Why do I love the house I am in? Because it’s one year older than me! And it suits all of us to a T. It’s a 1968 custom built home that leans towards modern versus traditional and has everything I could have ever wanted in a house. A walk-in pantry, a mudroom an upstairs laundry room, a spacious master suite etc., etc., etc. It has lots of original details that I adore and that I am enjoying working with rather than gutting and replacing. It’s a fun challenge and one that keeps us busy!
Ana says
I love my 1950 bungalow because it embodies traits I value — quality and efficiency. It’s well built and laid out and was well maintained by its original owner, Miss Florence. It welcomed me in from the second I stepped on the porch; I couldn’t let anyone else buy it.
It needs a lot of cosmetic fixes to bring it back to its mid-century glory, but it’s fun to do (even if it is a lot of work). I’m happy every minute I’m home, and that’s priceless.
Lugine says
We love our mostly brick 1945 home because it is unique – the only one on the street (soon to be declared History West Broadway) like it. The house was built with interesting features that make it fun to live in and be with friends and family.
Kim Treadaway says
We love our 1954 ranch home in Rosedale – a neighborhood consisting of a handful of tree-lined streets in beautiful Austin, Texas. It’s April and the temperatures have already hit 80 degrees and the sun is shining in on our mud rooms – in the front AND the back of our lovely home. Should we stroll over to the Upper Crust Bakery and enjoy delicious cinnamon rolls or to the Taco Shack for breakfast eggs and bacon rolled in tortillas? Perhaps we will take a swim in the Ramsey Park pool or go for a run and scope out ideas for native palms and cactuses… Jealous yet? We also have a pink bathroom. How about now?
; )
Misty says
I Love my house because not only is it a house but its my Home. I have put my hard work into wanting my home to look like and be what I love, vintage, retro, & etc. Allthough I’m far from being done in making this my dream home, day by day I still find something new to do or make to make it my style. My 4 year old loves to help make our home pretty 🙂 My husband and 2 childern love living here in just the right amount of space and yard! My husband shares my style and taste in the renovations, and thats what I love, that my whole family loves the home that we live in & the style!! I truely love my Home and I can’t wait to see how it will look after I finally get it renovated!!!
Beth says
My house and I have had a tumultuous relationship. When I finally decided that it was OK to buy a house on my own, and started house hunting, it became very apparent that my funds and the cost of the houses in my town of choice were not a good match. I love this town, though. Collingswood, NJ is a Philly suburb with Main Street USA charm a go-go, while still being progressive and inclusive to all types of families. My realtor pushed me towards towns with lower housing costs, but I wouldn’t budge. I would be a Collingswood homeowner or nothing! If only I could find a house with a low enough price for me to buy.
It was an estate sale. A little twin (a house sharing one wall with a neighbor) built in 1928. It had not been updated since the 1940’s which was fine by me! It had a pink and black tiled bathroom (save the pink bathrooms!) and pink octagonal tile on the floor in pristine condition! The kitchen was huge—with a formica countertop and tons of cabinets that with a little painting could be brought back to their former 40’s awesomeness. Plus it had a stow away ironing board and small tiers of half circle shelves on the cabinet corners. As for the rest of the house…it was a nightmare! Knob and tube wiring, windows falling out of their sashes and a tin porch roof that had rusted through and was raining water inside. However, the bottom line was, I could afford it!
That was about a year and a half ago. Since then my father and I have re-wired the entire house, it was converted from oil to gas heat, I got all new windows (thank you stimulus package), a couple of new doors and walls, a new porch roof, and the promise that if I stuck with it long enough this house would show its worth. I’ve learned that 1920’s construction is structural gold in comparison to the houses built today, and with every improvement I see a little of my home’s former glory shining through.
We’ve had a rough go of it, including several basement floods and a squirrel infestation, but I definitely feel like we’re in this together—the house and I. I can almost hear her cheering me on, saying, “I’m in it if you are!” Go you, house—I love you to death! That’s right, I’ll say it: I love my house!!!
Michelle says
I love the house I’m in because it is a sweet 1960 bungalow that feels so warm and welcoming in mid-century modest style. There’s no place I’d rather be (but don’t tell my husband who is seriously ready to hit the road with the motorhome).
Stacy says
How about love the house you are almost in? We received the keys to our 1947 custom ranch house two weeks ago and are getting ready to move in by the end of the month. After being stuck in escrow hades for the last four months on our first house, it is finally ours to restore! My husband discovered this website right after we put in the offer and every day I check for new ideas like designs for vinyl composition tile floor to compliment the yellow and aqua tile kitchen, lighting fixtures, and the all important search of the forum in my quest for a mint green toilet and sink! In four months I have compiled years worth of projects to keep us busy!
Caleb L. says
We love our home…because it MCM awesome! We bought it last year from an older gal who’s family was the original owner. It is small and quaint and perfectly 50s – right up our alley! We are having a blast driving on weekends to Portland to find great retro treasures. And our best friends (one an instructor at a local art academy, the other an Etsy-extraordinaire) are helping us with the color scheme. Next up is a super-fab, high-gloss white makeover of the fireplace. We’re pretty into it as you can tell:) Thanks for the great contest Pam. All our retro-respects to the each and every reader – C&C in OR.
Zoe says
I love our 1955 Ranch. There – I said it – I own a Ranch and I love it. Not “settled” for it, not “like it because it’s practical but really wish it was something else,” not “love the neighborhood, but hate the house” – I live in a Ranch by CHOICE. And we love it.
Our house is a happy house – the first time I stepped into the house (and back in time, as other than the carpet that had been put in around 1972, everything was completely original), I could tell that happy families had lived there. Other children’s happy memories had filled the house and still whispered to us – I could tell that the house had a happy soul.
The layout is perfect for entertaining – I love the formals and the sweet pocket doors that block off the private rooms from the public areas. I love the big built-in bar that serves as the focal point in the room that we lovingly call the “boom boom room.” After a long day, there’s nothing better than saddling up to the bar for a tasty cocktail prepared by my bartending husband.
My house reminds me of the boundless enthusiasm of the post-WWII years. Not just pink bathrooms, but yellow, green and peach ones too! Not just closets, but linen closets and built-ins for papertowels and tin foil! With all its ammenities, the house seems to say, “hey! War is over! Life is good! Embrace happiness! Pull up a chair and have a drink – better yet, invite your friends and throw a party! C’mon – I’ll make it easy!” I love the unapologetic cheerfullness in every corner – its a happy-to-be-alive house – and it puts a smile on my face every time I come home.