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?
Carlos Homer says
Linda and I love our house because of the uniqueness and the challenge of putting it back together. We were tweens when this house was built in 1967 and never thought anything from that era could be so cool! But, from lamps to fixtures to cars and furniture we have learned all about restoring and living with……say a wall mounted 1969 Modern Maid toaster. Who needs Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn when there is Al’s vintage, Habitat and Goodwills all over out here in Mesa AZ. Our flat roof ranch with Formica counters and built-ins are a refreshing change from the stucco mcmansions we lived in prior to this. Long live retro!
Cindy Friday says
We love the house we’re in — a 1959 ranch colonial kitchen — mostly because of the two-sided sandstone and flagstone fireplace between the living and dining rooms. It separates the huge bank of sliding glass doors on both sides. I can’t wait to get everything unpacked and decorated enough to entertain. An excuse to pick up some vintage barware!
Love the turquoise shower and the white-and-gold flecked Formica vanity in the Jack N Jill bathroom, plus the curvy birch wood valance over the sink in the kitchen.
It’ll be cool and homey when we’re done fixing the remuddling!
MicheleLynne says
When we were house-hunting, I knew I wanted a Cape Cod style because that is what my grandparents had. My grandparents house always was a safe, loving place. As a child, I’d rather be there than anywhere in the world. My grandparents were modest people, factory workers who never graduated HS, but saved their money and bought their first and only home when they were in their mid-40s.
The furniture was all Early American Ethan Allen (my grandmother splurged). She furnished the “summer kitchen” in the basement with her old chrome table and chairs from their old apartment. There was bamboo furniture in the “bar room” with old light-up bar signs my grandpa got from a friend who had a bar and the barstools were bright orange. My special bedroom had a chenille bedspread and really cool lamps with cowboys on it. She had a lot of hobnail milk glass, as well as some atomic-type coolness, most of which was in that bar room.
When I saw my house, a 1964 Cape Cod, one of the only on a block filled with raised ranches and split levels and new 4000+ sq. ft. Center Hall Colonials, I knew in my heart that it was my house. And I was right…I get the same good feeling of being safe, and would rather be here than anywhere else in the world. It’s filled with a lot of my grandmother’s furniture and collectibles, along with “my stuff”. Hopefully someday, my kids will look back on their childhood home with the same memories and feelings I have of my safe childhood home.
karen says
I love our 1956 split level for so many reasons. Although we were looking for something older (20’s-40’s bungalow) this home has turned out to be so much more than we expected. We just moved in a few months ago, so it’s still new and exciting to us! I love the huge front picture window with beautiful view of the neighborhood, the 3 distinct living areas of a split level, the brick front, the hardwood floors, the pink master bath, the pink kitchen sink, and even the slightly distressed kitchen counter tile and old wood cabinets. Oh, and the split level backyard with humongous pool (a lot of upkeep for DH & sons!). While others would want to “update” (especially the kitchen) we bought this house for its 50’s charm and want to keep it just the way it is.
Abby says
I love ‘playing house’ in my house! After a long day of work, I can walk in the door, string on my pearls, fasten on my arpon, and whalloolaa! I am transformed into a 50’s house wife 🙂 Our family is the proud second owner of this fab 1950’s two-story colonial because ~
our house has CHARACTER ( baby blue metal kitchen cupboards to beginwith)
It is COZY (a family room adorned in knotty wood pine walls & boxbeam ceiling, & two fireplaces to warm our long MN winters)
CONVENIENT (suburban location, walk to library or park or coffee or school)
CLASSY (great curb appeal!)
Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese says
I love my little mid-century ranch home for many reasons: My husband and I renovated/restored every inch of the home together & it’s where we lived when we got married. I love that it was built before “modern” building methods cheapened the character and quality of homes. I have beautiful hardwoords, original Marsh wood cabinets, peach shower tile with a little mosaic tile shower floor, skinny pink brick partial exterior, cedar plank siding, and it’s my first home with a garage (yay!). I even kind of love the original jalousie windows because I can keep them open during wet weather and listen to the rain.
Jen says
I love my house because it reminds me of time gone-by, as well as bringing us forward.
Judith Hall says
Our house turns 60 years old this year! It is so comfy! I love the1950’s custom wood cabinets, the knotty pine den, pocket doors and our sky blue tiled bathroom upstairs and of course, the ubiquitous pink bathroom downstairs. Of course the fully bricked exterior really gives it a timeless look!
Renee says
We are the third owners of a craftsman home built in 1921. The home was rated condemnable by the county when we bought it. Most renovations have been functional more than aesthetic but we just completed a bathroom renovation that allowed us to create a wonderful shower inspired by 1940s tile designs. I found retrorenovation as I researched bath and tile designs. I continue using this website for inspiration as we can soon begin focusing on personalizing our home.
Penny says
I love the house I’m in, a 1954 cottage style ranch. My husband had the house before we met, and I have to admit that I fell in love with the house and especially the kitchen before I fell in love with my husband. Every countertop, cabinet, and appliance is authentic to the house with the exception of the refrigerator and even includes an elevator oven. Walking into the kitchen brings back many childhood memories from the 50’s.
The house just has so much character – definitely not cookie-cutter. The LR is long and narrow and has three large floor to ceiling windows that are most likely precursers to sliding doors. Oh, and lots of archways for a little house.
The outside of the house has the wide clapboards and is painted the typical New England white with green shutters and, of course, a green roof to match the shutters.
It definitely is modest home, but cute, warm, and fun.
I love our 1950’s house.