...and why it's not as cool as you think it is.
When people find out that my home is a farmhouse that was built around the year 1900, they say something about how awesome that must be. While I am very grateful for my home, I do not think that people who live in newer homes quite know what living in a century-old home might be like. So I'm here to tell you the truth. In reality, living in an old home, you might find that all of a sudden, your plaster walls start falling into pieces. (That poster has hung on that wall since my childhood, but I'm afraid to take it off, for fear of worsening the hole).
Also, don't be alarmed by the knick-knacks on this furnace. Because the furnace doesn't work. Years ago, this is how the upstairs of our house was heated, then we took the pipe that fueled it off the house when we were putting vinyl siding on the house...so, the upstairs has no source of heat at all. For that reason, we seal the top floor off and don't use it from November-May every year, because it's too cold!
This is our upstairs bathroom--yep, that's how small it is. Don't worry, that door isn't even a normal sized door...it's like half of a normal sized door. My hips barely fit through it.
And our basement resembles a dungeon. This is as far as I dare go before turning back and returning to the world of daylight and joy. I'm not fond of dungeons.
So, that's what living in an old house might look like. To be fair, the state of our house is infinitely better than when my family first moved in when I was a baby. I remember neon blue and puke green carpeting and tons of linoleum. Now, thanks to the investment of my parents, we have wood floors and normal carpeting....and plumbing and electricity that actually works. Stuff like that isn't to be taken for granted in an old house! The main floor of our house is really quite livable, and that's where we stay most of the time, so that works well for us!
I didn't mention all of the outbuildings that are in the process of falling down...but that's to be expected. Just don't enter said buildings if you care at all for your life, health, and bones. They really are quite picturesqe.
Our house was built in 1930s and we love the character it exudes. In one of the rooms, a little part of the olden day gas lamp still remains and we have intricate pressed steel embossments on the ceilings. We love it but yes, definitely comes with some down sides of being old.
wow, your basement looks INTERESTING!
My husband and I almost bought a farm house that was built in 1905. It need a lot of work. It would be a GEM if we had the money at the time 5 years ago. Instead we invested in an newer home built in 1994. There are some perks of the newer homes. The noise isn't as blocked out compared to the old home I grew up in.
It's so cool that you are in the house you grew up in.
Old houses are beautiful and already a lot of work. My sister used to live in a house built in the 1910s and it seemed like something always needed to be repaired.
My friend used to have a basement just like that. I house sat for them one time and I HATED going down there, but for some reason they kept their washer/dryer and dog food down there. It makes me think of the creepy basement in Home Alone with the scary furnace!
My friend used to have a basement just like that. I house sat for them one time and I HATED going down there, but for some reason they kept their washer/dryer and dog food down there. It makes me think of the creepy basement in Home Alone with the scary furnace!
I am a little terrified of your basement....hahah!
This was really funny! I actually LOVE it! I would definitely check that basement out! Loved your blog! Actually, I have a giveaway going on right now and I think you are REALLY going to like it! You can win your favorite article of clothing from Mentirosas (an online store)! It's super easy to enter... You should definitely participate;)!
This is the link, if you're interested: Instant Milk giveaway link
Come by soon!
xx
Love it! When I was in Germany, my family lived in an old farmhouse. It was certainly an experience. Your basement is kind of creeping me out though... just saying ;)
despite all the drawbacks you describe, i still think it'd be a fun challenge. our city is full of houses that are mostly 80-100 years old. we're in a far-more-modern (dates from the 1960s?) apartment, but i'd love to fix up an old, old house someday!
living in old house would be quite adventurous. :)
xo
purposelyathome.blogspot.com
That first picture of y'all is priceless! I would HAVE to have that blown up. I love old houses. They have so much more character.
I love that photo! Just hilarious : )
bisous
Suzanne
I grew up in a very old farmhouse. I know just what you mean! It was freezing in the winter and hot as heck in the summer. Creaky floors and doors. Drafty windows. Old houses are cool but a lot of work!
i think people say old homes are so pretty because of the exterior and the POTENTIAL the interior has - I have to say, we built a brand new home and it's nice not having to worry about the plumbing and just enjoying the fact everything is brand.spankin.new...HOWEVER, brand new homes just don't have the charm that older homes have. I guess it all depends on if you have THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of dollars to fix the interior up. lol. it's still pretty though - and so are you my friend!
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