The truth about living in an old house built in 1891:
1. Nothing is truly straight. Floors slant a little or a lot. The wood on the edge of the porch roof is slightly bowed after many years, therefore we can’t get the gutters to align with the roof. Ditto for the gutters at the back of the house. You can also stand on the hill behind the house and see how the roofline slants to the left.
2. Foundations can be troublesome. The foundation under the kitchen is settling a bit too much. See note about roofline above.
3. Not nearly enough closet space. in 1891, they just didn’t need the closet space that we seem to need. They used wardrobes back then. Consequently, my husband and I share a closet that is unbelievably tiny. You don’t want to see it. And our one closet downstairs – also very tiny – is the only space we have for coats. We cram our heavy winter coats in there. When summer comes, we pack them all up and put them in a bin that is stored in the shed. Because we don’t have any spare room for coats, scarves, gloves and hats.
4. Basements can be dark and scary. Our basement is very small and must be entered from the outside. It has one of those doors like the one Dorothy tries to open when the tornado hits in The Wizard of Oz. The walls are made of the same big stones that were used for the foundation of the house. We have to go down there to check the boiler and the oil tank and most recently, the hot water heater. The basement runs under the living room. The floor under the kitchen and den is dirt. That can make for a musty smell at certain times of the year.
5. Room shape and placement can be quirky. Our den is sunken. Even though it’s right off the living room, you have to go down two steps to enter it. It’s Riley’s favorite room so that means a lot of time is spent helping him up and down the stairs. The room directly above the den, which is the guest room/studio/office is also sunken. The kitchen was added on at some later date. It looks completely different from the other rooms in the house.
6. Stone foundations have holes: The stone foundation under the main part of the house is lovely to look at. Charming, even. But little critters find their way into little cracks in the mortar. I’m talking mice. As much as I hate having to do so, we have to employ a Pest Service every winter because these guys multiply fast.
7. Something always goes wrong. It just makes sense. The older the house, the more opportunity for things to go wrong. But I suspect those of you who live in new houses might also be dealing with “things going wrong.”
8. The very same things that can be irritating (see above) are part of it’s charm. Glass half empty/glass half full. I’ve never been interested in living in a new house. It’s just not my thing. Oh, every once in a while, I think it would be nice to not have to worry about shifting, sinking, not enough room, etc.
But, my house dwelling dreams (either rental or owned) have always involved an older home, full of character. Every home that Don and I have lived in has been old. This cottage? The funky room shapes, the sunken rooms, the stone foundation, the slanted floors….all of these contribute to it’s high level of Charming. The porch floor is slanted, but it’s made of bluestone. The floors are not level, but they’re made of wide-plank pine. The dogs’ nails scratch the floors, but they’re made of wide-plank pine. The kitchen doesn’t have enough cupboard space, but it has huge windows. Our bedroom is too small, but it has cozy, slanted, attic-haven walls. You have to walk down two steps to the den, but it seems tucked away and cozier because of it.
It’s all a matter of balance. Some days you’ll find me cursing the very things that drew me to this cottage. But most days, I love every inch of it.
Now if it was only worth what we paid for it in 2005.
Old houses have always held charm and intrigue for me. I have lived in a couple of them over the years and always they fascinate me with their history. New houses don’t have those characteristics.
What a great read today. I have always found your home perfectly charming, but knew what you were talking about. I use to live in a apartment above one of the founding stores in our town back in my single days. Each one of your point here brought back memories. The closet thing is right on. We are right in the middle now, which is just about right for me. But, we are entering that fix-it zone….it’s on thing after another. Have a charming weekend in your cottage.
beautiful post, perfectly written claudia. i agree with everything. our homes are almost twins, as mine was born in 1890! what is surprising to me is that with all the earthquakes this house as been through the brick foundation is so sound and strong. it’s amazing really. you can stand underneath the house, that’s how high it is and you would think that that would make it wobbly but it isn’t. i guess they really did build things better back in the day. and closets? don’t even get me started on them.
xo
janet
I also live in a very old house- the walls in the main part are actually huge logs stacked on top of each other and to put a window in was a nightmare–the walls and floors are not level or square- there are hardly any closets…I am the same as you-some days I curse it and some days I think I am so lucky to live there and imagine the lives of those that lived there before me. I do think it would be nice to have a basement without a dirt floor though :)
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful house. I love the porch the trees. It reminds me of the Waltons’ house.
We live in an old house too. It’s about 200 years old. A farmhouse (for poor people). The rooms are about 2 meters high, the rooms are small, the bathroom is an extention into the barn (built in the Seventies). The basement, a root cellar, spooky, I will show you next Thursday. Or maybe I will show you the stable for the pigs. Even more spooky.
But I LOVE our house because it is old, because it is a part of history, because I can feel the people who lived here before, because it is warm and cosy. And there is a walnut tree …
:-)
We purchased our home in late 2007 and I would hate to see how much we over-paid if we were to have it appraised today. We may need to spend the rest of our lives here just to make it worth our while.. LOL
The only thing that would truly bother me about an older home would be the lack of closet space… just such tiny closets years ago. Otherwise I think I could live in one. :-))
We live in a home that was built in the late 1800’s too. I believe it is now around 120 years old. I have lived with the same things you listed for 22 years. I also have bought wardrobes for the rooms which I ended up loving. 2 of the closets were re-done before we bought so we did have a couple of larger closets. I did not like NOT having a basement with a family room as we raised 3 kids here but other than that I have enjoyed all the charm of the house. Saying that, we are selling in the spring and will build a new home on 2 acres. I can’t wait. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4
I love old houses. My kitchen floor slants, the basement is musty and closets are pathetic but I love it anyway.
Old houses also have so much soul and charm. You house is beautiful Claudia – wish I lived in a hiuse like that.
Have a beautiful day.
xo Tina
What a cute post! Nothing is every quite as it seems when looking in from outside :)
Well Claudia, my house is 70 years younger than yours, so I am practically living in the space age in comparison. Although when we first married we lived in a 1920s house that had been converted from a general store. Nothing ever rotted on that house because it was made from tough cypress wood. The inside, well let’s just say it was an adventure for two 22 year olds with no experience.
Our house now, built in 1963 is a tough nut. Although the wood on the eaves is not as hardy, this house has stood the test of time and I believe outshines newer structures as far as durability. Our house is a 60s ranch so there isn’t much charm, but boy has this house been a blessing for us for almost 23 years now.
My next house will be an older one too, because they are just better!
Ann
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I think smaller homes are cozier and feel welcoming. Some of those Mc’mansions feel cold and museum-like….but I wouldn’t mind a bigger bedroom….Im just sayin’ ;O)
Blessings, Joanne
Great post! Our last house was an older one (though not as old as yours – it was built in the 50s). Anyway, those little quirky things are what I miss most. Our current house is only 6 years old but you would be amazed at the things you find when you try changing something up – you know to expect the unexpected in an older house, kinda ticks ya off when you find stuff that was not done right in a new house. (not that it doesn’t meet code, it does, but stupid stuff like light fixtures being 6 inces off center!)
And man. Do I miss my wood floors!
Finally getting some time to sit down. I didn’t realize your house was that old. It’s so beautiful! You know, have you tried making a little ramp for Riley out of plywood?
Brenda
You know I love your cottage home. It ‘s not the smaller dimensions, or the lack of all the ‘mod cons’, not even the quirky angles and off-kilter floors………….it all boils down to being a really warm and loving home to two people and their dog babies! People who are obviously caring, open and honest. Loving and intelligent. Creative and musical. People who would do almost anything for family and friends……..people I truly hope to meet in person one of these days.
Love you and your wide plank floors. Will you make room in the closet to hang my coat please Claudia? I may surprise you one of these days. Of course I’ll call first!!
Mary X
Oh, I’d love an older home with some personality! My house isn’t old and isn’t new, it’s in the middle and it’s a bit boring. No interesting windows or nooks or cozy corners. And, it’s needed plenty of fixing over the years! Your home looks very welcoming.
-Lynn
your house is just charming! the older the better, I say.
imagine all the life that has been in the house since the late 1800’s…wow!
Hi Claudia! Remember me..your old blog buddy from the past? lol I have been going back through my blog list checking up on everybody. A lot of people on my list no longer blog or, like me, still have the blog but just plain quit writing! I really don’t have any excuse except that for a time I had a lot of health problems. There really is a lot of work to blogging but also a lot of pleasure!
I am thinking about taking it up again but maybe not trying to post every day. I really miss blogging and my friends on here. Ironically, this post really struck a chord with me…old house love/woes! lol I still love your old house which is what drew me to your blog to start with!
So good to “see” you again and I’ll try to visit more often! Got a lot of reading to do to catch up! :)
Hugs,
Hope
I had to run over when I saw this come up, Claudia!
My sideboard in the front room appears slightly higher on the right side (because it is!). I would never want to live in a new home. The newest house we’ve lived in was built in the 60s and that seemed “new” to us.
Old houses are the best for this heart too.
xoxo~Tracie
You have been crossing my mind a lot as I’ve had dreams from loved ones on my mind and what a blessing it is. You know ;)
Such a sweet post about your home and its charm! We lived in an older home and spent many years restoring it. I often longed to live in a new home. Now, I live in a new home and cannot wait to be back in an older home, even with the quirks and frustrations! What I miss most about my old house were the windows with wavy glass. Old glass cannot be duplicated. There is something so magical about it.
Ouch! That last line was a zinger! I haven’t investigated the “new worth” of our house. It’s not like we’re going anywhere. Old houses are such a big lesson in acceptance. I’d pick old over new any day. I wouldn’t want a cookie cutter house. Your place looks and sounds just full of romance.
As a lover of old houses, I really enjoyed this post. Our home was built in 1830 and boy do I know about spooky cellars and slanting floors. But we love the old place…it has history we never could find in a new house. Your home is just perfect!!!
Hugs,
Cheryl
I LOVE old houses, even if they do have their challenges. Our little house was built before people thought they needed such big closets and bathrooms too, but we manage just fine. Luckily I am not one of those people who need 200 pairs of shoes. (actually I don’t think anyone needs that many shoes… but don’t get me started)
I just left a note on one of your other posts, but I have to write again! I agree with everything you say about old homes! Our foundation is also large blocks of stone and yes, critters get in (right now we have a stray kitty under the house and have to figure out what to do with her). We too, have dirt-floor crawl spaces under certain portions of the house. You can’t stand up in the cellar (well, I can because I’m only 5 feet tall). All the floors slant. But … we have wide baseboards, detailed trim, true wood doors (not hollow core), two-over-two windows with separate pieces of glass – not one piece of glass with cheap plastic inserts to make the windows look like they’re divided. Many of my friends with newer homes actually have more problems with their houses because they’re poorly constructed with cheap product. So, I’m quite happy with my funky little house with all its quirks. I love your blog!