Since I have several underpaintings started right now, I have nothing of interest to post. Maybe some other time, I'll show my entire painting process. But for right now I thought I would share where I paint from everyday. I've shown my indoor studio before. So here is the outside. We live in a 1924 Sears bungalow. It's the Crescent model and we still have the original blueprints. Since we are only the fourth owners, we're lucky that people always left the plans.Mr. Swanson built this house along with his brother in 1924. Some of our neighbors knew him from when they moved into the neighborhood in the 1960's. They say that he would put a smoke lamp in the window at cocktail hour. That meant everyone was invited over for one hour to imbibe before dinner. Mr. Swanson died in the front bedroom in 1970. The mailman noticed mail piling up.
But there are no ghosts here, only feelings of warmth. My guests never want to leave!
The coal chute
Original birdbath
Unfinished porch. Maybe in the spring (ha)
The sunroom. Where I paint.
Original pumps behind the garage. Yes, they still work!
16 comments:
Yours reminds me so much of the sweet Sears bungalow style house in Kansas City, MO, where we lived in the early 80s. I absolutely loved it. Comfortable, spacious floor plan and wonderful lines.
I love the notion of Mr. Swanson putting a lamp in the window for a gathering sign!
Beautiful house, Janelle.
Just lovely! A perfect place for an artist to reside...
Your home is so beautiful, especially in that pristeen, pretty snow. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I love it! How wonderful that you know about the past owners and some of the traditions that went on there. It's just lovely...I'm glad you shared it with us!
What a beautiful house! I love the Sears houses. Yours is exceptional. Thank you for sharing. It's amazing how much character could be found in a catalog house! Of course the builders could add their own personal touches!
Hi Janelle,
Your house is just lovely!! It is a perfect artist's home!! Thank you so much for showing it to us!!
What a wonderful home and history! You are very lucky to live there and I hope you and your loved ones continue to fill it with happy memories.
Looks like you have a fantastic art space as well!
This is a wonderful post! I love seeing a little bit more of you through your home and your sharing. When I was three we moved into a house in Palos Heights that had a coal shute, I have vague memories of my dad shoveling all the coal out and turning the room into a store room.
What a beautiful house! -I never quite understand why people want a new house--when the old ones have glass doorknobs and things like coal shutes and water pumps! I guess the old houses are lucky to have people like you and I who appreciate them (very much)! Thanks for sharing your photos with us. :)
Beautiful photography! There is something about a snow covered landscape, even though we all now long for spring by now.
You have a lovely home and your studio must be so tranquil.
The painting in the post below took my breath away! Stunning!
Thank you so much for your kind visit and words,
xo
Zuzana
Hello. And Bye.
Hi Willow, You lived in a Sears bungalow too? I would love to hear all about it. Maybe the subject for a post on your blog!
Hi Susan, Thanks for stopping by and your kind comment!
Hi Marion, Yes, the snow puts everything in such a good light, doesn't it?
Hi Betsy, We're lucky to know a lot of the neighbors who knew Mr. Swanson. It's fun hearing about the history of this house.
Hi Neetzy, We live in a railroad town, which is probably how the materials came - by train. And yes, the builders could add on. The sun room wasn't in the original Crescent plans. I'm glad Mr. Swanson decided to add it.
Hi Manon, I have to admit this house appealed to the artist in me when we bought it. I became an artist in this house. Thanks!
Hi Melinda, My little sun room is my refuge. I can shut the French doors, turn up the music and paint. Everyone usually leaves me alone, ha!
Hi Pam, That's so cool that you remember your dad shoveling coal out to make into a store room. As a three year old, it was probably fascinating. I didn't now you were from Illinois!
Hi Celeste, I agree with you on old houses! The older, the better. ( Even though we had to make major improvements ) Guess we're just not new house people!
Hi Zuzana, Thanks for your visit and kind words. I've been enjoying your blog for a while now. Always look forward to what you have to say, which is always interesting!
What a pretty house, thank you for posting it. It's always so helpful to see where people live and work to me.
thank you,
Joan
Hi Janelle,
Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I love homes from the Craftsman era and yours is a real beauty. I can sense the warmth and understand why guests don't want to leave.
A true artist's home.
Hi Joan, I know I enjoyed it when your studio was being built. Maybe, if I'm lucky, someday I can show the same thing!
Hi Kathleen, Thanks so much. Yes, the Craftsman era has bitten me. Believe it or not, I used to try to decorate this place with Queen Ann colonial. It just didn't go. So we completely redecorated in Craftsman pieces and it made a huge difference.
janelle,
you have a beautiful bungalow...
enjoyed the visit with you in this blog...
it, sure, will make you more and more creative...
all the best...
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