My good friend Wordgirl, in addition to having a lovely, biting essay on passing of Jane Wyatt and the role of women in 60's sitcoms, has invited us all to show off our front doors. This is a lovely extension to Laura's recent invitation to do a photographic essay of where we live. As a bonus, Stacy took us inside the front door, so I think I'll do that, too.
In many homes, the front door is where guests are welcomed. That rarely - in fact, never - happens in our house. Here's our front door ...
There's no canopy above it, which I think is a shame - I think a porch across the front would make a more welcoming entrance. That's part of our long range plan for the house - find a design that is architecturally authentic and will enhance, rather than disrupt, the rather austere lines of the front elevation.
But it's a lovely old farm house built in 1864, and the front door wasn't for much more than show back then. Things haven't changed much ...
Anybody who comes to our house drives right past the front door, to a large parking area in back ... and this entrance ...
I built the deck - won an award for it, too, thank you very much. The door opens into a small mud room. To the left, my office - in fact, my monitor is directly behind the middle window there. To the right is the main house, specifically, the family room. You can see that window ...
... on the left side of this picture ...
This is the most-used room in the house. This picture is taken from the country kitchen, and doesn't show the TV to the right. It does show the wood stove, and beside it the Dutch door leading up to the servant's quarters - or as we like to call it, "Allie's Room".
On a cold winter's night, you don't get much more cosy than this room ...
... unless it's this room.
This is the front parlour. When we have parties, this is where the music kicks in. It's also got a big wood stove, and a bay window that looks out over the front lawn, with a seat in the window that is perfect for curling up in and reading when the winter winds are howling.
If you were to come into our house via the front door - and as I say, nobody does - this is the first room you would encounter.. It's warm and welcoming and feels just right for entertaining ... but it's also a nice place to sit, late at night, and watch the fire flicker in the stove.
There's not much I don't love about this house.
Your house seems absolutely lovely...looks like lots of comfy places.
Posted by: Sandy | October 25, 2006 at 01:16 AM
Too charming for words! I'm so glad you played. Actually, strangers, solicitors, and people getting to know us for the first time come by the front. Also...whichever kid parks his car closest to the front door. All other family and friends (as well as the residents of the house) use the side door that opens into the kitchen. I may have to post those pictures next.
I just love old housese. Ours was built in 1948...you've got us beat in that respect. Wood floors. Moulding. Quirky stuff. I really love our house...and yours.
Posted by: wordgirl | October 25, 2006 at 01:34 AM
your house looks gorgeous. and i love the coffee table in the front parlor.
Posted by: Gora_Kagaz | October 25, 2006 at 02:16 AM
Yeah, it's a cool lil table, Gora. Not sure if people can tell from the pics, but it's essentially done to look like three big hardcover books piled on top of one another. There's a giant drawer that is perfect for holding quilts for cuddling.
The covers of the books have titles, of course, and here I don't know what was going through the minds of the company that makes these tables. The main visible title is "The Catterberg Tales" What, were they expecting to get sued by the estate of Geoffrey Chaucer? It rankles me.
Sadly, Roxy as a puppy did a bit of a number on the corners of the books, so they're - uh - dog-eared.
Posted by: Nils | October 25, 2006 at 02:44 AM
I love the fact that you use the term Parlour. And you won an award for your deck? What type of award? A wood award?
Posted by: William | October 25, 2006 at 09:45 AM
I noticed exactly what that table was, and I LOVE it. I also love that little pointy window on the top floor.
Posted by: candace | October 25, 2006 at 09:51 AM
So that's why you wouldn't take Ty out through the front door. Very cool photos! Love the coffee table, I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
What a warm, wonderful house!
Posted by: Laura | October 25, 2006 at 09:57 AM
Laura, I actually had to take Roxy out through the front door when Ty was at her most protective - Roxy was too wussy to face the snarling, barking dog hidden behind the door in my office, so she balked at going out the back door. Ty and Roxy have not bonded. Another reason why we think Ty will be much happier in another home, once all this is said and done.
I'm half-kidding about the award, William. My deck was named "Best New Deck on the Island" (in the "small" category) by the lumber company I bought the wood from, but I can't imagine there were hundreds or even dozens of entries in that specific year. Still, it's an "award-winning deck", and I built it myself. You don't get a sense of it from the pics - it's four levels and includes a split cellar door. It works for the house.
Posted by: Nils | October 25, 2006 at 10:14 AM
Your wood stove and parlor look so comfy warm.
Our neighbors have relatives who live in Nova Scotia. Their last trip back home, they returned with a lobster trap. It occupies a space in their side yard in a display pile similar to yours.
They've had to tell its history several times to folks who live here in Illinois.
I recognized yours because of theirs.
Posted by: MrsDoF | October 25, 2006 at 10:54 AM
As I drive by Chez Ling twice a day (or presumed I did), I often wondered where exactly you lived. I mean really, how confusing can it be given the smallness of Paradise. Now I know - the blue door is like a beacon.
Posted by: Craig Willson | October 25, 2006 at 07:44 PM
What a lovely home, Nils! I love the wood paneling and floors. It does look very cozy and warm.
Posted by: CircusKelli | October 25, 2006 at 10:26 PM
I'm smitten with the wood stove room. That looks like just my kind of place.
Posted by: kalki | October 26, 2006 at 12:41 AM
Oh, lovely! It's pretty much the way I imagined it, and I'm not surprised you love it. Right down to the "dog-eared" book covers. :-)
Posted by: Ortizzle | October 27, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Your house is great but I don't believe that you won an award for that deck. Maybe you better come down here and show us some of those deck building skills...
And by saying this I am NOT at all trying to get you to build my deck, I'd never do anything like that.
Posted by: The Kept Woman | October 27, 2006 at 03:42 PM
Hello,
I just bought the table in the picture. I live in Disvovery Bay, Ca. Can you give me any Idea if it is worth anything.
Michael
Posted by: Michael | February 16, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Michael, the table is probably worth what you paid for it. I love it, and people always compliment it, but I don't know that it has inherent value beyond retail.
Posted by: Nils | February 17, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Hi, so my wife just found the same table on the street in Boston as well as a matching side table! What's the retail value and is it leather that's covering it or something else? The side table has "Around the World" as the title (I guess adding the 80 days would have Jules Verne a little upset) :-)
Posted by: Michel | June 02, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Hi there,
I just bought the same table and matching end tables and whilst desperately hoping to find out that "the Catterberg tales" was in fact a book (and brilliant) I ran across your page to find that it isn't, wasn't and at least someone else out there immediately thought of Chaucer. What a lovely home you have and how wonderful that the internet is around crush my vain hopes and subsequently lead me into your adorable abode.
Cheers!
Posted by: Kristin | September 06, 2009 at 06:16 AM
Looks like a great home. Love the wood floors.
Posted by: stove pipe | November 23, 2009 at 01:02 PM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed. Really a nice post here!
Posted by: stove pipe | February 08, 2010 at 12:22 PM
PLease contact me about the Catterberg Tales coffee table. We have one but it's falling apart and we want to purchase another. Any leads as to where we could find a replacement? Thanks.
Jack & Linda
Swampscott, MA
[email protected]
6/1/2010
Posted by: Jack | June 01, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Oh you are an enabler. I pointed these out to DH and he said that Hanukkah isn't that far, Maybe if I waited they might show up. I can wait. Maybe.
Ooooo! Thanks! I have been looking for just this thing!! I am going to order right now!!! Bye!
Posted by: viagra online | August 31, 2010 at 03:16 PM
Yeah, your front door could use a canopy. The front of your house looks a bit flat, don't you think? I had the same problem before, until I replaced our doors with steel. They added texture and character to the house, which is something that our neighbors have been trying to imitate. Btw, the back of your house looks better. I love the furniture!
Posted by: Candie Rossler | March 17, 2011 at 01:51 AM
i was here in another live with other wife
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