Recently I roamed around a small town populated with about 4000 residents. I was looking for some representative homes that were mostly small in size, early 1900s, colorful, and had various plants around their front yard. I found these four homes that were fairly close to what I was looking for. I call them granny houses as they reminded me of the graphic storybook homes that were featured in the books I used to read to my children when they were young.
This small town has not been touched by a lot of of development -- thankfully. The town's commercial strip is made up of older buildings -- many one storied -- and all of different design and materials.
Most of the houses in the town are individualistic from each other with lots of rural character. Some need a little TLC but most are kept up very nicely.
Weeds don't have a bad reputation in this town. They live together with many different types of plants. Overall I felt like I was viewing a storybook town. One that appreciates its housing history.
The red house reminds me of my great grandparents' home, that eventually had the lean to for firewood converted to an enclosure, where the canned goods were stored. I'm talking home canned goods--peaches, cherries, tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteJoanne -- Ahh -- so your great grandparents converted their enclosure primarily for their canned goods. That is probably what this granny house used their enclosure for. And just maybe perhaps for a small wood stove to heat water to wash their clothes or maybe also to store wood? Fun to imagine. thanks -- barbara
DeleteNicely done. I like them all.
ReplyDeleteTabor -- thanks for the nice comment. I had fun putting this together -- barbara
DeleteThese small houses are very charming.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- I think they are great houses to live simply in -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteI love it...a far cry from modern "little boxes"...I would like to live in one of these...What a lovely search you had...
ReplyDeleteRita -- I am with you -- I wanted to walk up to the door of some of these houses and ask if they would be selling their house soon as I wanted to buy it. Of course that was only in my dreams would I be bold enough to do that. thanks barbara
DeletePS Lovely mosses on that top photo...soft, luscious nature...
ReplyDeleteRita -- a giant river in Oregon near Swisshome where I lived in a cute small house for a little while. Moss grows on many natural rocks and trees around here -- it is lovely. Here there are many different types of mosses that are fun to discover. thanks -- barbara
DeleteYour new header is one of your most beautiful photographs!
ReplyDeleteI love these "granny" houses. My favorite is the second even though it has the least attractive yard. It has a porch for drinking lemonade and listening to granny read Tom Sawyer while kids work on a jigsaw puzzle ... I suppose those days are gone but these houses all say comfort and coziness.
June -- Thank you for complimenting my header. I took the photo in a natural wild area that maybe someday I will return to for more photos. Your scenario of granny and her grandchildren on the porch of the one house was very vivid as you imaged it. thanks -- barbara
DeleteWhat a nice concept, granny houses. And I love to think about who lives in each one, both now and when they were first built. Many years of life have been lived in them.
ReplyDeleteBarbara -- One's imagination is set free when it thinks about why and when granny houses were built. Plus perhaps all the transitions that have occurred within the houses in the last hundred years. And yet they are still standing proud. barbara
DeleteThese small homes are becoming popular again, I think. I saw many homes like this on my drive down the Oregon coast this past weekend. Summer cottages now, I suppose. Many oversized homes too.
ReplyDeleteMelissa -- How was the traffic along the coast? Last time I was there it was so crowded with traffic. But the coast offers such wonderful opportunities for photos. Hope you took lots as I always enjoy your work. -- barbara
DeleteI have a feeling that this is a town I would like. Weeds does not have a bad reputation with me either :-)
ReplyDeleteVisualnorway -- Nice to read your words that say that weeds don't bother you. Here in the states there are certain communities that have hostile feelings about having weeds. If you like "real" folks that are not into being politically correct you would like this little town. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteCharming houses! I especially like the blue one with lavender trim!
ReplyDeleteVicki -- Yes, the blue one caught my eye too even though it was larger than the others. I noticed that many of the granny houses had their trim in a contrasting color. thanks -- barbara
DeleteLove those houses! A friend of mine that I'm visiting this weekend in Long Beach, WA has a little house painted pink with trellises, etc. and a nicely tended garden. I'll get photos to share.
ReplyDeleteFor an older couple or single person they fit the bill. Less work and expense I think. thanks -- barbara
DeleteGranny houses is a new concept to me. I do have "grandmas" roses those which are winter hardy here in Minnesota...:)
ReplyDeleteDelightful....
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Luna Crone