Houses are fascinating, especially old houses. In my mind, I go inside the house and reclaim it. I shore up sagging beams, put new shingles on the roof, paint walls and ceilings, lay hardwood floors. A fireplace goes in, if it is possible. If the house already has a fireplace, well and good; however, the mantel must be of beautiful wood, perhaps a re-purposed article from a church.
I have a Pinterest board that features houses with character. If you like houses too, please come and take a look. https://www.pinterest.com/blanchemanos/houses-with-character/
Sunlight must brighten every room of the house. Lots of windows, pale yellow rooms, light, tie-back curtains. Nothing heavy or dark in the house.
Most of all, though, love has to live within my house. It shelters a family who cares for each other, people who would rather be home than anywhere else. It is a happy, contented place.
Houses are important in each of my cozy mysteries. Darcy and Flora have moved to a new house but they have kept their old house in Levi. Ned McNeil has inherited a wonderful old house. Hopefully, as readers read these books, they can see the kind of houses in which these plucky ladies live.
The cover of Moonlight Can Be Murder features a partial picture of a house similar to Ned’s. I like that cover: old, inviting house, snow, Christmas decorations and, of course, a cat.If you’d like to check it out for yourself,click on the link and see what pops up.
Do you notice that all of us ‘older’ folks love old houses?
As we grow older, we like the places that remind us of old times gone by. Thanks for writing, Sharon.
Love the old homes! My favorite are white, 2-story homes, which remind me of our home in Blackwell. Abandoned homes make me sad because they look sad. They no longer have a family to protect, laughter to hear, and memories to share.
I agree. I remember your house in Blackwell too and always thought it was pretty.