Tuesday, October 26, 2010

It's a Matter of Opinion

I realize there are a lot of people who don't appreciate care for homes built in the late 1700s or early 1800s.  That's okay by me.  However, when you do live in one of these homes would you feel a duty to preserve the integrity of the period?


Look at this dear little family.  They live in a 1760s Vermont farmhouse.  Let's go inside:


Uh, what colour is that mantel?!

The lovely old horizontal wainscoting (I have some myself) and the windows, all the woodwork is yellow!!!

I would need sunglasses to work in that kitchen.  Seriously.
The soft furnishings are lovely.  But in this type of home?

I am shocked and appalled by the colour of that wood work.  Shocked and appalled I tell you.

How about you, Gentle Readers?  Is this all right with you or should the colour and furnishings be more in keeping with the age and style of the house?  Inquiring minds want to know.


All photos were taken from the October 2010 issue of Country Living. Perhaps they were just dressing up the house for halloween?

12 comments:

Unknown said...

I like old houses and I like them when they're old inside too!

Unknown said...

Yeah, gives me a headache, and seriously, how could you possibly keep it clean with those little munckins?!

Anonymous said...

I am a fan of a pop of yellow but this is a little too much for me. However, I have no issue with them modernizing their old home.

Artful Gathering said...

Nope don't like it a bit! I am actually quite unhappy with Country Living magazine as of late. It seems they are not hitting my ideal of country living any longer with the type of "Country" decorating they are featuring. Unless they change their ways I will NOT be renewing my subscription.

An Urban Cottage said...

You may be shocked to hear that I love it. It somehow feels historical with a twist. Is a twist on ochre...yes, perhaps a little bit of a French's mustard twist but they've stayed true with the basics, the windows, the paneling, painted floors...why not have a little fun with the paint color. Could I live with it? No way! But I'm envious of the guts it took to pull it off.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I wouldn't like it myself, but have no problem with paint changes, they're so easily changed back...I don't like it though, when a period house is structurally changed into a modern house~ why not just buy a modern house?

Anonymous said...

I don't quite know yet...I like the fact that they made the house their own and I really like that they have kept all the original historical features. If it's just paint they used to acheive their quirky artsy look, then that is okay. It would be absolutely horrible to me if they removed any of the original features. I couldn't live with it but I love when people make their homes their own. I think historical properties should remain as accurate as possible.
I couldn't imagine living with all the bright yellow!
Fun post!

Makeminemidcentury said...

You are shocked, Deb. When I saw that family, I thought, 'Aren't they the cutest?' ... and then I read your horror at their yellow treatment.

The yellow does smart the eyes a bit ... but you know what? They're a young family, I think that yellow would brighten the children's day and they'll always remember the fun times they had in the kitchen!

You can always strip that paint off ... which I'm sure they'll do at some point.

You'd better have a lie-down, Deb.

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

I like it, although that yellow might be a little too intense for me. It looks like the structure is all there and it's just paint that makes it so bright. I personally love that juxtaposition of different styles and eras as long as it mixes well.

Anonymous said...

LOL!

I like it. I think it keeps the old house alive...makes a home and not a museum. I know, I'm terrible, aren't I?

Forgive me??
-FringeGirl

Janet said...

Interesting: I got that copy of CL and set it aside without this story even making an impression on me. I'm tired of CL and even tired of Early American Life and I'm speaking from the vantage point of an historical purist who lives in a mainly unrestored 1820's house.
What never ceases to amaze me is that young families with kids to clothe house and feed could possibly have the disposable income to follow current decorating trends - the french feed sack pillows - the bright pink wellies, the french seating furniture and on and on.
I must admit to having painted my master bedroom wooden floor a wild shade of pink as a newlywed. My most recent floor colour has been grey! Matches my hair!

Jemjoop said...

Hmm it's definitely not to my taste. But I do appreciate that the paint is removeable and can be restored to original woodwork. I have a harder time with people that rip out existing period features and add modern trends or awful IKEA disposable furniture.