An 1886 House. So, why not a 2015 House?
I collect vintage magazines regarding architecture and interior design. I like seeing how houses looked way back when, and not just decor but kitchens and baths and boilers and dumbwaiters and hardware and the whole bit.
A particular favorite is Scientific American, Architects & Builders Edition. Each edition, at least the early editions, are only nominally about architecture. Sigh. These “special” editions consist of the regular magazine but with a double-page color insert, and another insert showing details seemingly drawn on vellum. Pretty cool, but I yearn for more.
It is quite difficult finding early editions with the inserts still in situ. Inserts are, understandably, easily lost over time. And of late, people buy editions of the magazine with intact inserts, and sell the inserts on eBay. This should certainly be a crime.
I find almost all new housing in America to be ugly. Often ugly to an extreme.
Yet, I never ever ever come across a building which I find ugly before, say, WWII.
What is so curious is that, today, I type these words on a GORGEOUSLY-designed Mac computer. My calls are made on a GORGEOUSLY designed iPhone. IKEA and TARGET have for several decades offered good design combined with low prices. And I would KILL for a lusciously-designed Tesla sedan.
In short, we value beauty today as much as we valued beauty in 1886. But why do we demand beauty in our smart phones and computers and housewares and sheets…yet accept ugly housing?
This, I just don’t get. And the awareness vexes and depresses me.
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You are so right Ross. Is there any information how the Cross house looked when they lived there?
Hi Ken,
To my bitter disappointment, I have zero interior images of the Cross House during its occupation by Susan and Harrison Cross.
Indeed, I have zero interior images until the 1970s! Quite vexing!!!!!!
I totally agree with you, Ross. Cheers!
Very interesting post and I am in total agreement with your views on new houses. “Open concept” drives me wild….I mean who wants to sit in the living room with guests (or not) and look at the mess that inevitably shows up in the kitchen? or the dog’s bowls? or the laundry?
I’ve always wondered this too! Do you think this is because most houses today are built by contractors and houses in the past we’re more usually designed by architects?
I just stumbled across this post. This house is so lovely! It feels rather modern for it’s time. The inglenook by the fireplace in the living room was way ahead of the trend.
I do find the split front doors a bit odd. I would think guests would either think the house is a duplex or be unsure which door to knock on.