For starters, I'm going to replicate The Winchester Mystery House for my own blogland house. I visited the house in San Jose when I was a little girl, and I loved it, I got it, I completely understood it, and I also understood that while Sarah may have been eccentric, I don't think she was crazy. She was just rich enough to do exactly what she wanted. At least that's the feeling I got, despite what the guide was telling me.
Of course, I will start with a replica-we'll just leave Sarah's house as it was when she died. In real life, my own house has been in a constant state of flux since I moved in. Going from bigger to smaller is great in theory, but harder to do in practice. But, enough of that reality stuff.
See that rounded section behind the Palm tree? The lower floor is a nice open airy sitting room, comfortable no matter what the season. All the couches and chairs are on rollers, to make reconfiguring for conversations, dining, etc. a snap. Pull up a couch and stretch out for awhile, or take a nap. Lots of windows for napping in the sun, just don't disturb the cat-she doesn't like it.
People who spend time here tend to claim a chair or couch for their own-and if you walk by, you can almost feel their presence. Human Being's chair is the overstuffed, comfy one with a blanket tossed over the back. We miss her when she's not here.
The upper floor of the turret is set up for creativity! There is a writing nook, art supplies, tables, a sink and over in the corner-a trash chute, making clean up a lot less annoying for both artist and maid. Instead of a solid door, there is a screen door that invites people in-along with a cat door mid way up. Some door is needed or the dogs would have art supplies strewn everywhere, but it's in everyone's best interest to allow the cat free, uninterrupted passage to the big bank of windows.
It's a big house, we'll continue the tour later. Welcome to the neighborhood!
