Are you ready? It's long!
This house has always been known as the Doctor's House. When we moved in in 1992, all we had to do when we met anyone new, was say we lived in the Doctor's House and they all knew where it was. We used to sit on our front porch and watch young people ride horses to the post office, tie them up, and go in to get the mail. In the winter, snowmobiles went roaring down the road late at night. And how we laughed and enjoyed it's quaintness. But in the last few years, farmer's fields are being turned into subdivisions. It's become a highly desirable area. It's only 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids and 10 minutes from a huge mall and all the restaurants you could ever want, and here we are still in a farming community. The problem is the new people don't know the history of the township or even care to find out. They don't know about the Doctor's House. The majority of them think they live in a neighboring town because that is the post office and school system they use, so their address reflects that. I sometimes think of the Jay Walkers on Jay Leno when I talk to them. How can you not know the name of the town you live in, your fire department, your library, and where you must go to vote? Anyway that's another subject.
My previous house was a Spanish-style ranch. We had it built and it was beautiful. In-the-ground pool, two fireplaces, and a courtyard with native shade plants, but it wasn't me. I grew up in an old house, and the house before that one was old. I was proud of the new house, but I never really felt quite comfortable there.
I used to go by a Dutch Colonial on my way home from work and think, now that's what I really want. It was on a small city lot with a one stall garage, not attached. No, I'd think I'd like a bigger yard for my gardens, but I still like living in a city setting, not country. Where could you find a yard like that in a city? I went out of my way some days to drive by and dream. We weren't thinking of moving at all and I never told my husband about my dream.
One day, he said, "Did you see the paper today? There's an open house in the country. Look at this place. What are we doing Wednesday night? Let's go look!"
We never went to an open house for fun or curiosity in our life! But it was summer and a nice country drive. When we arrived, the place was a zoo -- cars everywhere, people all over the place. Later we were told over 80 people went through. The Realtor said it was the social highpoint of the year for the town. Everyone wanted to get inside. It was "excuse me, pardon me" all the way through the 22 rooms. We loved it, but I started to have a sick feeling at the same time thinking, my husband is going to make me move. Even though I'd had the dreams, I still had not told him, and I was really afraid to shake up my life again.
We talked to the Realtor, signed a guest list, and went home talking about all the things we could do to it -- then promptly forgot about it as being too far out of town, etc, etc.
Two weeks later the Realtor called and said "Of all the people I talked to, you were the ones I thought would call back; there was a light in your eyes." We said thanks, but no thanks. But then we couldn't stop talking about it. Every night in the dark before bed and every day over supper we would dream. I then confessed my daydreams and showed him the house I had been looking at. It was a carbon copy, white Dutch Colonial EXCEPT the country house was a double Dutch, 2-3 times as large, had a three stall garage and 1 acre of property! Suddenly it dawned on me, that this was not just Happenstance, but a true gift from God. Everything I wanted and more!
We took another look at the house, made an offer , and they agreed to take it off the market for one month while we tried to sell our house -- unheard of!
We sold our house in three weeks! Again unheard of at that time, like now, houses were taking 1-2 years to sell.
So that's my story. I named the house Happenstance House, because if it weren't for the ad placed in an unusual spot in the paper, we would never had seen it. But we always knew it was more than happenstance that brought us here. It was truly a gift, and I have always been grateful.
Here are photos of the parlor to the right of the front entrance.
Please check out my other blogs at:
Thyme for Herbs
An Herbal Bedfellow
Tickling the Ivories
8 comments:
More interesting nooks and crannies. Such a wonderful home, and what memorable history. Are you sure you want to leave?
What a wonderful story about the name and how you found it! Obviously meant to be. Do you have the same feel about where you are headed now? I know what you mean about an area changing and losing the cozy feel it started with. People seldom see their neighbors any more and there isn't that "sit on the porch" feeling. Very little sense of history anywhere, as new homes spring up full of people who are always in a hurry, or who sit around their TVs and computers all the time....ooops....that seems to be me at the moment :-) Time to go live my life a bit! Look forward to more posts.
You have so many beautiful things, I can't think of the fact you're going to sale some of those beautiful decor.
Hugs
Sue
Becky, I am sure I do not want to leave but this is a decision that had to be made. Family, health and just plain getting older.
Mary, I am not at all excited about where we are heading. Maybe I will be when I actually find a house. Right now, I can't imagine what it will look like or where exactly iy will be. That's the tough part.
Sue, The sale started on Saturday and many beautiful things left. But I am keeping anything that is sentimental, so it didn't hurt too bad. In two weeks we'll sell some more. Watch for the next post to see the mess I'm in now.
Janie Marie,
In your last post there is a tray with some kinda of needlework---it is on the teal colored sofa in the center--I'm interested.
have a question? would it decrease the value of my cherry corner pcs--if I paint the inside to be able to see my blue-willow better. Maybe a very soft pink. (blush)
Sue
Sue, I think you are looking at a framed tapestry. It's propped up on a sofa covered with a green sheet that we aren't selling. It's a very old (not sure of the age) tapestry of Edwardian women in a garden. Price $35.00
Painting furniture is always a risk monetarily and I always advise against it unless the piece is really in bad shape. Every book or article I've ever read says do not paint, strip, or stain. But I must admit to refinishing oak because it doesn't sell here in Michigan unless it looks like new. I understand what you are trying to accomplish. It's sometimes hard to see glassware on dark wood. But some woods suck the paint up like a sponge and you can't get it out totally from that point on. Basically, it's up to you; it's your furniture and if you think the piece is never leaving your house, and it makes you happy, then do it.
so many many beautiful things...
Hi again, I popped over to see your home and read it's story. I am making my way through, reading backwards, actually.
Do you have any thoughts where you'll move, or what type of home you'll look for next?
May I suggest to the lady above, Sue, who asked about painting, DON'T PAINT! Instead, cover a thin piece of plywood, or even sturdy cardboard with the color fabric you would choose to paint. Cut it almost the exact size as the interior, and simply set it inside. That way you've not damaged the original finish, plus you can change colors easily! I've done it and it works like a charm.
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