April 30, 2008

Treasures From The Old Green House

When I drive my daughter to school in the morn, I especially like this green house we pass along the way. It was built, maybe late 30's early 40's.



The house always has a light or two on, and it just feels "good". You can tell it is really loved. I always say, "Oh girls, I just love that house! Imagine what it was like when it was first built and none of these other places were around it".



A couple of weeks ago, my daughter said, "Mama, they left the door open". I said, "Oh, that is just the outside door honey. The front door is still closed". A couple of days later, she said it again, but this time I realized that the house was deserted. No lights, no one there, and that wonderful "feeling" was gone. Ends up, a new road is going to go right over that house, that will soon be flat. Just breaks my heart.



While driving home one day, I stopped at the house to see if there were any fliers, a for sale sign, anything at all, with no luck. I did some research and found that the owners have been the same since the 80's but live in MD and I can't find any other info about them. I know that the wife is over 100 years old and that is about it. I hope it isn't just bull dozed. There are so many beautiful architectural treasures inside. I saw them the day that I stopped as I peaked into the windows.



I also noticed that the back has an opening where people can get in, no doors or anything. There is another house on the same property that has been deserted for many years that is already a home for vandals. I noticed also that this home has now had paint thrown on a back wall and I fear what will happen if kids get inside and break all of the beautiful glass doors on the built in cabinets, etc. I just want to save it all!


I noticed in the backyard, a pile of trash that included some old smashed wood furniture. My husband got REALLY mad at me, because I took it upon myself to bring them home with me. I thought, I would rather take it and make it into something, use the parts, then let some bored kids smash it up some more.



One old headboard that I am sure I could create into something great. Just look at all of those lovely spindles...




Imagine the memories someone made while sitting in the chair....



One mans wood to smash, is another mans wood to create with...



This is just too awesome! The drawer works, I was able to get the old screws out of the top, and it will be very easy to find a piece of wood to put on top. This desk is now clean and shiny, has a wooden tray on top, and fits perfectly at the end of my kitchen island.


So, maybe I am bad, but I think I made the right call. I am keeping my eyes peeled for any people/workers. I would so love to be one to have the story of how, "Oh, I found this house they were tearing down and they let me take these columns, doors, etc". It does break my heart though that one can so easily tear down a beautiful old work of art, full of memories and once loved, only to be flattened to widen a road, that really does not need to be widened. Probably the future home of a convenient store or gas station, cause Lord knows we need another one of those....


Take care!


Rhonda...

2 comments:

Alison Gibbs said...

Well you did find some treasuers there. Like you said better you take it than have some kids smash it to pieces.
Alison

Anonymous said...

Oh Rhonda...you go girl! You definitely did the right thing...as that old saying goes...it's not the things we do that we regret but the things we don't do...these treasures would have ended up as landfill..and now they'll have a new life...and a little piece of the previous owners life will live on...now...you must do something with them! and share the results! Love Christine