We moved into this house at the beginning of June 1972 and it was the first and only house we owned. (photo from last fall)
The house was built in 1953 as a retirement house for a local farm couple and we bought it from their daughters after they passed away (he in 1965 and she in 1971). The stone on the outside is Crab Orchard stone from TN. It is a rare sandstone quarried from the Crab Orchard Mountain of the Cumberland Plateau. It is multicolor rust, tan, rose /pink, orange and brown. There were several ranch style houses built in my area in the1950s using this stone.
My house still has the original pink and green ceramic tile bathroom. This photo was taken in 2008 and what is really funny is that I have a bouquet of Peonies in it today too in that same vase. The window at the right is a reflection in the huge mirror on the wall over the vanity.
I put in hardwood floors in the kitchen and studio in 1995 and remodeled the kitchen in 2006 but not much else has changed. I don't have a back door. I have a front door or have to go through the garage and out the side door. I won't be spending any more big bucks on the house so I'll never have the back door of my dreams. I'm on the 3rd re-carpeting in the living room and the 3rd new roof, 2 of which were replaced after hail storms.
My backyard neighbor family moved in about a month after we did and I think they might be preparing the house for sale now so they owned their house for 50 years too. Lots of things change and a few things stay the same for a long time.
I didn't get into Perennial gardening until 1995 when the ugly 1953 bushes were pulled out. I have remade this front garden many times but this is my favorite version.
Since I don't have a back door, I don't have a porch or deck back there. This is the only porch and is too small for a chair so I fill it with flowers. I added the railing planter this year and have another that I haven't planted yet.
I have been digging out clumps of new grass that were in this little flower bed and transplanting them into bare spots in the lawn. I think I'm ready to spread the leaf mulch here now.
I hope you have enjoyed the anniversary story of 50 years in the same house.
32 comments:
WOw--that is a long time to be in one location! It looks to be a lovely place. Your gardening work has really set it off beautifully--nice work
hugs, Julierose
I live on the Plateau in Cumberland County, TN and, needless to say, there are MANY houses here made from crab orchard stone, especially in the Historic Homesteads area. Most of the public buildings in downtown Crossville are made with the stone. You can learn more about it here -- https://cumberlandhomesteads.org/homesteads-history/
In August, I will be in my house for 38 years. We have redone the house drastically. It is a cape cod, so it can be changed a lot. I love the stone of your house and the new flower beds really complement the house. The house has certainly served you well.
Your home looks beautiful Wanda, and all the beautifully colored flowers on the porch, add a lot of color to the picture. We had a similar 1st. home, built in the late 50's, where we lived for 39 years, before moving here to Yorkville. The stonework on your home is striking, not something you'll see anymore.
You have a beautiful home Wanda! And your flowers and garden beds just make it better. Growing up, we did not have a back door either - the front door and the side door to the carport. Love the block layout. Have a great day!
I remember when we visited that I first spotted your house by your porch flowers. Thank you for the tour. I love seeing well cared for homes.
I have lived in my house for 36 years and except for a new roof and cosmetic changes, it has not been updated by us. Since the house is over 100 yrs old, it needs quite a bit of work, but, at my age, I'm not spending the money for many improvements. I am trying to reduce the extensive gardens as they are becoming too difficult to maintain and the wildlife, including heavy deer presence, has made gardening a chore.
Pat
we have been in our house for 41 years you have us beat. I need a remodeled bathroom for sure! but we have redone the kitchen and added a dining room. I for sure need a new carpet in the living room/hallway/bedroom
we lived in our "starter" home for 25 years. It had pink and black plastic tiles on the wall. I might have left it when we remodeled the bathroom if we weren't redoing the whole layout. This house we've lived in for 19 years (already?!). I absolutely dread the thought of moving again - we've accumulated so much more stuff. So glad we're not thinking of moving!
I love the pink tile on the walls, less sure about that built-in vanity(?). I am glad you didn't wipe out all the 1950s character by ripping everything out and painting it all white/gray! The new landscaping and the front steps flower pots look great!
I absolutely LOVE that tile in your bathroom!!! It breaks my heart when people remove tile like that when it's in good condition. And I have the same slanted drawers in my bathroom and kitchen.
and how odd that you don't have a back door. Was that a thing when the house was built? My sliding door onto my large patio is one of the best things about my house. With as much time as you spend in your yard your would get so much value out of a back door and patio or deck.
Your flowers are gorgeous! I gave up on landscaping a long time ago. I've planted a lot of trees on my property and have most of my landscape plants in pots. It works better and I don't have to keep the dogs out of them!
Very enjoyable getting a tour of your house. I love the Crab Orchard Stone on the outside. The bathroom tiles are similar to what was in my son's house. He remodeled the bathroom. It was a lot more work than he expected. Anyone with similar tiles should know that those tiles were installed to be permanent. Lots of cement and metal mesh. I like those tiles and would love to have them in my house.
The flowers on your front porch are so lovely. And the plants in front of your house are a delight to look at. Thanks for today's cheery color tour.
deb
You can be proud of all your up dating through the years. And it shows inside and out ! Your front garden is such a show piece, with awesome curb appeal. And your porch pots are so gorgeous…. They give a beautiful happy welcoming to your visiting family and friends.
JJM
You have a lovely home and gardens! I have never heard of that type of stone but it is very pretty. I bet your home is built much better than the newer homes of today.
I love your bathroom tile - but I know others would have pulled it out. Pink and green - we all know how I feel about those colors together. Congratulations for such an amazing milestone - and your front garden (beds and pots) are gorgeous. Lots of work to get them to this point but totally worth it.
Congratulations! Thank you for the tour! It's lovely!
Becky
Lovely tour...thank you xo
You have done a magnificent job with what you have. I love it all! Your love of color and your talent at combining colors are very evident!
It’s nice to be so rooted! I love the pink tiles. Our house when we moved to CA had three baths with the colored tiles/fixtures- a pink, a blue and a yellow bath. The gardens do look so pretty. Happy anniversary!
Beautiful. Congratulations on 50 years!
Gosh 50 years is good going, I love the colours you have in the bathroom, sometimes original is best! We don't have a back door Wanda,
but we have a door leading out at the side of the house into the garden and of course a front door with a small porch. It's good that you were able to remodel your kitchen, I think that always important to be happy with your kitchen.
Love your house. It's great when people are satisfied and feel good about it to stay put. My longest was 30 yrs, We always managed to live in a two story and I would think how nice it would be to live on one level. I finally got that last August when I moved back to my home town in northern MN. Lost my husband and many of my relatives live where I moved. It's country living and I enjoy every minute of it. So congratulations on the 50 years. To be rooted is super good in my eyes. Alway love to see your plants and the work you did last year looks wonderful.
What a wonderful post. The Mr. has been in his house for 40 years. Love your pink tile.
Fifty years in one place, but it still looks great. I like what you’re doing with the plantings. I love flowers and you can never have enough.
how blessed you are to have the continuity of being in the same place for so very long...i admit to a bit of envy i'm afraid...
Wow- 50 years in one place is amazing! It's 35 for us except for a 3 year stint in Minnesota when we rented it out. We have re/finished all of the basement over the years and 3 years ago did a total kitchen replacement.I'd wanted the kitchen done for years and am so pleased with it now and glad we can enjoy it! Our outside is our latest project. It never stops....
Happy Anniversary! 50 years is indeed a lot of time to spend in one house. It is nice when you find a house that fits your needs enough to want to stay. I have been living in t his house for 30 years so I have a good start on mine.
I have been in my house for almost 45 years. When I read your post about 50 years it made me stop and think about how long I’ve been here. We bought this house in 77 and divorced in 85. I’ve never moved out we did a lot of remodeling and my second husband got to finish things. I lost him three years ago after 33 years of marriage. Guess now I have something to look forward. I’m very comfortable here and don’t see leaving anytime soon
I am so far behind on reading and commenting most days... I have to start the day early and haven't turned a computer on in the evenings for several weeks. You have a very nice home and have made it your own! The longest I lived in the same house was about 7 years, and that was until I was 7 years old. We moved away for a year or so and moved back to the same house... for a short stretch. After that, the longest stretch has been 5 years. The shortest was about 6 months! We are done moving now... next stop will be the retirement home...
You have a beautiful house and garden, and lovely potted plants adorning your entry. I love the colors of the 50s and enjoyed your tour and 50th year celebration of living in and enjoying a home built long ago. Sometimes older homes are built sturdier and have quirky perks; hope yours does too. Thank you for sharing the tour; it was very enjoyable.
Your house looks wonderful and the updated gardens look fabulous. Love the flowers on the steps. I had a pink and black tile bathroom in the house I am living now, but it was in terrible condition and the former owners sponge painted it! It was UGLY! I also had a pink cast iron tub, pink toilet and pink sink! I had to remodel since the bathroom was in terrible condition, but yours is so cute!
What beautiful memories you have made in your home. I love your photos of your gardens. I miss my ranch style (all necessary rooms on 1 level) as it was the perfect home to age in as there were no daily trips up and down stairs. Enjoy your home.
Reading your blogs at times I feel like I was writing them. 5/28 was our 44th anniversary. We too live in a 1963 ranch, are the 2nd owners, and we bought in 1980. I thought we would have moved by now but we will probably stay here until we are unable to care for each other.
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