Craftsman Architecture and a Taste of Home
Growing up in Southern California and living in Pasadena as an adult I grew to develop an appreciation for certain architectural styles. Spanish Mission / Spanish Colonial and the classic California, Craftsman style bungalow are among my favorites. I like some aspects of Victorian architecture, the English cottage-Tudor style, etc. But, a well-made Craftsman is one of the most beautiful man-made things I know. I have such fond memories strolling around our old, historic neighborhood in the foothills, visiting friends with these gorgeous homes, watching some of our friends & neighbors restore them, the beautiful canopies of old trees, the broad and sweeping porches, the exposed woodbeams, the exquisite artisan tilework, the unique glasswork, the attention to detail.
A few months ago I picked up a copy of American Bungalow magazine when I was at New Seasons. I just picked up my copy again. Flipping through pages I know that I've been looking in all the wrong places for inspiration on how to decorate my home, what kind-of furniture to buy, etc. It's the traditional Craftsman / Arts & Crafts style that I love so much. I keep trying to find something inexpensive on Craigslist to appease my frugal sensibilities. But, it might be time to start looking at "real" furniture again... something that I gave up with the break-up and all of the changes that came along with it. I'm still antsy to buy a house and cautious to invest in good furniture before I buy my own house. But, it might be time to suck it up and realize that anything that I love now will look just as beautiful in whatever home I do buy in the future.
I am lucky that I live in such a great urban neighborhood where I can find some approximation of a Craftsman style home. Looking at these photos I can't help but to feel a little homesick. Memories of the beautiful architecture on the Cal Tech campus where I spent a portion of my childhood and adult years... walking around the campus during my pregnancy with Kevin, having picnics on the lawn after dusk, playing croquet with Kev's Friday night crew, my auntie's wedding when I was a child, visiting my grandparents when they came back to Pasadena, eating at the Atheneum with Kevin, playing at the park across the street with Lilach and our kids, visiting other friends on campus, etc. Memories of late night walks after dinner when Mia was an infant. Book club with the fantastic women I knew back then and all of the amazing discussions that we had on just about anything under the sun.
I haven't been back to LA since the holidays. Considering that I traveled back seven times within the first fifteen months after the move (two years ago this month) that's an awfully long time to be away from the place where I grew up, from old friends and family and four generations and over 100 years of my family's roots. I keep thinking about wanting to find time to squeeze in a visit sometime this fall. But, with going back to school it may be pretty tricky.