My friend Lisa recently came across our former home (A Country Farmhouse) in the Beekman Boys' latest book, Beekman Style 1802, The Attraction of Opposites.
The guest house, kitchen (both shown above), and master bedroom are included in the book. Looking at this photo of the kitchen, I realize how many things I have not seen since we moved east - nearly everything on those shelves are in a box somewhere in our storage unit.
The guest house and master bath were also featured in another recent book, Country Living American Style.
Looking back at these photographs reminds me of something we were absolutely sure of when we set off to buy our next home. It was, without a doubt, to never again purchase a home that needed so much work. In fact, some of the houses we looked at when we first moved back east were dismissed because of this one undeniable necessity.
But, in the end, we once again stumbled upon a home that we could not walk away from. And so we've repeated the whole process, in varying degrees, with varying projects, in a different place, situated in a different part of this beautiful world.
The only thing I can say is that I am not so sure people necessarily choose the homes they buy. For in both our cases, I feel as if our homes chose us.
It must be odd to see your house -- even your former house -- published in a book when you didn't know about it. Soon you're going to arrange all your pretty things again! Can't wait to see! It's clear that both houses needed you and your vision for them. And, as you said, they chose you. Good choice!
ReplyDeleteJane
I am so looking forward to the completion photos. I hope you will share.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how your photos of your house could be published in a book without your permission. Wouldn't that come under the category of intellectual property? Clearly, you had published those photos before on your own blog. I find this disturbing, somehow.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, I should have mentioned that all of the photographs included in those two books were styled and shot by Country Living Magazine. So the photograph copyrights are theirs alone. I should have made that more clear, my apologies!
DeleteThank you for clarifying, Catherine! I just admire your work (and Mike's!) so much that I went all Mama Bear at the thought of someone taking that from you.
DeleteBeautiful. As you have continued to create your home(s) and share your style & hard work with us, we are inspired to do the same. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree and believe that ... the house chooses you. You were the one that it was waiting for , you were the one that would make it whole and happy and beautiful again.
ReplyDeleteI still miss seeing your old farmhouse on your blog and from time to time go back and look at your old posts. I am looking forward to seeing your new home all decorated with your special touch.
ReplyDeleteThank you, that's so nice to hear.
DeleteI will never forget the way I felt when I first found your blog. Just the best feeling. Calm, peaceful, excited for a family life and garden and hydrangeas and WHITE! All happy thoughts about what the future could hold. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much and I so look forward to planting more beautiful hydrangeas.
DeleteI think you are so right, our homes definitely chose us. Our latest adventure, our 200+ year old farmhouse in South West France definitely chose us. We did not want a renovation, we wanted something move-in ready, but when we first walked through the gates and saw the garden and walked down the drive it was as if we had entered another world, we were smitten, and a year of long renovations followed!
ReplyDeleteWe had the same feelings about our house. And we too had been looking for something 'move-in' ready. But there is a moment when you first look at a home where you realize that it is 'the one.'
DeleteYes, yes, I so remember your beautiful previous home, I was so taken with the whitest whites, and the accents of colour.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a surprise to see past accomplishments pop up here and there, deservingly so in your case.
Love this sitting space, such a cozy conversation place to sit.
As for a home that chooses one? I feel a home just calls out to you begging for life.
Xx
I must look into this book.
Dore
How wonderful it must be to see your lovely home in the north west in print . . .
ReplyDeleteI agree . . . I think once again . . . the (new) house chose you . . .
So very lovely, handsomely, perfectly you craft and create it all . . .
I love seeing images of your previous home in WA. I have enjoyed watching you and your husband create a home on the East coast, and can hardly wait to see it with you all living in it! You continue to be a favorite source of inspiration for me. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI miss you former home, seeing photos makes me smile. It feels like looking at baby photos of children, I have a smile on my face. I think we all feel that way about former homes I know I do. That being said I am ready to fall for your new home too. I laughed at " we decided to not get another house that needed so much work" hahaha,
ReplyDeleteMe too - ready to start playing house in our new home...
DeleteSo since you're putting so much hard work and love in this house are you planning on staying in it forever? : - ) I would get very sentimental about it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that working on one's home certainly encourages sentimental attachment. You become so invested in the details of the home I think it's hard not to.
Deletei was thinking of you this morning while i was washing the porch and thought of your big white porch. white flooring is so gorgeous but it is a ton of work to keep clean. i still miss having white painted floors here except when i remember the work involved i'm glad these are stained. that must be weird seeing your home in the book. i understand CL has the rights to those photos but it's still weird. lol xo
ReplyDeleteI think we mopped our porch two times? Once the first season after we painted it, and second (and last time), before we put it on the market! xo
DeleteI don't agree that just because it was part of a Country Living shoot that you wouldn't be told dbout your home being in a book. Not only one book but so far three and who knows how many others. You should be given a check everytime your images are used. Its disrespectful and unfair in my opinion. I don't care if CL took the photos, its your home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing you and your sweet family were to each home. You took something that other people overlooked and brought them back to a vital life in which to build more memories and history. I'm so thankful for everything you have done to this new home and CANNOT WAIT until you move in! Hurry up! What else do you have to do? HA, HA!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing both journeys with us!
Publishers often rebundle and re-use photos over a variety of media. This is standard in the industry, and we're not always apprised of where the material will appear. I'm sure that CL (Hearst) used the material in accordance with the contract that was signed with the homeowner. It's neither unfair nor disrepectful -- it's business. The photos are lovely. The home is sublime. Thank you, Catherine, for sharing them!
ReplyDeleteI've often heard this statement in reference to dogs or our pets ... that they choose us ... but never in reference to our homes, yet so perceptive and true. It sounds crazy, but I do believe homes have a soul of their own. I too vowed to never buy one that needed so much work again. Of course, my husband and I, like you, had to eat our words. Such is the life a person who loves old homes. :)
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