Tour

There was a house tour today - an annual fundraiser for a local group. I'm not sure what prompted me to go, as I'd never done so before. I know there are beautiful houses in my town, because I've been in plenty of them. But these - I dunno - it was somehow all about "look what we bought!" All the state-of-the-art kitchens and expensive furniture leave me cold. Still, there were some high points:

I very much liked this simple kitchen. The big cupboard just inside the back door solves the "no mud room" problem. I loved the concrete countertops.

Just opposite this long table is the main working area. This is a room where a family could happily hang out in any number of comfortable scenarios.

I think the blackboard paint idea is a great one for a child's room. I understand that you can get the same paint now with built-in magnetic properties. What next?

This back yard's simple wood platform appealed to me. It was a part of the most modest house (by far) on the tour - but also the one with the most clever design ideas.

And I am always drawn to ponds - particularly simple ones like this. There was a small pumping action going, which meant there had to be electricity coming from somewhere, but I couldn't figure out from where, as it was in the most remote corner of the yard (as mine would/will be when I get to it, sooner or later....)