As I've mentioned in previous posts, we were undergoing a renovation of our downstairs. This included the laundry room and the bathroom. There were a number of things that didn't go as smoothly as we would have liked, and there still remains a few unfinished areas. My older brother and I have been on my dad's case about making sure he isn't taken for a ride by the contractors and to make sure he is happy with the finished product.
One day when I have a source of steady income that is sufficient enough for my own house, you can bet I've got some interesting plans for it. First off would be the location. I love the city, I love the hustle and the bustle, the availability of the world at your fingertips. Restaurants, clothing stores, cafes, theatres, all of it. I do not want to live in the city, mind you. I am fairly content with the proximity of my house in relation to the nearest city as it stands now. I'd love to get something out of town, or even in town somewhere quiet with a lot of trees. I remember friends of ours whose house backed onto a forest. It was the kind of wooded area you think of when you think of a forest. Large maple trees, the smell of moss and damp earth, the sound of a trickling stream. It was really very pretty. There weren't many leaves on the ground, just raw dirt that had been packed down. There were a number of trails that weaved in and out of the trees, trodden many times before by countless feet. There were even downed trees with new plants growing out of them that spanned small gullies. As kids we would join up with the children who's parents owned the house we were visiting, and would journey out into the woods. As we got older, I remember taking a 2 litre bottle of RC cola, shaking it up and chucking it into the forest against the trees until it exploded and ricocheted around from tree to tree.
As for what I'd want my house to be, I'd love one of those all steel enclosures you see on TV. Built like hangars, they are generally used to store large farm equipment or to be used in conjunction with a house as a form of garage or shed. It would be a single floor set upon a large concrete slab to level out the ground. On the front face of the building would be a single door, and to the left would be a large roll away garage door. This would lead out onto my drive way where I would park. The purpose of the garage door would be to roll open on hot days and act as a sort of porch. I would also be able to drive my scooter or motorcycle inside during the winter where I would store it, polish it and keep it as a sort of art piece.
My bedroom would be in the back right, separated from the rest of the structure by hanging wall dividers connected to a motorized rail system. In this way I could maintain privacy, or roll the dividers away and open my bedroom up to the rest of the house. The living room would be on the other side of these dividers. It would lay between the garage door and the kitchen.
The kitchen itself would be very minimalist, utilizing only cement, stainless steel and a large blackboard. The blackboard would allow me to keep notes, recipes, ideas and pictures. Almost like a giant, ever-changing scrapbook. The sink would be a broad cement basin, square with two faucets. This would allow ample working space and keep with the theme. The cement counter top would have a rectangular hole in it which would empty into my garbage bin, not unlike the setup at Subway (which I bet a few of you know what I'm talking about). At the very end of the house, on the back wall would be the washroom. Very modest, having only a single sink and mirror, toilet and an old-fashioned free standing copper tub with claw feet and a rain-style shower unit suspended from the ceiling.
The open concept would allow for a deceptive amount of space, while also maintaining a small footprint on the lot and keeping building costs down.
I'm very good at spending imaginary money. I can tell you exactly how I'd spend every penny of a lottery. I know what I want in life, I know what things I would desire to have around me to achieve what I could call a "perfect life". I don't buy that money doesn't buy happiness. I absolutely think it does, but what it may not purchase you is contentment. That's more individual. Time spent travelling the world may make you happy, ergo money can make you happy. The trick is are you going to come home from your trip and still be happy. That's contentment, the ability to be happy with whatever situation you find yourself in.
I know that if I could achieve the life I envision for myself that I could achieve contentment. I feel as though my entire life is building up to something ideal and all I've got to do is ride out a few storms, and deal with a few speed bumps.
One day I'll have everything I need, there's no doubt in my mind about it.
And this vision of architectural and personal achievement was envisioned, not at one of those wee hours, but at supper hour. Must have been hungry! But I do believe, that while the house lacks many of the traditional amenities, it does seem to fit the bill for a kind of 21st century, industrial model of some kind. Not sure what that might symbolize, but certainly interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnd you've already had your share of speed bumps.