Ah, the Big House.
The one that drove me (and no doubt the neighbors) crazy for… let’s see… 12 months? 18 months? Oh, it was a seemingly endless period of time as the noise, mess, and general disturbance was unavoidable. Daily.
Then there was the nail in my tire requiring (expensive) repair – hardly the end of the world but an irritation all the same. And now that the enormous edifice is no longer a construction zone (or palatial planting project), I thought some measure of calm would return to my little street.
But no.
Must I really regale you with yet another incisive, indignant, and irrepressible Bite Me Refrain?
A few doors down, one more cozy cottage was razed in an afternoon, and within a week the bulldozers and cement trucks were stationed up and down our (once) shady lane. To my dismay, the stupefying stature of the latest mini-monstrosity is already clear enough. While not Versailles, as it is restricted to one small-scale lot, another three-story top-heavy “something” appears to be in process.
My eyeball estimate? 6,000 square feet, on a road that more comfortably caters to homes in the 1500 to 2500 square foot range, with the occasional remodel that is larger, but not appallingly so.
Vanquished Values?
I understand. It’s about values (or lack of them). Once upon a time, those with means felt less necessity to show off. Once upon a time, those without means felt less necessity to pretend otherwise.
Me?
I’m old school. Take care of people. Take care of business. Take your monstrous MacMansions out of here!
Yes. I’m finding myself a tad ticked off.
I’m angry at the disintegration of neighborhoods, real neighborhoods, once filled with charm. I’m angry that this has happened all over this city I call my home – and in many cities across the country. I’m angry that at a time when so many are struggling, others continue to opt for opulence.
And forgive me if I offend (and I possibly will), but you will never convince me that a family of three or four needs 5,000 square feet or 6,000 square feet or 8,000 square feet in which to delight in domestic life!
I have said it before and it may sound simplistic: No wonder American parents have so many communication issues with their children. If it takes an intercom or a cell phone (or a megaphone?) to locate them in your house, your house is too damn big.
Listen.
I have nothing against gorgeous large homes and elegant architecture. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting exquisite houses – some contemporary, some historic, many used lovingly and among other things, in order to entertain.
People work hard. They enjoy their success. We need our aspirations, and living graciously is something we all aspire to, don’t we? But must that include destruction of older neighborhoods and replacing their character with monolithic monstrosities?
Big, Bigger, Biggest
I‘m well aware that my definition of a “big house” may be your “normal house” and my “normal house” may seem gargantuan to families two miles away.
I get it. It’s all relative.
But just a few blocks off sit lovely homes where the lots are wider and renovations have been undertaken with taste and restraint. On a morning walk recently, I saw a brick residence in near completion of a new second floor and front entry.
My guess? A once 2,000 square foot home has just doubled its space – without compromising the integrity of the original architecture, much less the other homes that surround it.
In fact, most of the 1930s properties on that street have been remodeled over the years – impeccably. I’m guessing they run in the 4,000 square foot range – with four and even five bedrooms. Each is unique and attractive, and does not dominate the others that stand nearby.
As for my anger and a dose of distress?
I am loathe to witness the destruction of history in these perfectly wonderful (and superbly built) older homes. I am distraught over rising property taxes in a neighborhood with fewer and fewer cozy cottages, on a once adorable (and affordable) street. I’m appalled at the lack of respect for architectural integrity, for any sense of stylistic common sense, and for the perpetuation of Bigger is Better when it most definitely is not.
I grieve the 1940s charmer that was decimated for yet one more (mini) monster. But I cannot blame the family that chose to sell, with property values so damaged by the economy and many of us fighting to hang on to whatever we can, however we can.
Still. When did we lose our sense of proportion – quite literally? And how do we ever get it back?
I feel your pain. Our house backs up to the mountains; one of the main reasons we bought this house was because of the spectacular view.
Guess what’s going on in the (former) open space behind us. A gi-normous catholic church with a steeple that partially blocks our view of the mountains. Argh!
this ircks me until I am out of control. i must admit to a bit of vandelism when the monster took over the neighborhood…nothing too serious but the box of nails that resembled hours of headache, missed nap and shaking windows ended up in the dumpster.
We just listed our lovely home on 10 acres for sale. The view is second to none. the house, while far from grand, has charm, history, ancient fruit trees. After we signed the papers, the realtor said… “Probably what will happen is someone will buy this for the view and tear the house down.” I was speechless, near tears. This perfectly wonderful home that nurtured my babies, hosted countless parties and celebrations…was the perfect place to watch for shooting stars? No Way!
Destruction on so many levels defines our culture. So much wasted time, resources, kindness, empathy and compassion.
@TKW, A church is going up and will block your view?? I guess it doesn’t matter who or what; the fact remains, we have little control (or feels that way), less and less, it seems. Along with common sense and a sense of the future… or the past.
@Kristine, I hear you! “Destruction on so many levels defines our culture.” Sadly, that’ seems to be increasingly true.
I just got back from taking my Sister and her boyfriend, who are visiting, on a walking tour of Arles, the small town that I live in here in the South of France. One of the themes that I kept mentioning is that one of the reasons that Arles survived better than many neighboring towns from the Roman period was that the citizens used what they had. They were inspired by the past in later times and built in materials from the period in later monuments and buildings. They were never at a loss–even when the Moors were at the gates, they simply built a fortified town inside the Arena with materials from the nearby Antique Theatre? The town evolved…naturally.
Having lived in France for over ten years, I now find the waste of space strange to say the least. My biggest pet peeve is for the monster kitchens–all in white subway tile with a massive island in the center which only pushes people further apart. Who needs a kitchen that looks like a lab and is the size of one? Unless you are Adrian Ferria, well not you. The quality of the past, as you have mentioned BLW has much to teach us. Maybe that is why the Arena up the hill is still standing so strongly after 2000 years…
Often times, it’s a lot easier to tear down and build what you really want with new plumbing and central heat, rather than try to retrofit an aging home. I don’t think new construction is always ugly or negative.
There is a lot to be said for smaller and more intimate homes. We could have afforded one of the remodeled ones further up the hill – if I had opted to work full time. Instead I chose to find part time work so as to be home after school for my daughter. Every evening she would do her homework (with the shared laptop, our only computer) on the central table, 10 feet away from where I made dinner. From where I sit now, at that very table, I can see out the back windows and the front windows. There is no place in the house where you can’t hear someone call out for you. yet there are doors on our rooms and we respect each others privacy. We are about 2,000 sqft. We take care of our house ourselves. My husband is currently on top of the roof, replacing it! I just read “Nickel and Dimed” where I read the estimate is that 3,000 sq feet is the max for one family to be able to take of a house, without paid help.
Our little block has been spared, or at least delayed, the tear down, mega build trend. Maybe because we have such a great family friendly block and draw like minded families to us. Or maybe because we are the only block without underground wiring. But it’s in full force all around us. it is just a matter of time…
@MsHalfEmpty, I understand your perspective. I like a great deal of contemporary architecture, and I realize at times to retrofit an aging home is difficult if not impossible. But as I mentioned, just a few streets away, people have doubled the size of their homes (or close) without sacrificing the integrity of the entire street. Is it less expensive? Maybe. But I’ve remodeled several times, tastefully, and without destroying the view (or the value) of my neighbors’ homes.
That’s the part that bothers me. Utter disrespect for the architecture and one’s neighbors.
@Heather, You live in a spot I would love to visit some day! (I do think living in Europe changes our perspective on space and intimacy in so many ways, quite possibly for life. Et tant mieux.)
@Lunaboogie, “Spared, or delayed.” Let’s hope your block is spared. As I mentioned to MsHalfEmpty, I’ve seen some wonderful renovations done that provide more than ample space without sacrificing the character of the home. I’ve also been in many new neighborhoods (or those with larger lots) with incredible residences of all styles (including contemporary). Gorgeous! I think it’s a matter of balance, and respecting the lot and site – and again – neighbors.
Then there’s the fact that little homes allow some of us to afford to live in places that we are otherwise pushed out of… to far off boxes, along nondescript highways…
(Perhaps we should all go visit Heather in Arles?) 🙂
Doesn’t the smallest house on the block increase in value? I’ve always heard that it’s best to be the smallest house on the best block because the value of your house rises because of the bigger, newer homes.
For the record, my home is about 1200 sq. ft. But I do love some of the big new houses I see springing up. Of course, others are decidedly not beautiful. But I’ve also seen horrible additions to existing homes that make me wonder what they were thinking!
There’s a law somewhere around here that limits a house’s footprint to half the lot size. Makes sense to me.
Makes sense to me, too…
I have purchased 4 homes in 37 years of marriage. Every time I have selected houses that are on cul de sacs (no through traffic) and three of the four backed up to greenbelts. The 4th house had a partial view of Lake Sammamish. One of the three houses was a McMansion–it was the worst investment of the four house with extra costs associated with taxes, maid service, yard service and huge loans. I reserve judgement on owners of McMansions, as I do with people who frequent McDonalds, but I’ve learned my lesson.