tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post3923934043947852847..comments2024-03-28T09:29:40.502-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: That Old House #SheilaConnolly @mysterydenizenJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43059155101963464362021-08-28T03:07:01.345-04:002021-08-28T03:07:01.345-04:00Julie - I absolutely loved this series and was dev...Julie - I absolutely loved this series and was devastated to learn of your mom's death shortly after I finished book 2. I was sad about the death of a wonderful author but also, I was selfishly upset that I would never know how this series ended. When I saw that the third book was coming out in August, I immediately preordered it. I was so excited when I received it - and my 9-year-old granddaughter loved the title and the cover and wanted to hear all about it. Thank you so much for taking on this project. I loved the book and only wish the series could have continued a little longer.<br /><br />As to the houses, I lived in Hyde Park (Chicago) for 7 years and saw a lot of mixed architectural styles. (Not so much in Hyde Park, but definitely in Lincoln Park and the vicinity. When I lived in a 100-year-old terraced house in Kent, England in the mid-1970s, I realized that old houses aren't all fun and games. And our house was never designed for the upper crust. But our Chicago condo was built in the 1920s, and we loved the old features, like the maid's entrance. When we moved, I salvaged the antique intercom from the hallway. The fireplace had been walled in by the previous owners - I would loved to have seen it, since the one in the building lobby was surrounded with fantastical faces. We've moved more times than I can count and have lived in all sorts of homes. Having started young and broke, my husband and I became adaptable to whatever we could afford many years ago. Houses fascinate me - all kinds of them!Becke Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05347467350985614111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42034424082313312682021-08-26T21:25:28.951-04:002021-08-26T21:25:28.951-04:00Ellen -- A big closet is indeed a treasure! My gra...Ellen -- A big closet is indeed a treasure! My grandmother had a walk-in closet, which always seemed like a magical space to me. "You mean... it's a whole room... for your clothes??"Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81832567639031202942021-08-26T21:24:05.824-04:002021-08-26T21:24:05.824-04:00It looks like this series most likely won't co...It looks like this series most likely won't continue, sadly. But it was a treat to get to work on it for this installment. And I know what you mean about the craftsmanship you find in older houses -- "they don't make 'em like they used to" is true in many cases!Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-52406672201384141032021-08-26T21:22:01.171-04:002021-08-26T21:22:01.171-04:00Deborah -- That old house sounds just right! Indee...Deborah -- That old house sounds just right! Indeed, some places go in the "lovely to look at, don't want to live there" pile. Especially if I had to dust all the rooms in a Queen Anne or the like...Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26432032538382853502021-08-26T21:20:26.398-04:002021-08-26T21:20:26.398-04:00Thank you for reading, Julia! I might not have enj...Thank you for reading, Julia! I might not have enjoyed old house living so much if I'd actually had to participate in any of the work of maintenance... :)Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18490185667165120672021-08-26T21:17:44.966-04:002021-08-26T21:17:44.966-04:00Your shelving abilities sound impressive! And I...Your shelving abilities sound impressive! And I'd love to see some of those old 19th century Brooklyn buildings, if they haven't been totally gutted by now...Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30284263667767286202021-08-26T21:16:23.030-04:002021-08-26T21:16:23.030-04:00Thank you for reading, Cheryl! I know it meant a l...Thank you for reading, Cheryl! I know it meant a lot to my mom.Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-65742187143991055252021-08-26T21:15:52.207-04:002021-08-26T21:15:52.207-04:00The pink ranch house sounds adorable, Gigi! There&...The pink ranch house sounds adorable, Gigi! There's an instagram account I follow that's all about the candy-colored, elaborately tiled old bathrooms... It's a look! I like the sound of customizing your place more to your liking over time. And yep, of course every owner is going to look cockeyed at what the last guy did. Oh well!Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-464467818896789362021-08-24T14:17:22.418-04:002021-08-24T14:17:22.418-04:00I love Craftsman cottages. My dream is to live in ...I love Craftsman cottages. My dream is to live in Bloomington, Indiana, where I went to grad school, in that kind of cottage. Well, only if future grandkids live in the area (which they likely won't...).Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23185067162503136662021-08-24T13:21:38.707-04:002021-08-24T13:21:38.707-04:00Debs, now it's down to just me and the Maine M...Debs, now it's down to just me and the Maine Millennial, I'm beginning to think Craftsman cottages are ideal. Loads of beautiful woodwork and architectural details, but they're not as roomy and rambling as Victorians and Greek Revival. I could live happily with half the square footage I have now.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17386456757429084672021-08-24T12:51:47.289-04:002021-08-24T12:51:47.289-04:00Julie, what an accomplishment. Your mom was a wond...Julie, what an accomplishment. Your mom was a wonderful woman and is sorely missed by all who knew her.<br /><br />As to my tastes, I've always been into historical homes. I live in a mid-century modern home, which I love. The one advantage it was over older homes? More closet space!Ellen Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03491931917758692660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60022886497887288162021-08-24T12:28:27.087-04:002021-08-24T12:28:27.087-04:00I love the character old houses have. I'm hopi...I love the character old houses have. I'm hoping my next (and last!) house will be an oldie. I am so tired of the shoddiness of modern construction. I realize I may be trading problems but at least an old house has charms new construction lacks. I'm so glad you were able to finish your mom's book. Do you plan to continue the series?Pat Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12732230586783432052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11709504938637041702021-08-24T12:17:50.479-04:002021-08-24T12:17:50.479-04:00Congratulations, Julie, on finishing and publishin...Congratulations, Julie, on finishing and publishing your mom's book. What a gift you've given her many fans.<br /><br />When I was in college I lived in a town with a lot of Victorian houses. I fell madly in love with them and my dream was to live in one. (And of course I watched This Old House religiously.) But years later, when we were house-hunting in our historic neighborhood, I discovered I didn't actually like the Victorians. They were too fussy, and the rooms were mostly small and jumbled awkwardly together. Instead, we fell head over heels for a 1905 Craftsman, and this month marks our 26th year in this old house.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80213530469770853052021-08-24T12:07:09.305-04:002021-08-24T12:07:09.305-04:00Glad to hear you are okay and drying out, Judy!Glad to hear you are okay and drying out, Judy!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17160462492383833942021-08-24T11:52:11.286-04:002021-08-24T11:52:11.286-04:00Julie, congratulations on bringing THE SECRET STAI...Julie, congratulations on bringing THE SECRET STAIRCASE to completion - every writer dreads the idea of leaving a work unfinished; you've done a service to your mother and to her many, many fans.<br /><br />I'm an old house woman all the way; I've lived in a 1820s Federalist/Greek revival farmhouse for the past 27 years, so along with all the furniture, china and art passed down through the generations, I, too am an antique! (Unless you follow the Customs Service definition of 100 years, in which case I'm merely vintage.)<br /><br />Growing up in an old pile seems to have had the opposite effect on my kids: while they all appreciate original details and interesting architecture, my oldest's fondest dream is to live in a house where you don't need special instructions to run water, open doors and turn on lights.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22988554265738860812021-08-24T11:28:36.576-04:002021-08-24T11:28:36.576-04:00Wont let me edit. The last time I SAW her. Wont let me edit. The last time I SAW her. NoraAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14820850644240626655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85200003421271754232021-08-24T11:27:41.881-04:002021-08-24T11:27:41.881-04:00I met your mother a couple of times at RWA gatheri...I met your mother a couple of times at RWA gatherings in NY. The last time I was her I was on the receiving end of one of her amazing hugs. I grew up in the East NY section of Brooklyn. All the homes I lived in were from the 1800's to the early 1900's. (my family was in real estate). Yes I still watch This Olde House and still enjoy learning new things from them. I miss your mom every time I look at the C shelf of my home library, seeing all her books there in series order and by date of publication. (yes I'm crazy). I know you've honored her memory by doing the final edits and we all know it will be truly up to her standards. Thank you so much. NoraAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14820850644240626655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-44527481443868464502021-08-24T10:49:31.550-04:002021-08-24T10:49:31.550-04:00Congratulations on bringing this work to Sheila Co...Congratulations on bringing this work to Sheila Connolly's friends and fans. She was beloved for her charm, knowledge, enthusiasm, and craftmanship. Her books, her projects, her Irish cottage adventures live in our hearts. Thank you.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00254463325902348758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69173078879808970672021-08-24T10:20:08.604-04:002021-08-24T10:20:08.604-04:00Welcome, Julie, and thank you for completing your ...Welcome, Julie, and thank you for completing your mother's book. That had to be either a wonderful moment of connectedness, or a real emotional beating. My sister and I are currently trying to get my late husband's books back into print, and I'm afraid she's doing all the heavy lifting because I. Just. Can't. So, Kudos to you!<br /><br />I love old houses, but those Victorian interiors are just not my cup of tea. Even the styles and designs championed by William Morris, in rebellion against Victoriana, can be too fussy for me. A few years ago I bought a basically untouched 1960 brick ranch-style house, complete with pink walls and kitchen. It isn't sleek mid-century cool. I think of the style as more bunkhouse baroque--lots of wood, lots of cabinets and valances with curvy trim. It was probably considered French Provincial. <br /><br />Bit by bit I have been turning it toward my own more tailored tastes. The ruffled faux-bordello light fixtures are gone. The walls have been repainted. Barbie's Atomic Dream Kitchen--pink Formica countertops and backsplash, pink dishwasher, cooktop, double wall oven, and vent hood with Cadillac fins--has been parted out to vintage appliance dealers.<br /><br />At the same time I'm trying to honor the house's roots. The very old (possibly original) wall-to-wall carpet is gone, as is the screaming pink shag, but I have installed true-to-period hardwood floors. A lot of the fussiness is gone, but it's all better suited to display the original art I own. In the end, it will be an eclectic style that suits me down to the ground. I'll live here happily until it's time for the next owner, who will probably go through the house saying, "Why did she keep that?" And, "What do you mean, the pink appliances are gone?????"Gigi Norwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00495357787099352860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8010336715336631552021-08-24T10:10:43.945-04:002021-08-24T10:10:43.945-04:00Thank you, Flora. And I agree -- some of the newer...Thank you, Flora. And I agree -- some of the newer house styles are very interesting, if they're designed consciously and with interesting details. I hope you will enjoy the book!Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67385058017534307052021-08-24T10:09:02.341-04:002021-08-24T10:09:02.341-04:00That is always interesting, when you can visually ...That is always interesting, when you can visually trace the additions to a house over a century or more. That's actually part of the plot of this book -- a simple old farmhouse eventually becomes the grand mansion of the local tycoon. I hope you will enjoy it!Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2122602284932923452021-08-24T10:07:19.100-04:002021-08-24T10:07:19.100-04:00I would be interested to know about how the zoning...I would be interested to know about how the zoning works too -- sometimes the new construction feels very random, with the old and the new literally touching each other on one block. But I do love it when people really take the care to maintain the old places and keep them vibrant. I hope you will enjoy the book!Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41376055291944047102021-08-24T10:07:11.365-04:002021-08-24T10:07:11.365-04:00Julie, so sorry for the loss of your mom. But how ...Julie, so sorry for the loss of your mom. But how wonderful that you were willing and able to take on the task of finishing her last book! What a gift for us readers!<br /><br />I love old houses, the older the better. I love new houses--interesting architecture. Anything, really, but cookie-cutter McMansions. As for the period details in the house itself or decorating--I am so not a fan of frilly, over-the-top Victoriana, it's just not for me although I know people who love it. I like to see the evolution of a house--remodeled, redecorated--one that expresses a vibrant home, a livable space.Flora Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13289148096894506235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87594310333097834622021-08-24T10:05:30.622-04:002021-08-24T10:05:30.622-04:00There are, of course, many shades between the Scan...There are, of course, many shades between the Scandi look and high Victorian! Luckily for us mortals. I hope you will enjoy the book!Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72534819388711896062021-08-24T10:04:32.699-04:002021-08-24T10:04:32.699-04:00Thank you, Kristin. I hope you will enjoy!Thank you, Kristin. I hope you will enjoy!Julie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490036432599962912noreply@blogger.com