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I live in a house that’s over a hundred years old. To someone from the East Coast or Europe, it’s not really such a big deal or ancient. But in California it qualifies as old. Our oldest building in California is the Mission San Juan Capistrano, which is 236 years old, but there are not many like her. Over the years, people have asked me, what is it like to live in a old house?
Currently, it’s summer, so most of my perspective is coming from that place. Basically, it’s hot. We are into September, which is still kind of summer in the Inland Empire and it was 100 yesterday. It was 117 last month and was up to 106 three days in a row during one week. Yes, I have central air conditioning. And I have a friend that put down new base boards for me, so that forced cold air now stays in the house. When I first moved into the house, there were cracks and gaps everywhere and light actually shown through. Did this disturb me? No. I liked the fact that fresh air was constantly being exchanged and I could see sunlight peeking through near the floor. I even got up at a Board of Realtors meeting in Corona and expoused on the benefits of air exchange in old bungalows, so that gives you a big clue where I’m coming from when discussing restoration and preserving the originalty of antique structures. It’s that type of perspective that you find from people who live in old houses. It’s a love for imperfection caused by years of wear and tear. A love of fine craftsmanship from a day gone by that is hard to find in new construction these days. If you want it, you have to pay a dear price, whereas at the turn of the century most men had to know how to work with their hands and took immense pride in what they created.
Photo by Jørgen Håland on Unsplash
So this house is made of redwood and it gets hot. I asked my son why the electric company sent us a notice informing us that I used too much electricity-more electricity than 100 of my neighbors within a mile radius. He matter of factly told me; you live in an old house. A lot of the comparable were with neighbors from up the street. They have new modern systems that don’t use as much energy to cool their homes. You know the houses are air tight and stuccoed as well and help to stabilize the temperature.
I appreciate the benefits of stucco, but redwood is so beautiful and strong that it’s hard for me to see past that. The older the wood is, the more value it holds. Old wood is sturdy and tough and great for building. It comes from trees that lived long lives before they were cut down. It can be as hard as cement.The wood holds a spirit and character that lends a certain ambience when you build a home out of it.
Oh I know, you are probably thinking that trees and wood don’t have personality or life. My beliefs are different. Trees keep us alive and without trees, human life would not exist. Trees, especially ancient trees have lived through climate change, wars, pollution and natural disasters. They absorb the stuff of life and it’s held within their roots, trunk and foliage. When a tree is harvested for building, along with it’s wood comes all of the energy and nutrients it absorbed over it’s lifespan. The wood holds all of that and it holds it for a long time. The oldest wooden house in the world is over 700 years old. The house is in Switzerland and the local belief is that as long as someone lives in the house and lives a good life, it will remain strong and provide a safe and comfortable shelter.
Photo by Joel & Jasmin Førestbird on Unsplash
When I was in the market for a house, I fell in love with my old house at first sight. There was an inexplicable ambience when I walked through the front door that was hard to describe. It was pleasant and gentle, almost a loving feeling that permeated the warm and musty interior. Later, I found out that the house had been lived in by many good people. A farmer, a Navy officer, teachers, an attorney and many more. A passionate teen romance had played itself out on the second story of the house. In the attic were old love letters stashed away and favorite toys. The couple had cast their initials with a heart in cement next to the vintage light post outside.
Certain days during the summer, I’ll go up to the second story where it’s almost impossible to cool down the rooms and sit in the heat and soak in the hot air, the agedness of the house. The smell of the redwood and old plaster is released into the atmosphere. Memories of my own life, raising my children in the house, restoration projects and community meetings move about the room and come to life. It’s deeply satisfying and spiritual; an affirmation that the circle of life is there and goes on beautifully with love and care.
Photo by Edgar Guerra on Unsplash