From my TravelOkcity column, published 2011.
 |
| The Lykes back in the 30s. |
Several weeks ago, we received over 400
people into our private sanctuary. Yes, our house was part of the 16th
Annual Tour of Historic Homes in Linwood Place. Every year, some of Oklahoma City’s historic
neighbourhoods showcase historic homes, opening them to the public for a walk
back in time. Gatewood Historic District
and Heritage Hills opened their doors last October, while the Mesta Park
Holiday Tour is something to look forward to in December when guests can enjoy
the festive lights at night.
 |
| A snapshot of the olden days. |
Having just moved in a year to our little
abode, I was hesitant to have strangers into our home, to have them take a peek
into my bathroom, which I hardly ever have time to clean with round-the-clock
diaper duties on top of being a housewife and a writer. But my bathroom still
has the original art deco black and white tile that has been installed when it
was built in the 1930s. I personalized the bathroom’s nostalgic details with
red and gold accents, mother and child artworks, and damask prints. Like the
bathroom, the house features original fixtures and details accentuated with our
personal touches. Out in the front yard, a pillar bears a plate that says:
Linwood Place Circa 1930.
How can I possibly keep this from the
public? How can I deny people the opportunity to travel back in time, to relive
the days of eclectic art and design, the period of beautiful contradiction?
So reluctantly, I put out the welcome mat, because I knew that just as people could pick
up a few tips in house restoration by going through our renovated and preserved
home , I also knew that I could develop a better sense of appreciation for what
I have and possibly gain insight in travelling back to the past.
Five other houses opened their doors as
well, structures that I believe deserve to be featured in architectural or
interior design magazines not only for the interesting architectural and
historical features but also because of the work they’ve done inside, accentuated
with their personal selections that exhibit sophistication and a great respect
for the past. Two in particular stood
out, because I thought that they reflected our own tastes and aspirations,
although in a grander scale.
 |
| When we moved in, this backyard was bare. |
One of my favorite houses is the 1929 Tudor
revival style cottage. A young couple brought contemporary elements to the
house while preserving its historic aspects. The remarkable archway leading to
their dining room, an example of peaked and curvilinear millwork and carpentry
of the era, melds beautifully with the modern pieces of art that they brought
home from their adventures around the world.
 |
| looking out to a bright future |
Like the young couple, my husband and I
have always taken pride in the work that we’ve done so far for the house and
the items that we’ve collected, because most, if not all, hold a special
meaning to us. Every artwork tells a story of where we’ve been to or what we
believe in. We shy away from mass produced store-bought items and would rather
wait for that perfect piece even if it was created by a no-name artist in a
small town in Hanoi, salvaged from an estate sale, or brought to life from an
antique shop. The process of buying for the house has almost become like a
treasure hunt.
Another house that I loved is a Prairie
School style home that features a wood burning stove and interesting pieces of
artwork that tell much of the owner from the reverse prints done in antique
windows to the stories told through deliberately arranged wine bottle cork stoppers.
While entering these homes, I thought of the importance of the present and the
relevance of the past, of keeping one’s own preferences while still giving
homage to the past, and how the marriage of both is not as easy to achieve, but
when it is attained, the result is almost magical. And I’m not just talking
about interior design.
While I grasped on the glass doorknobs and walked under the cathedral ceilings, I marvelled
at how the past is still very much alive around us, alive in a sense that it is
still significant and vibrant and can teach us a few things about
functionality, beauty, and pride. Walking on the shiny hardwood floors, I heard
subtle creaks whispering reminders about the value of preserving history that
they may serve as lessons for our future generations.
I consider this responsibility a gift. I
consider it a privilege to own a home with great historical significance, to
protect and preserve this cultural structure that it may endure as a portal to
the past and a landmark of wisdom through the years.
0 comments:
Post a Comment