space and random thoughts
Space. Everyone seems to want more and more of it. How much is too much?
I'm mainly talking about house size but you can spin it off to almost any other area as well. We here in the US seem to constantly want bigger and bigger. My house is 1,460 Sq Ft and it's considered a starter home. Hell, I mainly bought one this size due to the difficulty in reselling smaller ones. If I had my druthers, something more like 800 sq ft would have been just fine. As is, I don't use my second story for anything other than storage. I often don't go up there for 3 weeks or more at a time.
I'm not alone in thinking that houses have gotten too big. There was an article in USA Today 3 weeks ago about Aspen Colorado banning bigger houses. Of course big is a relative term. While I consider a 3,000 sq ft home too big, Aspen is only banning houses bigger than 15,000 sq ft. *gulp* Can you even imagine living in a frickin' house THAT big??? My house would serve as their pool cabana.
There's an article in the March 13 issue of Newsweek on this subject. It's titled Celebration of Small. According to the article, the average new home size in the US is 2,350 sq ft and that's up 57% from 1970. The article largely focuses on a NYC designer whose website, apartmenttherapy.com, holds a contest each year for the smallest, coolest apartments. If you think you have what it takes, go enter! This year the cutoff size is 650 sq ft, up from last year's 500 sq ft.
One of the judges for the contest lives in a 70 sq ft apartment. I find that a little hard to believe. My larger walk-in closet is nearly that size. Anyway, the contest accepts entries until March 13 so now's the time to apply if you're living life on the small side.
Anyone on a diet better not look at this next link. Michelle at The Baker's Rack has one delicious looking Chai cake here. I'm going to try and make it in the next week or two. I tend to like candy more than cake, but spice cakes are my favorites and this looks like a variation on spice cake. Mmmm.
Everytime I look at this picture I just start drooling. It's not a pretty sight so nobody look 'til I wipe my mouth!
Another sweet item that I want to make in the near future is baklava. I've been thinking about it off and on for nearly a year but right now is one of the "on" times. The main thing holding me back is working with phyllo dough is supposed to be a real pain in the patootie. Since my patootie has enough pains in it already I'm not sure adding one more pain is needed. On the other side of the ledger is the idea of eating pounds of baklava--and no, I don't share well. :-p
I'm mainly talking about house size but you can spin it off to almost any other area as well. We here in the US seem to constantly want bigger and bigger. My house is 1,460 Sq Ft and it's considered a starter home. Hell, I mainly bought one this size due to the difficulty in reselling smaller ones. If I had my druthers, something more like 800 sq ft would have been just fine. As is, I don't use my second story for anything other than storage. I often don't go up there for 3 weeks or more at a time.I'm not alone in thinking that houses have gotten too big. There was an article in USA Today 3 weeks ago about Aspen Colorado banning bigger houses. Of course big is a relative term. While I consider a 3,000 sq ft home too big, Aspen is only banning houses bigger than 15,000 sq ft. *gulp* Can you even imagine living in a frickin' house THAT big??? My house would serve as their pool cabana.
There's an article in the March 13 issue of Newsweek on this subject. It's titled Celebration of Small. According to the article, the average new home size in the US is 2,350 sq ft and that's up 57% from 1970. The article largely focuses on a NYC designer whose website, apartmenttherapy.com, holds a contest each year for the smallest, coolest apartments. If you think you have what it takes, go enter! This year the cutoff size is 650 sq ft, up from last year's 500 sq ft.
One of the judges for the contest lives in a 70 sq ft apartment. I find that a little hard to believe. My larger walk-in closet is nearly that size. Anyway, the contest accepts entries until March 13 so now's the time to apply if you're living life on the small side.
Anyone on a diet better not look at this next link. Michelle at The Baker's Rack has one delicious looking Chai cake here. I'm going to try and make it in the next week or two. I tend to like candy more than cake, but spice cakes are my favorites and this looks like a variation on spice cake. Mmmm.Everytime I look at this picture I just start drooling. It's not a pretty sight so nobody look 'til I wipe my mouth!
Another sweet item that I want to make in the near future is baklava. I've been thinking about it off and on for nearly a year but right now is one of the "on" times. The main thing holding me back is working with phyllo dough is supposed to be a real pain in the patootie. Since my patootie has enough pains in it already I'm not sure adding one more pain is needed. On the other side of the ledger is the idea of eating pounds of baklava--and no, I don't share well. :-p
Comments
but as far as your own living situation... i think 1460 sounds fabulous. i think you would reconsider your wanting an 800-sq-ft home if you saw my apartment, which is 815 sq. ft, and frankly is too small even for just me and my two cats.
But make the baklava, and take pictures!
Michele sent me.
Very cool post, I enjoyed reading it!
chelle
Hello from Michelle!
And yet, I do agree that houses can get too big. In life, I want to make a home for my family, and a big house feels too much like a museum to me sometimes.
Here via Michele...
The way my wife complains about housework... The smaller the better. God forbid she ask me to help!
here via michele
p
*ps. re: my 'homage' to conservative politics, i was afraid someone might interpret it that way. nothing could be further from the truth. thanks for the comment. i always like hearing from you.
If I bat my lashes, will you share your baklava???? puh-leeeeeze????
:)
Thanks for making me drool too.
Lois Lane
I went from 3000 sq ft house to 1700 condo... lemme just say that downsizing was the BEST THING I ever did. My life is sooo much simpler, easier, and happier.
Michele sent me
- you're not gonna eat that are you?
I somewhat agree with that, while I yearn for more space. I clicked on the link and you have a really lovely home :O)
Here via Michele's tonight.
and i still believe that a home is what you make it, regardless of size. :)
Those desserts look soooooo yummy. I want to go out and satisfy my sweet tooth right now!
And I just read your note on my blog. The guy was with the group I was out with, so I had character witnesses. I'd never start something with a guy I didn't have some connection to through friends/ work/ family. I am way too distrustful for that!