A message to architects
Attention all those who design family homes.
There is something lacking in most of the new, modern, resort style homes displayed in the real estate section of newspapers. And in the new display homes in the "Homes" section of the weekend papers.
A coat closet.
Years ago, well, a couple of generations ago, when you walked into your home, there was a coat closet built in somewhere near the front door, or at least a shelf for hats and a row of hooks under it for coats.
So handy for coming and going to have your coat and hat always ready by the door.
Now, when you walk into your home, you have to go all the way to your bedroom wardrobe to hang up your coat.
I've also noticed in a lot of new designs, there doesn't seem to be a linen press in there.
Not in the laundry, not in the hallway.
Where are people expected to store their sheets and towels? Their polishing cloths? And whatever else people shove in there.
There doesn't seem to be any provision for sports equipment either.
Which doesn't bother me too much since I don't play sport, but other people do and often they can't fit their car in the garage because all the walls are lined with sports gear.
Should I mention the "makeover" people?
Those who redesign the family backyard and when they've finished, it may look beautiful with shrubs and a barbecue, paved areas,and a water feature........so handy for "entertaining".....but they've removed the washing line to do this and don't seem to have replaced it, even in a different spot.
Where do they now hang their clothes to dry?
There is something lacking in most of the new, modern, resort style homes displayed in the real estate section of newspapers. And in the new display homes in the "Homes" section of the weekend papers.
A coat closet.
Years ago, well, a couple of generations ago, when you walked into your home, there was a coat closet built in somewhere near the front door, or at least a shelf for hats and a row of hooks under it for coats.
So handy for coming and going to have your coat and hat always ready by the door.
Now, when you walk into your home, you have to go all the way to your bedroom wardrobe to hang up your coat.
I've also noticed in a lot of new designs, there doesn't seem to be a linen press in there.
Not in the laundry, not in the hallway.
Where are people expected to store their sheets and towels? Their polishing cloths? And whatever else people shove in there.
There doesn't seem to be any provision for sports equipment either.
Which doesn't bother me too much since I don't play sport, but other people do and often they can't fit their car in the garage because all the walls are lined with sports gear.
Should I mention the "makeover" people?
Those who redesign the family backyard and when they've finished, it may look beautiful with shrubs and a barbecue, paved areas,and a water feature........so handy for "entertaining".....but they've removed the washing line to do this and don't seem to have replaced it, even in a different spot.
Where do they now hang their clothes to dry?
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There's a whole new 'breed of cat' that lives in houses like that lol.
ReplyDeleteHaving just spent a few days in a brand new house I agree with you, the clothes line was in the shade most of the day, no where to hang a coat but it was in QLD so who needs a coat most of the time but there was a linen cupboard somewhere I think.
ReplyDeleteMerle......
My girlfriend had her foyer extended just to add a coat closet and a storage closet, on each side of the front door. I could never do that; we added a coat rack inside the front door.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed the lack of clothes lines in renovation jobs. So much for caring for the environment. We are going backwards. The coat cupboard doesn't worry me, but no linen press??? Outrageous.
ReplyDeleteThese days, the clothe lines are retractable. We have one in our yard. Most of the time, they are drwan out, only retracted when entertaining.
ReplyDeleteOurs look like this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.getstuff.com.au/hills-retracting-clothesline-everyday-5-autumn-stone.html?gclid=CNrEs-zqt7cCFaw8pgod4AcAog
Our next door neighbours don't have a clothes line. Everything goes in the dryer! Or is dry cleaned.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the smell of washing which has been dried in the sun...
Delores; in the old homes with coat closets or in the new homes with nothing?
ReplyDeleteMerlesworld; I remember living in Queensland, we didn't even have socks!
Then we moved to Sydney and had to buy everything. I don't have a linen press here, all my stuff is crammed into the top of wardrobe. Who puts a clothesline in the shade?
Joanne Noragon; I have a hat and coat stand that I brought with me, if I didn't have that I'd put a rack of hooks there. If I was building anew home, I'd be putting a coat and a storage closet, just like your friend.
Andrew; it seems they only plan for "entertainment value", not day to day living. and what about all those water features which look very pretty, but are a waste in a country as dry as ours.
mm; I've seen those retractable clotheslines and the ones that fold down too. They're a good idea as long as they're in a sunny spot.
Elephant's Child; I had neighbours like that once, they'd won some money and built on a block behind us, we could see into their laundry and hear the clothes dryer going every time they washed. Such a waste of sunshine. I love the smell of sunshiny sheets and clothes too.
It's a conspiracy by the electric companies to make you use drying machines more often, so they can claw more money from you! :)As for the cupboards, the feckers, don't they know how important these are? where else are you supposed to store your towels, sheets, and pillow cases...oh and summer quilts...we also have a blanket box in our room (a wooden chest), but use the airing (I call it a tank cupboard) for keeping the guest stuff and the towels in...sheesh!
ReplyDeleteI just purchased myself a coat/hat stand. Best purchase of the year I say. So convenient.
ReplyDeleteThe Wicked Writer; I just think those makeover people are thoughtless. Out here in Australia dryers aren't used all that much for most of the year, we hang our clothes and sheets etc in the sunshine. of course there are some people who prefer the dryers. When I moved here and discovered there was no linen press, I stuffed what I could into the wardrobe, hung a shelf in the bathroom and gave away everything that didn't fit.
ReplyDeleteFenstar: I love mine! I have scarves and handbags hanging on it as well as coats and hats.
Just one question - how many female architects are there? (or is that too sexist a remark?) Mind you, that doesn't explain why house fashions have changed really since there may not be many female architects now but there surely must be more than in days gone by ;-)
ReplyDeletejabblog; I have no idea how many female architects there are, possibly not enough, or there would be more storage in homes I suspect. House fashions have changed because of new inclusions that people have become convinced they need, so ask for them to be included, perhaps they've seen hollywood style or resort style homes on TV or in magazines, also to reflect the different lifestyles that people now have compared to how their grandparents or great grandparents lived. Way back then, most women didn't work, now they do, so more time saving devices are installed like dishwashers, microwaves, etc. Then there's all the newer styles of fixtures and fittings, better surfaces for floors and benchtops, cabinet doors etc, not to mention all the electronics.
ReplyDelete