Think your home is too small?
Homes have grown in size over the years. In a typical 1950 home, 290 square feet represented each family member. The number of square feet in 2003 was 893. Is all this space really necessary?
In comparison, consider 42 square feet, 6 feet wide by 7 feet long. Not a large area! Could you comfortably live in such a confined space?
Gypsies did at the turn of the century! As early as 1760, they travelled over the best roads in Europe. The 15,000 miles of French roads networked not just vehicles but homes on wheels. These wagons drawn by just one stocky, muscular horse also traversed the bumpy English countryside.
The vardo (wooden wagon) made efficient use of space, with a bed, stove with chimney and rear window or door. An open front entry might be covered with curtains or canvas panels for privacy, or doors with laced windows. Vivid fabric covered the interior ceiling. Of necessity, things were orderly and prized possessions displayed. Elaborately carved and painted woodwork livened the exterior.
The woman's prized domestic status symbol - the vardo.
In our consumer driven world, there are still those who feel small is ideal. No long list of builder upgrades to peruse. No debate over where to situate the sofa. A tidy, clean, orderly use of space.
Check out the links to see vardo inspired masterpieces, and another site that proves that it doesn't have to be big to be beautiful.
Want to read a bit of the history of gypsies it's just a click away.
Homes have grown in size over the years. In a typical 1950 home, 290 square feet represented each family member. The number of square feet in 2003 was 893. Is all this space really necessary?
In comparison, consider 42 square feet, 6 feet wide by 7 feet long. Not a large area! Could you comfortably live in such a confined space?
Gypsies did at the turn of the century! As early as 1760, they travelled over the best roads in Europe. The 15,000 miles of French roads networked not just vehicles but homes on wheels. These wagons drawn by just one stocky, muscular horse also traversed the bumpy English countryside.
The vardo (wooden wagon) made efficient use of space, with a bed, stove with chimney and rear window or door. An open front entry might be covered with curtains or canvas panels for privacy, or doors with laced windows. Vivid fabric covered the interior ceiling. Of necessity, things were orderly and prized possessions displayed. Elaborately carved and painted woodwork livened the exterior.
The woman's prized domestic status symbol - the vardo.
In our consumer driven world, there are still those who feel small is ideal. No long list of builder upgrades to peruse. No debate over where to situate the sofa. A tidy, clean, orderly use of space.
Check out the links to see vardo inspired masterpieces, and another site that proves that it doesn't have to be big to be beautiful.
Want to read a bit of the history of gypsies it's just a click away.
posted by Helene Ashukian at
6:48 AM
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