A house is...

The commentary seems to be separate from your individual ideas about the house part of a home. It seems logical to then present a second post where comments about a home can be entered.

My thoughts: I don't like a big house. I have no designs on a "dream house." I like small but cozy. The ideas in the book The Not so Big House resonate with me.

Good
- Multi purpose space is good.
- Private places in public spaces e.g. nooks are good.
- Frank Lloyd Wright favored multiple ceiling heights. I like that idea but it is hard to find.
- Multiple level floors are a nice second choice.
- Prefer flooring (hardwood like stuff) to carpeting.
- I like built-ins in the bedrooms.
- Small yard.
- A little space between houses but definitely neighbor interaction.
- Parks and other public spaces nearby.
- Walking/running paths.
- Open plan.
- Eat in kitchen, e.g. French country style.

Bad
- Big bedrooms where you have seating areas. What is that about?
- Loud computers in public spaces - exception is the kids computers.
- Too open plan. TV needs isolation.

Optional
- Garage. However, you get one here pretty much everywhere.
- Home office for everyone. This is a big deal to some people.
- Multimedia room.

Just a few thoughts.

A home is...

A home is where you live.

I think it is interesting that in our family there are clusters. C and I have not bought. We rent. And we rent in more urban areas than J and Chou (didn't know how to give you a codename). M has bought a place "in the city." I was thinking that perhaps C and I prefer the city because we lived in one the longest.

I'm always surprised when I think about that. I remember living in Worcester quite vividly but who else does?

What is a home?

Recent discussions with C and J prompted me to consider this blog question: What is a home?

My goal is to create a thread like the one we created several years ago about x-mas, where each sibling chimed in with their thoughts about the Christmas experience. The thread showed that our experience today is often shaped by our recollections of youth among other things.

I want to provide a place for the collection of these disparate thoughts, where each sibling can offer them non-judgementally.

I want to avoid people disparaging another persons ideas. However, I think you should be able to comment on them for contrast. Feel free to expand on this rule.

You might say, "J says that his thought was modeled after Mom's view of "home." My interpretation is different." That way, you have set the context but not said J was wrong and therefore an idiot. No offense, J. You're just an example.

You can comment anonymously or not. Let me know if you want different code name.

Here is the basic question: What is home to you? In what ways, did your experience in our familial home influence you? What do you look for in a house?