Rustic Gothic circa 1904

I live in a Rustic Gothic house built between 1904 and 1906; records conflict. The ceilings, a lofty 10 ft. high, are wide-planked red oak; the floors oak; and the walls are thick, thick knotty pine logged from the once vast pine forests of Central Oregon.


It’s a dark house. Those wood surfaces and predominantly black furniture create a lodge-like atmosphere; it’s marvelously cozy to stretch out on the couch in front of a roaring fire with a box of bonbons and a low-brow mystery, (my plan for New Year’s Eve.)

Gray and green are the colors on view here at the edge of the Oregon Coast Range. Glowering rainclouds dimming the sky float away for a moment of breathtaking splendor of vibrant green Douglas fir forests.

Meanwhile back in my house, it is consistently dark or dusk. Porches on two sides keep the house cool in summer but are another factor that contributes to the winter gloaming inside.

I’m considering painting those knotty pine walls.

I’m an avid viewer of “This Old House” whose current project is restoring the exterior on an 1887 Queen Anne while revamping the interior in a Scandinavian-inspired design. This quelled concerns that painting my walls was desecrating Oregon history, (or the value of the house.) The next owners could, with a whole lot of hard work, strip the walls down to the original wood.

Okay. Decision made. I’ll be begging my multi-talented cousin Cathy, (accomplished painter for one,) for assistance. Probably for color advice as well. 



History of the house: Built by Harriet Peret, mother of Gus Peret, he a legendary Oregon marksman, outdoor writer, photographer, and world-famous big game hunter. He married Hazel Applegate, of Applegate Trail ancestry, who was also a marksman. They lived in this house until his death in 1963 and hers in 1985, and buried at the Applegate Pioneer Cemetery.

This is a small community. It turns out that my boss’s father was great friends with Gus Peret. The owner of the local hardware store visited this house as a child and recalls being shown a colossal lion skin bagged by Mr. Peret. Douglas County Museum has a collection from the Peret’s, reputedly including that lion skin – but it wasn’t on display on my visit.











Comments

Mrs. Tuna said…
I wondered how it would look if you painted it white. With all the rain you get, light and airy might brighten it up.

Thanks for commenting today.
Sat Dec 29, 05:06:00 AM
Catherine said…
Hey Steph ... glad to help ... wouldn't go with bright white ... think linen. Would love to come down one of these days with my paint fan and work it out with you. I'm on call to help a grand niece do her bedroom also ... may have to start charging. LOL Seriously, lets do this thing.
Mon Dec 31, 10:28:00 AM
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