I want my house to be similar to that of my grandparents.
Today I visited my grandparents. It was great to see them again. Although I have been there numerous times, there is always more to discover. I love my grandfather’s attitude towards his house (and in a certain sense perhaps towards life). He sees his house as something that should be used and should be lived in, which results in a house full of unexpected features that ceased to amaze me as a kid but still make me smile today.
A simple toilet visit takes a while because you can’t help but want to read the many quotes and doodles on the toilet walls.
The hallway is full of little marks, dates and names. On a closer look you will discover the growth history of the entire family. I have my personal line there as well (the last one is from 2009 and I haven’t grown ever since). The kitchen door is full of fruit stickers. I’m not sure why, but I guess not everything needs a reason.
My grandfather invents his own ingenious little systems. For example he will hang tin cans over the doors on a nail every night as a low-tech burglar alarm. When someone opens the door the cans fall down and the massive noise will wake my grandparents and scare anyone away who was up to no good.
The house is packed with items from their exotic travels, including instruments. I have many memories of music in that house.
Who knows grandparents with still rings in their bedroom? I do ;) 
I remember one day he was painting the window frames, without using masking tape and paint was dripping over the glass. Somebody pointed that out and he cheerfully said that now the window had become a piece of abstract art. He later stuck some pieces of paper on the window as well and declared his masterpiece finished. 
To my grandfather doodling on the wall is perhaps as common as on paper or body parts (he used to make little drawings on my hand as a kid). Even leakage stains in the wallpaper become works of art.
I want to be like my grandfather when I grow old. But perhaps I am already a bit ;)
(Klick here for a past post on flying a kite with my grandfather and here for the tutorial)
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12 Comments
joyce matula welch
December 27, 2011 at 23:15
This is so cool. I hope I am like your Grandpa when I grow old too.
Chandra
December 28, 2011 at 04:00
I think when I buy a home and have grandchildren we will all draw on the walls together. My mama has a growth chart on her door frame of my Sid and now he is almost too tall for the doorway to be measured anymore!
Mongs
December 28, 2011 at 04:25
your grandpa is so cute and interesting! I like that toilet, makes me laugh. You can stay in there forever just reading those scribbles. Say Hi! to Grandpa for me. Thanks for dropping by my blog by the way, have a wonderful new year!
mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
Tiera
December 28, 2011 at 05:26
Best bathroom ever! I love my grandparents’ house, too. It’s one of the only homes in the family that hasn’t changed location (my other grandparents and both parents have moved several times). They don’t live on the same island as I do, so I don’t get there as often as I’d like anymore, but I love it just the same <3
Mariana
December 28, 2011 at 08:51
Oh, I would love to visit your grandparents! :) This looks so interesting.
Sarbear
December 28, 2011 at 15:49
I have never seen anyone keep a home in such a way, what an amazing man, your grandfather. I can see why you would enjoy your visits, it’s like an interactive museum. It seems you’d be unable to leave without being inspired.
-Sara-
Audrey Allure
December 28, 2011 at 16:53
Great doodles in the bathroom – so cute!
Danielle
December 28, 2011 at 17:54
ALL THOSE LITTLE QUIRKY THINGS MAKE A HOME COME TOGETHER!
Roberta
December 28, 2011 at 21:08
immagini molto molto belle!
http://traveloguewithlove.blogspot.com/
ktpland
December 29, 2011 at 13:41
what a wonderful home full of memories! though I doubt I’d be able to see much of it cos I’d be too busy ready the bathroom walls!
Magical Day Dream
December 29, 2011 at 23:36
@ Joyce: Haha that makes two of us!
@ Chandra: So cool! I remember this one time when my parents were going to change the wallpaper in their room and let us draw on the walls. It was so much fun!
@ Mongs: Yes I always am caried away there by all the quotes and doodles and then realize I am on the toilet again.
@ Tiera: For me the same. I’ve always moved a lot in my life, but my grandparents place has been the same from the moment I was born (and long before)
@ Mariana: Well, you are welcome ;) But for now I guess you’ll have to manage with the pictures.. :p
@ Sara: It is! And I haven’t even talked about all the books and other stuff. I used to read in this awesome Robinson Cruisoe book with pictures of how to make stuff, or craft books, and I have made countless forts in their living room..
@ Audrey: I agree ;)
@ Danielle: In a strange sort of way I guess it does. ‘Normal’ people use colors and such to accomplish the same effect ;)
@ Roberta: I wish I could speak Italian, love the sound of it!
@ktpland: Haha, well not if you know that there are many more interesting things to discover outside the bathroom ;)
Eleni
January 5, 2012 at 14:45
That is such a cool house! I love the idea of doodling on your bathroom walls :D