Tags
Brooklyn Flea, chandelier, domestic space, house hunting, light, prism, Professor Katherine M. Tarbox, rainbow, women
In college I audited the most magical class about women and domestic space. The professor asked if any of us had ever sat in our house for the day and watched the light change. I didn’t understand what, or why she was asking at the time. Now that we are settled in our house, I get it. The right light was that illusive something I searched for when we were house hunting. I nearly drove Chris insane when after a year and a half of looking I couldn’t explain why a building just wasn’t quite right. Now I realize it was the light all along. It was the question that Professor Tarbox asked us to consider. How will the light look in the space where you spend your days? How does that light make you feel? How does it change with the seasons? Will your mornings be bright in your space and how will the shadows change with afternoon?
The light is why I fell in love with our house, despite its list of 1000 projects. The light is beautiful here. It thrills me every day to watch it change. I chase it from floor to floor, searching for the perfect spot to photograph. I wanted Ada to see it too, so we found this big prism from an old chandelier at the Brooklyn Flea. (The Hot Wheels guy has a bunch if you happen to go). Now Ada can watch the light bend and move around her room.
Domesticspace 
lilyzichy3 said:
This post touches my heart immensely. After my accident, I was introduced to light in the spiritual sense. I was given prisms, quartz, etc. I would follow the light. Light is so important. I re-arranged my bedroom recently. Moved my bed by the windows even though it is now by the door. The morning sun shines in on the bed. I am able to view out to the north window. Such a difference. My sleep is better. My dreams are not as disturbing. Your home…I believe my dear Jeanne represents your light with in as well.
Look forward to seeing you when I see you.
Leigh said:
Jeanne,
I love this post. I too searched and searched for the right light in a house. When we made a bid on this house, I remember asking the owner which windows get the most sun and he looked at me like he had never even thought about it before. And they had lived here for 45 years! Men I tell ya.
Julie said:
Found your blog courtesy of the NY Times (your traffic’s gonna spike!), and love it! I envy you your renovation tasks, onerous as they may seem now.
Loved this particular post as well. It’s ALL about the light. I work from home and am always pleased as the light moves through my old Spanish-style duplex. I really think it’s the most important factor in making this old flat feel like my home. It makes me serene. It makes me happy, from my sun-flooded kitchen to the rainbows the sun-catcher on the windows throw over the furniture. Home!
How funny your professor stumped you with her question in your ’20s. I would have scratched my head too, at that age.
jeannerondeau said:
Thank you!
Yes, so funny how things change. I never thought about it- but as a photographer and painter it always was the light I was chasing.
Your blog looks delicious and hilarious! I love the what-the-hell cooking style, especially with such pretty results.
Kelly@Madisonsquare said:
I love this post! I am sure that one of the main reasons we bought our house is because of how the sunlight enters through the windows in the morning, afternoon, evening, filtering thru the trees (or not, depending on the season). I find that if I’m at home during the middle of the day it almost feels like a completely different house because the light comes in just so. Mmm sunlight.
jeannerondeau said:
Thank you! I love how it changes with the seasons. We have so much work to do on the house, but it is nice to live with the light for a year and be sure we make the right choices.