a big house, bigger soul

When I grow up, I want to live in a big house.

The kind of house that you can get lost in even though you live in it. And not just because of its sheer size, but of the way it twists and turns and folds into itself.

It needs to be high, so high that when you look down from the top floor you have to shout to be heard and you can see the spiral of the staircase.

Mind you, there has to be at least one other staircase somewhere, connecting only two floors, for example, or leading to a secret spot with a good view.

Layers are important. Not only layers of floors and staircases, all piled on top of each other. Also the layers above.

The staircases must have soft runners and all the wooden floors must have rugs, the colours clashing with each other.

Each surface must be covered, cabinets of curiosities and mantelpieces crowded by trinkets. I need to be able to walk through the house and be reminded of the origin of each trinket, the story behind it. The crazier the story, the better.

The walls must also be covered. With wallpaper, with art. I’ve grown up cocooned by art, and don’t see why my future should be any different.

Big paintings, small paintings. Sculptures at every turn of the staircase. Moths pinned to paper, pinned to the wall.

There will be art everywhere, for everything will be a work of art.

The large quilt bedspread - a different colour in each of the bedrooms. Crocheted blankets and embroidered cushions. All of it art.

And the kitchen will be yellow or green or red. I haven’t decided yet.

But it’ll have a large wooden table in the middle covered in scars and pots of herbs. And the tiles will be crazy.

Big windows to the garden. The garden that is a labour of love, the result of hard work and meticulous care.

This house’ll be big, but its soul even bigger. Each room a piece of art, each room made for dancing.

The perfect house for being together or sitting alone.

The kettle constantly on and the fire always burning.

I can’t wait to live in this house, a combination of all the places I’ve loved.

When I grow up, I want to live in a big house.