We have carriages that transport visitors through the town, and they pause on the street, off to the right, to point out our house and its distinctive "Lunenburg Bump". That's the attic window that's on a number of the old houses here where the women could watch for their husbands ships to return to harbour. The house was built in 1888, and from the history we know, the original owner was a shoe maker.
The year before we bought the house, I was sitting in the park that lies across the street, and I thought how much I'd love to live in a purple house! The following year (2001) when we decided we wanted to live in town, the house was for sale, and we bought it, by happenstance, on my birthday. It was only days later that we were back on a plane on our way to California again!
That evening, in the airline club in Dallas, we started to watch a show that was beginning on the television. To our amazement, we saw the distinctive waterfront of Lunenburg, and exclaimed in amazement! But it got better! The next scene, filling the screen, was past the swingset on the playground, and there was The Purple House! I think I said, "OMG! It's our house!" and a man sitting nearby looked over at me like I was nuts!
Having no way to tape the television movie, called "Blue Moon", I called our daughter in Chicago. In an instant, though, I realized she was in the same time zone and we'd miss the opening shot! So I called a friend in California, knowing it wouldn't have begun...but I got her answering machine. Then it struck me (you'll love this, Denise!)...call our friend in Honolulu! Sure enough, she said she'd do it, and the next time I visited, she gave me my tape! So here you have it, our little Movie Star.
For those of you who have been calling the house "Blue", the paint colour is "Spring Purple" by Benjamin Moore. Houses always have two trim colors up here, so we used "White" and "Grape Gum"...
What a lovely house! I love the cheery color. I think it suits you and Ken very well. What a great story to go along with it, too. I think it was your destiny to own that purple house! :)
Oh, Louise, I *adore* your house (and the stories that go with it)! I have always fantasized about owning a Victorian home, but know that it's not realistic because I don't want to be responsible for the maintenance. So, I just continue to fantasize ... I particularly *love* turrets, have never heard of the "Lunenburg Bump," but now *love* it, too! I would call your house blue, not purple, but you'll see (in just a matter of weeks!) that it's a similar color to my Maui home ....
Thank you ever so much for sharing this with me/us ... and, yes, Nique and I had some wonderful mother/daughter time today (which is why I had to post the shot ~ important for buffering those "other" times) ...
What a great house! I love the color. Your neighborhood must be very bright and colorful. How fun! All the places around where I live are earthy tones and kind of boring.
What a lovely home! I remember my great grandparents house had an area above the home that was windowed much like your house, I think my great gramma called it a "Widow's Watch"...what a gorgeous home.
What an incredible story, Louise!!! So Honolulu saved the day, and got you the tape with your home!!! I believe in signs, and it seems to me that this house was meant to be yours from the very beginning! So many 'little' coincidences led to you living in a purple fairytale palace! Had to laugh at the "Lunenburg Bump"!! What a funny way to call it! ;-)) I love old houses - they are full of charm and character! We have a lot of them in Bulgaria, when I get back home I'll make sure to take some pictures!
Back to your comment on my photo - hummingbirds are ***the best*** for sure!!! I really enjoyed taking pictures of them today!!! They are still out there, gorging on the nectar, and I believe as long as I keep the feeder full, they'll be here to stay! :-) I'll watch them closely tomorrow and see if they are nesting nearby - thank you so much for the useful info! ;-))
Have a happy peaceful evening in your wonderful Lunenburg home!!! :-)
This is wonderful! How great that you have your own little movie star. I just love your story, and I must agree with Slava, it sounds like it was meant to be!
Beautiful home :). We don't have bumps back home, but we do have widow's walks, turret-like structures @ the peak of the house. Same purpose as the bump :). Thanks for sharing
What a lovely color! It looks like such a beautiful area! Here, along the Mississippi some of the older homes have widow walks on the roofs. I really like seeing a different version of it elsewhere. :-)
What a great house. Love the color and the history! Old houses are wonderful and I love to think about all the people that have been in and out throughout that many years.
I love the story - such serendipity all around! I live in Lunenburg MA and every time I try to google something in my town I get all sorts of sites listed for Nova Scotia, which always cracks me up. I had already decided I wanted to go there someday, just because - but all these great pictures have definitely put it higher on my list! Enjoy and thanks for the great tour!
Your home is so charming ...it must be like going back in time when you move to NS for the summer....a slower pace, too, I'm sure. Such a wonderful contrast to California. I'm another one who loves old Victorian homes...but don't think I will ever get to own one...so will live vicariously through friends like you ;-)
What fantastic story Louise! Like this things that happen on screenplay or with others. And such a beautiful house, congratulations, I really love that!
Thank you for your kind words commenting my "Paper airplanes" picture. And well observed, he was a simple man just doing what he loves doing.
You have a beautiful home Louise.. my fav color purple. I tried that email address you left but it didn't seem to work.... is it socal or maybe social. I just clicked on what you left and it was returned undeliverable. Still in Alberta till next week! will be catching up later.
*drooling* *DROOLING* BEAUTIFUL house!! Oh Louise, when can I come and visit?!?!?!?! What a wonderful story and to know your house is famous, hahaha awesome! I love the purple and all the character is divine! Ohhh more pictures pllllleeeeaaaseee! :)
Love it. Reminds me of one of those wonderful B&B's you find in Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. The attic view must be amazing! Thanks for sharing Louise.
that is so interesting... and the photograph... beautiful. What a lovely place to spend part of your year.... can see why you were so eager to be on the move to it.
What a wonderful story! That is how you know that you are right where you are supposed to be in your life! It was meant to be.
I think I have walked right by your house and you probably were there and I was remiss in not stopping to say "Hello"! I walked all over Lunenburg when we were there. Is Bluenose II there now? We saw it so many places during our boat travels. We feel very loyal to the Bluenose! I hope you can post some pictures of it.
LOL! I saw your post on Jodie's site first, about the paint and the cockatoos...I thought, hmm, wonder what's going on there then?? Ha! Now I know....this is such a fabulous place, no wonder you were keen to get off on your trip. Looks like it was just meant to be.......
what a wonderful story--you are soooo blessed because how many people are able to actually buy the house they wish for??? :) it is beautiful adn I love the attic window and the history behind it...
What a wonderful story! I'm so pleased that you got your purple house and the film with it in as well (having chased people across the world to tape it, you deserved to have a copy)! I love your house too ... it's really beautiful and to know some of its history just adds to the enjoyment.
Louise, if you are elevating me to a 'comet' you should be "The SUN" on here!! You always have something sweet to say and you are warming everybody's heart on 365!!! Keep reaching us with your rays and thank you for brightening my day!!! =)
As always, thank you for your wonderful comments. The statue is right on Temple Square. They've got at least half a dozen down there. Mormons aren't known for their art, but there sure is a lot of it (and the art on Temple Square is quite beautiful).
Thank you so much for your compliment, yes my picture was taken in Seattle, of course I edited it a lot to give it a spacey feel! This picture of yours is gorgeous! I love old houses, I live in the city of Snoqualmie WA and here in downtown we are full of beutiful old houses, maybe I will get around now that it's not so rainy and get some pictures! Again neat houses in your picture.
Oh Louise, I am torn between profound admiration and plain old jealousy! Your description didn't do this gorgeous place justice! So of course now I don't dare post a photo of my little hovel... ;)
I'm so jealous - I would lvoe a purple house! And the story of how you bought it and saw it on the movie really shows how it was something that was just meant to be!
oh she is sooooooooooooooo pretty!!!!....seriously....can you take us on a tour of the inside?
you guys sure do seem to have some beautiful houses over there.....
Calf update - It is all OK. The calf is there by its momma. Poppy went out last night and searched everywhere without finding it. Today, when the girls and I went out, it was frolicking with the other calves. WHEW!
Louise, enjoyed hearing more about your purple home...so cool that you have 2 completely different homes and as "they" say...timing is everything and you got this at the right time! Also, thanks for your comments on my Ella photo. Glad you liked it.
it's such a beautiful house!!! i always wanted an attic bedroom. still wouldn't mind one. need a tenant? haha, just kidding. really do love the house though and enjoyed the story :)
You are one brave woman, Louise...anything described to me in those terms would not be something I could be convinced to try! Thanks for sending me over to Tanya's site to read it!
Wow - Now, That's a House! I'm so happy for you that you fell in love with the house and were able to get it. It appears to have shelves/roofs over the lower windows as well as the door. I have never seen that before. Is that something you see there quite often.
Also, really like the arch windows in the center and squared ones on either side - like the other house you posted. And, the attic window, how interesting. I sounds like the Canadian version of a Widow's Walk - only inside. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us.
louise on my picture i was just trying to duplicate the color of your house! actually this is all still fairly new to me and i'm learning as i go...which is why i started this. if you saw what i started with on that picture you would have a good idea how it ended up there. i do....i think!
What a beautiful friendly house - the colour suits it and I love the surroundings. No I know why you want to fo live there for part of the year - would love to visit this part of the world one day! :D
Wow! I fall behind a few days and I look what I almost missed! I've been waiting to see where you call home in this wonderfully historic town! It's gorgeous!! More romantic and bigger than I imagined. Wow! How cool, too, that you have your own little bump. Just too fun.
Thank you ever so much for sharing this with me/us ... and, yes, Nique and I had some wonderful mother/daughter time today (which is why I had to post the shot ~ important for buffering those "other" times) ...
Back to your comment on my photo - hummingbirds are ***the best*** for sure!!! I really enjoyed taking pictures of them today!!! They are still out there, gorging on the nectar, and I believe as long as I keep the feeder full, they'll be here to stay! :-) I'll watch them closely tomorrow and see if they are nesting nearby - thank you so much for the useful info! ;-))
Have a happy peaceful evening in your wonderful Lunenburg home!!! :-)
Thank you for your kind words commenting my "Paper airplanes" picture. And well observed, he was a simple man just doing what he loves doing.
I think I have walked right by your house and you probably were there and I was remiss in not stopping to say "Hello"! I walked all over Lunenburg when we were there. Is Bluenose II there now? We saw it so many places during our boat travels. We feel very loyal to the Bluenose! I hope you can post some pictures of it.
you guys sure do seem to have some beautiful houses over there.....
Also, really like the arch windows in the center and squared ones on either side - like the other house you posted. And, the attic window, how interesting. I sounds like the Canadian version of a Widow's Walk - only inside. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us.