One of my favorite films (and books) of all time is Practical Magic from Alice Hoffman's book of the same name. It came out in 1998 and starred Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. It was the first DVD I owned (before I even had a DVD player) and I've re-watched too many times to count. -
I love many things about the movie, the themes of sisterhood, family, friendships, love, Aidan Quinn the setting, the costumes, the magic but most of all I love the house.
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| Back of the house. Photo: Amas Veritas |
When I bought the Victorian Stucco Cottage off of Craiglist a year ago, my first thoughts were of the that magical house.
As I'm finishing up the Glam Townhouse, my thoughts once again returned to the Practical Magic House. Of course I can't wait, so I've done some research. I watched the film again! The wonderful blog Hooked on Houses has a great breakdown and photos of the house. She has even posted a real life kitchen that was designed based on the movie kitchen. There is also a lovely site dedicated to the movie, Amas Veritas, which has more great photos and even elevations of the house that was built for the movie. From these sites I learned of a spread in October 1998's Victoria Magazine and was able to find a copy on Ebay for have as my very own!
My house won't be an exact replica of the house in the film. More of an "inspired by" house. I love, love, love the kitchen...
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| Photo: Amas Veritas |
Especially, the Aga Stove...
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| Photo: Amas Veritas |
I also love the Conservatory off the kitchen, where the Aunts grow their herbs...
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| Photo: Amas Veritas |
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| Photo: Amas Veritas |
I have this Houseworks gazebo on hand which I'm hoping to turn into the conservatory...
This weekend I pulled out the kit and started work on the foundation. The kit included some magic stone which was easy to apply and seems to have worked despite being 30 years old.
The kit is from S/W Crafts in the early eighties. They are no longer around and it is hard to find information from on the web. When I bought this kit, I also bought a S/W Crafts kit called the Lakeside Manor. From what little I can find on the web, they also used to make the house from the musical "Annie" and a version of the Fantasy Island TV Show house (if you were a child of the 70's in the US you'll know the show I'm talking about!
This is made of pine and MDF. First kit I've put together that isn't a Greenleaf kit. Much, much heavier and huge! Who knows where I'll put it but it will be fun to make.
