During my multiple decades, I’ve lived in a variety of houses and apartments. They ranged in age from built in the 1880’s to new. None of them would qualify as large. In fact, “tiny” would fit one of them.
When selecting and arranging furnishings, I’ve learned to consider size — of the room and the piece of furniture.
What about your home? For example, do you have steps to the backyard and desire a light fixture? I found this one of classic design on vacation one year.
Is it a little large for your space? You need to admit, it is proportional with the backyard. (A space close to our small Midwestern farm.) Perhaps abandoning the idea of bringing this home was a good idea. I rather doubt it’s for sale within my budget anyway.
In frontier America, the size of the cabin was sometimes dictated by the length of the available logs. As sawmills were built, buildings tended toward frame rather than log. But size remained modest for most people. Including the residents of fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois. With a mixture of log, frame, brick, and stone construction, the size and appearance often reflected the income and status of the owner. (Four-story brick hotel excluded.)
When reading the historical romance, New Dreams, think modest for the building size. The bakery is large enough to have a generous workroom — but the sales area and the storage room — with alcove for hired help to sleep — run rather small. Farmhouse kitchens with open dining sometimes occupied half of the house — and the only heating source. Enough space to live, but not much extra, take the messy part — and the laundry — outside.
While I enjoy reading about 19th century America, I’m glad to live in the 21st century. Here’s a link to the past: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE
