Dream Houses

I could live in a cottage by a brook

With a tiny bridge and a winding path,

Green door and shutters beneath a curving tile roof,

And wake to the beat of swans' wings

And the honey  fragrance of blooming flowers.

I could live in a house behind a wall

Where peacocks pace amid strange blooms

And tall trees like lilac clouds soar above the chimneys.

From the three little attic windows, I can see everything
And hear the peacocks' cries.

 

I could live in a happy yellow house

With gables and dormers and a vine growing up the side.

When snow lies on the roof, I will imagine

The purple of the wisteria against the yellow wall in Spring.

I could live in a house with many-paned windows,

Chimneys and odd finials and a balustered wall.

When the moon sinks low and the snow grows deep,

I will wrap a red muffler round the poor statue,

Shivering in its icy niche.

I could live in a witchy house, tall and brooding,

With a shop on the bottom floor. 

 Here will I sell herbs and simples,

Potions and lotions for the villagers

Who visit me only by night.

I came across this site HERE that features vintage shelter magazine covers and fell in love with these illustrations.  I don't know who the artist is (or if there are several artists) but my imagination took wing. You should really zoom in on each one to see all the charming details.