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Over the years I have continued to receive many emails and comments about this post - which I did on Oct. 27, 2007. It amazes me that so many people became as enamoured with this set decor as I did.
For all of you who would like to see an absolutely incredible three dimensional, miniature model of this home - please follow the link - The Owen's House on Magnolia Street. You will be in Owen's House heaven!!
For all of you who would like to see an absolutely incredible three dimensional, miniature model of this home - please follow the link - The Owen's House on Magnolia Street. You will be in Owen's House heaven!!
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Happy Halloween!!
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Some years ago - back in 1998 to be exact - a movie came out called Practical Magic, written by Alice Hoffman (novel). It starred Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Stockard Channing and Diane Wiest. It also starred Aidan Quinn and Goran Visnjic. I fell in love with this movie and have watched it so many times through the years I've lost count. I must admit one of the reasons I have watched it so many times was to see the house/set it was filmed in and the surrounding property. Set decoration and production design have always been something I've loved as much as the movies themselves. This house was built entirely (and torn down) for the film on an island in Washington and what an amazing job they did. The design and feel of that house really inspired me. I have tried to glean as much as I can from the look of the set and incorporate into my own home here and there. I also wish I owned and ran the shop that Sandra Bullocks character does in the film.
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It's a great fall/Halloween flick and features music by Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow. It was also featured in Victoria Magazine article called, Casting a Decorative Spell, back in October 1998. Here is a little bit of that article.
_In turning Alice Hoffman's novel "Practical Magic" into a Hollywood film, Production Designer Robin Standefer had to conjure a fully decorated house --from scratch. One day she faced a barren patch of rented land on Washington's San Juan Island, then poof! a Victorian house grew. Here she shares the decorating tricks and secret sources that helped cast a decorative spells over this wonderful movie...Though this Victorian house looks as if it's been in place for a century, it's actually an architectural shell. Even the blossoms on the trees are fake -they're made of silk.
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The aunt's house is every bit a main character in the movie.... "I analyzed the descriptions of the stairways and the tangle of vines growing over the back door, and decided it had to be Victorian,"she (Robin Standefer) explains. "But it couldn't look haunted.It had to be clean and white, not fading and cobwebbed. The aunts never really age. Their magic keeps them young. What if they lived in a house that never really aged? The design, based on East Coast shingle style, evolved to include a lighthouse on top. "Women were traditionally light keepers and this was a house of women," says Robin.
The aunt's house is every bit a main character in the movie.... "I analyzed the descriptions of the stairways and the tangle of vines growing over the back door, and decided it had to be Victorian,"she (Robin Standefer) explains. "But it couldn't look haunted.It had to be clean and white, not fading and cobwebbed. The aunts never really age. Their magic keeps them young. What if they lived in a house that never really aged? The design, based on East Coast shingle style, evolved to include a lighthouse on top. "Women were traditionally light keepers and this was a house of women," says Robin.
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41 comments:
This is one of my all time favorite movie houses and sets. I just checked it out from the library last week, just for the eye candy.
I, too, love the set of this movie. It is very inspiring. I also remember the Victoria article, and, in fact, still have the magazine to peruse.
Lovely little blog you have, very glad, indeed, that I found you.
Lisa
till now I thought I'm the only one who is amazed by this movie... and here I feel like reading my own thoughts :)
Hi, my family is just building our new house and I was looking for the Victoria article on the PM house. My parents have put me in charge of the landscaping and gardening since I'm the gardener of the family. I'm desperately looking for landscaping pics from the movie. I've collected all the ones from amasveritas.com and I've even watched the whole movie on my laptop, taking screen caps every time I saw a neat house landscaping pic. If anyone is able to scan in the article and email it to me, please contact me at teenravenclaw@aol.com
If you are able to, please do so! You have no idea how much it'll mean to me!
~Thank you VERY much!
Do you know the date of this sort of house?
Isn't it such a great house!!!
The design, based on East Coast shingle style, evolved
to include a lighthouse on top. It was made to look as if it had been there for about a century or so.
Thanks for the comment.
Does anyone know what kind of decoration this new age look is called? I love the kitchen especially. So earthy.
It is good to know I am not the only one out there that adores this movie and its house. It is amazing to me that it was built and then torn down,is such a waste. I would have moved in,in a new york minute. I love everything about this movie, the house. I especially loved the kitchen and the green house.It was a total delight and I re watch it all the time.
I have been watching this movie lately over and over for the same reasons as you, all the ambiance! I love that house, especially the room with all the herbes and plants...wow...I am a huge stevie nicks fan which is why I even bothered to see it back when it came out and I've loved it ever since. Stockard Channing I think is absolutely stunning, I love her clothes her hair and her makup! I hope one day I'll have a home that ressembles this one..
take care xoxo Riv,
chavatzellet@yahoo.com
I'm sad to read that the house isn't even real!!! I think the house is pretty amazing too. I like the combo of white wooden cabinets and dark hard wood floors. Plus, Practical Magic is a guilty pleasure of mine.
I know this sounds crazy, but since I saw the house in the movie when I was younger, I wanted a house exactly like this.....Now that I'm at that age where a future home is coming into focus, I want to have a replica of this house built (obviously to live in) does anyone know how i go about finding the person who designed/built this house? I know it's probably copywrited. If anyone can point me in the right direction, i'd be eternally greatful!!! (It *IS* my dream house after all) :)
Puka_Shell_Princess@hotmail.com
I, too, loved "Practical Magic" and its beautiful Gothic Victorian house. A Friend and I have been trying to come up with a free basic architectural rendering Owens Girl Wannabes might be able to submit to an architect for a real house plan. As one can tell from a careful viewing of the film itself (we bought the DVD to capture every angle) as well as articles and photos re the set, the building was actually filmed in more than one house, plus the studio, making it rather a fantasy place, so there is some leeway that allows for adding a few modern conveniences and safety features, such as a passage hallway, laundry and powder rooms, without changing too much of the layout and ruining the main witchy impression. Even the staircase and fireplace designs are flexible, judging by some major bloopers of the kitchen (pancakes anyone??!!) and right rear roofline. A study of mid-19th century Mansard houses indicates the Owens residence is not an uncommon one and lends many clues; the basic footprint is square, for instance. A.J. Downing's 1853 book, Cottage Residences, shows a variation on the cover. You do need to consult an architect for the fancy exterior detailing, though. Email: laenchant@aol.com
I can't tell you all how relieved I am to know there are other people like me out there. You know how some people take their mind to a "happy place" and most visual the ocean or waterfalls, well I envision this house and it's interior. This movie is my happy place. I started my very own natural soap company soon after I first saw this movie. To know other people are out there who love this house (and the movie) as much as I do, is really cool.
I can't believe how many emails I have recieved on this post alone. It is such an amazing house - I would move in tomorrow!!
When I was a child,I wanted real bad to live and the Owen's house.It is such a remarkable,marvelous,gorgeous and amazing house.It is the only house set in a movie that ever grabbed my attention.Overall,Practical Magic is an excellent movie.It is also has wonderful soundtrack particularly by Stevie Wonder.Sandra and Nicole delivered their best in this movie.This movie truly magical.email:budi_027@hotmail.com
Couldn't tell you how many times I've seen this movie. It's what I call my comfort pillow. I turned my sister on to it, and she too watches it anytime the weathers just right for a "practical moment" as we call it. I would be "Jillie" and she's "Sally"-lol. Really, we see so much of them in us that we never get enough of it. "The House"? WOW! I can only imagine as the rest of you do, what would it be or feel like to wonder around such a beauty. I love it. I am so happy to find that there are so many people out there that loves this movie as much as we do.
Still getting comments and emails on this post! Amazing!!
I come from a sort of rough upbringing - and this house was my mental escape. Now, eleven years later, my husband and I are discussing the building of our next home. He's in love with this house as much as I am! Is "Merry Wethers" suggesting that she has some roughed out plans of the house?
I completely agree! I loved the Rose bush on the trellis and the fact that is on the ocean. Plus the amazing green house/ room.
If you loved the movie "Practical Magic" then you'll love the book, "Garden Spells."
So happy I found this! I loved the film, book, both soundtracks and the house! Also agree w/ last post- the book "Garden Spells", by Sarah Allen Addison has a very "practical magic" feel to it.
Does anyone know where I can download the Practical Magic audiobook? I only found it on cassette...and the audiobook clubs I belong to don't have it, nor itunes....so sad...
For great Practical Magic info including photos from set, from Victoria Magazine article, AND house photos and sketched plans go to- http://www.amasveritas.com/film/index.html
Click on Settings link then Elevations link for sample plans and/or House link for photos.
So I thought I was the only one that actually did some research on this house. There is a magizine article on it?? Please if anyone has any info that I could use please let me know. I am looking for a floor plan and would love to build a house like this....
Thanks,
kndshelby@yahoo.com
I found this great site with stills and some basic layouts.
http://www.amasveritas.com/film/setting/design.html
This is a spectacular house and it would be fantastic if someone could come up with an actual architectural plan.
Practical Magic is one of my all-time favorite movies and the house is my absolute favorite movie house ever! I especially loved the kitchen and greenhouse, they were absolutely beautiful! I want to build my own PM house and would love to know where I could find the floor plan. I've checked the amasveritas site and there is a sketch of the floor plan, but not the actual plan itself. Anyone know if or where it can be found? If so, you can write to me here: c.estrada618@hotmail.com Thanks a bunch, it's great to know that I'm not the only one in love with that magical house! :)
Loved this movie! Thanks for posting!
Clearly, I have a problem. I have this saved on my DVR to watch right now and have it on my Christmas Wishlist. Obviously I love to watch it at this time of year according to my comment above!
Sad to find out this house didn't really "exist", but excited to find all the photos, and the link to Amas Veritas. This is practically my dream house, except for the thought of all those stairs. A one- or two-story cottage version of it would be perfect, provided it had the same feel as the PM house. The attic would make a wonderful hideaway, though.
I fell in love with the movie as you all did along with the set designs and the general feel of the entire home. It just makes me want to grow herbs on my window sill, get the fireplace going, wear cotton flowy dresses and just be. I am now in the finishing stages of renovating my Victorian home in Philadelphia, at least I'll be able snag some of these great design ideas.
You can choose your house plan from 100 because New Drafting CAD Site gives away over 100 House plans for free.
You can go and them at http://www.sdsplans.com
I am so glad other people love this movie as much as me. My daughters always ask why I watch it all the time. I named my 4th daughter Jillian, she has red hair and blue eyes. I would love to have a shop like Sally's.
My husband knows I've been having a not-so-secret love affair with the Owens' house since I first saw the movie years ago. So sad that the interiors were sets in LA and that the house was actually just a shell to be torn down. But just look at all of us who keep it "alive"! Thanks for feeding my architecture habit. :)
Halloween Night 2010. Yes, once again, I'm watching my favorite movie, P.M. I fell in love with it years ago and so very glad to find a website/blog with comments of others who love the movie and house as much as I do. Its so sad that a house like that one does not exist to actually visit; what fun it would have been to vacation in Washington. But has anyone visited those islands or site towns?? Would love to know your experiences. Are there any... left over souvenirs from filming in any of those towns? Would love to travel around that area and visit the sites. Happy Halloween!!
I am so happy to know I am not the only person who loved this house. I wonder if they sell the blue prints lol.
Hi,
Is there anyone who wants to share the Victoria magazine article with me? I would love to receive a scan of all the pages.
My email adres is: mariekewillems@tiscali.nl
Thanks!
Marieke
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this house! I get the urge to watch this movie from time to time. I was a young teen when this movie came out and I just fell in love with this house and the movie. I'll admit, I fast forward through the scary parts and mostly watch the movie to see the house and the botanical shop. I scan over every detail. The antiques, bottles filled with herbs, the many plants in the green house. The molding, staircases and windows in the house make my heart skip a beat!
I have always been drawn to that primitive New England style. The iron candle holders, big wooden and clay bowls. So beautiful and charming.
hi dear ur post is nice u have done a nice job pillow shams
Hello, I just thought all the fans of the house who've commented on this page might like to see my site on the Owens' House - I finished building a miniature replica of it earlier this year;http://heatheraspinall.id.au/OwensHouse/index.html. Like all of you, I'm also obsessed with the house and movie. Nice to know I'm not the only one!
Wow!!! Please check out the link http://heatheraspinall.id.au/OwensHouse/index.html
Amazing miniature re-production of Owen's House and detailed design plans! Unbelievable!!!
Hi Sabina, I always LOVED this house, thanks for all the background info on this spookiest of days...Happy Halloween!
Hello my friend :) I've been trying and TRYING to catch up on my favorite people... and was SURE I had actually commented on this post... but I guess NOT! Like you, I am astounded at the amount of feedback you've received - wow! I've only seen Practical Magic once and it was a looong time ago... but I could definitely use some of that ambience! Which means of course that I'm going to iTunes and download it right NOW! LOL!
xoxoxoxo
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