Happy Monday my lovelies! Today’s inspiration board is a celebration of vintage Barbadian homes. From childhood memories, some associated images which spring to mind are of delicate lace doilies, vintage china ensconced in mahogany clutches, high-necked blouses and pleated skirts tucked away in closets and the chattel houses all through the villages where my parent grew up and where one of my grandmother’ lived.
The Chattel House
Images- Beachview Barbados, Found Rentals (Ryan Ray Photography), Style Me Pretty Connie Lyu Photography, Wanelo (Peony and Thistle Vintage Shop), Wedding Chicks (Jennifer Schartner of Captured Photography), Elizabeth Anne Designs (Jose Villa Photography), Green Wedding Shoes (Scott Clark Photography)
For those of you who don’t know – chattel houses (one example in first pic to the left) were originally the homes of Barbadian plantation workers. They were small, modest wooden houses set on blocks rather than anchored to the ground so they could be easily moved hence their name- the word ‘chattel’ means ‘movable possession’. They were designed this way as workers from those early days often did not own the land they were living on- it usually belonged to their employer or other landlord tenants who could evict them at will.
They are an important part of our island’s heritage and modernized versions dot our landscape to this day. You can find out more about them here and here.
Hope you enjoy this vintage-style inspiration, let me know what you think!
