Knock, knock . . .
Who’s there? Collage artist Linda Summerfield Crispell and Gar Crispell and their beauteous offspring, the lovely Lulu (her nom de Web), and her delightful bro, Deke (ditto on the alias). Oh, and I must not forget their ever-obedient Mssr. Buddy.

Putting on a stoic front:  The Crispells’ ivory-colored home with red-brick chimney of a spine and neat, black shutters tell only part of the story that unfolds inside. That part of the story is about strong foundations and handsome and serene backdrops to a colorful life filled with rich tales, creativity, collections (yes, the collections which, more than the house’s face, drew me to this house) and a lot of love.

While the collections of alabaster eggs, toy typewriters, candies, little chairs, birds and bride-and-groom cake toppers charm throughout the home, they — thanks to the Crispells’ deft editing, command of color (robin’s-egg blue, celadon and light neutrals) and clever and restrained display — do not overwhelm. They don’t smother. They just delight.

And the house (like Linda, Lulu, Deke and Buddy – sorry I didn’t get to meet Gar) make you feel happy–as though the world is just full of possibilities.

One of my favorite tales: When Lulu was in the second grade, she heard of the need for art supplies in some city schools and the efforts of artist Tony Fitzpatrick to fill that need. So for her birthday then and since, Lulu asked for art supplies for her birthday – and then donated them to Fitzpatrick’s cause. This story was told as I asked about the myriad artworks that grace the walls here, some by Fitzpatrick.

Creativity: In the family room, self-portraits done by Lulu, now 15, and Deke, 11, hang in either end of a cabinet that once held notices and bulletins in some church. In the master bedroom, a large painting of a cake-topper bride and groom by Gar, created for an anniversary present in one afternoon, hangs opposite the bed.

In the living room, there’s a painting of a nude (or is it a nun with a pocket, Deke considers) done by Gar’s father, Roger Crispell. Linda’s collages and little muslin dolls and feathers-cum-art pop up all around.

Love: In the den (which sounds way too stiff for this room that holds a small desk made by Linda’s grandfather for her mother; collages by Linda; Gar’s collection of small canoes and Native American miniatures) are collections built on each of the Crispells’ wedding anniversaries. Collections of wooden toy plane propellers Gar has given Linda – one each year. Each a little piece of sculpture, lying on a table like treasures unearthed in some archaeological dig. A cup sits nearby filled with old darts, their feathered ends showing off varying shades of brown – each given on different anniversaries to Gar from Linda.

Reuse, recycle, repurpose: These Three R’s are at the heart of all the charm in this house. In the flea-market and estate-and demolition-sale finds, in the art. And after telling me how Buddy came from another family to become a member of theirs, Lulu realized, why, even Buddy was repurposed!

Enjoy the slideshow!

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