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 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.