Isn’t it amazing how rearranging a room of furniture can give you a new perspective?

The same space can appear larger, more open, or more inviting just by moving a few things around.

With the help of a gifted room organizer we recently rearranged the office of the Hormel Historic Home. I now have a view of the Peace Garden, Amanda now has a desk with drawers, and our clutter is reduced to a minimum­ — most days.

With my new perspective, and my new view, I can relish in the loveliness of the garden. The tulips we planted in the fall are blooming everywhere and they bring a rainbow of colors to the early growth that is happening all around. We have a pair of ducks who visit on a regular basis and the redbud tree is flowering more each day. There also seems to be a problem between a squirrel and crow, and I can’t tell who is chasing who.

Yes, I do get a little distracted, but I think I am experiencing a little of what the Hormel family saw when they enjoyed the space. Originally added in 1906 as an outdoor porch, the room was enclosed sometime within the next seven years and was referred to as a “Sun Room” in the insurance policy of 1913. The original materials are described as follows:

Floor: 6” x 6” red tile

Walls: 11’ high with 2-coat fiber lath and plaster on brick painted with 3 coats of a flat tone.

Lattice grille boarders and a 36” high panel grille wainscoting with 8” cap.

Ceiling: 3-coat fiber lath and plaster with 3-coat flat tone

Windows: 2 casement windows with 15” x 51” sash. 7 casement windows with a 20” x 51” sash. The leaded glass transom is 14” high with a 2” rabbeted frame

Some of these details are foreign to me, but from Wikipedia I leaned that a casement window is one that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges on the sides. A rabbeted frame is a rectangular recess along the edge or end of a work piece most often found as a joint in casework

We still have the same 6-inch red tiles on the floor, and the lattice grille is still in place. The plaster and lath walls are now a pale green color, but the plaster ceiling is hidden under more modern drop ceiling tiles. Please know that I am working as I look out these historic, and extremely drafty, windows, but I might be envisioning a 1913 landscape.

I am happy for my new perspective.

 Hearth & Home Series

10 a.m., Tuesday, May 3

Austin native and author, Peggy Keener, will present stories and insights from her second book called “Wondaful Mammaries.” Free event. Books will be available for purchase from Mrs. Keener.

 Spring Card Party

12 p.m., Thursday, May 5

Lunch then card game of your choice to follow. $10 per person. Call HHH to reserve your table at 507-433-4243.