The Reimagined Home of Ebenezer Scrooge: Past, Present and Future
As we celebrate Christmas this month, we take a look at where Dickens' Scrooge might live if he were here today
Kate Macdessi
24 December 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a freelance writer and live in Sydney's beautiful inner west. I fell in love with interior design and architecture back in 1978 when I first caught a glimpse of Mike Brady and his funky split-level den. That Carol was one lucky lady.
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a freelance writer and live in Sydney's beautiful... More
Ebenezer Scrooge is one of British author Charles Dickens’ most famous characters. He was introduced to the world, when A Christmas Carol was first published in 1843, as a bitter old man who hates Christmas and any kind of celebration or frivolity. As the story progresses, Scrooge is transformed into a gentler, kinder man after he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley, followed by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.
These visitors remind him of his childhood, show him the realities of his present life, and warn him of a grim future if he continues his self-serving ways. The story is basically a morality tale teaching that selfishness and greed lead to loneliness and isolation. It is timeless in its wisdom, and reminds us that kindness and empathy are necessary to lead a fulfilled and happy life. A perfect lesson to remember, particularly at Christmas.
Fictional Character at a Glance
Who would live here: Ebenezer Scrooge
From which book: A Christmas Carol
Author: Charles Dickens
Why this month: It’s Christmas!
Home style: Austere and cold before a transformation to Christmas warmth
These visitors remind him of his childhood, show him the realities of his present life, and warn him of a grim future if he continues his self-serving ways. The story is basically a morality tale teaching that selfishness and greed lead to loneliness and isolation. It is timeless in its wisdom, and reminds us that kindness and empathy are necessary to lead a fulfilled and happy life. A perfect lesson to remember, particularly at Christmas.
Fictional Character at a Glance
Who would live here: Ebenezer Scrooge
From which book: A Christmas Carol
Author: Charles Dickens
Why this month: It’s Christmas!
Home style: Austere and cold before a transformation to Christmas warmth
A Christmas Carol is such a well known and highly regarded story that it has been adapted many times, in everything from a Family Ties episode to many a reference in The Simpsons. Its influence has been so far-reaching that the name Scrooge and the expression, ‘Bah! Humbug!’ have entered colloquial language.
Scrooge is one of the archetypes of literature, so we pay homage to him by looking at the type of home he would live in if he were alive today.
Scrooge is one of the archetypes of literature, so we pay homage to him by looking at the type of home he would live in if he were alive today.
The old Scrooge would have lived in a minimalist home …
Ebenezer Scrooge was a cold miser. He despised warmth and anything impractical. If he were alive today, he would probably favour an austere approach to design, and would love the sharp lines of this building. There are no frills and fuss here.
Scrooge’s practicality spilled over into an insensitive philosophy in life. When referring to the poor and destitute of Victorian England, he said: “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
Ebenezer Scrooge was a cold miser. He despised warmth and anything impractical. If he were alive today, he would probably favour an austere approach to design, and would love the sharp lines of this building. There are no frills and fuss here.
Scrooge’s practicality spilled over into an insensitive philosophy in life. When referring to the poor and destitute of Victorian England, he said: “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
… that was unadorned
The inside of Scrooge’s home would likely be as unadorned as the outside. A room like the kitchen would be for cooking only. There would be no need for stools, flowers or any type of decoration.
The clean structure of this kitchen would likely appeal to Scrooge. It is highly functional with none of the frippery that so annoyed him. Also, as Scrooge was such a cold man, he even kept the temperatures in his office close to freezing. And he was too miserly with his money to allow his clerk, the lovely Bob Cratchit, to have more than one lump of coal to burn for heat.
The inside of Scrooge’s home would likely be as unadorned as the outside. A room like the kitchen would be for cooking only. There would be no need for stools, flowers or any type of decoration.
The clean structure of this kitchen would likely appeal to Scrooge. It is highly functional with none of the frippery that so annoyed him. Also, as Scrooge was such a cold man, he even kept the temperatures in his office close to freezing. And he was too miserly with his money to allow his clerk, the lovely Bob Cratchit, to have more than one lump of coal to burn for heat.
… and haunted
On Christmas Eve, Scrooge says: “If I could work my will… every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.” Ouch. That’s a lot worse than a simple ‘Bah! Humbug!’
It was this terrible attitude that precipitated the visit from his ghostly business partner and the Christmas Ghosts. When Scrooge reflects on his past and catches a glimpse of his lonely death, he decides to change his insensitive and self-serving ways that have left him isolated and bitter.
On Christmas Eve, Scrooge says: “If I could work my will… every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.” Ouch. That’s a lot worse than a simple ‘Bah! Humbug!’
It was this terrible attitude that precipitated the visit from his ghostly business partner and the Christmas Ghosts. When Scrooge reflects on his past and catches a glimpse of his lonely death, he decides to change his insensitive and self-serving ways that have left him isolated and bitter.
The new Scrooge would choose a home that was cheerful and inviting …
Once Scrooge makes his (very quick) transformation, he’d likely move to a more warm and inviting home that reflected his newfound Christmas spirit. This one looks like it came straight out of an illustrated Christmas story. The shuttered windows and ornate arches are so friendly and inviting that the new Scrooge could entertain Christmas carollers on the front porch with a merry ‘Ho ho ho!’.
Once Scrooge makes his (very quick) transformation, he’d likely move to a more warm and inviting home that reflected his newfound Christmas spirit. This one looks like it came straight out of an illustrated Christmas story. The shuttered windows and ornate arches are so friendly and inviting that the new Scrooge could entertain Christmas carollers on the front porch with a merry ‘Ho ho ho!’.
… with a welcoming entrance
After his transformation, Scrooge says: “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” Just as he welcomes the lessons from the three ghosts, he welcomes in a world full of kindness, love and connection with others.
Scrooge could symbolise this with a welcoming front door and entryway. This beautiful display would let any family, friends or neighbours know that Scrooge is definitely a changed man!
After his transformation, Scrooge says: “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” Just as he welcomes the lessons from the three ghosts, he welcomes in a world full of kindness, love and connection with others.
Scrooge could symbolise this with a welcoming front door and entryway. This beautiful display would let any family, friends or neighbours know that Scrooge is definitely a changed man!
… and a warm hearth
The old Scrooge was synonymous with cold. Dickens made much of the comparison: “The cold within him froze his old features … He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn’t thaw it one degree at Christmas.”
After his big change, however, Scrooge embraces warmth and thaws his heart. He would symbolise this with a roaring fire and a beautiful hearth in his new home.
The old Scrooge was synonymous with cold. Dickens made much of the comparison: “The cold within him froze his old features … He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn’t thaw it one degree at Christmas.”
After his big change, however, Scrooge embraces warmth and thaws his heart. He would symbolise this with a roaring fire and a beautiful hearth in his new home.
… a generous dining room
The first thing Scrooge does when he reforms is to expand his generosity. He buys a big turkey and contributes to charity. The new Scrooge would delight in setting a beautiful Christmas dinner table such as this one, and inviting his new friends and family to share in his bounty. With a Christmas tree in the corner surrounded by presents and a table laden with flowers and fine china, this room shouts ‘Merry Christmas!’ to everyone.
The first thing Scrooge does when he reforms is to expand his generosity. He buys a big turkey and contributes to charity. The new Scrooge would delight in setting a beautiful Christmas dinner table such as this one, and inviting his new friends and family to share in his bounty. With a Christmas tree in the corner surrounded by presents and a table laden with flowers and fine china, this room shouts ‘Merry Christmas!’ to everyone.
… an office for charity work
Scrooge is first and foremost a businessman. Even after his big change he will still need an office to work in. His new office, however, should be filled with Christmas cheer and beautiful furniture, with plush soft furnishings to create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. Instead of working to hoard money, Scrooge will now use his business brain to finance his many new charitable endeavours.
Scrooge is first and foremost a businessman. Even after his big change he will still need an office to work in. His new office, however, should be filled with Christmas cheer and beautiful furniture, with plush soft furnishings to create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. Instead of working to hoard money, Scrooge will now use his business brain to finance his many new charitable endeavours.
… a guest house
After his ‘awakening’, Scrooge realises what a terrible boss he has been to the lovely Bob Cratchit. The ghosts have shown him what a beautiful family Bob has, but also that they are very poor and have a crippled young son called Tiny Tim.
Scrooge’s first signs of empathy are directed towards Bob and his family. “A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year! I’ll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob!”
The reborn Scrooge feels a responsibility to Bob and Tiny Tim, and as such may be likely to build a beautiful guest home on his new property, in which to house the struggling young family.
After his ‘awakening’, Scrooge realises what a terrible boss he has been to the lovely Bob Cratchit. The ghosts have shown him what a beautiful family Bob has, but also that they are very poor and have a crippled young son called Tiny Tim.
Scrooge’s first signs of empathy are directed towards Bob and his family. “A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year! I’ll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob!”
The reborn Scrooge feels a responsibility to Bob and Tiny Tim, and as such may be likely to build a beautiful guest home on his new property, in which to house the struggling young family.
… a luxury bathroom
This hospitality might also extend to a luxurious guest bathroom such as this one. Bob and his family would delight in the luxury they would never have known before, with soft towels rolled up beneath the sink, and the plush dressing gown hanging on the hook. Actually, stepping in from Victorian England, they’d probably just delight in hot running water!
This hospitality might also extend to a luxurious guest bathroom such as this one. Bob and his family would delight in the luxury they would never have known before, with soft towels rolled up beneath the sink, and the plush dressing gown hanging on the hook. Actually, stepping in from Victorian England, they’d probably just delight in hot running water!
… a bunkhouse for kids
By the end of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge had completely changed and taken a genuine interest in Tiny Tim and his family’s well being. Dickens wrote: “Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.”
I like to think Scrooge was such a good ‘second father’ to Tim and his siblings that he built this bunk room in the guest house, so they could all have fun sleeping over.
By the end of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge had completely changed and taken a genuine interest in Tiny Tim and his family’s well being. Dickens wrote: “Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.”
I like to think Scrooge was such a good ‘second father’ to Tim and his siblings that he built this bunk room in the guest house, so they could all have fun sleeping over.
… a playground to delight
Dickens began to moralise towards the end of the novel and, through Scrooge, promoted the benefits of emotional connection and amusement. He wrote: “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”
The new Scrooge would delight in building this fantastic playhouse for the Cratchit children and his nephew’s children to play in. And, of course, being so Christmasy now, he would decorate it extravagantly too. Whose kids wouldn’t love frolicking around in this thing? Even old Scrooge might take a slide down that slippery dip!
Dickens began to moralise towards the end of the novel and, through Scrooge, promoted the benefits of emotional connection and amusement. He wrote: “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”
The new Scrooge would delight in building this fantastic playhouse for the Cratchit children and his nephew’s children to play in. And, of course, being so Christmasy now, he would decorate it extravagantly too. Whose kids wouldn’t love frolicking around in this thing? Even old Scrooge might take a slide down that slippery dip!
… and an art collection!
With his newfound love of laughter, Scrooge might like to decorate with a piece of art like this one. It features an illustrated image of the animated character of Scrooge McDuck, of Disney’s Duck Tales fame. Ebenezer Scrooge can sit back and have a chuckle at how influential his story has been through the ages and across so many platforms.
His story of redemption and the morality lessons it taught showed generations of people the importance of kindness, generosity and empathy. Dickens wrote of Scrooge: “And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!”
TELL US
Who was your favourite character when you were a child, and what do you think their home would be like if they were here today? Share your literary memories with us in the Comments section.
MORE
Reimagining the Home of Anne of Green Gables
With his newfound love of laughter, Scrooge might like to decorate with a piece of art like this one. It features an illustrated image of the animated character of Scrooge McDuck, of Disney’s Duck Tales fame. Ebenezer Scrooge can sit back and have a chuckle at how influential his story has been through the ages and across so many platforms.
His story of redemption and the morality lessons it taught showed generations of people the importance of kindness, generosity and empathy. Dickens wrote of Scrooge: “And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!”
TELL US
Who was your favourite character when you were a child, and what do you think their home would be like if they were here today? Share your literary memories with us in the Comments section.
MORE
Reimagining the Home of Anne of Green Gables
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Thank you for including our project in your charming article! Happy Holidays!
I loved this article! Please more like this - imagining the homes of various fictional characters.
Thanks Susan! Hope you had a lovely Christmas