At Home With: Sarah Morris & Scott Wisdom
Meet our friends, Sarah and Scott. You may already know Sarah as the organizer of Essex-County’s ongoing walking festival, Jane’s Walk, and Scott as one of the main clerks at the University of Windsor’s Leddy Library. Their journey for a historical home in one of Windsor’s core neighbourhoods led them to Border City Living on their house hunt in 2022.
A shared love of reading initially brought the couple together, and a short while later, they and their book collection outgrew their one-bedroom Downtown apartment. They came to BCL with a particular goal for their first home together; an older home with a soul. Their desire for an older home wasn’t merely aesthetic but rooted in their reverence for history and craftsmanship. “The last thing we want is something cookie-cutter,” Sarah explains. “We wanted a house that resonated with our history, where we could become part of its story.”
Their new home, built in 1913, is significant in Windsor’s past. It is situated in an area of Downtown that was part of the city’s initial expansion. Homes in their neighbourhood were originally occupied by those who worked on the CP Railway. Since being built, previous families lived there for up to 50 years at a time, and so much of that original character remains today. “We wanted to live somewhere with its own history, where we could feel connected to the community and the past,” Scott notes.
As the couple’s main decorator, Scott draws inspiration from poet William Morris’s philosophy that “anything in your home should be beautiful or useful,” they carefully curate items that tell a story and contribute to the longevity of their home. “We don’t rush into decorating,” Scott notes. “We spend time getting to know the house and understanding what will work best in each room.” Living with art is another core value that ties them to their cultures. Sarah connects with her Ukrainian roots through “pysanky” egg-decorating, and Scott collects ceramics to display them alongside collected teacups in their vintage hutch.
Sarah and Scott came to us knowing we are aligned in thinking that a healthy city is one where neighbours know each other, care for each other and are in each other’s lives. Sarah’s involvement in Jane’s Walk, a global movement of free, citizen-led walking tours celebrating community and urban heritage, further highlights their commitment to their neighbourhood. What started as a small initiative grew into a significant event, with over thirty guided tours that showcase Essex County’s rich history and character. “We believe in the importance of community,” Sarah remarks. “Our home is not just a reflection of us; it’s a canvas for our neighbourhood’s story,” a story she told during her own guided Jane’s Walk tour last year.
Use your nose to discover the history, culture, and environment of Downtown through scent during Sarah’s guided walk this year, “Scents in the City” on Sunday, May 5th from 4:00 – 5:00pm. We’ll be there!
All Images by Emma Davidson Photography