In old photographs showing the houses of wealthy peasants of the last century, they appear large-scale and impressive. But in reality, these majestic wooden buildings with carvings inside were not nearly as rich as they might seem.
A historian studying the life of that time has collected a collection of photographs that depict the interiors of these wealthy houses, lifting the curtain on their daily life.
In these voluminous wooden buildings, not only one family could live, but also several generations along with other relatives, and the space of the house was distributed among all its inhabitants. The interiors of these huts were far from luxurious – they can be described as very utilitarian. The pictures show only the most necessary amount of furniture and decor.
Occasionally there are houses where one single spacious room simultaneously serves as a bedroom, living room and kitchen.
Among the photographs you can find typical examples of household items of those years. For example, in the kitchen you can often see a massive wooden stove used for cooking, a washbasin made of clay or metal, and a simple wooden door behind which the living area began.
Sleeping accommodations were usually just straw mattresses spread on the floor, and there were no real beds in these houses.
Other images provide a glimpse into the kitchens and living rooms of wealthy peasants of the time, where an atmosphere of austerity and economy reigned. You can see utilitarian interior items that do not include unnecessary decorations or decor.
In photographs dating back to the 30-40s of the 20th century, the same simple and functional decoration is again observed.
The room, which combines the functions of a hall and a kitchen, is distinguished by a special way of life: a wood-burning samovar with a chimney leading directly to the stove.
Wooden benches line the perimeter of the walls, the ceilings are low, and the absence of any furniture or decoration emphasizes the overall atmosphere of simplicity and functionality that is typical of the time.
