Pretty Old Eclectic Craftsman Bungalow in Oakhurst

Built in the 1920's this house definitely has an eclectic style.  There are the craftsman elements like the exposed rafter ends and stick work in the gables (these are the horizonal pieces of wood that stick out and look like they hold up the roof.) The windows are prairie style.  The front door is covered with a tudorish castellated  parapet (sort of) with an arch.

It's just plain funky.

Inside it's all craftsman bungalow.

 Gotta love that front door...

and the craftsman style fireplace flanked by prairie windows and built in bookcases. Umm, Umm, mmm.

Look closely at the corners of the opening to the dining room.  They're covered with old fashioned moulding.

The 1 inch wide oak hardwood floors are original.

Here we have the totally remodeled kitchen with all the modern conveniences but the vintage details.

The kitchen sink is vintage. It's a single bowl farm sink. So cool.

I have to let you, dear reader, in on a little secret. My daughter and I did this backsplash. It's her house.

We had a little help cutting the corners of the marble inset over the range. For tips read my previous post on tiling a backsplash.

 A wall was removed to open up a former bedroom to the kitchen. Now there's a wonderful family room/kitchen.

How about that 1970's style chair?  I absolutely love the bright poke-you-in-the-eye yellow.

This bungalow has a center hall--the wainscotting was added. Centsational Girl has a great "board and batten how to."

Look real closely at the wall at the bottom of the bedroom door on the left.  See that round thingy?  That's the old temperature control.  It opened and closed the damper on the coal fired furnace in the basement.  Ahh the modern conveniences this house had.

Here's the middle bedroom with Granny's bed and a vintagey chandy spray painted white. I highly recommend round bulbs.

The nursery is in the back.  For all you thrifty guys and gals: the rocker came from "Last Chance Bargains" a mere $10 on half price day.  It cost more to rent the upholstery cleaner.

The all new hall bath is decked out in white subway tile with blue glass accents.

Some time in the 1960's this bedroom was added.  It was finished to match the period of the home.

The moulding and trim as well as reclaimed doors and hardware are vintage style.

The master bath is all new--they didn't make 'em like this in the '20's.

One of my favorite features of this house is the lot. It's incredibly huge. 

 I swear you could build a regulation football field back there. It goes on and on--this picture doesn't begin to show how big it is.

This photo shows the gravel patio and new fescue sod.  In the summer there'll be hostas and hydrangeas along the property line on the left.

Here's what you see when you pull in the drive, a nice little path to the backyard.

Let me know if you want to take a look.

Later,

Patti

Pretty Old Houses have Character

People say they like Old Houses or In Town Neighborhoods because they have character.

What exactly is this thing called character?

 Most of us would agree that this house built about 1915 in Virginia Highland has character. It sits above the street and has an incredible front porch complete with wicker furniture and a porch swing.  The porch railing looks original. Its beefy and has nice details.  Sometimes what gives character is the little thing that's just not quite right.  See the big front door that's just a little bit off center. I think that detail makes this house look different from all the rest and so gives it character.

Character isn't always some endearing bit of quirkiness.  More often its some other unique or beautiful detail.  This house has a wonderful porch with really interesting support beams.

I don't know if these are original to the house or not and I don't think it matters.  This is a really interesting detail that I haven't noticed on other houses.  Also, the window in the gable is pretty unique.

This house has character.

This "drive by shooting" shows a house with a lot of character.

The porte-cochere is very unique.  I imagine this house has been renovated and the gable on the left added.

I took the picture for the paint colors not the Herbie-Curbie.

Snow doesn't officially give character, but it doesn't hurt.

This house is really Pretty and classic.  It has shingle siding like something in Cape Cod and the nicest double gable over the front door.  The brackets that hold up the cover are a good touch.  Also, notice the windows. They have 6 panes in the top sash and one pane below.  This is a fairly common pattern in Old Houses but not in new ones. I really admire the craftsman front door. Doors like this are sold at Home Depot and Lowe's--might be a good way to add character to an existing track home in the surburbs.

I could go on for hours about the character in Pretty Old Houses but it's time to stop.

Take care and let me hear from you.

Patti