Pittsburgh, Penn., Phil Cynar and Dan Robbins
Our 1916 bungalow is located in the Mt. Lebanon suburb of Pittsburgh, home to a number of bungalows, but none of this particular style. The interior features a box-beam ceiling, parquet floors, a fireplace recently restored in the Craftsman style, French doors, push-button light switches and various built-ins. We consider ourselves fortunate that our home was largely well cared for by previous owners. Most of our repairs or improvements have been of a cosmetic nature. We are only the fourth owners since the original family built this bungalow nearly 90 years ago.
Burlington, Iowa, Rich and Peggy Burlingame
Our house was designed by a local architect, George Washburn, and built in 1917; more than 20 pages of detailed blueprints still exist. The house is spacious, yet simple, and is graced with beautiful quartersawn oak floors, staircase, trim and moldings. The box-beam ceiling makes the dining room our favorite room. Its classic Arts and Crafts trellis was specified in the blueprints, and is in fine shape after 85 years. Our rhododendrons might be just as old. Of course it is not really a bungalow-style or size-wise-but its design makes it a very welcoming and comfortable home.
Decorah, Iowa, Timothy, Sandra, Andrew and Michael Peter
This beautiful and historic college town is full of great old homes. We have the privilege of living in this 1916 bungalow, which stands in near-original condition. This house hasn’t even changed paint schemes, as the early photo shows. Our active family is crazy about living here with all of its charm, practicality and grace. We cannot count the number of people who have called out, ‘You’re so lucky to live here!’ since we bought it in 1997. We smile because we know this to be true.
State College, Penn., Ron and Kate Avillion
We’ve lived in our cozy bungalow for seven years and have been the third family to occupy the house. It was built in 1921 and is located in the historic Highlands area of State College. We have restored and repainted the exterior siding, porches and widows to their original condition without making any major structural changes to the house. Our current project is focused on the interior refinishing of hardwood floors. We love living in our bungalow!
Orange, Calif., Larry and Pamela Kaa
My wife and I purchased our 1,200-square-foot bungalow in Old Towne last year, and have since been restoring it to its 1925 origins. Although not typically Craftsman-like on the exterior, the inside is full of traditional features like a precast concrete fireplace, hardwood floors, clear fir wood and built-ins, including a secretary, bookcase, dining room hutch and bathroom vanity. We have spent three-plus months just stripping and prepping all the wood surfaces for stain and repainting. Your magazine has been of significant assistance as a resource!
Savannah, Ga., Derek Council
When I first moved into my 1916 airplane bungalow 19 years ago, neighborhood legend was that a seaman had built the house to resemble a boat with a lookout tower. With the legend in mind, I set a nautical theme for the interior decor. The house is located in Parkside Place, which is on the National Historic Registry, and has beamed ceilings in the living and dining rooms and a brick fireplace.
Gastonia, N.C., Jonathan and Starwalker Reed
This 1920 bungalow is our first home. My husband and I had never heard of bungalows or the Arts and Crafts movement until my dad introduced us to themÑand now we are hooked! We absolutely love our four-bedroom, two-bath home in the historic neighborhood of York Chester. It features exposed-beam ceilings in the living room, dining room and office, and beautiful hardwood floors throughout, which we discovered after pulling up the carpet. We have lovingly furnished it with Mission-style furniture and light fixtures, and truly enjoy living in this unique home.
Tags: Burlington, Decorah, Gastonia, Orange, Pittsburgh, Savannah, State College
