Woodbury Heights, N.J., Mark Romano and Anne Belko
Our 1915 bungalow is one of the earliest homes in our neighborhood. Before we purchased it three years ago, the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems had already been upgraded, allowing us to concentrate on cosmetics. So far we’ve restored the oak stairway, pine millwork and five-panel fir doors. Our painter helped us select the exterior colors using the Sherwin Williams Preservation Palette. We especially enjoy the enclosed porch with its frosted fan-light windows. The magazine is a great source for ideas and inspiration!
Oak Park, Ill., Jean Forbes and William Steed
Our 1908 house has to be the smallest one on the block. We refinished the oak and ponderosa-pine woodwork and had a new oak door made in the style of the house. We believe that the owner of the brownstone next door sold off the land on the north side of his property to Ernest Hemingway’s family. Most one-story homes here have had another story slapped on; I just can’t do it. The contractors will all have to wait until I’m carried out of here in an urn!
Hewlett, N.Y., Naomi Mirsky
I think my bungalow may be an Aladdin home. One enters into the living room, where there is a fireplace with small brown-and-rust tiles. The dining room includes a parlor extension, and there are five bedrooms — two downstairs and three in the top floor, which was an unfinished attic originally. It was built to sell for $8,000, but I believe sold for much less because of a poor market at the time. There have only been two owners so far, us and the Weindorf family.
Lakewood, Ohio, Laura Hammel
History gleaned from the family who lived here for 55 years, and from real estate records, tells us that the home was built in 1907; we are only the third owners. Not much was done to ruin the interior, with its mahogany woodwork, beadboard, octagonal tile, coved and beamed ceilings, fumed oak wainscoting and fruit cellar. In fact, we still have working gas lights and a two-story carriage house in the same architectural style. We hope to have as many years here as the people who lovingly cared for it for the past century.
Grayslake, Ill., Jeff and Tracy Goldberg
Our new 3,000-square-foot house was designed in the Prairie School style with elements of Arts and Crafts throughout the interior and exterior. It is a wonderful home to live in, and a perfect backdrop for our growing collection of Arts and Crafts furniture, artwork and pottery. The house is part of a conservation community, Prairie Crossing, north of Chicago that has large, open prairie spaces, a working organic farm and miles of trails. Come visit us at prairiecrossing.com.
Benicia, Calif., Timothy Heney
My 1913 bungalow — which I bought in the mid-’70s — appears much larger from the street than it really is. It seems to be three stories, but, in fact, only the middle level is habitable. The attic above is unusable, while the basement was meant for storage only. The two-bedroom, one-bath floor plan is original, but many alterations have been made over the years. I recently restored the kitchen, as well as the fireplace in the living room. The vibrant exterior colors complement the Italianate garden in the rear.
Reno, Nev., Steve Ellison
When looking around to relocate our portrait photography business, we were delighted to stumble upon this 1930 bungalow. At the time it was being used as an office for an attorney, who had done extensive interior restoration. We adopted the Arts and Crafts theme in the studio, as well as in the way we present our business to the community. Our favorite features are the period fireplace and the wonderful covered porch, which we use as a portrait setting on rainy days.
Pasadena, Calif., Steve Bowie and Julie Anne Swayze
Our 1909 three-bedroom, two-bath bungalow is located in the Historic Highlands neighborhood of Pasadena. This was the 12th home we viewed with our Realtor in the course of a Saturday. After walking through the front door, we knew this was the home for us. We will never move again!
Tags: Benicia, Grayslake, Hewlett, Lakewood, Oak Park, Pasadena, Reno, Woodbury Heights
