QUITE A TRANSFORMATION!

THIS KITCHEN WAS A FUN REMODEL PROJECT and was part of the restoration of a basement apartment in my own home. My very talented husband, Patrick (of Ovation Properties) transformed this eyesore of a basement kitchen in to this cute as heck "Better Homes and Gardens" kitchen. We went back and forth about the colors (that's really my area). Every time he'd say "Navajo White! It's just a rental." I'd say "Navajo White SAYS "Rental." It needs to be warm and homey. Trust me. When we got to the floor he thought I was crazy but, it turned out so cute! And it IS warm and homey.

TWO NORTH SLOPE RESTORATIONS YOU CAN'T MISS!!

Let's talk for a moment about a couple of new contracting companies that have come on the scene in Tacoma just recently. I have two stories to tell to describe the quality of work that these contractors do. The first story is called "VIOLA!"

That's the word that I think of when I see the before and after pictures of the property at 516 N "J" Street

http://marthamendenhall.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=18771353.

The eyesore of the neighborhood get's a make-over by "Ovation Properties" and the neighbors are so excited about it that they even bring bottled water and occasional cookies over to the crew on the job. What a gorgeous home that dilapidated dump turned out to be after the incredible expertise and workmanship of the OP crew. Their two part motto of "Fair Bids" and "On Time" have proven to serve them well. Not to mention that their finished products are incredible!

Well...are you ready for the ugly duckling story? This is yet another account of an old historic WRECK of a house (the ugly duckling) in our historic district, that someone (namely Dave and Josie) fell in love with and totally and miraculously transformed in to a "Beautiful Swan." for our North Slope Dave, Josie and their son, Dylan, are living in the home instead of just flipping it because guess what?... That makes us neighbors! Doubly (is that a word?) lucky is the fact that Dave has decided to do this type of work for a living! That would be Sound Construction. He's already working on another North Slope project.

You probably know the house; it sits on the corner of 5th and "I" Street. It spent many years crumbling and cowering under the overgrowth of the bushes and trees that surrounded it, and the porch columns supporting the second floor had begun to give way creating injury to everything above them.

Back in the day this home had been grand, I'm sure, but when Dave & Josie got hold of it...well...I'm certain that it had never been so grand as it is now, and all in the name of historic preservation. Bravo Sound Construction!

So check out this before and after slide show of the "Ugly Duckling" house. It's amazing!

Link to Sound Construction I Street Project

YET ANOTHER FREDERICK HEATH CREATION!

You know...I'm pretty much in heaven when I get the opportunity to list a home that is so significant a structure in our Historic District. This is a 1906 Frederick Heath Tudor!

(http://marthamendenhall.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=18554043)

It has been maintained impeccably and restored perfectionistically...if that's even a word. Once you go through this masterpiece, it will be the home by which all the other historically restored homes are measured. For one thing...the sellers of this lovely home are so darn clean and organized that it makes me feel somewhat inaddequate. But...a project for another day.

This home is nestled in a fabulous area, kitty corner from the Tacoma Lawn and Tennis Club and surrounded by some million dollar homes. The house looks kind of small from the street but, it's 2749 square feet! You really have to come inside to appreciate all the details of this historic beauty.

COOL RESTORATION OF A 1901 FOURSQUARE

In 1901, Thomas Maloney, the warden for the county prison, built a home on North J Street in Tacoma. It was a lovely, but common, residence which he then sold. Maloney dabbled in real estate investment in addition to being the warden. The most famous resident of this home was Reverend Jacob T. Eschelman who purchased the home in 1904. In addition to being a man of the cloth, he was also the Tacoma City Librarian and one of the band that signed the state of Washington's Constitution.

This house( http://marthamendenhall.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=18771353) has now been totally restored and is on the market for $659,000. You really have to see it to believe how great it is. The master bedroom was actually a library when Eschelman lived there, with a grand fireplace and bookshelves to the ceiling. Attached to the library was a quaint little reading porch (fainting porch). This cool house has 2852 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms. The huge attic space has been totally finished off and would make a great kids suite, bonus room or media room. But WOW...the kitchen is awesome! Beautiful cabinets, hardwood floor, stainless steel appliances, gorgeous granite countertops, a computer/desk area and pantry. There are two fireplaces and one of the four bedrooms would make an excellent office or guest room, as it is situated on the first floor and has a closet and a full bath. The whole place feels homey and comfortable yet elegant. It even has a laundry room on the second floor.

The garage of this home is detached and HUGE! It's plumbed for a bathroom and would be great for a car enthusiast or someone in need of a lot of shop space. Hey....you could even make a great gym out there.

1893 "Kirtland Cutter" House for Sale!!!!!

Ok....This is an awesome home! Kirtland Cutter was best known on the other side of the state; however, he is responsible for a handful of beautiful structures in and around Tacoma like, The carriage house at Thornwood Castle, the house that Linda Evans lived in and a few others. He's absolutely famous over in Spokane. Anyway, 802 N Yakima is on the market for 1.3 million dollars and is worth every cent of it! Well...I think so:-) So do it's owners.

It is a gorgeous 6000 square foot historic beauty with 5 fireplaces, 6 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a beautiful remodeled kitchen, an adorable wine room/lounge and the coolest private backyard patio area with hot tub you've ever relaxed in! When you walk in the door of this house you enter the huge turret. From there you step in to the most comfortable, yet elegant, huge living room with a stunning fireplace, leaded windows and magnificent staircase leading to the second floor bedrooms and baths. The kitchen remodel is high end and upscale with granite countertops, and island with wine cooler, stainless steel appliances and an eating nook.

Each bedroom on the second floor has a different personality, as this home had been a B & B at one time. The servant's stairs lead to the third floor servant's quarters, which is now a great media area with two bedrooms and a bathroom up there. One of the bedrooms is being used as an office.

There is so much more I could tell you about this house but, you'll just have to call me up and come see it sometime. That is...if you are a qualified buyer:-)

WOW! IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME!!!

First I must apologize for being gone from my blog for so long. What was I thinking. Well... I was probably thinking that nobody reads my blog anyway except me, so I am essentially apologizing to myself.

Regardless....I have come across a great website for salvage restoration materials. It's called Northwest Building Salvage Network. It's a great site to go to if you're looking for unusual things that they don't stock at Lowes or Home Depot (like I'd use them for a period restoration anyway...duh). So check them out. Cool stuff like fireplace mantels, and corbels and such.

MORE ON SALVAGE AND RECYCLING FOR RESTORATIONS

$800 for an apron sink for our kitchen remodel!!!
I'm not willing to forgo the spirit of the kitchen plan because the old, discarded farm sinks have suddenly become popular. How is anyone suppose to do dishes with one arm because the other (and a leg) had been sacrificed to purchase the flippin' sink!

Same with the wonderful Clawfoot tub, and pedestal sinks. For goodness sake! I'm glad they're back in style, as well they should be; however, the astronomical prices of the replica's is, well....ROBERY!

I found a place that just might be able to help you out with much of your salvage needs. (Salvage basically means that it is origninal "OLD" stuff that you can recyle for your restoration project.) If you are restoring or remodeling an old historic house you might want to check out "Recycling the Past." Granted, the prices might still seem high for the item that you are looking for but, I'm pretty certain you'll have both arms (and legs) when you're standing at your sink washing dishes. If you have a dishwasher...well...consider yourself spoiled:-) I say that in a good way!

http://www.recyclingthepast.com/