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.

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/