So proud: I helped the time capsule house two doors away find owners who LOVE it and don’t want to change a thing. Can you believe: This house sat on the market for at least six months, because, word is, all the buyers who made their way through were put off because it would take too much remodeling.
The house had been on the market all this time when finally, I was talking to my friend Molly, whose parents were looking to move to town. I mentioned the house, which was For Sale By Owner, not on the MLS. Molly arranged a showing for the very next weekend and ka-boom, her parents — Duane and Mary — jumped on it. They were thrilled by the house. They are “old house people,” like their daughter. Like me. Like us! Welcome to the neighborhood, Duane and Mary!
Since they confirmed the deal — and then, after they closed — I’ve walked through this lovely mid-century modest house at least four times and must say: All the folks who passed on this house missed a great thing. This house is amazingly well built, full of time capsule features that are going to make you drool, and after Mary and Duane make just a few housekeeping updates, move-in ready. Updates that I am aware they are making: Refinish wood floors, repaint a few walls to colors they prefer, add a rain gutter to the back, and update the electric to handle modern electronics. Otherwise, this house is good to go!
The house was with the same family since 1948. The dad was a plumbing contractor. This explains a lot, because the bathrooms are all fantastic.
But most fantastic of all: This en-suite master bathroom. I am telling you: The black wall tiles, liner tiles, and porcelain mosaic floor tiles — are pristine! I’ll show more of the house over the next few days, but let’s start with this glamorous, romantic, 1948 bathroom.
All the fixtures and hardware are original, high-end Crane that look like they were installed yesterday. Original, every bit, down to the shower head (note the “Crane” detailing on the escutcheon/base), the shower curtain bar (okay, not the shower curtain!), the towel bars, the recessed cosmetic box, the faucets, the light switch cover (okay, I spot one GFI-conversion on the electric outlet), even the trash can!
Even the Venetian blind and the radiator cover.
The mirrored medicine cabinet is a treasure to behold. It has three sections — each section opens — and the two tube lights still work.
I am even in love with the hot- and cold-water shutoff switches. Oh, and the nickel-plated legs and integral towel bars on the sink.
Peoples, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Welcome to the neighborhood, Mary and Duane! There are welcome cocktails in the Mahalo Lounge your future!
Gail says
What a beauty!
Amy says
Sooo beautiful !!
Kristin says
Oh it was purchased by an old home lover? THANK GOD! Whew…. a tragedy avoided.
How on Earth could anyone walk away from this diamond because of the renovation costs? Are they insane? Would you take a pristine 1957 Chevy and replace the chrome with ABS plastic? People make me SO mad. For the sadists, there’s a website Hooked on Houses that has a lot of vintage houses where the new celeb owners painted over all of the Craftsman wood builtin features hospital white.
I want to hug the couple that purchased this home. I also envy them terribly- oh let the coveting begin!
Pam Kueber says
The additional loss to prospective buyers: The house was a great deal in that it also had a second buildable lot included in the price. And, my town has one of the top-rated school districts in Massachusetts, which has the top-rated educational outcomes in the nation. Folks who passed this by because “it needed renovations” — their loss, Mary and Duane’s gain. I’ve already extracted a promise from Molly that if/when Duane and Mary sell it, I get to buy it! My daughter will move into our house “with her kids to-be” — and I’ll be granny living in the smaller house two doors down! My dream!
meb says
Jinkies! A double lot to boot?! This makes me even more eager to see all that the previous owners held onto and cherished, as well as the TLC Duane and Mary give to their new abode.
I just don’t understand how anyone would think that bath needed to be renovated! I’ve got a cousin in soylthetn California who works hard at preserving older homes and buildings, and I hope more enter the numbers who actively preserve and restore older buildings.
Susan says
Bathroom GOALS!!!!
meb says
Glory be! When I saw the link photo on FB a few days ago, my breath was taken away (thud). This, for my tastes, is perfection. I’m envious and ecstatic simultaneously, and am a bit teary eyed.
I’m not sure, but love the colour of the tub, sink, and toilet against the black. Can’t tell if it’s pink, buff, or beige, to be honest. What is this colour called? Also, is the plaid-line pattern on the floor using grey, green, something in between? Oh, and those fixtures. I’m just so completely smitten, folks. Love the spacing of everything in the room as well. The main bath must in our late twenties house must have been updated sometime in the forties. Different colours, but they feel very similar.
Thank you, Duane and Mary, for saving this abode, and loving these houses as much as we do. You done good, Pam & Molly. *wipes a tear from my eye*
Pam Kueber says
I’ll have to get an old Crane catalog out and try to figure out the colors of the fixtures. The floor tiles, I’d say are a green on the the gray side.
meb says
I looked for a link, thinking you might have already written a piece about Crane bathroom colours, Pam, but did not come across it.
Mary Van says
Beautiful. Glad that the house sat and now the bathroom will stay intact. Breaks my heart when people tear up character.
I had to tear up my 1940’s kitchen counter top because if had broken and missing tiles. It also harbored mold. It was heartbreaking. …. Now, I am debating an old-fashioned 4″ x4″ counter top again.
Risë says
drool!!
Nancy says
This bathroom is stunning and I am so happy it was all saved from demolition! The fixtures are similar to ones I see at yard sales but none that are in such pristine condition!! Thank you!
Terri says
Love it! Can’t wait to see more!
Connie says
Stunningly preserved. Thanks for sharing with us!