Monday, August 04, 2008

Open House Tour

It's open house day at Lemons and Roses today! I've actually thought about doing this for a while since I'm freakishly obsessed with real estate but I didn't want to seem like a Hooked on Houses knock off, you see. But Julia has invited all the H-O-H readers to an open house party! I was positively giddy when I read the news and immediately knew the house that I wanted to tour. A recently renovated historic 5 bedroom 5 bath built in 1867, 5,201 square foot home steps away from Franklin's historic downtown. I'm interested in hearing what you think about it being completely remodeled since it seems that they didn't try to stay historically accurate. I know there are lots of purists out there. All of these photos are from the MLS listing but you can find a full virtual tour here with much better photos.
Here's the front entryway with a beautiful wooden staircase.
And since there was no narrative on the agent's website I'm going to assume that this is a formal living or library.
And here is the perfectly drool-worthy kitchen. I have to say that I'd rather have a kitchen like this than a cramped less than functional historically accurate one. So I guess I'm not a purist.
The formal dining room complete with fireplace.

I'm going to call this a sunroom and I really, really love the brick floors. This would be the room I'd spend all my time in. *If* I had $1,750,000 to spend, that is.
So what the heck is this? It has a chandelier but I'm going to guess that this is a great room. What would they have called this in 1867?
The completely redone master bath. I'm curious to know what you think about the use of travertine in here? The backyard pool with outdoor fireplace. I would love to take a quick dip in that right about now.

And the two car garage/pool house. So what do you think? Is it worth 1.75 mil? And if you're a crazy house junkie like me you can check out *lots* more and can find those links on Julia's blog. Thanks, Julia for inviting us to be part of your blog. I might just have to do this more often.
Now if you'd like to return to the list of blogs participating click here.

44 comments:

Tisra said...

I've actually been in this house! It's been for sale for a YEAR. Last June, when they had the Tour of Homes downtown, it was available to walk through. I think that the realtor was just allowing people through because the house next door (CEO of Thomas Nelson publishers' house!) was part of the tour- they wanted to capitalize on the traffic. Anyway, it wasn't completely done but still seemed stunning. Good to see the inside fully done. And, yeah, I think it's worth every penny for the location and the *new* factor. I'm certainly not a purist... I want the fresh innards with the "feel" of a historic home. Really, who wants old plumbing, old creaks, and old kitchen layouts? This is a very tastefully done overhaul. Love it.

Amy Button said...

I love, love, love the kitchen! I had no idea you'd been through it, what a nice treat. So is the thing in the back actually a pool house/guest house? I can't imagine having all that space but a girl can dream, right?

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Okay, let me check my purse. See if I can scrounge together $1.75 million or so to buy this place.

I don't suppose they'd take a crumpled twenty-dollar bill and some change?

*sigh*

This is the kind of house that makes my heart beat faster, and I just can't stop staring at the rooms. I'm adding this to my list of dream homes. You know, for when I inherit a couple million from a relative I never knew I had.

Thanks so much for joining the blog party, Amy. I love this! -Julia :-)

Robin said...

Wow, they did a great job on this house, it is really lovely. I'm with you on the modern kitchen vs the historically accurate one. And I love the dining room and all the built-in bookshelves (I'm part of Julia's tour also, and if you stop by my blog you'll see I um, have an issue with books...)

desiree said...

wow only 1.75 seems like a steal to me but then again I'm in silicon valley. I love older homes and this one has great style and design. thanks for sharing!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

oooooh.I'll take two, please. Absolutely beautiful! And reasonably priced...(for them, not me)

Thanks for the great tour!

Ms. Tee said...

I love the floors - both the wood and brick. Not really crazy about the travertine in the bathroom, though.
Thanks for showing it! :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing this lovely home. Everything about it is beautiful. I especially like the sunroom.

Unknown said...

I don't know if it's worth 1.75 in Memphis, but they probably could get it here in Boston,especially with it all being restored.
I am not a purist either, when it comes to renovating kitchens, baths, and closets in historic homes. I think the architectural style, and flavor of the home need to be taken into consideration, but who wants no closets and tiny kitchens/baths?

Mary said...

It's beautiful. I think if I could live in a house like that it would make the distance from church and family worth it to live in Franklin. Sadly...I can't YET afford to live in a house like that, but I'm working on it. My millionaire days are coming...I'm sure of it.

Anonymous said...

it's beautiful. i don't mind if homes don't stay completely accurate when they update, as long as it's not totally out of place. a girl's gotta have her jetted tub, right?

of course i don't have a jetted tub. but i definitely need one!

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Love it - and I totally agree - I love the look of an older home with brand new inards. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

That is such a lovely home! Nice ~ NICE Kitchen ~ Need I say more?

I really like the way this home has been redone and I especially like the color in the dining room! Man that's a great color. I can't imagine this home on the market for much longer with that wonderful face lift.

As much as I love to see color out there, I've been so AFRAID to plunge in. I'm getting ready to though.

Amy Button said...

Thanks for stopping by you guys and I'm glad you enjoyed the house. Debbie, I love the color too but don't have anything like that in my house either. Maybe...soon...

Amy Button said...

Oh, and Ms. Tee, I agree on the travertine. I like it but it seems like *every* high end home has travertine- I wish they'd been a little more creative when it came to that.

Unknown said...

I'll move in RIGHT NOW! I love it, I guess I am not as particular about keeping true to the original structure as I thought.

Marie Louise said...

What a gorgeous old house. And so completely updated. I would snap it up in a minute if I could just find my way to Franklin! Thanks for sharing.

Bonnie said...

I, too, am not a purist when it comes to bathrooms and kitchens, BUT a nice historical looking tile in the bathroom would have really enhanced some of the other vintage features, such as that claw foot tub. Thanks for showing us this old house.

Lezlie said...

I LOVE the exposed brick floor. I've seen so many people suggest that the only thing to do with exposed brick is to paint and I just think that's unfathomable. Also love the many fireplaces. Great house!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Nice little house, huh?!

I love that cross-hatch pattern brick floor mucho...I would definitely spend all of my time in that room. I agree with the folks who are down on the travertine...seems out of place (and like Bonnie said, with the clawfoot tub something a little more in tune with the period look and feel would have been better). But I suppose if I had $1.75mm, I could afford to re-tile. ;-)

Thanks for sharing! I'm new to your blog (via "the tour") and am enjoying it!

Blogger said...

Purists Schmurists...I love that kitchen and bath!!! Who wouldn't? Oh, right, the purists ;)

Love that room with the brick floor, too...wowza!

Thanks for picking this home, it was a treat!

Come see my open house if you get a chance!

Bella :)

Caren said...

Nice! I love what they did, those floors are GORGEOUS and so shiny.

Like many others, I am not a purist either, a house has to be functional and unless it's a museum I believe it's fine for it to change and grow and modernize along with the people who live (or are going to live) there.

Thanks for sharing your tour with us!

Amy Button said...

OK, I have to say that I thought there would be an uproar from purists about the completely modern re-do but I've yet to hear a peep from them. So I guess the vast majority of us love the style of older home but give us modern conveniences please!

I'd like to give a *big* thanks to all who have stopped by (and to those who will stop by) this has been tons of fun and I'm making my way slowly but surely to the other open houses. If I could only put my life on hold somehow...

Reagan said...

I love this house. I think they did a good job remodeling...I am not a purist and I love the colors and open spaces!

Darla said...

I love the formal living/library. Stunning.

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Hi, Amy! Now that I have the blog party page up and running, could you do me a favor and add a link to it at the end of your post so people can easily return to the list of blogs when they're ready? Here's the link:

http://hookedonhouses.wordpress.com
/2008/08/04/hooked-on-house-
tours-blog-party-headquarters/

Thanks so much. Your house is a big hit!! -Julia :-)

Anonymous said...

Interesting. I love the exterior of the house and many of the rooms, but for me it's lacking ... something. I agree the bathroom could have been a bit more "period." Still, I wouldn't refuse to move in if I woke up and found my name on the deed.

Thanks for the tour!

Tara (Random Acts of Home Decor)

angela | the painted house said...

Oh, I LOVE that kitchen...it just GLEAMS! Beautiful, beautiful house. Thanks for posting!

Unknown said...

I love that backyard with the pool! It would be nice to have that right about now. Thanks for the tour!
diane

Marie said...

What a beautiful house! And it's in the very town I'd love to live in!! My dream is to live in Tennessee... oh some day! Thanks for the tour!

Gone said...

So, so, so beautiful!! I love it and I'm ready to move NOW!! LOL!!

~Blessings,
Jan

dmmlandcruiser said...

The kitchen is fabulous. Who wouldn't want to hang around in there with a glass or wine?

The Berry's Patch said...

Oh if only I could win the lotto! It's truly beautiful!

Abbreviated said...

Thanks for the tour !

Christy said...

Me, oh my! I love it!
I'm not really a purist. I think that there should be (as there are) organizations that secure historically significant structures and retain their historic accuracy - and hopefully open them up as museums. But as far as liveability goes, not everybody can squeeze a modern life into a historic home. I think it's important to retain the home's character, particularly by preserving elements that are inherently part of the house's style - bungalows should be allowed to keep their decorative roof brackets and a Victorian just isn't the same without turned spindles. But tiny, nasty cupboards have got to go!

Neutral Dwelling said...

The brick floor gets my vote! Fantastic tour!

J'Ollie Primitives said...

loved the floors, the open spaces, THE POOL....

Stephanie said...

Love the clawfoot tub in that master bath!

Ramona said...

What a beautiful home. I want to slide around on the floors in my socks! Very elegant and warm. Job well done, I'd say. Thank you for this lovely tour.

Smiles ~ Ramona

Ramona said...

This home is so lovely! Thank you for such a wonderful tour. And...thank you for visiting my home earlier this week to tour my house. This has been fun, fun, fun ~ ola! I love your blog!

Smiles ~ Ramona

Forever Amber said...

Love it. Love it. Love it.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved it!!! Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved this house!! Goregeous! Thanks for putting it on the tour!

Anonymous said...

Goregous!