Historic Homes Tour features charming renovations
By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News
It took a year, but the prairie-style home at 1300 W. Oak St. in Fort
Collins shines and sparkles as a result of its top-to-bottom renovation.
The home, purchased by Laurie and Richard Evans in 2006, is one of six
homes featured on this year's Historic Homes Tour set for Sept. 13, 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's theme is "Recent Rejuvenations," and proceeds
from the event will benefit the Poudre Landmarks Foundation.
Built in 1919, the Evans home bears evidence of Frank Lloyd Wright's influence,
including low-pitched gable rooflines, red tile roofing and wide eave overhangs.
Several prominent families occupied the home over the years, including
the Roley family who founded Roley's Hallmark Card and Gift.
The new owners have not changed anything on the exterior of the home, but
they have given the interior an entirely new look. As luck would have it,
the Evanses moved in next to a home design consultant, Katherine Thompson
of Homeworks of Colorado. She proved to be an excellent partner for Laurie
Evans in the redesign of the home.
The home, much larger than it appears from the street, boasts 2,000 square
feet of living space on both the main floor and the finished basement.
Rooms are large and light-filled, with hardwood floors and an open floor
plan. Paint colors like celery, squash and chocolate mocha make the rooms
lovely--and make the visitor want to stay for lunch.
The Evanses enlarged the kitchen and made an adjoining bedroom into a cozy
family room. Workers peeled off layer after layer of old wallpaper and
covered up dark paneling to give the home a bright, updated look. Furnishings
are mission-style, blending well with the prairie-style architecture.
New cabinetry in the home is worth a close look. It was created by an Irish
cabinetmaker, Michael Lenny of Lilliput Designs, who won a lottery in an
Irish pub to emigrate to the United States.
Besides the Evans home, others on this year's tour include the following.
- Dealy-Good house: 223 S. Howes St., built in 1921.
- McClelland-Kummerow home: 407 S. Grant Ave., built in 1892.
- Bailey home: 1306 W. Mountain Ave., built in 1922.
- McHugh/Andrews house (known as "Mayor's House"), 202 Remington St., built
in 1889.
- Historic Seventh Day Adventist Church, 400 Whedbee St., built in 1903.
"Many tour goers may decide to walk, ride bikes or take the trolley to
visit the homes this year," said Lynda Lloyd, Historic Homes Tour committee
chair. "Several of the homes are within walking distance from the Fort
Collins Municipal Railway line on West Mountain Avenue." Rides on the streetcar
are free for tour ticket holders.
In addition to the six featured homes, the PLF will be showing off its
three local properties on Sept. 13 with free open houses and special activities.
The Avery House, 328 W. Mountain Ave., will host the annual Masterpiece
Birdhouse silent auction. In addition to decorative birdhouses donated
by local artists, the auction will offer unique bird creations that could
live in one of the whimsical birdhouses. Also at the Avery House, there
will be discussions about Victorian mourning customs along with complimentary
ginger cookies, which were served in that period during times of mourning.
At the 1882-83 Fort Collins Water Works, 2005 N. Overland Trail just south
of LaPorte, complimentary apple cider will be served to draw attention
to the ancient apple orchard on the property. Demonstrations of horse harnessing
and gold panning will also take place.
The Amigos de el Museo de las Tres Colonias will celebrate its second anniversary
during the tour. The adobe home and museum, located at 425 10th St., is
filled with authentic furnishings and interpretive displays about the Romero
family and the sugar beet industry.
Tickets for the home tour are $20 in advance. Tickets will also be sold
for $25 on the day of the event at each of the tour properties. Advance
tickets are available at Downtown Ace Hardware, Clay's Ace Hardware, Perennial
Gardener, the Fort Collins Nursery and the Avery House (open 1 to 3 p.m.,
Wednesdays and Sundays).
For more information, call 484-7137.
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