Welcome back to the Southern Romance Home Restoration Series! To catch you up, I recently had the opportunity to enjoy a true southern getaway touring a completely restored 1906 Arts and Crafts bungalow in southern Alabama. In Part One of my series I introduced you to this beauty and showed a few ‘before’ photos. Let’s be honest, this house was a hot mess but clearly chalk-full of potential. Esther of Phantom Screens saw the potential and in dedicating a year and a half of her life to this project, I can only imagine she views it as one of the best investments she’s ever made. I can’t wait to show you this little gem of history just waiting to be polished to it’s original state!
“This house has so many stories to tell – the original features and details are simply one part of it. The home is virtually unchanged.
It truly is a time capsule of multiple generations.”
– Cartledge Blackwell,
Architectural Historian of the Mobile Historic Development Commission
Come on in!
As you enter the home. the expansive ‘dogtrot’ style hallway extends through the home with the bedrooms on the right and the sitting room, dining room and kitchen to the left. The ‘dogtrot’ style hallway was common in the 19th and early 20th century with the purpose rooted in cooling occupants being the southern climate is hot and sticky. Historically this style of home was two separate homes under one common roof with the kitchen and dining on one side and the living space on the other side. This style home often had full width porches front and back. The transoms also helped with air flow throughout the home as well as allowing light to pour in when the doors are closed.
To the left you’ll find the Gentleman’s Parlor with many of the Morgan-Ford’s original furniture including evidence of fallen cigars on the luxurious velvet settee. To think a hundred years later and men are still looking to create their own ‘man cave’ in homes today. Some things never change!
After entering the home you’ll find the living room to the left. Beautifully restored pocket doors open up to reveal the dining room.
image Fox Hollow Cottage
Home boasts so many modern conveniences like the drop-down ironing board hidden in the wall.
Preserving the original wallpaper of the home, framed in the original trim, images showcase the homeowners who loved and lived at 257 Rapier Avenue (Mobile, Alabama)
And now, a peek at one of the best parts of the home- the back porch!
Check back for all the details on creating a YEAR ROUND!! space no matter where you live and a complete source list including wallpaper and paint colors!
