5348

This home in John Lewis Cochran’s Third addition to Edgewater was one of the first on this block and was probably built on speculation in 1893. Its similarity to the Myron Church designed home at 5506 Magnolia is remarkable. However no architect is named on this permit.

The house was designed in the Victorian Shingle Style with its swooping gamble roof and “witches hat” tall dormers. The original roof would have been wood shingled. The original home had an open front porch which was enclosed in the 1920s and remodeled in 2012. The current owners restored and renovated the home in 1996, with various other work over the years with the local firm of Greene & Proppe Design, including a new 3-story wing across the back in keeping with the original design.

The front door is original and much of the wood trim in the home is oak. Next to the front door is an oval leaded glass window, typical of the shingle style. All the oak woodwork was stripped and stained. Entrance is through a vestibule and then a reception hall. A beautiful leaded glass window can be seen here. Off this hall is a front parlor with an original stained glass which opens into the larger family parlor. The oak floors with their inlaid borders are original. These are rare floors in the 21st century because they are top nailed rather than tongue and groove and therefore more difficult to maintain. These designs are repeated with variations in the living room, hallway, and dining room. At the south end of the living room is the fireplace, now revealing the classic original tiles.

The dining room has a south facing bay window. The back wall of the dining room was the end of the original house. This room has an opening to the back hall with a remodeled powder room and the staircase. The spindles are original and are turned wood indicating the early construction of this home.

This addition across the back of the home extends into the side yard making an L-shaped floor plan. The kitchen with custom cherry cabinets features a center stone counter and Arts and Crafts tiling on the back splash. Blending the two rooms together is a built in breakfast nook, and it opens onto the Great room with a beamed ceiling, wood burning fireplace flanked with stained glass windows, and built-ins. At the back of the new kitchen is the new internal staircase leading to the back yard and new garage built with the 1996 renovation.

As you ascend to the second floor, note the original newel post. On the second floor, you will see two bedrooms and two baths. The original floor plan had three bedrooms and one full bath. The front bedroom with the twin dormers was the original master bedroom. The two other bedrooms along the hall are not open, but you will see the original full bath which was remodeled to have a walk-in shower.

The next doorway leads to the master suite addition with full bath, including shower and tub with a period style stained glass accent. The master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and decorative collar ties, all reflecting the gambrel roof form. The decorative fireplace on the far wall includes many custom built in cabinets.

As you complete the tour please exit through the first floor rear staircase behind the kitchen to the back yard and around to the front yard.