In the entry hall, bevel-leaded windows and an oversized door point to the dwelling’s early 1900s age, while the compass rose in the floor, which features the house’s coordinates, is a symbol of Cole and Carole Hedden’s commitment to their new forever home.
The Elk Mountain home was almost to the point of no return and nearly overtaken by trees and greenery when the Heddens decided to buy.
The detached carriage house, which houses the couple’s antique cars and an upstairs apartment, was renovated first to accommodate Carole and Cole and their pups, Baxter and Scout, while the main house underwent extensive work.
Tip - Work within the existing footprint as much as possible by replanning the interior space, and be realistic about what is achievable.
The dining room was originally adjoined by an enclosed porch, which the Heddens converted into a library.
Tip - Once you decide, commit yourself to the project and be flexible. Restoring an old home can be unpredictable, as time, cost, and quality are often unknowns and can be hard to manage.
The home is full of antique furnishings. Some were found at flea markets and yard sales, while others, like the Victrola that belonged to Cole's grandmother, were passed down. The couple restored many pieces themselves.
Wormy chestnut from the barn on the property was repurposed to build the kitchen island and open shelves.
A small pantry holds servingware, while framed on the wall is a little piece of the house: a newspaper from 1929 that was found in the wall during renovations.
Tip - Assume that in a very old structure, electrical and plumbing will require replacement and HVAC will need to be added. This usually impacts all of the interior finishes; however, reusing materials is a great way to retain character and authenticity. -- A sleeping porch off a bedroom was converted into the master bath, where the couple did not skimp on modern conveniences. Adjoining the space is an equally sizeable walk-in closet.
Like the rest of the house, the plaster in the upstairs hallway was replaced with new insulation and drywall while the pine floors were salvageable.
Tip - Plan to spend 25 percent more money to deal with unknown issues, such as buried tanks, structural problems, mold, families of raccoons, etc. Make sure you have access to this money beyond the financing source.
The carriage house apartment is a spacious and private hangout for visiting family and guests, and the lean-to greenhouse features turn-of-the-century iron levers and gears
A screened-in porch is a breezy gathering place.
