Mary Beth and John Bode weren’t looking to move when they stumbled across an early-1900s home north of the river. The couple lived just a few streets over and has always adored the area. “We were fine where we were and we had plenty of room, but when we saw this home for sale it just seemed like a neat thing to do,” says Mary Beth.
Over the course of the next several decades, the Bodes spent a considerable amount of time and effort restoring the home to its former glory. The walls were replastered, the original floors were reinstated, central air conditioning was added, and the majority of the hardware was taken off the property where it was cleaned before being brought back and used once again.
“It seems like there’s always work to do. We would get to a place where we could stand the disruption of another home improvement and undertake a new phase of restoration,” says Mary Beth. “But that is also the most rewarding part. It almost feels as though, with each project, the house is coming back to life.”
Upon approaching the home’s exterior, it’s easy to see why the Bodes fell in love with the property. The white colonial revival home is punctuated with two charming dormer windows and a suite of black shutters. A crape myrtle rises above the roof line and adds another vibrant color to the landscape, while a brick walkway and radius step leads to the front porch where two ferns flank the front door.
After stepping inside, guests find themselves in the foyer. A stately staircase directly ahead leads to the top floor of the home, and a formal dining room is situated to the right. Six slipcovered chairs surround an oval wooden dining table. Complete with hand-painted portraits, a silver tea set, and cloud white millwork, this room emulates a sense of opulence.