Monday, September 14, 2015

The Historic Ebeneezer Alden House



There is a grand historic home with an equally grand history that we have turned to several times for inspiration throughout our renovation. 

We were first introduced to this wonderful place by our craftsmen, Nate and Darryn. At their suggestion, we went there to look at the center hall stair railing this past winter. During the visit, we also met the home's gracious owners whose enthusiasm for the home and its history is infectious. 

We are taken by how many details our home shares with theirs.  So much so, that we recently returned to look at the detail of the exterior dentils found under the soffit and the entry pediment. 


It's been quite fascinating to compare the intricate details that we have found so similar to our own home. One shared detail is the great width of the corner boards. The Alden home has a variation with these cornerstone mouldings called 'quoins'. We've wondered if our house also had these at one point in the past. 

Besides the commonalities, there are also amazing inspirations that we want to replicate at our own home. From small details to large, it is so nice to have a companion home to turn to. 

The homeowners Dave and Suzy are so incredibly gracious with their time by allowing us into their home, generously offering full house tours, and answering frequent emails such as, "How wide is your entry door?" 

They are so kind and such kindred spirits, as all old house people are. 

The big difference between Dave and Suzy (and their home), and Mike and I (and our home) is that they are at the end of their renovation. It's been caringly restored over the years and is breathtakingly beautiful. It is a very good thing for us that our paths crossed, as they have raised our morale when the old house projects have loomed over us. 

Here is the dentil moulding which our homes share. 

Our front entry will be a different style than theirs, although they have three formal entries, one of which is most most similar to the one we are having built. 


The dentil moulding is a unique pattern, found on only a few homes in our region, ours being one of them. It coordinates with a larger version of the same dentil that runs under the soffit. 


Miraculously, my first peek into this grand home was many months prior to meeting Dave and Suzy. I first stumbled upon it while reading this book.  


It wasn't until we were sitting on the floor in the center hall studying the stair railing that I had an overwhelming sense of familiarity, realizing that it was one of the homes I had been studying in my book! 


It is as beautiful and grand in person as it appears to be on the pages of this and other books that it has been featured in. 

This gorgeous home is actually for sale. For a complete tour of the property, go here


15 comments :

  1. Hi Catherine, I am enjoying your posts on the architectural details of your restoration. Your rental house is also lovely! What details about your rental house do you like or not like based on current and past house experiences, and what things drew you and Mike to the new house that you are restoring? Is there anything you miss about your farmhouse, or things that you plan to incorporate in the new place?

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    1. Hi Lisa,
      We love our rental house. It's an antique Cape and is incredibly charming. Having just a half-story however, we are looking forward to more space. Mike is especially looking forward to being in a home that he doesn't bump his head on so many things. At six feet four inches, he bumps his head quite a bit!
      Best, Catherine

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  2. Wow, you do know how to pick out "charming" homes! I can't believe you even found a rental that has charm. I love all things old, and soon I get to spend some time at the French Lick Resort. I think you would love it. : - ) It too has amazing history.

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  3. Oh, good grief, what a best sales speech ever, not that you intended it - and actually most likely because of that.
    Old house people is such a lovely and accurate description! And what intricate details. It is interesting to see a completely different house style that still shares a lot with Scandinavia: using wood to imitate stone. Such as those cornerstones. If no-one restores them they will disappear, since no modern house builder goes through the trouble of creating so much extra work for themselves. Only old house people do, I guess. We are a crazy bunch ;-)

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  4. holy smokes - that house is AMAZING! it's a dream house and then some. great inspiration to have. linda r (phila burbs)

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  5. Wow! Just ordered the book off Amazon for our collection. And I know about living in a story and half. My husband is quite good about not hitting his head...I cannot say the same, I have almost been knocked out a few times...I'm learning. ;)

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  6. the steps to the house are just wonderful...love all the photos!

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  7. HI Catherine!

    Long time reader, first time commenter. Your restoration and renovation of the new place is so fun to go through with you. It keeps our renovation in perspective and my patience in check to know there are others out there going through the same thing. Your home is going to be incredible when it's finished. I had to laugh because I have the Alden house all over my pinterest as inspiration for our house as well. It is just so elegant and the owners have kept things simple so as to let the architecture shine. You are also so right about "old house people". We can tell each other a mile away. It's that crazy look in our eyes. Plus the incredible, generous and supporting nature of all we have met. It's nice to know you aren't alone and everyone with old house love is rooting for you. We just want to save them all!

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  8. Fascinating that the lead photo shows a door w/ no entry/exit hardware, it might not be a door after all, perhaps a fixed panel w/ applied moldings? The mini blinds must go! But oh those exquisite granite slabs, and THAT BENCH! Thank you for the photo of that bench which will now sit at the top of my list of things to ask my husband to make [for our entry courtyard].

    -Flo
    Amelia Island FL

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    1. Hi Flo,
      Yes, my photo shows the door with a storm panel. The photo in the book shows the door without the storm panel. I didn't even notice!
      Best, Catherine

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  9. ps You're on Remodelista today!

    http://www.remodelista.com/posts/diy-upgraded-ikea-wood-countertops

    -Flo

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  10. Hi Catherine,

    This inspiration house is amazing. And, since we see so few whole-facade shots of your home, is a great reference for us. I'm not sure you've before hinted at your locale. I knew you moved from extreme west to east, but that's about the extent. Do you like the area? Have you been exploring nearby towns? Any favorites?

    Best, Kelly
    Minnesota
    1870 Farmhouse

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  11. Great post! I love all the photos! Thanks for inspiring!

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  12. What a beautiful home, I love the wide planked floor in the hallway and the grandfather clock.

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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