2237 Demington Drive (1997)

Quintessentially English Country Cottage is this charming 1920s home designed by the renowned architectural firm of Howell and Thomas. The current owners are to be much commended for their commitment to historical accuracy in one of the most stunning features of this home: they have installed a replacement roof identical to the original of steam bent cedar shake in a wave pattern, which must be treated with preservative every three years.

The living room is remarkable for its beautiful oak floors, fireplace and exceptional recently polished brass hardware. Antique furniture befitting the English Country Cottage, from the owners' many years of collecting, completes the look.

Leaded glass French doors lead to the dining room. A lovely feature of this room is the three built-in corner china cabinets and one built-in corner fine table linen cabinet. Wainscoting and original oak flooring add to the beauty of this room.

The kitchen has been tastefully enlarged and reconstructed to maintain the original feel of the home. Leaded glass windows were reproduced to match those in the rest of the house. Linoleum was stripped off to reveal hardwood floors.

A rather narrow and treacherous back stairway has been overlaid with bookshelves and a desk making a useful kitchen secretary. A closet provides much needed space at the top of this staircase. The staircase itself, although hidden, remains, for old houses must have their secrets.

This home has another touch of mystery and romance, for it was the girlhood home of Jean Streuvan Harris, who with broken heart, stopped that of her faithless lover. In touch with the current owners, she has fondly recalled living in the big white house on Demington, with special memories of quiet days reading in the sun room.

The bathroom at the top of the stairs has a clever sink and vanity made from an antique Victorian chest. A built-in tub was removed and replaced with a vintage footed tub. Tile was removed from the walls and replaced by wooden wainscoting.

The master suite contains a bedroom with a fireplace, an historically restored master bathroom and a sitting room.

A quaint child's room with exposed rafters and a patchwork quilt adds to the sense of charm of this home.

An upstairs sitting room provides yet another example of the owners' creativity, for it contains two walls of impressive bookshelves with leaded glass doors which they designed.