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Fixers Seeking Dreamers

Nicely-boned large fixers from the Victorian through Craftsman eras have always attracted me. In the first place, their exterior designs are often beautiful, and almost always handsome. Clearly, that was the goal of their first owners who wanted to live in a home suitable to their station in life. Building plans by mail and in book form were widely available, so everyone had access to elaborate plans. The best builders in each town were putting up grand homes outfitted from huge catalogs of trim and fittings. In the case of the grandest homes, only the best materials and workers were used. Today’s fixer might have been a Sonoma County luxury home of the times.

Matheson Fixer in Healdsaburg
Matheson St. Fixer in Healdsburg
A typical house built in that 1875-1925 time frame represents thousands of man hours of labor. From the laborers who dug foundations and hauled materials to the masons who built strong and true stone and brick walls and fireplaces, often with great artistry. From the plumbers and electricians who were just learning the right ways of applying their trades to a modern residence. Above all, from the master carpenters whose work included amazing technical sophistication in such features as framing a cupola, creating wondrous round porches, crafting bow-fronted turrets, hanging massive pocket doors, melding eyebrow dormers into roofs and so many other beautiful examples of wood artistry.

To see a former classic now experiencing diminished glory can be a sad experience. On the other hand, my focus is all about finding new owners with the energy and vision to undertake a major projecdt. I’m looking for people who share the sense of value in historic places. Who can pause in front of an old window with wavy glass and appreciate that five or six generations of people have looked at that same view. Who can visualize families gathering around the piano to sing art songs which would have been the entertainment of the day. Who can imagine summer evenings on an ample porch serving as the social gathering spot for a neighborhood. Who can understand that the best way to serve their town is to salvage a piece of it.

North St. Repairs
North St. Repairs
Of course, fixers don’t have to be brought back to full glory every time. I’m happy enough just to see people begin to keep a house from deteriorating. That can be as simple as repairing the roof and adding a coat of paint or two. Sure, it’s great to replace the old brick foundation, rip off the 1950’s tacky remodel, and try to get the worst problems repaired, but just stopping the aging process is the most important first step.

There are always fixers available. They may not be cheap. They may not be grand, but if the idea of saving and living in a piece of Sonoma County history appeals to you, get in touch or click on any of the images below to get more details.

Posted in: Architecture, Areas, Fixers, Grand Dames, Healdsburg Real Estate, Palms and redwoods, Real Estate, Round Porches

Faught Road

Not too far from the energy of the Airport Business Park and Shiloh’s Wal Mart and Home Depot is Faught Road. It’s only a couple of miles long, but it’s miles away in space and time from the urbanizing 101 corridor. Faught Road HouseThis classic farm house on six acres is architecturally pleasing on many levels. The three dormer roof lines echo the larger gable and break up the roof plane. The wrap around porch makes a symmetrical division of the house height and creates blocks of space that comes close to fitting into the “golden ratio” that has always been a pleasing shape. The house itself from the peak of the gable to the width of the entire structure is also close to the golden ratio.

Faught House Golden RatioThe photograph to the right uses color masks to show the way the house’s design is a series of golden ratios. The use of these proportions is probably an unconscious element on the architect’s part; just good design that pleases the eye.

Posted in: Architecture, California Farm House, Grand Dames Tagged: Chalk Hill, Faught Road, Mark West, Pleasant Ave, Shiloh, Windsor

Occidental

I headed up to Occidental where I needed to get pictures of some of the Italian style family restaurants for an article Wild Jane is writing on the main sonoma.net site. I made sure to get photos of both the Union Hotel and the classic Howard’s Cafe two blocks up the street. The Union Hotel is a whole complex of buildings including a pizzeria, saloon, ballroom, and a residence at the end of the street. I had mentioned a few posts back how gates can be used as inviting features within a longer property divider. This mixed residental and commercial fence is a useful reminder that in a town with busy restaurants and saloons, the good citizens living next door probably want some peace and quiet.

Union Hotel residential fenceThere isn’t a residential break apart from the driveway in this long fence. It’s a fairly elegant “stay out” sign. There is, of course, a pretty gate into the restaurant’s courtyard and a driveway gate for the residence.

Howard’s Cafe in OccidentalHoward’s Cafe is a beautifully converted residence with great original detailing on the lower and upper covered porches and eaves. It’s a lovely spot and one of my favorite breakfast hangouts on Sunday when I can get away. If you get a chance to stop by, have a look at the detailing on the upper porch beam where they echo the post-top detailing in the middle of the span. It’s a nice touch that you absolutely won’t see in production building today. Of course, you’re not there just to look at the architecture. The food really is great.

Howard’s Cafe detailingThe builders also created a very intricate detail at the eaves that’s a little busy for my taste, but it’s certainly a great example of what pattern books, the power saw and an abundance of wood made possible. Sort of like desktop publishing in 1986…too many fonts, colors, and styles, but hey, see what I can do.

Posted in: Architecture, Day Trips, Details, Grand Dames, Occidental, Restaurants

Bodega Architecture and Quoins

Potter Schoolhouse in BodegaThe Potter Schoolhouse in Bodega is one of the few remaining buildings from Alfred Hitchcock’s filming of “The Birds”. It’s been a schoolhouse, bed and breakfast, and private residence. I’m a fan of the simple symmetry of the building with the round-top windows, corner columns, and octagonal tower. It’s a timeless building without the gingerbread of a Queen Anne or the stripped down plainness of the Craftsman style. There are a couple of other buildings in Bodega that I really like.

Quoins in BodegaThis simple residence features dramatic yellow painted quoins which are elements that were traditionally used to imitate how stone walls meet at corners. These wooden quoins are common in buildings of the late 1800’s and appear in everything from a Italianate to a Queen Anne to this plainer example. One of my favorite fixers on North St in Healdsburg shares this detail.

Bodega farmhouseThe final gem on my trip was this attractive two story, two porch farmhouse behind a white picket fence. The eaves, porches, and windows all have nice detailing that is highlighted by the simple horizonal siding. The relatively steep, hipped roof and arched windows make this a good example of an Italianate style building. Weathered SignJust outside the picket fence is this old weathered sign which probably proclaimed this as an inn or commercial establishment. Now it’s a great example of the forces of nature on human construction.

Posted in: Architecture, Bodega Bay, California Farm House, Details, Grand Dames

Healdsburg Victorian with five units in back

Matheson Round Porch Details
Matheson Round Porch

Healdsburg has a great collection of Victorians downtown. Matheson St, a main artery to the Healdsburg plaza, has both modest and large examples of what are often called painted ladies. Martin Humphrey’s current listing is an interesting opportunity since it includes not just a Victorian with classically good bones, but five extra units on the .43 acre lot. I want to talk about TIC (Tenants in Common) in a future posting, but Martin has some ideas about how this property could be structured for either multiple ownership, or a single owner who fixes the Victorian to live in and uses the five other units for rental income. In any case, have a look at the show and give me a call if you’d like to see this gem.

Posted in: Architecture, Fixers, Grand Dames, Healdsburg, Real Estate, Round Porches

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