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.
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.
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.