A Historic Row House Has a Colorful Exterior and Charming Interior
Name: Blair Wilson, my spouse Stephen, and our two pets, Tina the dog and Masaki the cat
Location: Historic downtown — Frederick, Maryland
Size: 1,700 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years, owned
Three years ago we were living in suburban Washington D.C., and on a weekend drive we discovered charming and picturesque Frederick, Maryland. The historic downtown area is a vibrant combination of restaurants, small businesses, and residential houses, and we immediately knew we wanted to make this special place our home. When we first saw our current house was for sale we figured it would be gone before we were ready to buy, but when that time came we were thrilled to see it was still on the market! My guess is the bright green exterior was scary to some people, but not to us.
When we purchased our home, the inside was as colorful as the outside—I’m talking red and purple walls, turquoise and orange trim, and yellow ceilings! I immediately went to work priming every single previously painted surface in the entire house, then began painting each room a color that fit into what in my mind is an eclectic but cohesive color palette. I was also determined to salvage and restore the hidden charm of the home, and to that end I repaired many of the transom windows above the interior doors and painstakingly stripped the decorative newel at the bottom of the staircase.
Our house is furnished with secondhand pieces given to us by parents, neighbors, and even co-workers who have learned of my passion for restoring vintage furniture. Frederick is filled with antique and consignment stores within walking distance, and I’m constantly on the hunt for interesting art and vintage rugs. My husband Stephen has learned not to get too attached to anything inside the house because it could be gone tomorrow.
Stephen and I share our home with our beloved pets, dog Tina and cat Masaki. We also share a wall with our neighbor who has painted her home a dark charcoal with gray accents. The two homes together have been called “twins,” and more than once I’ve seen a passerby stop and take a picture of the properties.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Colorful and collected historic downtown rowhouse
What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room in the house is the front parlor. The high ceilings, large front window, and antique chandelier are dramatic but the dark walls and pocket doors keep the space cozy, especially on a night when the whole family is hanging out in front of the fireplace.
If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? If I could magically change one thing it would be to add on a larger backyard, with room to garden and space for a workshop. However, when you live downtown you often sacrifice a yard for the convenience of being able to walk to shops and restaurants, and we’ve happily made that choice without regret.
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last thing I purchased for the home was a set of dining room chairs. I had been searching for a few months but my requirements made it a challenge. I wanted antique chairs that would fit under our drop-leaf dining room table, but they had to be comfortable and sturdy as well. Eventually I found a set of four chairs at a consignment store two blocks away. They met all the requirements and were upholstered in a gorgeous striped velvet material and were shockingly inexpensive. Sold!
Which fictional character would be most at home in your place? What a great question! How about Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple? The house was built in 1870 so the time-period is appropriate. Some of my favorite design elements are colorful rugs, velvet fabrics, and oil paintings. I can see Miss Marple pondering a mystery and drinking a cup of tea, surrounded by this style of decor.
Any advice for creating a home you love? My advice would be if you are buying an older home in a historical area, anticipate the restrictions that may arise if you want to renovate your property. We would like to add an additional window to our living room, but that kind of change to the exterior of the property isn’t permitted by the historical society that protects buildings in downtown Frederick. We accept those limitations because we know the intention is to preserve the character of the neighborhood. Living downtown in a historic area isn’t for everyone, but it’s perfect for us.
Thanks, Blair!
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