Park Hill Home Tour
Five Spectacular Homes To Be Featured In The 45th Annual Neighborhood Event
Home descriptions by Emily Morgan and Lori Midson
Renderings by Marc Applebaum
Photos by Lori Midson
This year’s Park Hill Home Tour and Street Fair is Sunday, Oct. 1. Here is a sneak preview of the five homes on the tour this year. Tickets are available at parkhillhometour.org. (Click here for more on the Home Tour and info about the free Street Fair.)
The Home Of Historic Renovator Steve Davis
The 1890 “Robinson House” is the oldest surviving home in Park Hill. The Robinson family, who were the first to purchase the home, paid a whopping price tag of $5,000. That was a bundle of money in 1890, the year it was built. Today, the enchanting two-story residence still incorporates the cross-gabled roof, turned porch columns and spindle work banisters of the Victorian era.
In 1983, the home was converted to Kate’s at 35th Avenue, a popular neighborhood restaurant that closed in 2010. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. In 2021 Steve Davis, who specializes in historic restorations, bought the home after the property was subdivided; row homes have been built on the south side. With a goal of preserving the historic attributes of the home, while updating it to sell in a modern market, Davis has taken the house through a major renovation.
The brick exterior maintains its original integrity thanks to the second-story gingerbread porch, arched window with brick surround and keystone and ornamental roof edging with fish scale tin shingles. The interior, including an open main floor with a large kitchen island and half bath, has been fully remodeled to accommodate today’s lifestyles.
The second floor lays claim to a primary suite and two additional bedrooms and a full bath, while the basement was dug deeper to increase the ceiling height to accommodate another bedroom and bath. The home has all new electrical, heat and plumbing. A gas fireplace with a period appropriate (but new) grate and a tankless water heater rounds out the comforting features of this restored Park Hill treasure.
The Home Of Susi Tattershall & Ken Carlson
This quintessential split-level Mid-Century Modern was built in 1952, and when Susi Tattershall and Ken Carlson purchased the home in 2012, they were only the third owners. After settling in, they removed 60 years of wax buildup and polished the foyer tiles to their original gloss. The foliage in the indoor planters — also in the foyer — lends a lustrous hue of green throughout the year. It’s a welcoming addition, especially in wintertime.
In the sunken living room, a massive picture window gives way to a beautiful view of Monaco Parkway, while the classic mid-century fireplace maintains the simple design of that era. Tattershall’s antiques — including a restored pipe organ — add a touch of yesteryear to the home. The original crystal light fixture in the dining room is a striking conversation piece, too.
The couple opened the kitchen up to the breakfast nook and dining room, and the floors were replaced with polished concrete. Tattershall is a bona fide gourmet cook, and her kitchen is decked out with a commercial grade range, hood and refrigerator, as well as an island for food prep. In the breakfast nook, original cabinets and built-ins maintain the mid-century design. Heating is achieved by hot water running through the concrete slab, so there are no vents, returns or radiators to break up the sleek interior and its open access to all rooms on the main floor. A cozy den highlights many original details, including built-in shelves and massive French doors that open to the covered patio.
The upper-level bedroom and bath were gutted to create a primary suite with a sitting area. Carpet was removed, and the original oak floors beneath were polished to their original luster. Large, original windows benefit from streams of sunlight in the bedroom, while the size of the walk-in closet is a dream, outmatched only by a luxurious new primary bath.
The second and third bedrooms contain many of the couple’s lovely antiques. A nearby bath features classic pink-and-blue tile and several original fixtures, including a half-moon-shaped sink and chrome flip-around toothbrush holder in the wall. Likewise, the powder room on the main floor boasts its original pink-and-gray tile and a similar flip-around toothbrush holder.
Tattershall, who restores violins and antique pianos and creates hand-turned bowls on her lathe, utilizes the large garden level rec room as her workshop. The lower level also includes an original wet bar, cedar closet and wavy wood paneling.
The couple loves the distinct mid-century style of their home. Sleek, spacious and filled with natural light, this home personifies comfort, whimsy and flair, and the loving owners never tire of new projects to elevate the home’s integrity.
The Home Of Sue Wofford
When you approach Sue Wofford’s home, you’re greeted with the kaleidoscopic beauty of flush wildflowers reminiscent of an English cottage garden. The magnificent flowers perfectly complement the majestic Tudor, which was built in 1936.
Since moving into the home in 1977, Sue has undertaken several remodels and additions, but the antique expressions of days gone by remain consistent from year to year. Furniture, hooked rugs, quilts and other collectors’ items — many handmade by family members — make the otherwise updated home feel warm, inviting and firmly rooted in tradition.
A staircase with the original iron railing catches the eye upon entering the residence. You’ll also notice many of the original light fixtures throughout the home. The dining room lays claim to an oil portrait of James Henry Clagett — a relative of Sue’s — that was painted in Moorefield, West Virginia by artist Will Alexander immediately after the Civil War.
Throughout the years, the home has undergone a kitchen remodel, wherein Sue removed the Chambers stove, refurbished the upper metal cabinets and constructed lower cabinets to match. The result exemplifies the preservation of the 1930s aesthetic while enhancing functionality.
In 1983, a large family room addition was constructed off the back of the house, where French doors open to the shaded backyard patio and gardens. An abundance of bookshelves throughout the home are stocked with current and collectible titles that add a sense of culture and elegance to the restful atmosphere.
Descending to the basement, you’ll find a sizable bedroom, petite bathroom and original wooden kitchen cabinets that provide extra storage for family heirlooms.
When the house was purchased, there were three upstairs bedrooms and one bath. The original wall and floor tile in the bathroom remain intact. One bedroom now functions as an office with a captivating view of the front gardens, while the second bedroom is graced with quilts and braided rugs handmade by relatives.
In 1995, the third bedroom became the entrance to a large primary suite overlooking the existing family room. Bedecked with a balcony that peers over the backyard, a walk-in closet and bath with a large shower, it’s a focal point of the home. A hooked rug of the Maine state seal hangs in the bedroom; it was crafted by Sue’s maternal grandmother and once hung in the rotunda of the State Capitol building in Augusta.
The Home Of David & Eileen Arnolds
Built in 1909, this two-story Craftsman bungalow has been a home to many families, including the Arnolds family. David Arnolds and his recently deceased wife Eileen bought the home in 1986 and raised their three children in it. They’ve also shared it with several exchange students over the years. Today, the home and its unusually large backyard set the stage for family get-togethers that often include children and grandchildren.
The original 1,600-square-foot, two-story home was enlarged in 2020 with the addition of a first-floor bedroom, an ADA-compliant bath and a closet plumbed for a washer and dryer with the goal of aging in place. The details and finishes of the addition are so well done it’s nearly impossible to distinguish between what’s new versus what’s original to the home. To reduce waste and maintain continuity from one renovation to the next, windows from the original outside wall were used in the new bedroom.
The kitchen was renovated and expanded to delight the family’s culinary wizards, who cook on a six-burner gas range, prep on a massive center island and have enviable cabinet space for all kinds of storage. French doors were also added to create elegant access to the deck and patio.
The upstairs was adequate for raising the family’s three children. Once David and Eileen were empty nesters, they had the opportunity to create a more luxurious primary bedroom, with an ensuite bath outfitted with a deluxe soaking tub. The two additional original bedrooms and hall bath are perfect for visiting grandchildren.
The basement is an all-age paradise with its large playroom full of toys and family games; there’s also a guest bedroom and bath. The home continues to be the hub of three generations of extended family gatherings every week.
The Home Of Lucas & Lindsay Clark
Built in 1948, this gorgeous home underwent a remarkable transformation, seamlessly blending the charm of the original one-story brick façade with a modern two-story farmhouse design. The renovation, completed last year, transformed the residence into a stylish and spacious living space that perfectly suits the needs of Lucas and Lindsay Clark, along with their three kids and a new furry family member.
Clocking in at a generous 3,800 square feet, the home includes five bedrooms and six bathrooms, enough space to provide ample room for the family to spread out. The owners love the open layout of the main floor, which trumpets a sweeping living room, a dining room that’s ideal for gatherings and a spectacular kitchen equipped with top-of-the-line attributes, including a wine and coffee bar.
Additionally, the main floor provides a lovely guest bedroom with its own bathroom, as well as an office that conveniently shares a powder room and a mudroom to keep everything organized.
The second floor boasts considerable space, and the family appreciates that each bedroom has its own bathroom and walk-in closet. Furthermore, the laundry room is conveniently situated on the same floor, ensuring easy management of the myriad laundry loads that inevitably come with a trio of kids.
A fantastic bonus is the third-floor loft, complete with its own bathroom. This versatile space has become a favorite spot for the family to enjoy movie nights. But that’s not all: A covered rooftop deck offers breathtaking mountain views, making it a wonderful outdoor retreat.
The home’s design and layout have truly captured the Clark’s hearts. The only adjustment they’ve made is converting the back patio into a versatile oasis where the family can play games and spend quality time together. This home has it all: comfort, functionality and luxurious elements that enhance the family’s daily life.