Restoration of Bungalow in West Side Neighborhood

The Miracle on Fayette Avenue

About 12 years ago my husband I saw a fabulous bungalow on Fayette and Douglas that unfortunately was in a great state of disrepair. We attempted to purchase it but the current owner had subdivided it and wanted to continue to rent it.  Sadly we moved on and purchased another property. The hsitory of the home was interesting. It was built in about 1906 for a physician.  As the years passed we saw more deterioration to the little house and even noted that it was vacant. Water was coming in via a leaky roof and the porch was rotting.

Stair detail

Unique stair detail

Woeful Window seat

Where would you ever find pocket doors like this?

Last Fall I was driving down Fayette and was so excited to see a "For Sale" sign in front of the bungalow. I rushed home and called a realtor friend only to find out it had sold right away.

Last weekend we happened to walk by again...What a difference - Kudos to those restoring it! Can't wait to see the inside!

Today June 4th I was returning from a walk in Washington Park by way of Fayette. The owner doing all the restoration of the bungalow was outside mowing the grass. I got my wish from yesterday and got to see the inside of the house. Here are some photos that show the back breaking work the new owner is doing.

The NEW dining room ceiling!

Fabulous panelling well cared for!

Front room going into dining room shows the gem this house is!

The window seat on the stairwell landing.

Going up the stairs to the second floor. What detail!

It is experiences like this that make me want to write this blog. Where else but in the West Side Neighborhood Association could you find such a beautiful house and such care labored upon it?  This is a treasure that is not obtainable in a new house. The restoration of one home on a street leads to others putting much more care and attention into theirs. That is evident on Fayette Avenue.