Butteville, Ore., Patrick Leavy and Jean Ann Quinn
We built this home in 2003 on a 200-acre hop farm that has been in our family for almost 100 years. The exterior is a reproduction of an early 1900s kit house. People think that the house has been here forever, or that we moved an old house from another location. It features Douglas fir flooring, subway wall tile and hexagonal floor tile in the bathroom, linoleum in the kitchen, a Craftsman-style fireplace and wood windows and doors.
Burlington, Vt., Martha Dallas and Lucy Gluck
Our story-and-a-half story home is one of two known bungalows in the neighborhood. The original owner was a carpenter, and we wonder if he built it. Our house has wood casement windows, an arch between the living room and dining room, unpainted wood doors and trim and the original tub and toilet. The kitchen had been updated and extended into the dining room area. We have begun research on the home’s history and aim to do more.
Framingham, Mass., Christa Harnisch
The 940-square-foot Craftsman bungalow that I have lived in for the past nine years was built in 1927. It is a small, cozy two-bedroom house with a built-in china cabinet in the dining room. I recently had wall-to-wall carpeting pulled up and the beautiful oak floors refinished. I like to call the spacious front porch my “summer home.” From the time I first saw the house I was hooked: it was love at first sight!
McKinney, Texas, Ruth Ehret
My home was built in 1916 and is on a prestigious street in our historic district. The siding and windows are original, and it has 9 1/2′ ceilings, 9″ floorboards and an unusual milk-and-ice delivery door in the butler’s pantry. It’s a very comfortable home with two bedrooms, a sunroom, living and dining rooms, a pleasant kitchen and ’20s-style bathroom. I’ve enjoyed eight happy years here.
Portland, Ore., David and Trish Carter
We discovered a beautiful wooded lot next to a creek just minutes from Portland and crafted our dream of a modern American bungalow. The front porch ceiling is tongue-and-groove cedar, and windows, door moldings, columns and staircase banisters are clear-grain hemlock. Most of our lighting fixtures are period reproductions. We used an “Earth Advantage” builder so our home incorporates many energy-saving features. The most important feature, of course, is how much it feels like home – warm and cozy.
South Pasadena, Calif., Jack and Marian Sunabe
Built in 1921, this house had had only two previous owners before we bought it in 2003. Original light fixtures, white oak floors, built-in cabinets and a Batchelder tile fireplace were all intact. The leaded and beveled glass in the front door is said to depict a crown, perhaps representing “Crown City,” the nickname for Pasadena. The deep front porch with its swing and the light-filled side porch are our favorite places to relax.
Canyon, Texas, Bill Green
My bungalow was constructed in 1906 as a typical late-Victorian house with a T-shaped floor plan. After a fire in 1931, the second owner added two rooms to make the house square, lowered the walls and windows, bricked the exterior and laid oak flooring on top of the original long leaf pine floors. In 1988 another owner extensively renovated the interior and, unfortunately, painted the brick. I love it just the way it is, but someday hope to restore some lost features.
So. Portland, Me., Bonnie McClintock
I bought my 1920s bungalow in 2000 after renting it for three years. My vision was to restore it to its original charm. Improvements include a new roof, rebuilt chimney and major restoration to the front porch. The fun part was choosing authentic colors for the exterior paint. It’s very gratifying to get compliments from my neighbors. I thank your wonderful magazine for its inspiration and knowledge in helping me complete my vision.
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