pair of fanlights—only one of which dates to the
19th century. Beams that are no longer sound will be
given a decorative second life inside. “We’ll reuse
original beams,” says Carroll. “But they will serve
as architectural details rather than structure.”
Past the rebuilt facade, the new home’s personality
will quickly shine through—with a 12-by-12-foot
skylight above the main stairwell. “It’s going to be a
showstopper,” says Carroll of the column of light that
will reach the basement level, where a hulking beehive
oven awaits restoration as a decorative focal point.
Its structurally defi cient chimney and the fi replaces
that fed into it have been removed, and a stack of
closets has been added that could serve as a shaft for
an elevator should a future homeowner require one.
An open kitchen, sitting area, and family room make
up the heart of the reimagined home, while a mudroom,
game room, and home offi ce increase the function of the
fi rst fl oor, says Carroll, who will collaborate with
interior designer Michelle Hogue to coordinate fi nishes.
Alongside the kitchen is a hardworking butler’s pantry
with a second sink and dishwasher, coffee station, under-
counter refrigerator, and other party-staging essentials.
On the second fl oor, the master suite will include
dual walk-in closets, a spacious bath, and a private
deck. Three additional bedrooms feature vaulted
ceilings, walk-in closets, and en suite baths. The wide
hallway, brightened by six skylights, is fi tted out with
desks for doing homework. Additional living space—
including a bedroom, sitting room, and full bath—will
occupy the third fl oor. Not to be forgotten, the large
walk-out basement offers plenty of untapped space
for a workshop, in-law apartment, or gym.
That lower-level space will be fi nished to the
specifi cations of the eventual buyer of the house. Till
then, Jacobsen and his crew are hard at work to meet
the challenge of rebuilding it in six months, start to
fi nish. Keeping on schedule, he says, requires thinking
three to four weeks ahead, anticipating what’s next.
But in fact he’s already thinking beyond those weeks
and months, to the home that will be a new fi xture on
Main Street. “When this project is done it will fi t right
into the neighborhood,” he says. “It will be great.”
Thanks to our sponsors
SIDING AND TRIM: LP SmartSide
WINDOWS: Sierra Pacifi c
FOUNDATION WALLS: Superior Walls
LEFT: Boris Pribelsky,
owner of BP Quality
Roofi ng, cuts copper that
will be used to fl ash the
central skylight. The
copper will age naturally
and develop a deep patina
that suits the home’s
traditional exterior.
BOTTOM: Crew members
shoulder a platform on their
way to work on the roof.
P
H
O
T
O
:
(
B
O
T
T
O
M
)
C
Y
N
T
H
I
A
B
R
O
W
N
44 THISOLDHOUSE.COM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 40 YEARS
idea house preview
®