BEFORE

If these walls could speak, what stories they would tell! Desiring to do a private "flip", Melisa and Ray stumbled across the FOR SALE ad of this 1893 American Foursquare in the local paper back in 2010. As soon as they pulled into the driveway it was love at first sight. Little did even these trained professionals know that this purchase would take them on a journey they will never forget.

 

Originally the plan was to demo a wall or two to open up circulation between those spaces, refinish the original hardwood floors, update the kitchen, tackle several "leaky roof" damaged ceilings on the second floor, add a true master suite and freshen up the exterior... but once they began demoing they discovered extensively deteriorating old cast iron plumbing, frightening electrical work (it is a wonder the house did not burn down), a rear addition that had water pouring into the lights in the ceiling, an almost completely rotted out bay window hidden by the plaster walls and a kitchen that had sunk 1-1/2" lower than the rest of the home.

 

What was meant to be a 6 month flip, became a project sustained by heart, blood, sweat and yes, a few tears, over the course of nearly every weekend for 3-1/2 years while they sustained their regular business. We should add that they had tremendous support from their lender, Xenith (formerly Colonial Virginia Bank.) While Ray and Melisa could have ran, they hunkered down and did everything they could to perserve and enhance the charm of this home and prepare her rightfully, for another 120 years of glory.