1935 Fireside Drive
Chapel Hill, NC
HISTORY AND FEATURES
I bought this house in 1997 because it had large rooms, three full baths, low maintenance of the brick front and gambrel roof (only 5 years old then), an inviting setting (southern exposure and shady trees) in a prime neighborhood and location. Classic features, such as tall windows, six window seats, and a great masonry fireplace, were important, too.
The project was more than most people would choose to tackle. The house had the best of finishes, appliances, and broken space use of 1974, including the era's most expensive shag carpet in five colors and wallpaper in every room to match the carpet colors! Underneath all this I saw a very solid house possessing the most important attributes of a home.
Renovation and Addition. Starting in 1997, with a good team and my design background, we stripped out all carpet, vinyl, wallpaper, ceiling beams, appliances, countertops, some cabinetry and walls. In came hardwood floors, Shaw's best carpet, tiled baths, insulation, new appliances (Amana range and refrigerator and Maytag dishwasher), countertops and some cabinetry, off-white paint to complement the champagne carpet, new air conditioner and(2001), and new water heater (2002).
In 2000, the additions were made to complete the planned design:
- The master bath was completely redesigned and doubled in size to include two sink areas, an oversized diagonal Jacuzzi, two additional windows (one a Palladium and one with a wide ledge for art work), custom corner shelves, and a cathedral ceiling.
- A large walk-in closet was added with a skylight, custom shoe shelves, and solid hanging rods. Also, walk-in storage was added in the master suite for convenience, although there is an attic.
- Now, rather than a three-foot stoop, there is a screened porch with a 180-degree view, high ceiling and a big fan/light.
- A 23-foot deck spans the back, with diagonally laid wood, plant/seating benches, and steps along the porch. French doors open to the deck from the main-floor bedroom/ flexible space. The views are great, and the large hardwoods cool the backyard.
Landscape. The yard was redone, mostly in 1997, with the goals of easy maintenance, beauty, and protecting special specimens of trees and plantings on the property. They include a multi-trunk yellow maple, 29-year old Japanese maple, mature azaleas and camellias, magnolia tree, 3 butterfly bush/trees, Japanese cherry tree, dogwood tree, and lots of other mature trees and plantings. At the street on each side of the walk are brick-enclosed beds for annuals and perennials.
For easy maintenance I let the back yard become hardwoods in a natural area, and I hired a landscape designer to help with the front. Planting beds and French drains were installed near the house. Natural moss is the green area nearest the house, then a mulched area contain the trees and azaleas, while periwinkle is planted on the slope toward the street. The only grass to be cut is an apron along the streets, which is done with a push mower.
Needless to say, this home gave back even more joy than the effort put into it!
Call me and make this your home
Rita Robbins, Realtor, Broker, MBA, CSP 919-942-9400 rita@ritarobbins.com
