In our newest ‘Home of the Week‘ we move from an equestrian estate in Rancho Santa Fe to a beautifully restored home in Corvallis, Oregon.
This $1.2 million dollar Queen Anne style home embraces its history and vintage details while also featuring modern touches that are seldom seen in homes built even today. Built in 1899, this wonderfully restored home radiates the charm of days gone by. It is this unique mix of charm, modernity and convenience to shopping, restaurants and parks that attracted the current owners to this stunning property.
In their own words, here’s what makes this historic Corvallis, Oregon home so special to them.
“The story about why we chose our lovely home actually began many years ago in the Deep South where our small town was filled with gracious historic homes. I was raised in a time and place where life was slower; where, at noon, all businesses closed for workers to return home for a relaxed “dinner”; where, on lazy afternoons, iced tea and petit fours were served on the front porch as the children played in the adjoining gardens; where neighbors stopped for a quick chat over the fence as they strolled by on their way home for supper. After years spent running an international business, my husband and I longed to find a slower pace in a friendly place of beauty for our multi-generational family. It felt like coming “home” when we moved into the historic Wells-Savage estate situated in this beautiful and friendly downtown Corvallis neighborhood. Where we do walk home for lunch from our downtown business, where we do often enjoy tea and sweets sitting in the front porch swing, where children do love playing in our large, beautiful ornamental gardens, where we do often visit with neighbors over the hedge as they pass by on their evening strolls to view neighborhood gardens.
I love the exquisite period details including crown molding, original ornate doorknobs and hinges, massive pocket doors to separate rooms, and volumes of storage throughout the home. Imagine a 100+ year old home with double walk-in closets in the master bedroom, two walk-in pantries in the kitchen, extensive butler’s cabinets, and storage everywhere! It is pretty sweet to have central vacuum everywhere including all 4 levels, porches and decks, AND the garage! On winter afternoons, as the southern light streams through the 6ft tall windows, I enjoy snuggling on the library sofa in front of the gas fireplace to read. Our dinner guests love the warm and inviting kitchen area that opens to breakfast area and den. We have spent many enchanted evenings with friends gathered around the maple-topped kitchen island enjoying local produce and wines. The 4th floor bedroom suite provided our teenage grandson with the perfect separate retreat and is clearly his favorite, second only to the fact that there is not a single squeak in the hardwood floors allowing him to sneak up on adults undetected for maximum surprise effect!
The gardens have their own story (a true one, but it may seem unbelievably coincidental). I have long been an avid rosarian and have, for decades, collected books, periodicals, and articles about rose gardens. Large sections of the grounds here were almost bare when we took possession of the property and seemed ideal for roses, which I intended to immediately plant. The day we were given the keys to the property, the previous owner also handed us a February 1994 Better Homes and Gardens magazine that featured this property’s previous rose gardens. I immediately recognized the article because I had cut out and saved it years ago! Unknowingly, we had purchased the same property (whose gardens I had so admired) intending to plant roses. Such serendipity! The existing infrastructure including extensive watering system with its dedicated agricultural well, magnificent trellising & masonry walls, and rich soil were all perfect for the 30 roses I have planted. It has been great fun developing beds of traditional English garden plants and herbs. We have added edibles including apples, cherries, persimmons, pears, figs, kiwis, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. The surrounding masonry provides the perfect warm spot for our organic vegetable garden. We enjoy sharing dishes prepared with our heirloom tomatoes at our neighborhood association’s summer potluck. My favorite events are our summer garden suppers with friends and family (with every dish served grown in the garden)!
When we moved from busy California, we desired a strong community-oriented lifestyle that did not require hours spent commuting in a vehicle. We have found that here. We are hopeful that the new owners will love this stately but very livable home as much as we have. It has been a privilege to live here, to enjoy her beauty and comfort, and to get to know the wonderful surrounding neighbors. What will I miss most? The beautiful light streaming through the tall living room windows, the riotous springtime-blooming roses, the knowledge that there is always room for one more guest around the table, the sheer grace that surrounds one here.
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This private urban oasis seems so magical! It is steeped in history but wonderfully renovated with new appliances. It is located in the heart of the city but it is also private and serene – offering up a real tight knit community feel as well. Click here to learn more about this enchanting home listed by Dava Behrens with Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers.
