474 Park Ave. - Rob Smith & Carl Mattison
Rob Smith and Carl Mattison began their love affair with historic homes in 2003 when they purchased their first Grant Park project on Ormewood Avenue just six blocks away from here. After fully restoring the home, they were ready to find their next Grant Park “diamond in the rough.” So in the summer of 2009, they sold their Ormewood Avenue home and purchased this two-story, four-bedroom Queen Anne Victorian in immaculate original condition.
Designed by architect Charles V. Arnold in 1905 for Thomas Ash, a local furniture manufacturer, this house had the potential to become the home of their dreams. However, Rob and Carl could not even see the home from the street during their first visit due to a literal “front yard forest” and a giant 1930s awning that engulfed half the view of the first floor!
Thankfully, the inside is sold them. As you enter their home, check out the 11-foot ceilings, the grand foyer with all its original woodwork, two sets of nine-foot pocket doors (converted to swinging doors in the 1920s when the home was made into a duplex) and a 106-year-old staircase you have to see to believe. Adding to the allure are seven original mantles and fireplaces, all with original tiles, and a beautiful stained glass window in the stairwell, beautifully lit for the holidays. The door and window moldings are also quite unique, with upper plinth blocks that have been found in only one other home in the neighborhood. Personal touches throughout include several paintings by Carl, family photographs dating back to the Civil War, and, in the backyard, Rob’s “koi condo.”
In the past two years, while Rob and Carl have only completed a fraction of their home makeover plans, they’ve already helped highlight the original aesthetics of the home such as the heavy architectural lines, antique light fixtures and unique interior woodwork and hardware. Outside, they have “de-forested” the front yard, removed tons of debris, re-fenced the property, taken down the front awning and completely repainted the exterior. Inside, they’ve painted all the rooms and removed a doorway connecting the two upstairs middle rooms to make way for a large closet in the front bedroom. Future plans include adding a master bath and closet to the back of the home and updating the kitchen with period-appropriate cabinets, counters and appliances.
Previous
