1400 Grove, built 1913 This stately four-story building, with its beautiful pillars, deep wrap-around porches, heavily bracketed overhanging eaves, and wonderful 10' windows and French doors defining the first floor, was designed by architects Carneal & Johnston. Originally the New Baptist Home for Aged Women, the building replaced an older circa 1840 house purchased by the Baptist women in 1881 for their ministry. Operated as Mrs. Buchanan's Rest Home until the 1970's, the building has been recently converted to ten condominiums. Ground floor unit #1 was originally the dining hall for the home and retains most of its original glamour with 12' ceilings, unique moldings, beautiful built-in china cabinet and massive fireplace, and extensive views of beautiful Grove Avenue. Unit #2, almost a mirror image across the hall was originally the ladies' parlor.   1401 Grove, built 1888 1401 and 1403 Grove were built by Richmond policeman Mordecai Angle and this cheerful corner home remained in his family until 1921. A complete renovation of the home was completed in 1986. Beautifully decorated by the owners with their collection of family pieces and the owner's own wonderful artwork, the home and its happy family kitchen exude comfort and grace. The gardens here are small, tucked-away oases providing a tranquil complement to the comfortable back patio with its tiny fountain. Don't miss the view through the dining room window of the hidden front side garden, the lovely side garden framing the comfortable raised veranda or the secret shade garden with its collection of ivies, ferns and impatiens tucked behind the garage.   107 N. Harvie, built 1901 Visitors enter this charming home across a flower-filled brick terrace and through the original etched glass door. The home has been creatively renovated by the current owners over the past ten years to provide a simple, comfortable and self-sustaining space for living and entertaining. Don't miss the welcoming library with its wonderful built-in cabinetry or the lovely powder room lit by its glass brick "window". The creatively renovated kitchen, originally two rooms, with its granite countertops and chef's appliances - overlooks a very spacious covered and heated veranda and container-filled brick patio, which combine to provide the owners maximum opportunity for year-round enjoyment.   1824 Grove, built 1909 For a time three apartments, this inviting home was returned to single-family configuration in the mid-80's by Richmond Ballet's Stoner Winslet. In 2002, the current owners redesigned the generous back garden - retaining only a few camellias and the impressive magnolia - adding all new plantings, the expansive deck with built-in perimeter seating and the comfortable brick patio. In 2007, the owners renovated the back part of the home to provide a beautiful chef's kitchen and family eating area, with every inch creatively utilized. Handmade Shaker style cherry cabinets and dining table designed by the homeowners, complement the very modern appliances by SubZero, GE, and Asko. Particularly interesting are the unique railings on the back staircase and the increasingly rare Victorian bread warmer built into the radiator in the butler's pantry. The owners' growing art collection also extends into the kitchen with a lovely study of the owners' children by local artist, Laura Loe, and several attractive contemporary paintings.   1924 Hanover, built 1910 Pining for contemporary? Don't miss this beautiful home and its incredible art collection divided between German artists from the "New Leipzig School" of art and those of Texas from the owners' time in Dallas. The current owners purchased the home in 2006 - attracted by the home, the neighborhood and the urban community lifestyle offered by the Fan. The large and open kitchen, which overlooks not only the owners' lovely perennial-filled pocket garden but also the beautiful garden of their neighbors, has recently been completely redesigned by the owners. The granite countertops, stainless appliances, unusual corner sink, Walter Zanger tile backsplash and attractive chandeliers complement the huge painting from their Texas collection.   2204 Grove, built 1910 Attracted to city living's convenience, architecture and vibrancy, in less than a year, these ambitious renovators have completely reconstructed this Colonial Revival home and its surrounding greenspace. The owners' restoration focus has been on keeping the home as true to its origins as possible - from millwork to fixtures; e.g. restoring the staircase which had been eliminated and stripping the kitchen's original tiger oak mantel of multiple layers of paint. Their creative kitchen design incorporates cherry cabinets, a black granite fireplace surround, Indian Gold granite countertops reflected perfectly by the glass tile backsplash, and top-of-the-line chef's appliances. Enhancing the décor are Gail Clevenger's decorative wall finishes and the many works of local artists such as Rueben Smith, Donna Waters and Ruth Barksdale. Outside, rebuilding the double porches and development of what was originally a barren side lot into a fantasyland of swimming pool and gardens is well underway.   306 N. Rowland, built 1904 This little jewel - built with a warm façade of architectural stone (or "slump rock") - has just completed a comprehensive 8-month renovation. The owners essentially gutted the back part of the home and rebuilt it with careful attention to period character and design, to create a welcoming family space, as well as a kitchen to suit the gourmet chef in the family. (Lawyer by day, chef by night!) The beautiful new floor designed by the owners for the addition featuring bands of walnut, pine, oak and cherry, the comfortable bay window eating area, and cozy family room with a year round garden view, combine to create a very special space. The garden featuring a beautiful new bluestone patio and massings of new plantings is seeing its first Spring. The owners have also created a lovely side garden in the alley using a pile of slate discovered under the old deck. Throughout the home, you'll delight in the art collection - paintings by the owner's brother-in-law (the Meadow St. scene and Maymont Park in the dining room), and other local and Tennessee artists.   1817 Park, built 1910 The very gracious and welcoming entryway and its potential as a comfortable family gathering spot drew the current owners to this delightful home. The home boasts exquisite attention to detail and a huge kitchen/family room overlooking the enticing garden. A year's worth of careful renovation - indoors and out - has expanded the kitchen to this chef's specifications, added a garage using old brick to ensure its period character, rebuilt the expansive, awning-covered deck, and replaced a dated patio and overgrown shrubbery with new brickwork and colorful plantings. As you enjoy your tour of this home, do note: the original art glass over the front window, the whimsical carved acorn newel posts, the owner's collection of tiny boxes, a Flemish party scene tapestry in the dining room - made to the owners' specifications in Brussels, two lovely early 18th century benches which were originally beds and an eclectic collection of original artwork - featuring local artists and those from the many places around the world where the owners have lived or visited.   1800 Monument, built 1931 (Kitchen & Garden Only) Owned by the same family for the past 35 years, 1800 Monument Avenue is one of famed NY architect William L. Bottomley's signature achievements. Built for Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Jeffress, this beautiful Georgian home epitomizes the best of Bottomley's talents and clearly shows how his skill with interiors was complemented by his wife's knowledge of wallpapers, moldings, and details. The main part of the home remains essentially unchanged - retaining the original Federal design and décor including the dining room wallpaper. A 1985 contemporary addition - providing an expansive and comfortable family room/library and updated chef's kitchen with raised granite countertops and stainless appliances - blends seamlessly with the original, with its collection of family memorabilia and local artwork. This comfortable family home is also noted for its impressive cast iron porches and grates. The West side porch is said to be from an early 19th century New York house belonging to the famed Lily Langtree. The East side porch was replicated here in Richmond. The garden framing the spacious deck boasts camellias, azaleas, an impressive stand of photinia, and a dramatic copper lilypad fountain created by local artist, Bruce Ford.   2006 Monument, built 1904 2006 Monument is one of the few Fan houses built in the "double house" style - i.e. attached to and a mirror image of the house next to it (2004). Both houses were built by Oliver Sands, for whom Sandston was named. Colonial Revival outside, neo-classical inside with columns, swags and ribbons, etc., the floors are tiger oak, the original pocket doors are still operable, and the fireplaces are intricate and beautiful. The home is furnished with an extensive collection of French, Spanish and Italian antiques, pottery and art. Artwork is by local VA artists (Laura Loe, Paula Rose, Jack Darling, and the owner's mother, Helen Butler) and several favorite New Orleans artists. Renovated classically in the early 80's to combine 3 smaller rooms (the home's only structural change), the kitchen is still beautiful and functional today - and still boasts its Victorian radiator bread warmer. The lovely garden we now see was bare ground until very recently, when the owners expanded the lower porch and extensively landscaped the space, finding many early 20th century artifacts in the process. A small shed, when demolished, was found to have been an original outhouse connected directly to the main. The brick was used to build the low garden walls. ** All Photos courtesy and property of Tony Giammarino **