Built by famous architects George and Thomas Newell, this Queen Anne style home with a very rare slate truncated turret, soon became Thomas Newell’s own home in 1893. The Victorian influenced interior includes 12 foot ceilings, paneled wainscoting with 12 inch baseboard molding and stately pocket doors. A turned staircase welcomes you into this home, adorned with intricately carved newel posts.
The current Owner purchased the home 8 years ago. Prior to her arrival, a major renovation was completed including a new powder room, and all new kitchen, which was moved from its original location. An expanse of bookcases in the hallway was also added.
Period antiques of Oriental and Victorian origin fill the home along with family pieces and estate sale “finds”. Original works of still life, several by the Owners’ mother, hang on several of the walls
Christmas tradition is alive and well here, with swaged Holiday greenery along the staircase and a traditional tree in the front parlor decorated with antique and family heirloom ornaments, many of which are more than 100 years old. A fanciful tree in the kitchen is decorated with ornaments depicting your favorite desserts. And a child’s red antique sleigh, found by the Owners mother, has been restored and finds its place under the family tree.
1610 Hanover Avenue 
A Fan resident for only a year and one half, current owner has transformed this circa 1907 Queen Anne home into a comfortable haven for his collections of antiques and art acquisitions. Among his most prized possessions are the six generations of family portraits hung throughout the first floor including an extraordinary portrait of his grandfather as a child in the entrance foyer. American and Chinese influenced family pieces dating back several generations can be found in every room and a noted pier glass mirror that Bruce sold to an antiques dealer in the 70’s, was re-discovered 30 years later in an antiques store and re-purchased.
The centerpiece of this home, however is the Christmas tree. Standing 11 feet tall and holding more than 2,200 white lights the tree is home to well over 2,000 glass ornaments that have been collected for more than 30 years.
The collection includes Christopher Radko and Polonnaise, and the tree takes its place in the front parlor window, for all to appreciate. Additionally, a second tree may be found in the den adjoining the kitchen. A whimsical collection of vintage Santa’s may also be found along the top of the kitchen cabinets. Stepping outside to the rear patio area, a very unusual covered step-down sitting area allows room for morning coffee and the newspaper.
2021 West Grace Street
Noted German born architect, Carl Ruehrmund, who moved to the U.S. in 1881 and gained employment with the Treasury Department, was sent to Richmond in 1888 to remodel the main post office. Here, he fell in love with the city and decided to make it his home. He designed and built this home as his personal residence in 1907. The beautiful Dutch gabled roof line and patterned brickwork, iron porch railing and medallion inserts evoke a level of detail only an accomplished architect could render.
A love of restoring older homes brought the current owner here in 2007, after having restored the Phillips house in Churchill.
The home boasts ten inch plaster crown moldings that may be found in almost every room, along with plaster medallions accenting the many antique French and American chandeliers newly acquired by the Owner. Of note is the French crystal chandelier in the dining room, which is adorned with iron stag heads. Matching sconces may be found on the Corinthian columns flanking the dining room. Also unique to the Fan are the Maple hardwood floors and the pressed tin ceiling found in the kitchen which has
been recently re-gilded. A collection of portraits and statues of the late Queen Victoria may be found throughout the home. A whimsical “Grape” themed Christmas tree located in the dining room, comes complete with grape lights and a variety of related ornaments.
307 North Granby Street
Visitors enter this charming 1910 Colonial Revival through tuscan columns and terraced steps of a contemporary design. Home to the Owners since 2005, this home captures southern exposed light filled rooms through three skylights that extend light from the second floor, and from a bank of windows on the south side of the home. An eclectic interior design by the Owners features contemporary furniture coupled with original works of art, several by owner Cindy Pauls. An extensive renovation of the kitchen took place in 2007, which included adding an island and built-in cabinetry along the exposed brick wall. A cozy eat in area overlooking the tiered rear yard was also added. Exiting through the kitchen door you will experience a most unusual shared garden and entertaining area with the adjoining residence that results in a larger-than-most space for entertaining in the summer months.
Christmas décor includes a traditional tree filled with family ornaments collected by the family for over 30 years.
1612 Park Avenue
Purchased in 2005 this turn of the century home became a true labor of love by the current owners, home preservationists in their own right. Prior to 2005, the house was owned by an architectural firm whose interior design taste consisted of bright orange and stark white walls, sliding metal doors and the destruction of most of the original walls and interior features once held in this home. The owners took on this most daunting task of returning this home back to its original splendor.
In a very short time they have replaced much of the character of the original floor plan, including adding walls, replacing the hardwood floors and adding period moldings. Several fireplaces that had been removed have also been restored, including the living room fireplace whose slate mantel was found in the basement.
The original butler’s pantry and kitchen have been transformed into a spectacular kitchen and family room combination and was featured in the Winter edition of the Richmond Times Dispatch “Inspiring Spaces” magazine.
“Replacing the character of the house was our first priority,” states one of the owners. In addition to the two Christmas trees, an eclectic mix of furnishings, original artwork and a collection of antique radios this home is a true labor of love not to be missed.
1901 Stuart Avenue #1
Built as an apartment building in 1917, “Bellwood” was the design of Lee and Charles Davis developers of many row houses in the Fan. This building set the precedent for many future apartment buildings the brothers constructed later on Monument Avenue. The name of the building came from the names of two of the first families to live here; the Bell family, who lived in the building for over 70 years on the first floor, and the Woodhams, who lived on the third floor. The name Bellwood can be seen on the floor in the entrance foyer of the building, a terrazzo tile design which states its name.
The current owners are the third family to own the building and have lived here since 1994. In 2007 an extensive renovation project on the Owners home began with every square inch of space being touched. The entrance foyer sets the tone of this beautifully designed interior with a gold leafed ceiling and antique sconces hanging on a Chinese red and gold patterned wall. German influenced antiques from Bob’s ancestors include the cuckoo clock in the kitchen and the mirror over the fireplace in the living room. The crystal sconces in the dining room were found by the Owners in the basement, restored and re-hung. Many of the antiques were purchased at auction in St Louis or antique shops in both Richmond and New Hope, Pennsylvania. The artwork seen in the library and dining room are works done by family friends. Other pieces , including a lithograph by Chagall, were collected during family travels here and abroad. In 2008, the kitchen was completed, along with a new dressing room and library, complete with built in wall units to house the numerous collections of books.
2226 Park Avenue
This particular block of Park Avenue carries a very rich history of the beginnings of what was then known as Scuffletown, a settlement that saw the first tavern and race paths in what is now the Fan.. The term Scuffletown referred to the “skuffle” between the Virginia militia and Benedict Arnold in 1781. It was near this address that a tavern sat and it was not until 1878 that the street name changed to Park Avenue, then still a part of Henrico County.
2226 Park was built much later, in 1910, and is one of several row houses that were built as speculative homes. The owners bought this home in 1994 as a single family home, however at some point in its life it had been divided into 2 apartments. Now single family home again, Jacky and her husband Lenny have completed several renovation projects including adding crown molding, and renovating a rear sunroom into a very useful breakfast nook. The renovation in the kitchen was completed by the Owners, including the design and building of the kitchen cabinets and table. Much of the art inside the home is by local artists.
Christmas collectibles are plenty here including Byers Choice Carollers in the entrance hall, a whimsical collection of snowmen in the hall, and a Santa Claus collection on the living room mantle. Additionally, Christmas trees may be found in both the living and dining rooms.
1723 Hanover Avenue # 7
Built in 1913 as the West End Christian Church, this building formally closed its doors to all parishioners in 2001. In 2004, it was transformed into seven unique homes retaining much of its character within, including the 22 foot stained glass windows, a bell tower, a turret and the original choir loft and staircase. It is now called the Sydney, named after the original neighborhood that once stood here. The current owners relocated here from New York City in 2004, and present an interior design palette that is both serious and whimsical. The entrance foyer features a chandelier rescued from a church in Spain, and the living room grouping is French and dates from the 19th century. The Gothic dining room table seats 10 comfortably and is complemented by leather bound chairs. The powder room originally was a 20 foot high turret, and now shares a 4 x 4 foot oil painting entitled “Cabbages” which hangs over a Chinese altar table. Collectors of art Pat and Doc consist of artist from Russia, China, France and the United States.
The arched glass windows between the living room and bedroom were rescued from the church and bring soft light and privacy to both rooms.
The second bedroom features African masks and a Chinese wooden gate that hangs on one wall. The master bedroom features 22 foot stained glass windows.
2020 Stuart Avenue
An Internationally known interior designer moved to this home in 1995 after being displaced by a fire at his former Fan residence. He quickly set about renovating his home in order to reflect his own personal taste, and the result is nothing short of magnificent.
The entrance foyer welcomes guests to a leather patina faux finish wall covering that continues up the staircase to the second floor. Antique lighting, a passion of the Owner, can be found throughout the house and includes reproductions as well as original antiques. The dining room, where the front parlor once stood, holds a dining table once used in a chocolate factory in Chicago and is supported by a zebra rug. The ceiling of this room depicts cloud formations at dusk and the stone statues that flank the gas fireplace were purchased from Miller and Rhoads.
A contemporary kitchen was designed, expanded and moved forward in the house by tearing out walls in order to add more living space. A circular black granite bar-height table serves as a desk and entertaining space between the kitchen and family room. Note the antique candelabra chandelier in the kitchen! A small powder room was added in the hallway where a coat closet once stood and a table base now supports a contemporary sink.
The family room provides room for an extensive collection of original artwork that compliments the eclectic mix of antique furniture and new acquisitions including a leopard rug. A new addition was added to the back of the home and was designed by Richmond Architect Charles Aquino. This 20 by 20 foot “porch” is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows giving it much light and air. The perfect place to relax after a long day and the admitted favorite room of the house! Outside, a small courtyard holds more surprising antiques, among them a Cathedral bell, circa 1600, found in France, an antique owl from London and a faux life sized tree planter filled with flowers. The crepe myrtle trees are draped with white painted gourds that light up at night allowing additional entertaining space.
The second floor holds a comfortable living area with entertainment spaces for music and television. The master suite is part of the new addition and also boasts long casement windows, providing plenty of light and an adjoining master bath and a dressing room consisting of 4 closets.
