OAK RIDGE: 104 Pickwick Ln., 3bd/2bth:
They built houses so fast in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project that I'm amazed so many of them are still standing. Most are in great shape and have been rehabbed, like the one I recently photographed. In fact, It's probably the best rehab of a cemesto house that I've ever seen. And like the Secret City, this beauty has a secret of it's own in the basement. Keep reading to find out.
For starters, this kitchen is AB-SO-LUTE-LY gorgeous y'all! The backsplash is hand-molded subway tile. The porcelain farmhouse sink is beautiful, as is the tile work behind the stove top and ultra-sleek hood. It seems like there's a half acre of solid surface counter tops, which is nice because you can never have too much prep space! A wrap-around, counter-height bar seats 4 comfortably, and check out that great window in the back door.
The home has an open floor plan, and the original wood floors throughout have been beautifully refinished. That huge picture window in living room over looking the backyard is a favorite, and I like how they restored the fireplace with white stacked stone.
The owners paid attention to the little details in this home. For example, I love the little arched windows in the front door, and the mail slot/basket in the door is a nice touch.
Holy guacamole! The light fixtures in this place are incredible, but the one in the master bedroom/dressing room is A-MAZING!
Both bathrooms have been completely updated. The hall bath has a double vanity and beautiful tile work. I'm loving the 6-panel doors with frosted glass panels in the master bath, which has a walk-in shower tiled with penny tiles and a glass barn door-style shower door to conserve space.
Now for the secret – this home has an elevator!! It goes from the living room area on the first-floor to the basement, where the laundry and carport are located. I guess it's not really a secret elevator, but is that cool, or what?! By the way, the private driveway for the carport is accessed from Peach Road.
This is a great rehab, y'all. The home sits in the middle of Oak Ridge, so it's close to all the main business districts and has easy access to Pellissippi Parkway.
FOURTH & GILL: $239,000 - 1509 Grainger Ave., 2bd/1bth:
Oh my mercy! Y'all gotta check out this cute shotgun home that sits just 1 house outside the very charming Fourth & Gill Historic District.
This 1920 home has been completely rehabbed with an amazing design! The open floor plan allows tons of natural light to brighten the inside, and the re are beautiful light pine floors throughout adding to the light and airy feeling.
The living room and sitting area have vaulted ceilings with exposed black iron beams. The living room opens into a second-floor loft, which makes a great guest bedroom space, or maybe even a home office.
Did you see that nice big kitchen island with all those drawers?! What a great place for friends and family to pull up a seat. It's true that too many cooks spoil the broth, but there's always room for loved ones to keep the cook company.
The kitchen has stainless appliances, tons of cabinets and prep space, a coffee bar with beautiful open wood shelves and a really cool backsplash with geometric-shaped tiles. I also love the extra pantry cabinets located just off the kitchen next to the cozy bench window. It looks like the perfect spot for kicking back with a good book and a cup of coffee
Holy wow! That accent wall behind the bed in the master bedroom. I'm telling you, the owner's sense of style in rehabbing this home is on fleek, as the kids like to say (but I'm old, so they probably don't say that any more!).
The bathroom has a double vanity, which is handy when there's only one bathroom in the house. The tiny black-and-white tiles are a nice touch, and I love the brushed golden fixtures. If you look closely, you'll see the kitchen cabinet pulls have the same finish.
Staircases aren't usually a feature I highlight. Not so in this home. The stairs to the loft definitely add to the design and style the owners worked so hard to create. By the way, if it looks a little precarious to stand at the edge the loft overlooking the living room, not to worry. There is a cable railing that is being installed. It was on back order at when I photographed the home.
The Fourth & Gill Historic District sits just outside of downtown Knoxville, so this house is the ideal home for young couples, empty nesters or working professionals looking for a single-family home with a downtown vibe close to the U.T. campus.
FTN CITY: $349,900 - 5512 Dogwood Dr., 3bd/2.5bth:
I'm always amazed when someone buys a total disaster of a house and transforms it into a beauty. It takes real vision to see the possibilities when most people see only impossibilities.
This home I shot in Fountain City is a great example. Wow! What an incredible rehab!
The house was vacant for about a decade. The ceiling in the family room had completely collapsed and was open to the elements for years. I included some "before" pics just to show you how bad the house was.
It wasn't a complete wreck, though. The owners were able to salvage some of the original features, and let me tell you, it adds a ton of charm!
Check out the original wooden front door with the offset peep window. Good luck trying to find one of those at Home Depot! Many of the original interior doors and casings remain. The original hardwood flooring has been beautifully restored, as has the tile in the living room and front porch.
I absolutely love how the restoration stays true to the era of when the house was first built. For example, the hall bathroom Is completely redone with all the modern features we demand, but it's restored to the style of 1945, when the home was built. The tiny black-and-white, hex tile floor paired with the subway tile in the tub/shower is gorgeous!
The front living room has the original tile flooring and huge windows that let plenty of natural light shine through. In fact, this house has lots of great natural light throughout.
I'm loving those kitchen cabinets with glass doors up top! The shelves above the stainless farmhouse sink are made with reclaimed wood. There are granite countertops, all stainless appliances and an island with a butcher block top and plenty of drawers.
The family room has a cool white-washed stone fireplace, and I love the white stucco exterior with the black accents and trim.
Fountain City is becoming the hip place to live in Knox County, so there's lots of gentrification taking place in this part of town, especially on this street. If you're looking for a cute historic home without the hassle of rehabbing it yourself, give this one a good look-see. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.
FARRAGUT: $895,000 - 2004 River Sound Dr., 5bd/4.5bth:
Good gracious! I get to visit some really awesome homes, and this one is flat-out amazing. For starters, this home has a waterfall, y'all! The beautifully landscaped waterfall is built into the hill in the backyard and is best viewed from the covered back porch that runs the length of the house.
But let's start at the front door. The moment you step inside you see a beautiful curved staircase leading to 2nd floor bridge. It makes a dramatic statement, as does the stunning view through the foyer windows of the backyard waterfall. The view is framed by the architectural columns supporting the bridge, which connects the staircase with the 4 bedrooms and gigantic bonus room on the second floor.
The serene master-on-main suite offers a comfortable place to unwind. It has a fireplace and sitting area that overlook the waterfall in the backyard. The master bath is huge with his-and-her vanities separated by a large jacuzzi tub. That walk-in shower, though. The tile work is stunning!
The gorgeous family room has great built-ins and another fireplace. The family room opens into the kitchen and breakfast area, with windows opening to back porch.
The rec room in the basement is ginormous!!!!! Just how big is it? There's a full 2nd kitchen that is larger than most people's first kitchen. A cozy, shaded patio is just off the rec room, and it's the place I'd go to enjoy a cup of coffee and a good book.
In this home you'll never have an excuse to miss a workout because there's a home gym in the basement complete with foam-cushioned flooring. The gym even has it's own entrance to the basement bathroom for showering after a good workout.
If you like entertaining on game day, you'll love the amazing home theater with projector and theater lighting. That screen has to be at least 7 feet wide! In addition, there are speakers throughout the home so you can pipe audio of the game – or some groovn' tunes – into every corner.
I really like the bonus room and the 5th bedroom that feature hand-painted wall murals. It gives the rooms a kid-friendly feel.
Like I said, this home is a-may-zing! Maybe I can convince whoever buys it to let me hang out by the waterfall.
NORRIS: $339,900 - 137 W. Norris Rd., 4bd/2.5bth:
Check out this sweet little bungalow I photographed out in Norris, y'all.
It's been completely rehabbed and converted from a standard 2/1 bungalow into a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home. A beautiful master suite, as well as a second bedroom, are on the main floor, while upstairs there are 2 more bedrooms and full bath.
There's a large living room with fireplace that I imagine will be the perfect spot for cozying up under a blanket with cup of hot cocoa on those cold East Tennessee nights.
The original hardwood floors have been beautifully refinished, and the kitchen is brand new with all stainless appliances and 2 built-in pantry closets.
I'm sure y'all get tired of me talking about my love pf shiplap, but I gotta point out that this home has its ORIGINAL shiplap! They reused on the walls in the back foyer, as well as in the upstairs bedrooms.
In the wooded backyard there is a flagstone patio with an extra large fire pit in the middle. Again, I can just imagine gathering around the fire pit with family and friends on a cool fall evening. That's East Tennessee living at its best!
Not only is this an awesome bungalow, it's located in a cool community.
If you don't know much about Norris, it's a tiny city (population about 1,600) created in 1933 by the Tennessee Valley Authority as part of the construction of Norris Dam. It has a central common green and a greenbelt of rural land around the town that is reserved for use by residents.
A couple of historic facts even some of the locals might not know:
This house is on point, no matter how you look at it. When you consider it's located in the charming village of Norris, it's a home run.