 |
|
For
many years, the stone structure on North Green Bay Road in the
town of Cedarburg was nothing more than the shell of the
building. Paul Rasmussen Construction completed the
restoration in 2010.
|
The old stone
house restored by Paul Rasmussen Construction near the intersection of
Pioneer and Green Bay roads is deceptively roomy — and modern. And
not just modern in the obvious ways like indoor plumbing and
electricity. Inside the nearly 2-foot-thick fieldstone walls that have
stood since the 1860s when the former general store was a pit stop for
Civil War troops heading north, there is now in-floor heat, central
vacuum and a reverse osmosis water system.
In restoring the
historic structure — many will remember the shell it was for decades
— Paul Rasmussen took great care in preserving its character: the
wood plank floors, beamed ceilings, rosehead nails. "If these
things aren’t preserved there isn’t going to be any of this old
history for future generations," Rasmussen says.
The property
changed hands several times in the last few decades — Rasmussen even
thought about buying it many years ago — but none of the owners made
very much headway. "In the past everyone put their hands on that
place but it wasn’t completed. Now it’s completed and it needs
someone to live in it, to appreciate it. It needs an owner," he
says.
 |
|
The
kitchen boasts many modern conveniences, including a downdraft
cooktop, dishwasher, garbage disposal and hot water on demand.
|
Rasmussen bought
it from the bank after the couple who hired him to restore it went
bankrupt during the project. He completed the restoration in 2010 and
received the 2011 Residential Preservation Award from the town of
Cedarburg.
Though he talks
about selling it, he hasn’t ruled out living there himself. "I
was sitting over there the other night having a glass of wine with a
friend of mine imagining what it was like 100 or 150 years ago and
seeing everything in black and white."
The
restored 1860s stone house is 1,600 square feet with two
bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, living room and dining room.
|
 |
|
Small-space
secrets
Want to know the secrets of living large in a small space?
Interior designer Linden Laurent with Peabody’s Interiors,
staged this small space and offers some tips.
•
Smaller things create a feeling of clutter. Use large pieces but
not as many pieces in a small space. It keeps it clean and
creates a lot of punch.
• Use
things that do double duty. A small chest instead of a side
table adds storage space; a dining room table provides a large
work surface.
• Keep a
feeling of openness in a small room with versatile pieces: a
drop-leaf table in the kitchen folds down when the meal is over;
a secretary desk adds storage and folds up when not in use.
• A tall
floor mirror will reflect light and provide a feeling of depth.
• Using
concentrated color on a wall adds drama to a small space and
makes it feel bigger. m
—
Janet Raasch |
