The purchase is complete and we can finally share all the details of our newest project house (to be totally truthful, we aren’t sharing all the details…but we will share the fun ones)!
- The house is located in downtown Buchanan, Michigan.
- The house was originally the home of William Pears (there is a historical mill in Buchanan that he was a partial owner in).
- The age of the home is currently a question mark. Approximately 1855-1870. We should know more as we dig into this.
- The house is Italianate in style and is all brick (love!).
- The square footage is still being debated (3,200-4,000). We will definitely know the exact square footage when we are done.
- The house needs a LOT of work. New plumbing, new electrical, new HVAC, new roof, new gutters, new, new, new. However, the trim, doors and windows are in remarkable condition for the age. While they need to be restored, most are original and can be saved.
- This house will be our home. While Trent is busy checking structural items, how many amps we need, if the original 2×4’s are adequate, etc, I’m busy deciding where next year’s Christmas tree will go. You know! The important things.
January 29, 2016
Sue
So happy to see you are back posting, Will look forward to seeing the restoration.
January 29, 2016
Carole
Leah, beautiful. Always exciting to see your vision.
January 29, 2016
robin
Looks awesome!
January 29, 2016
Mary
Looks beautiful I’m sure a few paint jobs in future but wood work outstanding good luck with new project!😄
January 29, 2016
Sue
Excited to be able to watch the transition of your new home. I love witnessing old becoming new again!
January 29, 2016
Sharon
Very nice. Enjoy your new project home. I am so excited to see your progress. The house is lovely.
January 29, 2016
Linda
Love the arched doorways and windows! They dpn’t make houses like that anymore. Lot’s of character!
January 29, 2016
Janet Chevillet
What a beautiful home ! I can not wait to see you both work your magic.
January 29, 2016
Andrea Schopbach
Congratulations, I cannot wait to watch you bring this beautiful house back to life!
January 29, 2016
Lynn Marie
LOVE the woodwork and those arched doors!
January 29, 2016
Debi
Glad everything is working out and you are back to posting! I love following your journey!
January 29, 2016
Kristen Hood
So excited to see you’ve chosen Buchanan!!! I grew up there and my dad still lives there!!!! Can’t wait to see the progress I always loved that house, rode my bike past it quite often.
January 29, 2016
Heather
Iam so glad someone who can restore that house bought in live down the road from it so I am truly excited about what it can’t wait to see pictures and by the way welcome to Buchanan
January 29, 2016
Taylor
Welcome to Buchanan! Just around the corner in a very old home as well!
January 29, 2016
Sean @DisneyDayByDay
Looks amazing – can’t wait to see what you guys do with the place.
January 29, 2016
Steve Miller
Wow – looking forward to your posts
January 29, 2016
Randy Schweisberger
Love those round top doors, I thinK you will be buying stripper in bulk, congratulations this is getting exciting
January 29, 2016
Darlene
So exciting, if I could go back 40 years I do the same. Wish you both the very best and so happy to see you are posting online. Thanks
January 29, 2016
Gerry Ann
This is a real challenge but also will be exquisite when completed. Once again I am looking forward to going on this journey, (as an observer) with you.
January 29, 2016
Jean
It looks like a wonderful project! SSouth much potential. So happy for you!
January 29, 2016
Dianne
Welcome to Buchanan! I am excited to watch the progress on one of my favorite houses in town.
January 29, 2016
Bridgette
Very excited to go on this epic adventure with you. Can’t wait for more updates and photos of this historical home. I am so glad I found this blog when you were in South Bend. Historical homes hold a very special place in my heart. I love everything about them and I’m excited that someone else who is young is holding on to the history one house at a time!
January 29, 2016
Jaime
I’m from Buchanan, MI and I’m so happy you two will be restoring this home! Its a beautiful home right down the road from me with a ton of historical past that comes with it. Can’t wait to watch the progress and finished product!
January 29, 2016
Merry Miller Moon
Gorgeous house. Congratulations! But, I’m confused, what happened to the mansion that y’all were remodeling?
January 29, 2016
Angie
I am sooooo excited for you!!!! This house is in my home town. I watched your progress on your last project via your posts. I am super happy that I will be able to watch your progress on this home a little more closely. Welcome to Buchanan!!!!
January 29, 2016
Nichelle
Gorgeous! I can’t wait to follow along to see what you do!
January 29, 2016
Sandi Zehner
Even though it needs a lot of TLC, cosmetically it looks gorgeous from the pictures. I see so much potential and it looks like you can live in it while you rehab. Congrats!
January 29, 2016
sheila
The Windows and doors are amazing ! Can’t wait to see the transformation , especially with that hideous bathroom!
January 29, 2016
Jil
The house is beautiful!
January 29, 2016
BRIAN W.
So awesome ! Congrats. We live near your new home & will get to see some of your progress ! What a neat house. I actually saw the house & pics on Zillow & recognized your first pic 😉 Good luck & have fun with it too 🙂
January 29, 2016
Missy
I love it! I love the big windows (lots of light) and the doors, and the trim and wood work still looks pretty good, so much character, I wish they still made houses like that today…..can’t wait to follow along and see all of the wonderful results! 🙂
January 29, 2016
The Laesch Family
CONGRATS and can’t wait to see all you do excited this will be shared and found your post. Welcome to Buchanan and owning a piece of history. 😊 Kelly
January 29, 2016
Christa
Did they paint solid wood paneling purple? Will you be stripping all the woodwork? Congratulations, you are doing good work.
January 29, 2016
Luella
What a beaut! Congrats! Now excuse me while I go ogle your windows and trim (especially those arched doors).
January 29, 2016
Debbie Smith
The wood floors are beautiful and the trim I love. The windows are very unique this is going to be so beautiful when your done can’t wait to see the pictures and the finished job. Good luck guys.
January 29, 2016
Lisa Yates
Love, love, love it!! Is it just me or does it seem like less of a mess than the house on Washington in SB?
January 29, 2016
Colleen
Wow! Very cool!!
January 29, 2016
Esther Matteson`
When it is finished (!), will you have an open house, so we can all come and see it?!
January 29, 2016
Gail L Hudson
I grew up down the street from this house! It is a beautiful home as many times our Westie would walk down and visit with a prior family, he honestly loved the home also. I will enjoy seeing the restoration of this home. Enjoy it as much as we have, it holds a special place in our hearts.
January 29, 2016
April
So glad it’s you guys, who will appreciate it, that bought that awesome house. I worried it would be someone who would “remuddle” it with no regard to its history. Congratulations!
January 29, 2016
Tara Miller
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this house!! I seen it for sale and fell in love with it…the doors, windows, fireplaces, chandlers…etc are BEAUTIFUL! Congrats…can’t wait to see the finished product!
January 29, 2016
Rita Schultz
Love the arched windows, the double-door entry, the style of the front porch…need I go on? Congratulations on your new house!
January 29, 2016
Mark
I’m jealous!! I’ve always loved that house, drive by it often.
January 29, 2016
Michele Perez
Welcome to Buchanan! It’s wonderful to learn that you two have purchased this home to love and repair it. I am a life-long Buchanan resident and am a member of the Preservation Society board. I work in South Bend and drive past the Kizer home quite often and think of your story that I watched on the news a few years ago. I hope you love living in Buchanan like my family and I do…again, we say Welcome!
January 29, 2016
Lee Ann
Welcome to Buchanan! How wonderful it is to know this home will return to it’s original greatness.
January 29, 2016
Katie
Oh wow! That is awesome! I want it! Right now! 😀
January 29, 2016
Daniel florey
Very similer to my brothers Victorian he baught to totally restore intown on main and third the doorways and style inside are very similer. his roof was way different way back when so was the front it had a wrap around porch these two houses should be similar age. Not many survived the huge fire intown long ago his did and a few others the city or library should be able to confirm build date on this house they did his and had very old pictures of what it looked like long ago
January 29, 2016
Jeanne
Love the kitchen. Hope you don’t change it too much. Lots of vintage stoves around that would fit right in there.
January 29, 2016
Dennis W
Welcome to Buchanan. At dinner this evening we learned about a great house on Bond Street you helped find for our good friends bringing them closer to us.
January 29, 2016
Sue
I grew up in Buchanan, and there was a lot of interest from those of us who are from there. I could not purchase it because I am in Southern California and wanted a VA loan, which I was informed was not available. The second I saw it listed I drooled and will enjoy watching the House become everything it should be and more. Congratulations and have a blast!
January 30, 2016
Joyce Null
So many things I love about this house! The doors, windows, trim, and the floors are beautiful!! Good luck in your restoration adventure. Look forward to seeing all the results.
January 30, 2016
liza moon
welcome to buchanan! i hope to meet you on your front porch soon!
January 30, 2016
Michele Hursh
Looking forward to your posts, welcome back!
January 31, 2016
Pam
We have a lake house in Clear Lake! I think I’ve watched the progress from my trips to and from Harding’s! I would love to see more pictures. It has soooo much potential….I’m jealous! Best wishes!! I’ll try to refrain from knocking on your door for a tour!😉
February 3, 2016
Dee
I love the look of this house, it has soo much character, it doesn’t seem so overwhelming as the other one. Good luck, it will be fun to watch the progress.
February 10, 2016
Teri Carns
So delighted that the home has a new life! Thank you for your vision. Hoping to see the house at some point in the next few years. I have written a blog post about Pears Mill, and hope at some point to find more about the Pears family. http://wheatwanderings.blogspot.com/2013/06/michigan-wheat-millers-tale.html.
April 4, 2016
Taryn marsh
I’m glad to see the house I spent some of my childhood in still standing. When my aunt Lorraine and Virgal Carliy owed it was well kept. I sure wish the rose garden.
April 4, 2016
Taryn marsh
Was still there
January 3, 2018
House basement
It’s more stunning.