It’s been two years since there has been a Ryan Place Candlelight Christmas Tour of Homes, and a great deal has happened at 1112 Elizabeth Boulevard since we covered it in 2018. The unique property languished on the market for two years before finally finding a buyer. And not just any buyer, but the right buyer willing to take on its quirks and give it the considered renovation it merited.
Enter Realtor Brian Holland and his physician wife, Margaret Holland. It’s such a thrill when the right buyer meets up with the right house. Everybody loves a successful before-and-after and the results of this formidable undertaking are nothing short of a triumph.
Bringing it Back
Because the house had been rearranged and altered over the years, the buyers gave themselves permission to make the house livable, comfortable, and modern while preserving the myriad period details such as the doors and vintage millwork, some of it requiring meticulous restoration and piecing together by their patient and nimble problem-solving contractor Matt Awbrey.
Because of the need to relocate walls, the original floors — perhaps able to survive one more sanding — had to be sacrificed. Still, oak counts as an upgrade from humble pine, right? The walnut stain does grace the spaces with added warmth.
Tasked with the dual mission of preservation and renovation, the Hollands turned to two talented neighbors, architect Brandon Allen and his wife, designer Anissa Allen. The Allens are no strangers to the home tour, as their collaborative modern construction in Ryan Place was featured in a previous Candlelight Christmas event.
Beginning at the beginning, the entrance was a bit of a muddle. At some time in the house’s history, an attempt to open up the front space resulted in an unsuccessful and ambiguous entrance, which looked cavernous and nebulous.
Team Allen has shaped, and indeed rationalized space throughout the house. The entrance now has a proper vestibule with an intimate living room at right. The staircase, peeled back and revealed, gives purpose and import to the space.
I’m uncertain whether or not the dining room has been altered. It seems smaller and more intimate. I think space may have been robbed to sort out the many peculiarities of the kitchen. The color of the raised dado is a subdued green; an allusion to Margaret Holland’s alma mater — Dartmouth.
The deal breaker on the sale of this house was likely the kitchen. Listing photography concealed the awkward corners, unusable spaces, and unfortunate compromises. Appliances that were top-of-the-line have now been upgraded to topmost of top-of-the-line.
You can see this gorgeous remodel live and in person at the recently revived Ryan Place Candlelight Christmas Tour of Homes. We wouldn’t miss it!
If You Go
What: Ryan Place Candlelight Christmas Home Tour
When: Saturday, Dec. 3, from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 4, from noon to 5 p.m.
Tickets: Early bird tickets are available for $20 each on the Ryan Place Neighborhood Association website.
