This blog world is so funny and surprisingly small at times. Sometimes it takes someone in another state to introduce me to a local person right here in my own hometown that I’ve never met before, all because of a love of houses.
You all know that I love older homes. I have never owned an old house, but I sure do appreciate them and one of my readers and a fellow blogger in AL, Fairhope Supply, emailed me awhile back and told me about one of her dear friends here in Marietta that I must meet, a couple named Rachel and Douglas. The 2 of them had met 20 years ago in the Marietta Junior League and they had renovated an older home off the square of Marietta and she wanted us to connect. I had planned to for the longest time, but life gets busy. Recently I got the opportunity to stop by their house one Sunday afternoon, as they were hosting a college group tour of their beautifully restored home. Finally, I got to meet this delightful couple and The Trammel House is their pride and joy. You can see Fairhope’s blog post about The Trammel House too, lots of beautiful pics, taken by the decorator of the house.
I enjoyed seeing this gorgeous home up close and personal. My hometown of Marietta has some beautiful gems of older homes and this is one of them. Built in 1887, this Queen Anne Victorian is now back to her glorious splendor.
Douglas and Rachel Frey, the hardworking homeowners who spent 5 years renovating their lovely home. They did the majority of the work themselves, as Douglas does this for a living, restoring and preserving older homes. Here’s a great article in the Marietta Patch, telling all about their experience of finding and buying the home. Very interesting, so I won’t repeat all of that, go over and read it.
Built in 1887 and purchased by the Freys in 1998, The Trammell House in all her beautiful glory, now stands proudly off the Marietta square on a tucked away street. I’ve lived here all my life and so enjoy getting to see some of these houses in person. Reading about the 5 year renovation process makes me tired, but I think you’ll agree, it was worth saving.
The restored and renovated wrap around front porch is a Southern tradition and this one is perfect.
Rachel is from North Carolina and I enjoyed hearing her beautiful Southern drawl and seeing what a wonderful hostess she is. These treats were delectable! I could have stayed on the porch all day.
The wrap around porch continues around the side and check out the blue painted beadboard ceiling. I have a little touch of history on my back porch too.
All weather wicker seating is perfect for an area like this.
Inside the foyer, it was a treasure trove of pretty things, from the original pine floors to all the carefully selected antiques and collectibles that make this house a home.
Front parlor area with all those floor to ceiling windows. Rachel had help with decorating the home from her design friend, Wallace Bryan, in Decatur at Trinity 131, who I also met that day.
I took the tour and took as many photos as I could, so even though these are not top quality, you get the idea of how beautiful this house really is.
Looking into the dining room from the parlor. I just love the tall ceilings and all the woodwork in these older homes.
Dining room is beautiful.
Another view of the dining room.
Fireplace in the dining room with shells and magnolia leaves, truly Southern.
A side table in the foyer displays the book that Doug wrote during their renovation journey.
Marietta, The Gem City of Georgia is a book I’ll be picking up for my collection. I can’t wait to read about the 50 houses in Marietta that Doug chose to write about.
Amazing that this home was once divided into 3 apartments. You would certainly never know that now.
The library
Love this room with wall to wall books.
A portrait of the original home owner, Leander Newton Trammell, who fought in the Civil War.
The kitchen is large and spacious with pops of red.
Don’t you love this banquette tucked in the kitchen?
I love this space!
They added a 1949 Roper stove, renovated and working perfectly now. It adds to the charm of the kitchen.
It’s a spacious and beautiful room.
Butler’s pantry area off the kitchen.
Hallways and woodwork in these older homes always draw me in.
View from upstairs looking down to the first floor.
The staircase
Upstairs hall bath is just beautiful.
Master bedroom is peaceful and serene.
Master bath with clawfoot tub, as well as a free standing shower. All the conveniences of modern times.
Two pedestal sinks.
Free standing glass and tile shower is so pretty.
Fireplace in the master bedroom.
One of their beautiful antique pieces.
A guestroom with twin beds. They look like wood.
But in reality are metal beds. So pretty and Frenchy!
Another bedroom upstairs.
Older homes have so many fireplaces, which really add the charm.
A pass through to another bedroom houses a built in cabinet.
Another extra bedroom.
With a tucked away shower.
Outside the backyard is full landscaped with beautiful blooming hydrangeas. I hope to have lots of these in my yard one day too. My favorite flower shrub!
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of The Trammell House and I know you did as well. I admire the folks that take the time to preserve these older homes and make our cities prettier by keeping the old and not tearing them all down. What a shame that would be! Marietta has a beautifully restored Historic area and I hope it stays that way forever.
Thank you for the tour, Rhoda – my favourite thing is that tiny basin with it’s grey and white skirt in the hall bathroom. I love old basins. We had a lovely 1930s one in this house when we bought it, but it was too badly damaged to keep. Sad…..
Stunning!
This is my dream house Rhoda. I am going to have to go back and scrutinize every photo for ideas. I have always wanted to own an old home but it is just a dream as my hubs has told me we are never moving again.lol….
And as a nursing student at Georgia Baptist, I remember a date with my sweet husband that took us to the square in Marietta where they were having an art show. I remember staring at the old houses more than checking out the art. Thanks for reminding me of a sweet day.
Oh I love every detail! Thank so much for the tour!!
Love this house! I, too, love the details…the built-ins in the hallway, the assortment of smaller rugs in the foyer, the black handrail on the staircase….
One of my favorites!!
So very happy you were able to meet my dear Rachel! She and Douglas have worked so hard on the house. I’m just sad I wasn’t able to be there with you.
Thank you for mentioning Fairhope Supply Co. and my story about the house too! You are a sweetie!
I live off the Marietta Square surrounded by many beautiful old homes and was fortunate to attend a fundraising event at The Trammell House supporting historic preservation. It was a hot, muggy evening but the frosty mint juleps were flowing on the porch. As you mentioned, Rachel and Doug are extraordinary hosts who love sharing their home with others…especially those of us who appreciate all the effort and hard work it takes to maintain our community’s history. Thanks for sharing their story.
I’m thinking they might not notice if I just came over with my coffee and sat on the wrap-around porch every morning.
Love this house. The vary first home I owned was a historical house in Mississippi in not the safest area, but I loved it and still drive by it when I can. Since it was flooded all the way to the 20 feet vaulted ceilings in Katrina all that is left is the beautiful frame and shell of the house. One day I would love to live in a home like the Trammell House. Truly my dream home!
I am from Marietta too (although the East Cobb side). Beautiful house, thanks for the tour!
WOW! I am ready to pack my bags and move it. This is a beautiful home. I love it so much. The details are “to die for”. Thanks for bring us back to The Trammel House.
Wow! That hall bath with skirted sink and twig table was my fave, as were the twin beds and that cool picture from the top of the stairs. Oh how I want a big Southern front porch too!
Jen
Xo
Glad you finally connected with Doug & Rachel. They did a fabulous job–truly a labor of love. I adore her stove!
Beautiful home with a charm most modern ones can only dream about. I especially appreciate their sensitive restoration of the structure itself. Usually, it’s just a mishmash of the new tacked onto the old and most of the original ripped out. The decor is stunning as well. I really like the Roper, but I have a Chambers, so that shouldn’t come as a surprise.
What a visual feast for the eyes. Every single room is perfect. The details are amazing. It’s warm and welcoming and comfortable. Rachel and Douglas you’ve done a beautiful job. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. I LOVE it.
What a great story about two special people I’m glad to call friends and a beautiful home. Your photos are beautiful and capture the charm of Trammell House very well.
Rhoda,
I have been enjoying your blog for a few years now. I absolutely loved today’s post and tour of Trammell House. Thank you! I live in a 102 year old house with 90% original details like the unpainted old growth oak and wonderful carpentry and trim, and it’s so hard to know how to decorate without it looking like grandma’s house, or too modern, so I greatly appreciate seeing how others have made wonderful choices. I am an auction go-er, thrifter and fortunate recipient of family furniture, so it was much fun to view your photos and that of Fairhope Supply Co. Your blog so often leads me to inspiration of one kind or another. Thanks!
I love all the work they have put into restoring their home! She had me at the screen door 😉 Just lovely!
WOW!!! Thank you for showing this lovely home.