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.
Jeanie says
Absolutely gorgeous. I love all their furnishings and the wallpaper in the first bathroom. And I really, really want to peek in that tiny cupboard in the last one.
Terri says
Thanks so much for the tour of the Trammell House. I was a docent there several years ago when it was open for the Marietta Pilgrimage and had forgotten how beautiful it is. My husband & I are restoring an old home on Kennesaw Ave. in Marietta(4 years & counting). I’ll invite you for a tour when we finish.
Rhoda says
Thanks, Terri, I would love that!
Tillie says
Sooo beautiful! The house and the couple! We need more Rachels and Dougs to love and preserve these treasures. The Trammell House truly is their pride and joy – a true labor of love!
Tracey says
Absolutely beautiful! A big porch is a favorite spot on any house and this one is so welcoming!
Iris says
Thanks Rhoda, The whole house is just perfect for my taste. I love preserving old houses , using comfortable seating & bedding with antiques and modern touches. I have attempted that look in the 3 older (more modest) homes I have owned. I think the Trammel House looks beautiful, comfortable and not all contrived. I would have to sit down in one room everyday and just enjoy.
maria at inredningsvis says
LOVE this post:) your blog Is always so inspiring in every way.
If you want to see some cute blue colored decor…Check out my blog:)
Have a wonderful day dear
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(Sweden)
Helena Alkhas says
Amazing home and so inviting! What a gorgeous work. I could feel like I was walking through the house. My favorite spot is the one with the two chairs in the library. What a treat!
Marie says
Rhoda
Enjoyed very much the article on the Trammell House. I was very interested in the hangers all her pictures and mirrors were hanging on. Do you know what they are called or where I could find out.
Thank you
Rachel says
Marie, thanks for your nice comments. Our pictures and mirrors are hanging on “picture hangers.” You can find new or antique ones online or maybe at a frame gallery. They’re hung with wire and fit over the top of “picture molding.” The reason for using them is to avoid cracking plaster (although if you carefully drill a hole in plaster, it’s usually OK).
Rachel
Myra says
This is a lovely home. What a wonderful example of keeping the best of an older home and making it feel fresh and current.
Thank you for showing us your beautiful home!
patricia says
Rhonda….Amazing restoration on this one. What a beautiful place to call home!! Love the décor!
Lisa says
Lovely home and beautifully restored !!
Stacey says
Rhoda you find the best houses! I love this one for its history and beautiful finishing touches. Everything is perfect. Thanks to the family for sharing.
Linda says
Makes me homesick for the South! Love the large magnolia painting! Thanks for sharing this beautiful home!
eileen kilbreth says
Please tell me the brand and color name of the lovely color in the dining room. Many thanks. I think that should always be included under the pictures.
Jean from Georgia says
Beautiful restoration. I love all her fabric covered tables and the skirted sink in the bath. I grew up in an older home that had the picture molding for hanging photos, etc and there were decorative tassels on the hangers. I loved that time of my life. And to this day I do not like to put a nail in my walls.