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JLR Members Only

The Junior League of Rochester
is proud to hold our

9th Annual Home Tour
”Sensational Soirées:  Home 
Entertaining Made Simple”
 Saturday, October 15, 2005
10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Tickets: $25.00

 

This year’s home tour will have a home entertaining theme, and will showcase six beautiful homes, on the east side of Rochester, NY. In addition, the community will have the opportunity to visit our Hospitality House & Boutique, The Historic Perkins Mansion, home to the American Association of University Women located at 494 East Avenue. The Hospitality House is still stunning, having been the 2004 RPO Designer Showhouse.  

For additional information email us at jlrhometour@yahoo.com or call the Junior League of Rochester at (585)-385-8590, option 6.  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

This Mediterranean Revival style home has an estimated building date of 1906, and believed to be built for a Priest by his parishioners. The floors, fireplaces, woodwork and majority of the interior and exterior light fixtures are all original to the home. The original stained glass, on the doors and windows, and other church like motifs have been maintained throughout the years. The home was sold during the depression and the Priests office quarters were turned into a powder room. Under the wallpaper in the powder room is the original stenciling. The wooden floors have been polished and repaired using courtesan oak shipped from New England. The sunroom features a unique honeycomb design on the windows and an interesting intricate design on the ceiling. The current owner has lived in the home for five years and has always admired the historical appointments of significance that the home offers. He painted the exterior a warm gold, to enhance the many architectural details, and has started to landscape the grounds.
The W. Peck Farley house was built in 1924 and was commissioned by a young Rochester businessman. Unfortunately, the stock market crash prohibited him from ever living in the home. Subsequently, the home has been owned by many generations of Rochester surgeons and businessmen. The home was designed and built by Ward Wellington Ward. He was a talented and prolific architect who made a vital contribution to Arts & Crafts architecture in America. Every Ward house is distinctively different. The W. Peck Farley house design echoes that of a Prairie School, inspired by Midwesterner Frank Lloyd Wright. The home is referred to as a Prairie Tudor. It is perhaps Rochester’s most modern design of Ward Wellington Ward’s. The home is approximately 6500 square feet and is located on slightly less than one acre. It contains four working fireplaces, all with carvings and original Moravian tile. The house was originally designed with four sleeping chambers and three maid’s rooms as well as a sleeping porch. Paved terraces were relocated and a master bath and dressing room will soon be created off the master bedroom. The carriage house located in the back has been renovated and is a full one bedroom apartment. The kitchen that once contained a cooking hearth was remodeled this year. The butler’s pantry has been renovated which includes the original copper sink, built in crystal and linen chests. The library, living room and dining room all contain exceptional gumwood woodwork. A spectacular 1920’s Spanish chandelier from Newport Rhode Island adorns the dining room ceiling. The halls feature murals and paintings completed by local Artists. The homes current gardens and rear patio were designed in the 1990’s by local landscapers and architects. The current owners have occupied the home for four years.
Built in the last decade of the 19th century, this Claude Bragdon designed home has been lovingly and authentically restored to the glamour of its original condition. The oversized covered entry porch leads to the massive front door with original hardware. Step inside and you are in the vestibule surrounded by leaded glass and an original tile floor. The formal entry boasts an impressive double-vaulted ceiling. To your left as you enter the foyer, is the Parson’s room, originally intended to entertain the local preacher on his weekly visits, now converted to an in-home office. A few steps beyond are the semi-formal entrance with access to a discreet powder room and the brandy & cigar library. An impressive fireplace, original chandelier and built in bookshelves highlight the room. Yards of original mahogany wood trim, elaborate built-in bookshelves and an original marble fireplace adorn the formal living room. Impressive double pocket doors lead to the grand dining room that has the original turquoise tile fireplace, an arched buffet niche, and floor-to-ceiling rich wood trimmed bay, perfect for dinner parties and civilized conversation. The kitchen is modern and features an open contemporary floor plan with interesting lighting. The owners have lived in the home for three years and are dedicated to maintaining the integrity, style and era intended for the home.
Originally built for George B. Hart, a wholesale florist who served as secretary and treasurer for Hart & Vick, Inc., this elegant 1920’s stucco home is a perfect example of a Colonial Revival house which represents the high-style Georgian prototype of the 18th century. The exterior of the house features a centered front gable, a colonnaded front entrance with an iron balustrade, a symmetrical facade with double hung windows, and wood pilasters at the corners. The entablature of the entrance porch features a wonderful dentil molding. This decorative dentil molding is reflected in both the cornice as well as the living room fireplace mantel. The handsome brick walkway adds to the home’s colonial appearance and charm. The previous owner, a prominent Rochester area architect, worked over the past twenty years reversing 1950’s era “updates” as well as redesigning the kitchen to reflect a white, bright and airy feel. The house is situated on over an acre of land which offers a park-like setting. The landscaped pool and patio area include mature rhododendrons and a Japanese Katsura tree. The current owners moved from Manhattan and have resided in the home for one year. Their goal is to maintain the 1920’s era beauty and integrity of the house.
In 1895 Edward Harris commissioned Claude Bragdon to design and build The Edward Harris House as a wedding present for his daughter, Emily Harris Sloan. Mr. Harris was the co-founder of the still existing Harris Beach Law Firm in Rochester. The home’s exquisite attention to detail and workmanship are hallmarks of the celebrated architect who designed and built the home early in his career. The owners of this wonderful historic preservation property Manny and Susan Alvarez purchased the home in 1995. They continued the significant renovations that had begun in 1986, with the intent of returning this outstanding residence from 3 apartments, back into a single family home. With the renovations complete, the newly revitalized 5300 square foot home was opened as a Bed and Breakfast in the Spring of 2000 continuing to display the homes gracious personality and history for all to enjoy. The spacious living room boasts antique blue walls and china wainscot and wall moldings. The library features a carved pillar mantle, wood paneled walls and floor to ceiling bookcases. The unusual handcrafted spindle pattern ascending the stairs is the same spindle pattern later used in The George Eastman House. It is believed that Mr. Bragdon needed Mr. Eastman’s approval to duplicate this feature, possibly not an easy task, since it was originally planned to adorn The Eastman House staircase first. Each of the six fireplaces located in the living room, dining room, library and three bedrooms are unique to the room and feature beautifully hand carved designs. The bedrooms each individually and specifically decorated showcase Cherry and Mahogany period furnishings, hand painted faux walls, warm wooden floors and a glorious attention to detail. Make sure to view the charming Victorian sleeping porch.
The 1905 circa Four Square Colonial home features original crown and base moldings throughout. When entering the home you will notice the unique grand arches in the foyer entering the stairwell as well as a Starr mini baby grand piano, circa 1900. The stairwell and powder room walls are finished in Venetian Plaster a centuries old decorative wall finish. Special attention must be paid to the hand painted Zodiac on the ceiling of the first floor stairwell. The living room features many family heirlooms including a 19th century U.S. Army Calvary Horse Saddle and 19th century Catholic Bible. The living room fireplace is also finished in Venetian Plaster. The dining room features a coffered beam ceiling along with a beautiful hand painted wall mural designed and finished by the homeowner. The ceiling beams, door and trim have been finished with a faux mahogany wood graining technique. Faux aged stonewalls have been added to the kitchen. The original servants staircase was removed to create more kitchen space and finished with a balcony. The kitchen brick wall was discovered and exposed during renovation. The homeowner is a Decorative Artist and has spent countless hours restoring, adding decorative wall finishes and painting unique canvas fine art for the home.

 

This page was edited on 12/27/06

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