HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-05-17, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989.
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They don't build them like this any more
Debbie and Doug Trollope of Brussels have proven that quality does stand the test of time. Here
Debbie stands on the front porch of their home. The structure was vacant for nine years and with a
tremendousamountof effort and time Debbie and Doug have diligently been restoring it to its former
beauty.
Grand old home gets lease on life
BY BONNIE GROPP
The challenge of taking a delapi
dated, though structurely sound
house, and restoring it to its
original 19th century charm was
the motivation that inspired Doug
and Debbie Trollope of Brussels.
It was June of 1987, real estate
prices were rising and with
offers on their current home and no
work left on it, the Trollope’s
decided to purchase an abandoned
house on James Street and give it a
much-needed face-lift. Debbie
says, “We knew it was a quality
house and wanted the challenge of
fixing it.”
The house is one of the oldest
homes in Brussels, having been
built in 1956 by William Vanstone.'
At that time it was located on the
lot where Bruce McCall now resid
es near the dam on the Maitland
River. Mr. Vanstone also owned
and operated the neighbouring saw
and grist mill. The house was later
inherited by his son James.
In 1907 William Kerr purchased
the home for $1,800. Mr. Kerr was
the editor of the Brussels Post.
Thomas Miller bought the house
in 1937 and following his demise
his wife Maudie remained there
until her death. Their son Thomas
took over the estate at that time
and put the residence up for sale.
Bruce McCall bought it in 1973 but
after some investigation discovered
that it would cost almost as much to
have the structure restored as it
would to build a new one. Mr.
McCall hated to see the once grand
old home tom down so sold it to be
moved. Cecil Machan purchased it
for $1.00 in 1978 and transported it
three blocks down the street to its
present location, where it sat
empty for nine years. By the time
Doug and Debbie bought it, it was
quite literally, for the birds. Debbie
explains that when they arrived
they often had to fight the pigeons
for space. The windows had been
boarded up and there were several
holes for the birds to enter. Son
Jonathan had to chase one out of
the bathroom one morning.
To local children the house was
referred to as being haunted.
None of this deterred Doug and
Debbie. They moved in immediate
ly. Debbie describes that time as a
“madhouse”. “We had no win
dows and everything was packed
into one corner of the house. The
plumbers were here constantly
while we were living here and there
were only two usable electrical
outlets.”
Since that time, however, the
house has evolved into a subtle
blending of the new and old. The
wood has been stripped in most of
the rooms and has received several
coats of varathane. The majority of
the wood throughout the house is
pine, with the exception of the
living room and hall floors, which
are oak. Debbie said maintenance
of the hardwood floors is simple;
she damp mops with a solution of
vinegar and water.
The kitchen cupboards were
there when Doug and Debbie
moved in but, Debbie says, they
were sitting in the middle of the
floor. The counter tops in both the
bathroom and kitchen are old
hardwood floors from a house that
was demolished. Debbie stated
that she and Doug don’t like to use
new lumber if they can avoid it
because of all the trees being tom
down.
A doorway leading from the
kitchen was transformed into an
archway, opening the kitchen and
dining area, brightening it and
giving it a spacious effect. The only
new wood in the house is actually
outside. Pressure-treated wood
was used in the outside deck and
chairs that Doug made. The book
cases, stands, and some furniture
in the house were hand-made by
Doug also.
The decorative spindles outside
the upstairs windows are original.
They were obtained from the
Machans who still had them in the
attic. “Even the old shutters were
there but they are not good enough
to use,” Debbie said. The roof of
the house is still in excellent shape
continued on page 15
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