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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-08-30, Page 11Times -Advocate, August 30, 1989 Page 11 Victorian charmer The Pickard house... The Clarks willingly and proudly accept the fact their home will always_ be known as the Pickard house. The music room centres around Peg's piano. Sunlight sparkles through the leaded panes in the windows. Overnight visitors stay in the twin bed guest Tim and Peg Clark pose in front of the partially room. extended sliding doors dividing the two front rooms. ideas and love revitalize historic home Feature and photos by Yvonne Reynolds EXETER - Tim and Peg Clark fell in love in Exeter last November. Not with each other - they had done that 43 years ago. This time it was love at first sight with a venerable Victorian, the 93 -year-old Pickard house on John St. The couple had been searching southwestern Ontario for a place to retim to, after four decades in Peg's home town, Markham. During those years, Tim first ran a ladies wear store, and then a florist shop. For 40 years Peg was church or- ganist, and taught piano, theory, and singing. But the once quiet little town had burgeoned into a suburb of Metropolitan Toronto. A traffic sur- vey in front of the Clark's Markham residence counted 6,000 vehicles passing by daily. The Clarks decided the time had come to move, and to move away from Markham, if they wanted to truly retire. A number of towns had been explored before Tim recalled that an old uncle, Asa Rumford, had lived in Exeter. As soon as the Clarks spotted the "castle" built by one of Exeter's illustrious citizens, they were hopelessly infatuated. They knew this was the 'muse of their dreams. Just looking at it from the outside, Tim concluded "the house was beautifully built. It had every- thing. we could see the potential". Negotiations with the private seller resulted in a deal that closed a few weeks later. When. you are in love, you lavish time and money on the beloved, and that is what the Clarks did for the next six months with their ncw home. The Clarks knew what they wanted to do to make the house a showcase for the antiques they had been collecting for 30 years, and for Tim's many oil paintings and watercolours. They consulted Goderich architect John Rutledge to make sure their plans were feasible and struc- turally possible. Contractor Walter Christensen, a family friend, was hired to supervise the pro- ject, and much of thc sub -contracting was done locally. All wallpaper came from Raintme De- sign. The front parlour, glowing with light flowing in from the leaded -pane windows, is now the music room. Imposing sliding doors with their original brass fittings separate this room from the former dining room, which is now a sitting room. Magnificent stained glass windows and a lovely little fireplace are the focal points here. Across the hall, a former bedroom and bath- room arc now one beautiful dining room. The wooden mouldings and doorframes have been stripped of the pink paint that covered the oak be- neath. A Frtench chandelier shimmers overhead. The kitchen was completely redone. Eliminat- ing a back stairway gave the room another win- dow and an extra wall for cupboards. All cup- boards were replaced, and a butler's pantry was transformed into a small washroom. The old shed behind the kitchen is now a cosy family room. A fireplace constructed of used brick blends in as if it had always been there. The cellar steps were rerouted, and a doorway opened through the exterior brick wall. The one- time indoor privvy is now a panelled closet for Tim's art supplies. A glance out the window falls on a newly built garage fronted with the same soft yellow brick as the fireplace, giving the appearance of being there for decades. Ascending thc oak staircase, more opulent stained glass windows, and an antique brass chandelier recovered from the attic arrest one's at- tention. The guest room is ha x ed in a vivid floral wall- paper with a black background. "That's so guests won't stay too long," Peg re- marked with a chuckle. - An antique brass chandel r _fights "ilt Ther -top of the up the Stained glass windows • cast their multi -hued star. .5tic.,.l j LfS.ncr home fit perfectlyovcr the large bay window in the master bedroom. A smaller bedroom is now '�- �• ...*,,47,10:MR Ss anhind.Gpc►afol�Rdinri!�: ha_,,,, nm_ ;,.t, g dpn..aspace Washergaineandd_d1n dryer_vins ^ the silt* _ ne a lane bathroom, -raced b c,;r.(;P.t: i,94.2�t" „1/41,rw,oors. The A new (unlace, wiring, plumbing.ml aic40 - ,--4se"'a" ""` ' x "'''''�`-'r'''' A u' to lg were installed to bring`tne inner function- ings of the gracious old edifice into the eighties. Tim takes credit for the proliferation of colours in the flowerbcds around the house. - The Clarks are as in»;;;,-.. en with the town of FYctc: C1, they arc with their new abode. They have been'ovcrwhclmcd by the kindness of their neighbours. They found a rhubarb pie in their fridge on moving in on May 26. Other offerings include a basket of jan1N and fancy teas, home- made bread and chili sauce, a plate of hot muf- fins, strawberry jam, and wine. "We made up our minds we were going to he happy here. We haven't had to work at it," Peg remarked. And the Clarks willingly and proudly accept the fact their home will always be known as the Pick- .ard house. A lovely fireplace graces one corner of room the sit - A mr,�, ,scent bay window lights the landing on An old shed has been transformed into a charm - ane stairs to the second storey. ing family room. The eating area in the completely renovated kitchen exudes warmth and hospitality.