3340 Perrysville Ave
Home of Chris and Kara Bane
Built in 1905, this elegant house high up on Judge's Row is today the home of the Bane family. In its many years, it has housed only four families! According to the story that has been handed down from owner to owner, the original resident practiced medicine here.
The Banes have done lots of work on this house, including extensive painting and the removal of carpeting. The previous owner repointed the bricks, re-hung the windows, uncovered and renovated the fireplaces, and replaced the roof. Despite all the work that's been done, this old house retains all of its original charm—as well as all of the original woodwork, stained glass, and mantels.
The Banes envision the entryway (a work in progress) as an early 1900s-style sitting room for welcoming guests. They especially love the leaded glass in the front door. "It throws rainbows throughout the entryway on a sunny day," says Kara. The pocket doors help to make the living room into a home theater—look up and you'll see the projector for the 100-inch projection screen! The unusual high-definition acoustic loudspeaker system to the left of the fireplace was made in France by La Boite. Look for the replica of The Prize Pig, by William Henderson.
The pass-through between the dining room and kitchen is a new feature; it makes entertaining in the Italian countryside-inspired dining room so much easier. Be sure to check out the original butler's pantry near the kitchen, and, in the kitchen, note the original tin ceiling and 1923 gas range. Upstairs, you'll find bedrooms with original fireplaces and tile. One of the bedrooms, originally a nursery, is now a nursery again. In the attic, the Banes plan to create a welcoming, casual playroom.
Chris and Kara have lived in Pittsburgh for fifteen years. When the time came to buy a house, they looked at this one in Observatory Hill first—and fell in love. "We felt it was way too big for the two of us," says Kara, "but we couldn't strop thinking about it." The sense of community and the nearby park make the Banes glad they chose this house in which to make memories with their baby daughter.