3755 Baytree Street
Home of Paul Homick & Ed Lewis
This charming home is most likely a Sears Craftsman-style "kit" house. Built in the mid-1920s, it features an enclosed back porch emblematic of Pittsburgh builder E.B. Hulley. Its Arts and Crafts style is nearly identical to the Sears house advertised in the catalog as "The Pittsburgh." The Belcher family owned the house from May 1946 until 2006, and Paul and Ed purchased the house in September of 2007.
All of the architectural built-ins and woodwork are original, and the trim around the doors and windows features identical pointed molding. The unusual Gothic-style front door might seem out of place in the Arts and Crafts home, but it actually is original. The warm amber tones of the 1920s Mission-style light fixture greet the visitor upon entry, and the staircase retains its original dark finish.
In the living room, period-appropriate Mission style furniture complements the massive hand-cut stone fireplace with its unusual granite inclusions. (Be sure to check out the collection of 1920s Roseville pottery on the mantel.) The stained glass windows with their stylized tulips are not original; the owners purchased them and contracted with a local studio to restore them. The original artwork includes oil paintings by local artist Carol Volz Begley, a watercolor above the fireplace entitled "On the Beach" by famed Irish artist James Carlin, and statues from Ecuador and Switzerland.
In the dining room, the chandelier plays off the caramel and green stained glass in the living room and the Stickley carpet under the table. In fact, Paul and Ed carefully chose all of the colors in the house to create an earthy sense of harmony. The kitchen recently received a makeover, with environmentally friendly cork floors and a new granite countertop.
Upstairs, the bedrooms feature an extensive collection of original art including an original Italian School 18th century chalk drawing of a seated man, three 17th century architectural drawings, and three original watercolor paintings from the Czech Republic by contemporary artist Maria Kirelkov. There's also an original work by Dolores Daly Flessner, commissioned by one of the owners. Don't miss the religious art in the small bedroom, and be sure to note how well the updated family room in the attic fits into the overall style of the house.