3200 Orleans Street
Home of Joe Skoski & Lisel Virkler. History: Purchased in August, 2005, this California craftsman-style bungalow was built in the late 1920s. The current owners don’t have an exact build date, but an original toilet in the basement has the manufacture date of 1926. The owner has been a big fan of craftsman style bungalows for over 20 years. When a realtor friend told them about the California style bungalow at 3200 Orleans several years ago, they were extremely excited. The house had plenty of original details, including Douglas fir woodwork, all original double hung and casement windows, hardwood floors, and a wonderful open floor plan. They intend to preserve the one level character of the home, although they plan to finish the attic as a guest space and library. Western-style bungalows are not very common in Pittsburgh and they were thrilled to find this one!
Renovations: 2005: Original white oak hardwood floors uncovered and French doors restored to original living/dining room location. 2006-2007: Bathroom and kitchen restored – kitchen returned to 1920s work plan with a new pine floor and new wall hung ceramic kitchen sink. 2008: New staircase built to attic.
The Details: All wood work is dark stained Douglas Fir with all 27 original windows in tact on the first and second floors. The original leaded glass bookcase doors were restored in 2007, which highlights the living room fireplace wall. A sweeping 28 foot x 8 foot front porch is located at the front of the house. The front door opens directly into the living room and den. The living room and den were opened up in 2008 with the addition of a new craftsman-style staircase to replace the old narrow stairs to the attic. The space is now an open 29’ x 14’ room, which looks out at the spacious front porch. This roomy 12’ x 16’ dining room has original glass French doors that open to the living room. Recent improvements include a new craftsman-style fixture from Rejuvenation of Portland Oregon, and a teak china cabinet from Indonesia (1920s). The sunny and compact 10’ x 11’ kitchen has been restored to its original layout. The pine flooring and wall hung sink were part of the 2006 renovation. This kitchen features a 1940s Magic Chef store and natural granite tile work surfaces. An antique kitchen hutch and telephone stand are used as kitchen furniture for storage and work spaces. The ground floor bath features original subway tiles on the walls and floor tiles. The original tub was recoated in 2006 and a vintage-style pedestal sink and toilet were added in 2006. The main bedroom is a work in progress. It will not be open for the tour, but we hope to add a built in clothes storage wall in the space left from the old staircase in the coming year or two. Bedroom #2 is currently used as a breakfast room. The old glass from the den was moved here in 2008. It features deco style metal cabinets from the 1930s and a kitchen set from the 1930s. The den area of the living room is to the left of the staircase. It features a craftsman style oak desk. The stairs to the unfinished attic will be open, so that people can see the 500+ square foot space. (It has a floor, but no finished rooms!) The owners hope to add a library, guest room and bathroom space up here someday!