![]() ![]() Today, the home has five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. There have been several rooms and bathrooms added during renovations over the years. "We preserved the floors and the plasterwork to preserve the old-world feel."Īdditions to the home have been carefully crafted to create consistency as you walk from room to room. "They run it across by hand," said Al Harding. The Hardings acknowledge that the plasterwork is not what you find in homes today. The spacious dining room is truly one-of-a-kind and includes hand-laid tiles in a Bokhara design. The entrance displays egg-and-dart plasterwork and the luxurious dining room boasts handcrafted thistles, a Scottish symbol of good luck. Graham Plastering Contractors - the company of Margaret's father - still stands today. Throughout the original rooms, the plasterwork installed by John S. The house features a turreted entrance with leaded stained-glass windows that can be seen from the street. Although they were not in the market for a new home, they stopped by and "had to have it," Al Harding said. The couple purchased the two-story home 23 years ago after visiting an open house. Kae Harding have kept the historical beauty of the dwelling while adding today's amenities to make the home both charming and modern. Since the historic Avondale home was built, there have been only three families to occupy the Norman Revival-style residence. Robert added a winding staircase near the home's entrance, and their daughter was able to live out her mother's vision. At the time her daughter was born, Margaret had a vision of her throwing a bouquet off a spiral staircase. The home was truly a dream come true for Margaret when her daughter's wedding reception was held on the property. Margaret's brother and her father's plaster company helped add intricate details, including ornamental plasterwork and patterned flooring in the downstairs living areas. Inspiration for the home came from the couple's Scottish heritage, and the design was a family affair. But, the only home Smith ever built was the one on Arden Street. ![]() He was recognized for his work on many well-known commercial buildings and churches, including Bell Telephone Company, Nellie Hodges Chapel at South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, the Towers Family Chapel at First Presbyterian Church and Riverside Park Methodist Church. Robert Smith was an engineer and superintendent for the George Auchter Construction Company in the 1930s until he created his own company in 1940. Originally crafted as a labor of love, general contractor Robert McDonald Smith built the home in 1932 according to the precise specifications of his wife, Margaret Graham Smith. in Jacksonville mixes European tradition with modern amenities. ![]()
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