Tudor Revivalist Charm in Duke Park: 1417 Acadia Street

DURHAM, N.C. - April 18, 2016 - PRLog -- For those with an appreciation for classic historical architecture, The James A. Smith House at 1417 Acadia Street in Durham is an absolute must see! Designed by Rose and Rose Architects for James and Irene Smith in 1930, it was one of the first homes to be built on Acadia Street in the heart of Duke Park, while also one of the last homes built before the Great Depression brought home construction to a standstill. Still today, much of Duke Park features Tudor and Colonial Revival home styles, with The Smith House a shining example of Tudor Revivalist charm.

Enchanting gardens greet residents and guests to The Smith House, with cathedral-canopied 80-plus year old oak and pecan trees standing guard along the front of the property. (These magnificent trees have not and will not be cut back by utility companies, as power lines run through the alley, not the street.) The yard is surrounded with decorative black aluminum fencing, adding even more allure to the lovely home, stone walkways, and verdant landscaping enclosed within.

Clinker brick and inlaid stone were combined at The Smith House to create a dramatic exterior, inviting guests to enter and enjoy. Inside, The Smith House is adorned with 2,508 square feet of luminous hardwoods; extensive crown molding and baseboards; the original balsawood blinds, still in excellent condition; vintage cathedral-style registers; the original plaster walls (with the exception of the kitchen); and a not-to-be missed period plaster fireplace with a vented arch reminiscent of Durham's Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church, also designed by Rose and Rose Architects.

Not surprisingly, the kitchen is the heart of The Smith House. It is completely remodeled to include all stainless appliances, a gas cooktop, and custom cabinets with roll-out drawers, as well as window seats with storage, a wine bar, recessed lighting, and authentic slate backsplash. A large island with blue pearl granite is the centerpiece of the kitchen, equipped with seating, pendant lights, a bar sink, bookshelves, and power. An arch cut-through from the kitchen that looks toward the front door completes this fabulous room.

The main floor master suite of The Smith House is also newly renovated to include built-ins, a custom closet with cubbies, and surround sound. Its adjoining master bath features a double vanity with black pearl granite, stainless fixtures, quartzite stone floors, and a fantastic high-end shower system with a bench.

Upstairs is home to two additional bedrooms, both with hardwood floors, new windows, and attic storage, while the unfinished yet heated and cooled basement features a sealed crawlspace and an ideal doggie den with access to the garden. New stone stairs and walls in the rear yard also allow appealing access to the basement.

Full surround sound throughout the den, keeping room, and library, a charming telephone niche, a tankless hot water heater, and numerous other delightful and functional features abound throughout The Smith House… And lest we forget the new 2-car garage with an electric car power station, the detached tool shed, or the soaker hose sprinkler system!

"The Smith House is a treasure," says Broker René Hendrickson of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services York Simpson Underwood Realty. "In fact, it was featured in the Durham Historic Preservation Society's Home Tour of Duke Park in 2011. It's fresh and updated, while offering fascinating nuances of days gone by. I'm excited for its next owners." Contact René at 919-923-1377 or Rene@renehendrickson.com for a private showing. The opportunity to purchase this Tudor Revivalist jewel won't last long!