1336 W. Columbia Avenue

From HistoryWiki

1336 W. Columbia Avenue, Paul Bauer, 1919.

1336 W. Columbia Avenue, the Bezanis House.

This house was included in the 1990 Annual Fall House Tour.

Circa 1896

Original owner: Unknown

Present (1990) owner: Dorian and Leanne Bezanis.

Sitting primly and very at ease amid its neighbors is this sturdy Chicago Cottage house.

In late 1989 and early 1900, this home underwent complete remodeling, both internally and externally. The visible external changes are the roof, the siding, the windows, and both porches.

Before entering the home, you are greeted by an array of wild flowers that compliment the pathway which takes you onto the front porch.

Stepping inside, you encounter the beveled floral leaded window in the small foyer and by the expanse of oak floor. This area is occupied by the living room and the family room. On the south end, you are warmed by the imitation fireplace. The pivoting windows add sufficient light to make this a very lovely place. This area is further enhanced by the antique furniture and the stained glass that hangs from the clerestory window just above the fireplace. The ceiling of this expanse adds much light in the nighttime hours due to the recessed lighting system.

Continuing north on this vastness of oak floor, there is a lovely antique dining set highlighted by the double skylight above. This was once a porch, but it was raised, enclosed, and made larger by the addition of a bay window.

To the east of the living room and dining room is the modern kitchen with its lovely cabinets and up-to-date (1990) appliances. The same pattern of expanded space continues here.

From the kitchen, going south, a pivot window lights the way to the powder room which had its entrance from a closet in the front foyer prior to the remodeling. You can also reach the basement from here. One very significant feature about is that the center posts, which support the middle beam of the house, are all original tree trunks.

To the north of the kitchen is the mud room which was once a part of the back porch. The large window in this area of the kitchen was the door to the back porch before the remodeling. From the mud room, you can reach the new porch door where you can see the dog run on the east side of the yard. On the north end is the yard and the original garages.

Carpeting and a gorgeous oak banister take you up to the second floor where there are three rooms and a full bath. The small room on your left is the only room in the house where you can find an original window, a clerestory. This area is also complimented by antique furniture.

On the west side of the house is the guest bedroom and the master bedroom. The guest room is accented by antique pictures. The master bedroom is in a class by itself. The roof was raised, a skylight added, and a part of the original roof line is used for a vanity which adds beauty to the room. There is also recessed lighting. There is a very large walk-in closet to the east of the master bedroom. You can view the back yard from the first floor roof which the Bezanises hope to convert to a deck. The bathroom is also east of the master bedroom where it holds its own beauty and poise. It was made larger and remodeled during the overall construction process.

Leanne and Dorian have survived their remodeling project and are now rewarded by this dream house.



Photos

RPWRHS photo S013-0175 shows a home at 1336 W. Columbia Avenue, the Bezanis House October 1990.