6707 N. Newgard Avenue

6707 N. Newgard Avenue, E. Percy Gridley, 1919.

6707 N. Newgard Avenue was owned by Ted Allen and Barry Rice and was featured in the 2002 Fall House Tour Booklet--page 10.

While many homes have gone through substantial changes, few have undergone facelifts quite like the Ted Allen/Tom Rice house. What appears to be a classic brick American Four Square most likely began life as a wood-frame house, and only later was clad in its single, non-structural layer of face brick. Inside, the entire house received an Art Deco remodeling, probably in the 1930s.

As you enter the house, it seems rooted in the Art Deco period. Arched doorways, leaded glass, arrow sconces, and streamlined cove moldings. Check out the many and varied molding styles used in every room. This indicates a house of the modern era. However, the house's origins are vealed in the quartersawn oak staircase. Also, recently (2002) a faux stone, plaster mantel was removed to reveal the original Roman Brick fireplace.

A central hallway leads to the dining room, featuring French doors, a Czech Deco glass chandelier, and sconces, and pine cabinets that almost look built-in (they actually came from a house in Green Bay). Further down the hall is the kitchen, for which a bathroom and long-ago addition were combined for space. There is evidence of the original pantry on the south wall, where a built-in storage cabinet still (2002) resides.

On the second floor, you'll find three large bedrooms and a wonderful period bathroom. The homeowners have tone to great lengths to preserve as much of the bath as possible, including the original wall and floor tile, tub, and the shower door.

Finally, the third floor has two small bedrooms, one bath, and a cedar closet.