Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Elegant, Eclectic Colonial Revival in Ohio
Rich colors, meaningful antiques and family memorabilia make an Ohio family's home comfortably grand
“We made it ours by completely gutting the place," says Theodore Preston. “Well, not really — we kept the original architectural elements — but it sure felt like it!” When Preston and William Logan found their 1959 colonial revival, they wanted to create a home rich with personal history and detail. With Preston's background in architecture and engineering, the couple embraced the beauty of what was in front of them, and worked with the home's great potential.
As the second owners of this Ohio estate home, Preston and Logan built their lives into it with respect to the home’s history, and their own. Much of the decor comes from reclaimed materials or was made by the couple themselves, resulting in a home built from both their hearts and hands.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Theodore Preston, William Logan and their two children
Location: Liberty, Ohio
Size: 5,000 square feet; 7 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
What's interesting: The kitchen island countertop is made of salvaged wood from a bowling alley.
As the second owners of this Ohio estate home, Preston and Logan built their lives into it with respect to the home’s history, and their own. Much of the decor comes from reclaimed materials or was made by the couple themselves, resulting in a home built from both their hearts and hands.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Theodore Preston, William Logan and their two children
Location: Liberty, Ohio
Size: 5,000 square feet; 7 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
What's interesting: The kitchen island countertop is made of salvaged wood from a bowling alley.
The window in this closet-turned-stairwell was salvaged from a barn belonging to Preston’s father. During the addition of the third-floor bedrooms, it was installed to catch light from the third floor skylight and painted to match the rest of the interior trim.
Preston and Logan designed and planted the gorgeous front garden themselves, creating a sophisticated yet casual entrance to the home. “While I respect a well-manicured landscape, there is nothing more rewarding and enriching as being out there yourself,” says Preston.
A painted stencil welcome sign greets visitors as they approach the house by way of a turn-around driveway. The piece was formerly used in Preston and Logan’s design shop. The couple handmade the sign using scrap wood, spray paint and a reclaimed fence post from Logan’s father. The letters were dry brushed for an extra rustic effect.
The kitchen boasts a delightful interplay between vintage and made-to-look-vintage pieces. Preston and Logan painted all of the brickwork in this room white and designed the island to match existing cabinetry.
The cabinet builder found salvaged bowling alley wood and used it to create the stainless steel–edged countertop that doesn't look too new or out of place. Shelving at both ends of the island hold baskets, providing additional storage.
Lighted hanging pot rack: Lowe's
The cabinet builder found salvaged bowling alley wood and used it to create the stainless steel–edged countertop that doesn't look too new or out of place. Shelving at both ends of the island hold baskets, providing additional storage.
Lighted hanging pot rack: Lowe's
The original Thermador ovens remain in use today, a nod to the previous homeowners’ kosher cooking requirements. The couple wanted the kitchen to have a rustic, old-world style and added a textured sign over the inset cooktop. To make the sign, letters from Hobby Lobby were affixed to a piece of wood, and leftover trim pieces were added as a border. An antiqued white finish gives the sign an aged appearance.
A homemade shelf above the ovens holds a bevy of antiques, each with sentimental value. The shelf was made using the remaining crown molding pieces from the fireplace mantels in the family room and living room.
A homemade shelf above the ovens holds a bevy of antiques, each with sentimental value. The shelf was made using the remaining crown molding pieces from the fireplace mantels in the family room and living room.
This double-sided clock from Hobby Lobby works perfectly with the antiques on display above the oven, including espresso pots from Italy and Preston’s childhood bicycle horn. “With an endless supply of cash, anyone should be able to be surrounded by beauty, but it’s the real magic happening when you can do it within a budget,” says Preston.
The sunroom has a relaxed feel thanks to a bright white palette and cocktail seating. The bench was salvaged from a retired train station nearby and was given a coat of high-gloss black paint. Festive red glasses and bar accessories on top of the minibar punctuate the room with color and spirit.
A 48-year-old medical table from the Prestons' delivery doctor gets new life as a liquor cabinet in the corner of the sunroom. A reclaimed porch post was transformed into a coat rack. Logan also traded a railroad lantern for the parking meter, which came from his hometown of New Castle, Pennsylvania. Preston designed these intentional vignettes to create a home that reflected their family's history. "These serve as visual anchors for the power they have as reminders for what's important to me," he says.
Preston transformed a previously unused space into a private retreat outside the sunroom. He installed the arbor and hung string lights for a romantic glow during evening parties.
Ivy covers three sides of the arbor, so an inviting white wooden door helps transition the patio to the backyard. Preston describes his home as a sanctuary. “No other place puts my spirit on such solid ground,” he says.
Muted gold walls in the master bedroom infuse the space with warmth, while dark furniture provides contrast and formality. “I’m inspired by the concept of sanctuary," Preston says. “I like a home to tell one’s story of world travels, family and friendships.”
Wall paint: Restrained Gold, Sherwin-Williams; bed: Value City Furniture
Wall paint: Restrained Gold, Sherwin-Williams; bed: Value City Furniture
In the living room, the couple added the mantel and placed a dining set in the center of the space to accommodate visitors. A sectional sofa ensures that everyone has a seat at holiday parties.
The living room also features the couple's collection of vintage instruments. While many were purchased from auctions and thrift stores, some were gifts from family and friends, including Preston's childhood guitar.
Gilded mirror and front window mirrors: Sam’s Club
The living room also features the couple's collection of vintage instruments. While many were purchased from auctions and thrift stores, some were gifts from family and friends, including Preston's childhood guitar.
Gilded mirror and front window mirrors: Sam’s Club
The muted gold walls carry through the house into the casual family room, highlighting the room's original brass chandelier. Preston and Logan built the mantel over the fireplace and painted the surround black for a graphic punch.
The wall clock is a Western Union antique — a gift from Logan’s former employer. Set against the bright white paneling, the clock sets up a visual reference for the trio of framed prints that hang above the mantel.
Wall paint: Restrained Gold, Sherwin-Williams
The wall clock is a Western Union antique — a gift from Logan’s former employer. Set against the bright white paneling, the clock sets up a visual reference for the trio of framed prints that hang above the mantel.
Wall paint: Restrained Gold, Sherwin-Williams
Framed vintage movie posters adorn the walls above the family room sofa. “Our decorating philosophy is more of a practice," Preston says. “We fill our home with things we like in an eclectic fashion. Whether it fits or not, we are very accommodating.”
Logan and Preston chose elegant gold wallpaper to give the guest bathroom a facelift and complement the original floors and fixtures. Wide black and white stripes balance the traditional style and keep the space from feeling crowded. The original vanity and mirror remain, updated by glossy black paint.
Wall covering: Gold Metallics, Sherwin-Williams; wall paint: Antique White, Sears Easy Living and Black Bean Soup, Benjamin Moore
Wall covering: Gold Metallics, Sherwin-Williams; wall paint: Antique White, Sears Easy Living and Black Bean Soup, Benjamin Moore
In the formal dining room, a bold berry hue contrasts with white wainscoting. All of the woodwork and wallpaper are original to the house. Preston painted over the vintage velvet-flocked wallpaper to get this rich color. "While that may sound like a sin to many purists, it was avocado!”
Like the other light fixtures in the house, this dining room chandelier was chosen by the home’s original designer in 1959. By adding black shades and crystal ornaments, Logan and Presto made it their own.
Wall paint: Wild Raspberry, Lowe’s Southern Living Paints; dining set, china cabinet: Lexington Chez Michele
Houzz call: Do you have an eclectic, interesting home? Share it with us!
Like the other light fixtures in the house, this dining room chandelier was chosen by the home’s original designer in 1959. By adding black shades and crystal ornaments, Logan and Presto made it their own.
Wall paint: Wild Raspberry, Lowe’s Southern Living Paints; dining set, china cabinet: Lexington Chez Michele
Houzz call: Do you have an eclectic, interesting home? Share it with us!
Painted vertical stripes on the walls ground the space in a fresh, updated way. Preston and Logan kept most of the original lighting fixtures, like this brass chandelier, to maintain the home's original feel.
Paint: Raisin (top photo), Benjamin Moore; Woodland Mystery, Sherwin-Williams; Dry Sage, Benjamin Moore