Have a look at this darling 1927 Cape Cod style home that has been decorated in timeless vintage fashion.
It is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It is not for sale – YET. But it will be this spring!
This amazingly restored home is actually a kit home and the owner has the original advertisement:
The “Newport” was a floor plan from the kit home company Liberty Homes. Liberty Homes were manufactured by Lewis Manufacturing Company of Bay City, Michigan and shipped all over the mid-western United States.
The owner of this sweet time capsule home – Peter – has graciously shared these photos.
He gives us a guided narrative of his home below…
“This picturesque Cape Cod home was built in 1927 in the historic Mississippi River town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Originally a small peach farm, lots were sold in the 1940’s and 1950’s to make the expansion of town that it is now! My name is Peter Reckling, and I’ve had the opportunity to care for this home since March of 2018.”
“When I first toured it as a foreclosure during my sophomore year of college at Southeast Missouri State University, I knew this little gal had to be the one!”
“Using knowledge from my degree in Historic Preservation we helped update and give back the original character this three bedroom two-and-a-half bathroom home needed to make it shine again!”
“It maintained many of its original details on the interior – including original trim, doors, and windows, stamped plaster tiles and chair rail in the kitchen, blue ceramic tile in the upstairs bathroom, as well as oak hardwood floors throughout both upstairs and downstairs!”
“Another hidden surprise was the original dining room pan light which we found in the small attic. I promptly restored it and reinstalled it in its former place! We strived to get the finest period correct details down – including antiqued brass or chrome Art Deco switch plates and black toggle switches in all of the rooms!”
“All of the furniture I decorated with has been family heirlooms or pieces passed down to me from members of my neighborhood and in the community in Cape Girardeau and at the college.”
“Our goal was never to create a living history museum, but instead a place of timelessness and comforts of yesteryear! I feel we have done an amazing job, and I have been so blessed to call this place home for the last few years!”
“We use four working rotary phones throughout the house and a 1954 Philco fridge in the kitchen to add a depth of vintage realism!”
“Her charm and slice of heavenly beauty have continued to impress, all thanks to a little TLC by myself, my friends and family.”
“Researching and exhibiting this home’s history has also been an honor, going as far as inviting back the family who lived here in the 1940’s, with some of their marks from childhood still present in crayon on the basement support pillars! All now in their 70s and 80s, they were all appreciative of how well their family home had been preserved and someone who wanted to honor its history now lives here.”
“The neighbors are always in awe, and love to pop on by to see it. My whole goal of the house is to give it a timelessness with pieces people can relate to that blends together in its current context.”
“People always ask me if I live with my grandmother! Lol. At 23 years old, this home has been a real labor of love and I’m thankful for every moment – even the tough ones with basement flooding and trying to fix old troublesome wiring!”
“Giving her charm and character back has been everything, and the old woman who visited who grew up here in the 1940’s cried when she saw it because it reminded her so much of her parents who both passed in 2002.”
“This home has been a lot of things to me, and I’m glad I could share it with you all!”
“As a preservationist, my goal is to tell all stories! Not just the ones in the big grand Queen Anne mansions – the little Cape Cods and ranch homes have interesting tales to tell as well!”
House Crazy Sarah speaking again:
Outstanding Peter!
Reading about this little Cape Cod and looking at the photos makes everything seem right in the world again. 🙂
Thank you SO much for sharing this joyful, storied home with us!
Here’s hoping it will find new owners who will take the same care and treasure the home as much as Peter has done.
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I hope so too. I am sad to see such a beautiful and thoughtful home décor be dismantled, although I’m sure the next home will be lovely. I’m very impressed that it was done by a 23 year-old–I didn’t own a home until I was twice his age and my home is still a work in progress!