Reclaiming a family homeplace

Southern Living, Oct 2003 by Doyle, Alice Welsh

Fond childhood memories inspired this couple to save a riverside treasure.

Many houses we visit leave strong impressions, especially those from childhood. Often, time takes its toll, and a special place loses its luster. Sometimes we dream of restoring that house so we can recapture those memories and make new ones. Bitsy and Che Stone got to do just that.

Fond Memories

Che spent holidays in their current San Angelo, Texas, home as a boy on trips from Houston. His great-aunt and uncle Ruby and John Abe March built the house in 1922 near Che's grandparents' home. He remembers playing on the river and recognizing the home's special location. "My grandparents said it had the best view of the river, right at the bend," he says.

The house held a place in the heart of other residents too. Designer Richard Round, who helped the Stones restore the house, grew up in the neighborhood. "As children, we used the driveway to go down to the river and play on the banks," Richard says. "When I was in my twenties, Mrs. March used to invite young people over to the house for drinks and dinner because she liked having them around."

Neglect Takes Its Toll

The house sat vacant for 18 years, suffering from vermin invasions, vandalism, floods, and squatters.

When it came up for sale, the Stones, who lived in another house in San Angelo, purchased it despite the intense deterioration. To make matters worse, the house endured an arson fire soon after they bought it. "We knew we were starting below ground zero," says Che.

A Taste of Mexico

The home's style borrows heavily from area influences. "We knew we wanted it to look like a Mexican ranch house with a touch of Santa Fe," says Richard. By perusing vintage books on such houses, he found inspiration. The openness, white plaster walls, arched doorways, beams, and simplicity of the home create the hacienda atmosphere. "The white walls pull everything together," Richard continues. "The furnishings, beams, and artwork really stand out." Beautiful Mexican tiles are used in several rooms, making the strongest statement in the kitchen. "I've always loved these tiles, and this was the perfect house to use them in," says Bitsy.

Decorative accents, some with religious motifs, enhance the style. A weathered green water jug stand, topped by a metal cross, creates a focal point at the side entry. An old olive jar, made into a fountain, welcomes guests coming through the front courtyard. Colorful angel candlesticks from Peru sit on the family room mantel. A collection ofretablos, small oil paintings depicting saints and religious events, lines the hallway to the bedrooms.

Restored and Improved

In addition to reviving the house, the Stones added a family room and expanded the kitchen and master bedroom. The three-bedroom house is deceptively large from the outside. "That's because it's only one room deep," notes Bitsy. "Every room but one opens out to the river." A tower added to the front mirrors the original one near the river and provides balance.

The Stones desired an outdoor fireplace so they could enjoy the river year-round. This was achieved by relocating the living room fireplace to the exterior back wall. "We debated moving the fireplace because we had to sacrifice the view," says Richard. "But the room looks prettier when you walk in the front door and see the fireplace on the back wall."

A garage and side entry courtyard were part of the renovation as well. Rock, brought from a family ranch when the house was built, forms the courtyard floor. A fountain shaped like a well adds a special touch to this area.

The Stones tried to keep as much of the original adobe house as possible. "The dining room floor tiles are original and beams from the living room were moved into the dining room," says Bitsy. Che's grandmother's dining room furniture from the 1920s looks like it has always been there. The living room's simple mantel now sits in the family room, and hardwood floors were saved when possible.

Surprisingly, Bitsy's same furniture from her former Colonial-style home fit right in. "I thought we would have to re-cover everything, but things just worked beautifully," she says. Oriental rugs are scattered throughout the living room, and a bright kilim ties everything together in the family room. The dining room floor is left bare to highlight the wonderful tiles.

Although the project was a long one, it's a stunning success enjoyed by all of San Angelo. And best of all, Che recaptured a special childhood place that he and Bitsy continue to savor every day.