The Grand Revival
We just wrapped up one of our favorite renovation projects yet—a stunning 1916 home right in the heart of Avondale, one of Jacksonville’s most beloved historic districts. This place has serious charm and history. It’s a grand 4-bedroom, 3-bath beauty that was once one of the more prominent homes on the block, and now it’s shining again.
The front porch is something special—perched up high so you can sip your morning coffee and catch little glimpses of the St. Johns River through the trees. Inside, we truly did it all: full replumb, hardwood floor refinishing, a completely new kitchen, and two bathrooms fully gutted and redone. We even added a third interior bath to bring this home up to speed while honoring its roots.
One of the biggest transformations? We stripped off a hundred years of layered paint, recreated missing trim to match the original style, and made sure the flow of the house felt seamless—from the moment you step through the front door all the way to the back.
And guess what? This Avondale gem is the featured party home of the 51st Annual Tour of Homes in 2025. We’re honored and thrilled—but honestly, once you step inside, you’ll see exactly why.
What was the strangest thing you discovered during the remodel?
Hands down—it was the golden cast-iron plumbing pipe running through the kitchen ceiling. We stared at it for a good while trying to make sense of it. Definitely a first.
What’s something you learned on this project that you didn’t know before?
That not all wood floors are what they seem! Some of the original flooring wasn’t tongue and groove over subfloor like we expected—it was actually laid over what’s called a “floating” wood floor, almost like a system of skims. It taught us to never assume what’s beneath until you start peeling back the layers.
