Historical April–May 2008 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
6147 Westminster is a classic example of a traditional 1908 home adapted to meet present and ongoing needs, and is described as a “work in progress” by owners Hitch and Mary Powell who have lived here since 1981.
The house displays an open and welcoming floor plan, while preserving the traditional ambience of turn-of-thecentury homes.
The first floor features a spacious foyer, accented with a painted exposed brick wall dating to that period in the 1970s and 80s when stripping woodwork and exposing brick were popular topics of conversation.
The ninefoot-tall case clock made during the war of 1812 has been in Hitch’s family for five generations. It’s a look-but-don’t touch treasure!
The adjacent living room features a working fireplace, and flows into a gracious dining room. Mary’s favorite stenciled panels in the beamed ceiling were done by previous owners and have remained untouched.
The traditional butler’s pantry was closed off from the kitchen and modified by an earlier owner into a half-bath. Mary describes her kitchen as “vintage 1970’s.” The upstairs includes four bedrooms, one of which is currently used as an office, and includes a master bedroom with a private bath and working fireplace.
The main bathroom was re-done in 2002, and now includes a separate bathtub and shower. Space for the expanded bathroom was found by blocking off the original back stairs, an alteration that now provides additional pantry space for the kitchen.
The most recent improvement is a lovely screened porch, which provides an inviting retreat during the warmer months of the year.
It overlooks a lovingly landscaped back yard, which also includes a small patio for outdoor relaxation and entertaining.
The home was previously owned by the family of Steve Schiller, who grew up in the neighborhood and worked with his father at Colonial Rug Co., a venerable neighborhood business for over 25 years.
Original photograph caption
6147 Westminster, House Tour 2008.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2008.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2008_04.pdf, printed page(s) 4, 5; PDF page(s) 4, 5.
