Former Floridians find History and Charm in Midtown Home
Matthew and Laura Bennett relocated to Memphis from Florida to support healthcare leadership and community development. They looked at the move as an adventure.
“We were hoping to find engagement in a new and spirited community,” said Laura. “Matthew is an artist. And I’m an Executive/leadership Coach and Organizational Development consultant, as well as a retired Naval officer and nurse-midwife/nurse practitioner.”
The couple had given a lot of thought to what they wanted in their new home. Their wish list included having two bathrooms, an office, a guest room, and having space for an art and yoga studio. They also wanted to live in the inner city to allow for easy access to community engagements. And, they wanted to downsize from their previous home, but still have an inviting outdoor space with easy-to-maintain landscaping.
Laura and Matthew connected with Melanie Blakeney, an agent with Marxbensdorf Realtors, via a local relocation management services company.
“We looked at 16 properties, including virtual tours that Melanie attended on our behalf since we were still in Florida,” recalled Laura. “Melanie was amazing. She worked to really understand who we were and where we would enjoy living. We were purchasing from out of state and selling our Florida home at the same time. Melanie made all of the connections that we needed with local attorneys, inspectors, and advisors, and she kept connected with our financial institution to be sure that everything went smoothly and we closed on time. Only Matthew had seen the house prior to putting in our bid.”
The couple paid $370,000 for a house in the historic Vollintine Evergreen
neighborhood of Midtown, with over 1,650 square feet of living space on the ground floor.
“Our home was built in 1931, so it was almost 100 years old,” said Laura. “It had lots of charm characteristic of the period for a Tudor-style Craftsman bungalow. We had the room we needed with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. We liked the exterior design and tiled front porch. Additionally, this home had the original hardwood floors, original glass doorknobs, and stylish arched entryways. And the front yard landscaping was very appealing with brick-edged front beds.”
When Laura finally saw their new home, she was struck by the home’s personality, sophistication, and charm.
“This home was full of rich history, curb appeal, and gorgeous renovations,” said Laura. “A charming front porch, an over-sized bonus room, and a spacious backyard with security gate across the driveway were just a few features we loved. In back there was a cozy screened-in porch with a beadboard ceiling and a wooden floor. Also, there was a hot tub, a large deck, and a detached garage.”
Matthew added, “Also, we appreciated that the house had lots of windows which allowed plentiful light. There was room for a home office, which had French doors leading to the porch. And a finished attic offered an abundance of storage.”
The charm of the Midtown house began to show itself as soon as the couple entered the front door. There was a small entryway that led to the front room/living room. There they found a
built-in niche and decorative radiator covers. Additionally, there was a wall centered by a fireplace with a tile surround and a wooden mantle with dentil molding trim. The kitchen had been updated to modern standards, with a
black-and-white color scheme. There was a subway tile backsplash, tiled floor and a peninsula that served as a breakfast bar. Open shelving and stainless steel appliances completed the renovation.
The bathrooms had also been renovated with new cabinetry and fixtures that were sympathetic to age of the home. The master bathroom featured a walk-in, glass shower. Upstairs, a carpeted bonus room provided an additional 650 square feet of living space— the perfect space for a yoga/art studio and a home theater.
“There were a few changes we planned for our new home,” continued Matthew. “We’re in the process of improving the fence and changing lighting fixtures. And, we plan to create environmentally friendly gardens in the backyard once the fence is complete.”
“We love our new neighborhood,” exclaimed Laura. “But, as much as we enjoy the craftsmanship of older homes, it is people who really tie it all together. We live on a well-established street with neighbors who know and look out for each other. Plus, we live near a V&E Greenline access point and are within biking distance to Overton Park, a number of restaurants, and the offerings of both Midtown and Downtown Memphis. We love all that Memphis has to offer and are grateful for our proximity to art galleries, theaters, farmers markets, shopping, and Rhodes College.”