1927 NE 16th Avenue - Description

1927 NE 16th Avenue
A Shingle Style Victorian Cottage and Irvington's Newest B&B

This "newest" lodging, the Painted Lady Bed and Breakfast Inn, in the Irvington neighborhood is, ironically, one of our oldest homes. During the bank panic of 1894-1897, demand for expensive home lots plummeted. Rather than slash the prices of lots, or split them into smaller parcels with less stringent quality restrictions, Irvington developers actually removed unsold lots from the market until the financial climate improved. Building screeched to a halt, and this lovely Victorian cottage, built for Jay A. Epping in 1894, was one of only 5 known houses to be built in Irvington during those years. By 1905, the boom was on again, but by that time these Victorian styles had gone out of favor, leaving these few as signposts of an earlier era.

The owner and Innkeeper had been a women's basketball coach for years before she decided it was time to go in this completely different direction. She has long been a fan of old homes and quickly fell in love with this one, despite the iridescent pink and blue wallpaper it wore when they first met. Restoring this home to it's full Victorian splendor proved to be an enormous and complicated task, but was clearly worth it. The spectacular wood and glass hall divider once again shines by the light of the fine original entry chandelier. The original Eastlake hardware remains throughout the upper floor. The parlor fireplace glows from within it's surround of fascinating Eastlake beveled and Japanese floral tile.

The innkeeper has evidently always had a keen eye. She spent much of her childhood in Iowa antiquing, and she remembers her family holding competitions each Christmas to see who had paid the least for a piece of Roseville pottery. Many of her fine early furniture, pottery and art finds now fill this wondrous house. You will also notice several contemporary paintings by the noted Persian-American artist Sabzi, whose vibrant colors freshen the rooms while harmonizing with all the varied elements. Each room has its own unique charm.

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