1508 SCHOOL STREET | Tom Burnett
Sponsored by Slate Interiors
Sitting on my back porch at 1501 The Plaza, Tom often spotted his neighbor, Lawrence McRae, walking down School Street in his classic outfit: overalls, ball cap and boots.
They would chat about the weather, changes in the neighborhood and ailments. More often than not, Lawrence would end the conversation with “You know I’m the oldest, longest-living resident of Plaza Midwood. Mrs. Brinkhoff on The Plaza thinks she is, but I’m sure I must be!”
He had lived in the white bungalow with bright red trim on School Street, built in 1928, his whole life—and now, in his 90’s, probably had good claim to the title. Tom did not see Lawrence as often in 2014, and learned he had become ill, then passed.
Before long, white construction trucks and vans were teeming all over the house, beginning the renovation process. Tom learned that Fred Beasley of Equ2Vision Construction Co. had purchased the house, and as a “nosy” neighbor, he started poking around to see what changes they were planning.
Tom was coming to the end of his renovation project at his Plaza dream house, and was eager to have a smaller house and yard—but wanted to stay in the neighborhood he loved so much. 1508 School Street, with its transformation from a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1000 square foot house to a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1880 square foot house, completely upgraded and right down the street, seemed like a good fit. Knowing Lawrence and the love he had filled the house with for so many years sealed the deal for him.
The house has original windows, fireplace and hardwood floors. The addition maintains the integrity of the 1928 design with 4-over-1 windows, red oak hardwoods and 4-panel interior doors. Transforming his new house into his home has been great fun! The “personal” touches include: slate patio with firepit, fence with custom gates, screening in the porte-cochere, slate front steps and landing.
The new open kitchen design allowed for a large island with a hand-built African mahogany countertop. Tom’s love of stained glass is prominently on display, from the window over the kitchen sink, medallion in the guest bedroom and built-in windows flanking the fireplace. Several antique light fixtures and many of the furnishings from his Plaza house have found a new home here.