Its distinctive structure houses three levels, with some 4,200 sq.ft., with approximately 3,200 as living space.   Architecturally correct, you’ll roam through the 9 rooms (4 bedrooms), many of grand proportion.  Over a painstakingly 2.5 year renovation process, the property was undertaken to maintain its original glory, while adding seamless and luxurious modernizations.  These exceptional historic details include:

GROUND LEVEL: Rare solid wood period doors all with transoms - including thumb latch doors throughout the home, 11 foot ceilings, luxurious parlor room (previously used as an inviting formal dining room), dreamy grand social hall/entrance hall with large wooden beams, period couch and six-panel stained pocket doors.  The spacious kitchen includes some recently updated appliances, new portable dishwasher and boasts pine planks cut from the original owners’ family cabin property in South Dakota, hand built kitchen cabinets/décor (pencil marks and blue prints remain), plentiful pantry space boasting multi-square drawers.  A smoking room/porch is just outside the kitchen entrance.  The mud room (original kitchen) allows plenty of space for laundry, including a large coat closet with extra storage space.  Just adjacent the elegant staircase, the den/guest room, also includes original pine planks, but also hosts the oldest electrical light hanging, gold family crest light switches and decorative woodwork in its adjacent full bath. 

Typical of the era, there are a number of porches of various sizes, on all levels, including three ground level and three roof-top ‘porches’ with access from the interior windows.  All of the homes original built-in furnishings remain to suggest its opulence.

Like comparable houses of the period, the Strahan-Terry home is large, spacious, and almost over-scaled. The symmetrical elevations, exterior porches including the Master South porch, projecting cornice, and attention to detail set it apart.  It is in the richness of ornamentation, however, that this home excels. Everywhere one finds examples of elaboration and decoration which could have been left plain had the builder a lesser commitment to detail. At the same time, the effect is not overly busy: many interesting points.  Such detail can be found in the cornice, roof brackets, door woodwork, hinges, knobs and strike-plates, for example, which can be appreciated only at close range.

The exterior of the home has also received updates including a few cornice and eave replacements, due to weather.  The jutting cornice is supported by finely shaped brackets with pendent drops, 2 of which are in the home as decorative pieces, and are a must see up close!

The EXTERIOR GARDENS have likewise, been richly executed.  The Master South porch, once the front of the house, has now turned into the back yard, where a perching place overseeing the gardens and ponds, gives thanks to the privacy offered by the extensive wooden fence perimeter that blocks local traffic to the South and West.  This porch offers the perfect place for afternoon naps, morning coffee, or an evening of beverages with friends. 

The remainder of the yard lends the house an appropriately spacious setting. To the East, a row of nearly 60 trees blocks wind and provides privacy from distant neighbors.  The long stretch of grass provides plenty of play room for children or pets.  To the South of the house, overlooked by the Master Porch, are a unique blend of around-the-world grasses, that provide xeriscaped zero water technology, however lined with hoses for drought conditions.  The magnificent 20x20ft. pond proudly shows off 6 different type water-lilies (from Malvern’s local pond resource, Pondibilities), over 15 types of Koi and Shubunkin fish, 2 types of grasses and occasional frogs that come to visit.  All maintained with a 5,000 GPH pump, UV light pond scum remover, skimmer…all housed completely underground.  A fire pit (propane gas) is perfect for entertainment, or when the urge to cuddle or roasting marshmallows arises.  As expected with a yard of this magnitude, a life size ‘Checkers’ board allows for alternatives to mingling when hosting engagements.  Spotted throughout the south and west sides of the property are mature trees, providing shade and relaxing sounds all summer long.  The majority of the Southern yard has hidden drip water technology when needed, and is fully set up with electricity outlets and landscape lighting throughout the area for evening enjoyment.  To the North end of the property, adjacent the garages, lies the overly sized garden, providing organic vegetables in abundance. 

The combination of style, setting, preservation, and high visibility make the Strahan-Terry Estate an exceptional architectural and landscape resource.  All of this resides on the most desirable and beautiful street in Malvern lined with ancient trees, large homes and mansions…and is a perfect walk to downtown shops, grocers and accommodations.  Location is just the beginning of the perks this home has to offer!

You can also view the 12 minute walk through that was originally designed for selling the house, however we have decided not to.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izJdpmWXCis

Spence and Kimmy Terry

spencerterry@hotmail.com