August House

Here’s an updated breakdown of August House, incorporating the oversized master bathroom and the basement filled with valuable old items:

Exterior Features:

• Architecture: Colonial Revival mixed with shingle-style, featuring weathered cedar shingles and white trim. The steeply pitched roof includes dormer windows and a widow’s walk.

• Wraparound Porch: The large, covered porch encircles two sides of the house, supported by slightly sagging columns. It offers plenty of room for outdoor seating, with views of the garden and sea beyond.

• Balcony: The small balcony off the master bedroom overlooks the garden, with rusting wrought iron railings.

Interior Layout:

1. Entrance Hall/Foyer:

   • Description: A grand entrance with original wood paneling, scuffed hardwood floors, and a large staircase leading to the second floor. The woodwork is intricate, but the polish has dulled from years of neglect.

2. Living Room (Great Room):

   • Description: A spacious room with a large stone fireplace and bay windows looking out toward the overgrown garden. The furniture is still covered in old dust sheets, and the hardwood floors are scratched and faded.

3. Formal Dining Room:

   • Description: Features a long dining table surrounded by worn chairs. The built-in cabinets still display some antique china. French doors lead out to a small stone patio, and a chandelier hangs, though dimmed with age.

4. Library/Study:

   • Description: The study is filled with towering bookshelves and old, dusty volumes. A small fireplace adds character to the room, along with large windows overlooking the garden. A desk in the corner and a few scattered chairs make it a cozy, if worn, retreat.

5. Kitchen:

   • Description: The kitchen was modernized in the 1990s, with granite countertops, a kitchen island, and stainless-steel appliances. There’s a breakfast nook by the bay window, with an original pantry still intact. Despite its upgrades, the kitchen feels dated due to years of neglect.

6. Master Bedroom (Second Floor):

   • Description: The master bedroom is the largest room in the house, with a four-poster bed, an antique dresser, and large windows that provide a view of the sea. A private balcony adds charm, though the railings are rusting.

   • Oversized En-Suite Bathroom:

     • Features: The en-suite is expansive, with a clawfoot tub positioned near a large window, offering views of the ocean. A walk-in shower features glass doors and multiple shower heads. Dual vanities with marble countertops stretch along one wall, while a separate vanity corner provides space for dressing. A heated towel rack, built-in shelves for linen storage, and a private water closet complete the room. There is also a large walk-in closet attached to the bathroom, though it has been unused for years and smells faintly of must.

     • Notable Features: The bathroom, though luxurious, has been neglected, with tarnished fixtures and grime on the glass, but the potential for grandeur remains.

7. Guest Bedroom (Second Floor):

   • Description: A mid-sized room with large windows facing the garden. It has a simple, antique double bed, a small wardrobe, and a writing desk. The room shares access to the hallway bathroom.

8. Study/Third Bedroom (Second Floor):

   • Description: This room serves as either a study or a third bedroom. It has built-in shelves, a small desk, and a closet, making it flexible. It also shares access to the hallway bathroom.

Bathrooms:

1. Master En-Suite Bathroom (Second Floor):

   • Oversized features: Clawfoot tub, large walk-in shower with multiple heads, dual vanities, heated towel rack, built-in linen storage, a separate dressing area, and a large walk-in closet.

2. Shared Hallway Bathroom (Second Floor):

   • Description: This bathroom serves the guest bedroom and study, with original hexagonal floor tiles, a pedestal sink, and a shower-tub combo.

3. Additional Guest Bathroom (Second Floor):

   • Description: Added during the 1990s renovation, this bathroom features a standing shower, modern fixtures, and a small vanity. It’s located near the guest bedroom and provides extra access for visitors.

4. Powder Room (First Floor):

   • Description: A small half-bath near the dining room with basic fixtures—a pedestal sink, toilet, and wallpaper that’s peeling in some areas.

Other Features:

• Covered Porch: A large, covered porch runs along two sides of the house, with space for outdoor seating or dining. It offers views of both the front and side gardens, though the paint is peeling, and the floorboards creak.

• Basement: The basement is a treasure trove of old furniture, antiques, and other valuable items, though much of it is covered in dust and cobwebs. There are old wooden dressers, faded tapestries, and crates filled with vintage china and art. Among the clutter are forgotten family heirlooms and artifacts, some with significant value. The basement also contains some outdated utilities, but it’s dry and structurally sound.

• Attic: The attic is a large, unfinished space with wooden beams and dormer windows that let in faint light. It’s mostly used for storage, with trunks, old books, and some miscellaneous items from past generations. The space is dusty but holds some hidden gems.

• Carriage House/Garage: The small detached carriage house was once used to store carriages or tools and now serves as a storage shed or small garage. It’s rustic and worn but still structurally sound, offering extra space for storage or a potential workshop.

August House remains a grand but neglected property, filled with the remnants of its past life. The oversized master bathroom and the basement brimming with valuable antiques provide unique elements that highlight both the house’s potential and its long-standing history.