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Wednesday,
July 20, 1988
LIFESTYLES
SECTION
C
By JUNE BALLARD
Herald Correspondent
Three years ago Larry and Bernice Chappell
purchased the old house beside Kings Mountain
Farm Center on Battleground Avenue.
Formerly from Upland, California, Larry works
in management at Freightliner in Mount Holly and
they chose to live in Kings Mountain because it
reminded them of Upland.
When the purchase was made, it was obvious
that much work would be required to remodel to
their specifications. Neither felt comfortable with
their restoration knowledge and enrolled in an Old
House Restoration Course at Central Piedmont
Community College in Charlotte.
Although a lot of restoration work is yet to be
done, the Chappells moved in on Memorial Day,
leaving most of their furniture in storage.
The house contains 3600 square feet and stands
on approximately one acre of land. Bernice said
that the house had stood unoccupied for four years,
except for quite a few squirrels.
The house was constructed orginally in 1883 and
was remodeled in 1910 by Hugh Parks Allison. The
owners prior to Chappells were Ed and Eloise
Smith. Mrs. Smith is the granddaughter of Mr.
Allison.
Larry and Bernice spend their weekends and
vacations working on remodeling the house. Ber-
nice is the painter, paint stripper, and wall paper
installer. Larry is the carpenter, electrician, and
plumber. One major project was the installation of
a gas forced heating system, both upstairs and
downstairs. Included as well was air conditioning.
The exterior is painted a dusty rose color with
Heather gray trim and cottage red accents. (Trim
lines around doors and windows.)
The interior features the original hard pine
floors throughout.
The finished portion of the first floor includes a
large functional kitchen. Kitchen cabinets came
from the United Methodist Church in Gastonia and
feature glass front doors. The original sink is being
utilized. Overhead in the kitchen is a fascinating
reproduction of an 1800 century ceiling, and like so
many other things throughout the house, has
undergone a painstaking reproduction process to
create an original replica of that era. The im-
pressive ceiling fan is also a reproduction of an
earlier era.
The delightful Victorian bathroom contains the
original tub and features colors of blue and mauve.
The sink has been restored and reglazed.
Unfinished rooms downstairs include the
parlour, dining room, library, .greatroom, sun
room, and breakfast room. The library has an
original mahogany breakfront fratwood cabinet.
The door leading into the library is a sliding pocket
door which Larry is planning to return to its
original look. The breakfast room and sunroom
will be built leading off of the kitchen. A garage is
also in their future plans.
Larry and Bernice hope to use the original
spindles on the stairs. As we ascend the stairs, we
find a spacious living area on the second level.
Adella Robertson, Bernice’s 14-year-old daughter,
A i.
ORIGINAL STAIN GLASS AND A REPLICA BY
NORMAN BLANTON ‘DECORATE MASTER REDROOM
has a large bedroom on this floor, overlooking
Gold Street. Her furniture is a mixture of tropical
and antique styles. The mantel in this room is
among the oldest in the house. Adella will be atten-
ding Kings Mountain Senior High School this fall.
A large dressing room and bath combination is,
according to Bernice, primarily her room. The
wallpaper is an 1880 reproduction in colors of
Bradberry peach and cream and the paneling was
obtained from an old bank. To the left of this room
is what was once called a truck room. Currently it
is a utility room with a washer and dryer and a
large built-in closet. To the right of the dressing
room is a den, study, and sewing room combina-
tion. A large painting of Larry’s mother’s home in
Upton, California highlights one of the walls. Both
walls of windows are covered by awnings. The col-
ors of green and blue set the room off and makes
one feel a part of bygone days.
In the hall adjacent to the den is a built-in ironing
board, not necessarily from a bygone era, but a
necessary addition to the Chappell home. The hall
is decorated with forest green and rose wallpaper.
When the carpet is installed, most of it will be
forest green.
The master bedroom is certainly one of the more
beautiful rooms in the house. This is the Chappell’s
Lilac room. The wallpaper is lilac blooms with
moss green on a black background. This room
originally contained a large stained glass window.
Norman Blanton produced another to match so
perfectly that it is almost impossible to distinguish
it from the original. The cherry mantle was pur-
chased approximately seven years ago and match-
ed perfectly with the original hardwood. The fur-
niture here including an elegant brass bed is 18th
Century. A large antique vase filled with lilacs oc-
cupied a prominent place on the dresser.
Adjoining the master bedroom is the master
bathroom. Contained here is an extra large shower
and Larry states that this is his bathroom.
Another bedroom is included here on the second
level, Aimme Robertson, Bernice’s oldest
daughter, will be visiting from Upton, California
soon and will be spending time inthis room.
Aimme celebrated her 17th birthday July 7th.
Another welcomed visitor would be Larry’s son,
Tommy. Tommy and Mary Chappell reside in
California.
We have been invited to return someday and
report on “‘the finished product”. :
It is obvious that if the restoration process con-
-finues as in the past, this house will surely become
a Queen Anne Victorian Showplace!
BEDROOM OF THE HOME SETS THE THEME
FOR THE MOTIF OF THE CHAPPELL HOME
BERNICE CHAPPELL SHOWS OFF STAINED
GLASS WINDOWS IN HER BEAUTIFUL HOME
STAINED GLASS PIECES ARE FEATURED
THROUGHOUT THE CHAPPELL HOME
ok ee Ge
QUEEN ANNE VI
S. BATTLEGROUND AVENUE
CTORIAN
....home of Larry and Bernice Chappell
SHOWPLACE ON
Photos By D. Griggs