Mary and Layne Clark purchased their home at 2336 North Aspen Dr. in 2010 from Tom and JoAnn Miller, who had lived there since 1977.
“We bought the home in June of 2010 and moved in December of 2010. We started remodeling it as soon as we moved in, and it’s been a nine-year project,” said Layne Clark.
“It’s almost complete. We are just waiting on some minor stuff on the outside, we’re pretty much through with the inside.”
“Layne has done most of the remodeling in the house,” said Mary. “He layed the flooring in the kitchen, he did the stone-work and everything.”
The extensive renovations included removing four walls to create an open floor plan and refacing the fireplace.
The fireplace was originally spread across the entire wall with brick. Mr. Clark shortened the face of the fireplace and installed new stone, replacing the old brick to modernize the look of it.
In March 2018, an addition was built which included a new master bathroom and bath, a covered patio with a gas fire pit and a double-car garage.
In March 2019, they removed the old master bedroom, bathroom and closet and turned it into their new family room.
Other renovations have included a complete new kitchen, bathrooms, and new doors and windows.
They also raised the ceilings in the home with exposed hand-hewn beam trusses with reclaimed wood from barns in Wisconsin throughout the house and patio.
“We purchased a trailer-load of barn beams,” said Layne. “They are probably about 150 to 175 years old. They were all done with an axe, a draw knife and a hand drill.”
They added a stain to the newly-installed wooden beams to preserve them.
The Clarks commented on the finishing touches they are hoping to make on the outside of the home.
“We need to do more yard work, replace our fence and possibly lime-wash the brick,” said Layne.
Mary Clark has been working on Christmas decorations for her home for a month now in anticipation for the couple’s first Christmas Tour of Homes in December.
“I started (decorating) the Nov. 1,” said Mary. “I will probably even make a few more changes before they come and tour the home.”
Although Layne is ready for the Christmas Tour, Mary expressed a bit of nervousness.
“You want everything to be just so,” said Mary, who wants her decorations to be ship-shape in time for their visitors.
Mary spoke on her theme for Chistmas decorations, or rather, her non-theme.
“We have our own style. I’m what I guess you would call ‘eclectic.’ I’m not (interested) in any one set theme,” Mary said.
“I like a little bit of rustic with some glitz, but not too much. I usually just go with a little bit of everything. If I find it and really like it, that’s what I go with.
“I don’t really have a set ‘color theme’. This year I did more red and black plaids, because I like plaids for Christmas.”
The Clarks have a total of nine Christmas trees throughout their home, front porch and back patio. The stockings hanging from the fireplace are beautifully made and have different fur patterns on each one.
They have Christmas-themed tableware and centerpieces, complete with a matching miniature table for their grandchildren to sit at.
The front of their home is decorated with bells, wreaths and festive pillows on the porch furniture.
The pictures won’t do justice to the beauty of the home’s renovations and Christmas decorations, so make sure to purchase your ticket for the 24th annual Christmas Tour of Homes scheduled on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in any of the homes in the tour or from any member of the Twentieth Century Cotillion Study Club and are $10 each. All proceeds will benefit The Opportunity Plan, Inc.
Homes on the list for the Christmas Tour of Homes are:
• The Jeff Clark Home at 2705 Chaumont
• The Chuck Morgan Home at 2320 Dogwood
• The Layne Clark Home at 2336 Aspen
The Clark family would like to extend their wishes to all for a “wonderful and blessed Christmas.”
* Photos by Miranda Ellis
