908 Princess Street
Elizabeth Neiner
In a sea of Federal-style homes, this Italianate beauty exudes a “come hither” look.
The lively yellow-green façade makes this home a colorful oasis in an urban neighborhood. The wisdom of crowds selected the color: passersby were asked by the owner, to vote on their preference for the blue or green swatches painted on the side of the house—or if she should stick with red brick. According to owner Elizabeth Neiner, “it was pretty unanimous.” Balancing the bright green color is the grey-and-white checkerboard ornamentation—a rare feature in Old Town—that provides a touch of quirkiness. The dentils above the front door, the eyebrow arches over the windows, and the brackets decorating the cornice are all accented with grey, lending a sense of depth and texture. The triangular gable is the crowning touch, adding interest to the roofline.
Elizabeth bought this home in the Parker-Gray neighborhood twenty-two years ago and gutted the house (built between 1896-1902), exposed the brick, and transformed a Victorian-era home into a contemporary space. Sleek lines, organic curves, and functionality prevail, yet the minimalist décor is punctuated with fetching accoutrements, such as a Turkish chandelier lamp and antique mail sorting box from Italy.
Hiding behind the house may be the most covetable carriage house in Old Town. Its inauspicious beginning as a cinderblock workshop, with a five-bay garage, has mostly been erased, and the building transformed into a charming, airy, terraced two-story guest house from which visitors, once happily ensconced, may have to be pried out.