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The
Fliehman Home, 8314 St. Rt. 121 North, combines a contemporary feeling
inside to
a home with over a hundred years of history.
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Darke County League of Women Voters
Tour of Homes
scheduled for Sept. 23
This year’s Tour of Homes 2012 sponsored by the League of Women Voters
of Darke County is scheduled for Sunday, September 23 from 1 to 5 p.m.
and promises to be one of the best yet. The three beautiful homes
include contemporary. country, and classic designs. These home
tours raise funds for informational programs and materials that are
offered free to the public.
Featuring the homes of Kelly and Travis Fliehman, Ann Willis and Fran
and Richard Nord, tickets are now on sale for $10.00 at Ann’s gifts,
Brenda’s Beanery, Montage, The Bistro off Broadway, The Coffee Pot, The
Flower Patch, The Ivy League, and Tropical Isle. On the day of
the tour, tickets will be on sale for $12.00 at the door of the first
home visited. Children under 5 are admitted free.
The Fliehman home at 8314 St. Rt 121 (N) is a combination of 19th
century architecture and twenty first century innovation. Standing
majestically at the end of a tree-lined lane, it is both a home and a
business to the family. From the front entrance, which
opens to a waiting area and offices, the living area is reached by
following a hallway to the newer section of the house revealing a
bright great room with a contemporary feel. Along one brick wall
is the fireplace with a huge wrought iron clock hanging above it.
The great room opens into an airy kitchen and a dining room with crown
molding. From the kitchen window the landscaped lawn, pool and pool
house are clearly visible, making it easy to imagine children at
play. A lovely year-round sunroom and patio give even more access
to outdoor living.
In the great room is a staircase that goes up to a balcony leading to
two large bedrooms, including the Master, which has his and her walk-in
closets and an attached bath with a Jacuzzi. There are three
additional bedrooms in the business area of the home. Tastefully
decorated throughout, this home also has Italian-tiles that extend from
a hallway into a laundry room, which is larger than most kitchens.
The Willis home at 6100 Routzong Road is a Bed and Breakfast called Art
Junction - - aptly named because of Ann’s artistic talent and
willingness to work hard to make her old farm house of yesterday into
her dream home of today. Built in 1893, she has replaced its
original floors with reclaimed Hemlock, has added a fireplace and has
recycled used furniture into masterpieces of color and charm that
compliment her many antique pieces.
From the first-floor rooms where she lives to the second-floor area
where tourists stay, her entire home has been refurbished and
redecorated to take advantage of every inch of space, including a
unique tiled shower on the first floor that has been cleverly
constructed and concealed beneath a staircase. There is also a
claw-foot tub in the upper bathroom that invites a leisurely bath..
Other outstanding features of this home are one open and one enclosed
porch, where guests can sit and enjoy the rural countryside. A
short distance from the home is a barn which Anne has converted into a
studio “get away” for guests who want more privacy. A bedroom
loft overlooks the living room and kitchenette with Ann’s artistic
influence everywhere in the décor. The barn sets next to the
stone foundation of what was once a larger bank barn. Although the area
is already used for parties, Ann, whose hobby is country-western
dancing, has a long-term plan for a dance floor to be installed where
hay wagons and tractors once stood.
The Nord home at 6811 U.S. 36 (E) is as elegant as it is practical with
over 8,000 feet of living space. Located back from the highway on a
gentle knoll, it overlooks a small lake. Having worked with the
architect on design ideas, the Nords say they wanted to incorporate
front pillars, a steep roof line, several gables, a large overhang and
high inside ceilings in this home. Built on two levels with the main
living space on the upper and the recreational areas on the lower, the
home is constructed to capture wonderful light and views even when the
blinds are pulled. Although the house is filled with
gorgeous traditional furniture, antiques and paintings as well as a
number of whimsical touches, including window seats, it nevertheless
has the latest in contemporary kitchens and bathrooms as well as
mechanical equipment, which the Nords have incorporated for convenience
and comfort.
Descending the stairs to the lower level of the home is like
entering a vacation resort with over 5000square feet of most everything
a family needs for fun and entertainment. In fact, the Nords call it
their Florida House in Ohio. From a large family room complete
with its own kitchenette and large-screen TV to two guest bedrooms and
a fully equipped exercise room, it extends to other rooms that offer
everything from a pool table, dart board, table tennis, and
music Best of all is an indoor, heated pool with an
automatic pool cover and walls that are a hand-painted mural of the
coast of Maine completely surrounding it. The mural depicts the
ocean and the rocky shore where the Portland Lighthouse stands - - all
reminding Fran of Maine, where she grew up. Built at ground level to
take advantage of the natural slope of the land to the north, it has
its own entrance and exit onto a slate-tile patio and a beautiful
waterfall area.
Visitors will be well rewarded by the styles, decors and personal
touches that make each of these homes offers for the LWV 2012 Tour of
Homes.
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An
inviting fireplace is the focal point of the Fleihman great room.
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The
American flag is reflected in the window of the Nord Home, 6811 U.S.
36, a
home incorporating innovative ideas with tradition.
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The
relaxing overlook of countryside invites visitors at the Nords to
choose a comfortable
chair and enjoy some leisurely moments.
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Anne
Willis' Country Home, 6100 Routzong Road, has used her artistic talents
to create
a beautiful country bed and breakfast get-away.
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Amid
all the artistic touches in Anne Willis' guest bathroom, a visitor
would be tempted to relax in her body-fitting tub.
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