This suburban ranch radiates with low wattage and nary an inflatable in sight.
Story by Gloria Gale / Photography by Matt Kocourek
Lorrie McEachern, a self-proclaimed city girl, once relished the buzz of urban living.
Years passed and suddenly she found herself outgrowing her Midtown bungalow and decided it was time to see what was beyond the concrete. “Besides, I’ve never had a garage. It would be nice to have one with a home attached!” she reflects.
a burb with verve
So began her adventure to find a home with just the right fit. “I was ready for a low maintenance house like a ranch. Even better, one settled into a neighborhood with blocks of houses not just busy main streets hemming me in.”
When a tidy ranch on a corner lot in Prairie Village beckoned, McEachern jumped. This was an opportune move that checked all the boxes; a not too big, not too small, 1,100 square foot cottage – all vital systems intact – even a single car garage that came with the house!
McEachern was excited anticipating how her world would open in this house with an easy pedigree.
cottage style – evolved and unadorned
Fast forward to the present. McEachern has curated her home with a deliberate style scrutinized with care. When the Christmas season descends with fanfare, McEachern starts contemplating.
“If I had to put a name on my style of decorating for the holiday, it would be one of collections with a storied past Everything on display is handmade, folk art or antique. There’s no fluff, no tinsel, there’s hardly anything with glitz.”
welcome home
A small entry indicative of the home’s 50-year old vintage, opens onto the living room.
“Since it’s the main room in the house, it already had a cottage feel so I just embellished the white wall palette with simple furnishings and lots of art.”
This room is a gathering space that’s dressed with a gently patterened wool rug and a neutral chenille sofa. In one corner it’s easy to imagine cozening up in a comfy, overstuffed chair with Willow, the resident kitty in your lap.
Keeping with the less-is-more approach, noticeably absent is one big tree stealing all the seasonal attention. Instead, an antique table topped with a small forest of feather trees and Americana farm primitives surrounded by antique toys makes this living room tableau one to study.
Nearby McEachern’s prized wooden armoire carved in ‘Tramp’ style is topped with an enviable antique tin trunk. Much to her delight, “I opened the trunk and it was papered with valentines…surprise, surprise!”
It’s natural that the white brick fireplace is one of the room’s focal points. Surrounding the hearth, a swath of green garland sits on a cedar mantle – nothing fancy but eye-catching none the less. Tucked within the greens is a handmade Santa; a gift from McEachern’s mom.
“Speaking of my mom, she’s 95 and considers herself a folk artist.”
Among other holiday items, she made the stockings hung by the fireplace. They’re perfect examples of scraps pieced and stitched to create a loving heirloom. “I use them every year although I stuff them with different toys.” This year out pokes a small sock monkey, candy canes and various greenery.
nostalgia personified
Artist made decor continues into the airy dining room. “I’m such a softy for the old-fashioned – I had to have this carved wooden horse resting in the corner.” If it doesn’t steal all the attention, an oak library table topped with a one-of-a-kind candelabra will.
Then again, it could be the 3-foot tall tree decorated with tiny, antique ornaments and icicle trim that will turn your head.
Although the home was livable from the moment McEachern moved in she decided a renovation was in order. “I only started the project after I’d lived here 2 years,” she admits.
Along with her contractor, Garry Calvin, the two collaborated on blueprints to expand the basement in to livable space.
What followed was an extensive remodel: a bedroom, full bath, and family room.
In time, more renovations upstairs followed re-configuring the kitchen, adding a master suite, upgrading a hall bathroom, and finally building a two-car garage. “My collections of decorating ideas came in handy, I pulled together everything to make this home more roomy. Now that the work is done, I figured that was enough. But I’m glad I did it.”
Even in the lower level family room McEachern hasn’t forgotten the season. In one corner a toy wagon pulls yule tide goodies. In another corner a Santa dressed in patriotic garb leaves no doubt it’s holiday time all over her house.
Reflection of times passed is lovingly on display in this suburban cottage – simple, quiet and charming.
