As the first structure to be built in the Golden Hill Historic District, the Parry Mansion is a valued architectural treasure in Indianapolis. Originally built by David M. Parry in 1904, the Gatsby-like home features a highly stylized design. Over 20,000 square feet, the home has eight bedrooms and ten bathrooms. The vacant building had fallen into disrepair and was becoming a concern for both its neighbors and local historic home-lovers. In 2012, Jerico Properites, an experienced restorer of these old structures, purchased the property and began bringing it back to its glory days.
From Well-Worn 1900s to Grand 2015
We were honored to be recommended for the project as specialty carpenters with a reputation of providing innovative ideas to solve difficult problems. The contractor stayed true to period design by research and studying old photos of the home to ensure the style was kept within the period. This dedication to the original design meant that the room-by-room renovation faced many challenges. We fell in love with the house immediately, and were excited to work throughout the house . However, the conservatory was the most fun.
The conservatory was one of the last rooms in the renovation project and was in pretty bad shape. Our task was to refurbish the large set of windows, an original set of french doors, and an alcove area. There had been a lot of water damage to the plaster, leaving few clues to the original design of the millwork. No pictures existed of what the conservatory looked like in the early 1900s. We worked closely with John to research the design elements popular at that time. Once we knew the look he was going for, it was our job to create the design for the columns and alcove trim, while ensuring they were functional within the space and construction constraints.
The project took about a month to complete. We used poplar wood to recreate beams that had originally been plaster to provide a more stable medium for construction. Fortunately, we had the specialty tools needed to create the unique features of the conservatory. However, we had to create our own process to build the curves needed for the windows. After drawing a template of the existing arches, we created a mold from which we would shape the trim. We used a steam-bending chamber to moisten the trim to make it pliable. This heated trim was bent over the molds and cooled to form. Is there anything more fun for an engineer/woodworker?
We thoroughly enjoyed being a part of a team of highly skilled craftsmen, restoring a historical building to its original glory. We met the challenges that arose with a problem-solving and creative attitude – just like we do for every Marvelous Woodworking project.
Questions about this renovation? Send us an email or give us a call at 317.679.5890.
