The James Clow house was built in 1865 and it is still standing in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island. This two and a half storey second empire house is pretty impressive and eye catching sitting directly in front of you as you drive down the road. In 1865 the house was smaller and less elaborate. No turrets or look out. In 1909 James Clow’s son Benjamin added the incredible victorian detail you see now.
Alexander Finlay of Sturgeon and his son were hired to add the two corner bays with conical roofs, an interconnecting balcony with balustrade, gingerbread decoration and central mansard-roofed turret. That is also when they added the flat roofed wing of the house.
There were about 7 buildings on the property. James and his wife Lucy ran the general store which they later passed on to their son Benjamin.
On June 28, 2011 the Clow house was registered as a historical site.
To this day the house is vacant. It sits empty waiting to be brought back to its former glory. The house has chipped paint, broken windows and mossy front steps. It is cold and mouldy and beginning the early stages of crumbling. On the inside of the house is the original details of crown moulding, high baseboards, wall paper and a gorgeous set of stairs. It has green 60’s sinks, tubs and toilets. The fire places are double-sided and beautiful however, the two kitchens leave nothing to be desired.
Looking at the potential this house has you can’t help but imagine what the inside use to look like in the early 1900’s. Dark heavy fabrics, elegant floral wall papers, and rich wood detail. My mind starts to picture what this house could look like if I ever got my hands on it.
The eat-in kitchen would have medium tone wood cabinets with glass doors, butcher block island and quartz countertops. Beautiful curtains around the bay window with a round table and chairs.
Each bedroom would have its own bathroom for some added luxury. In each bathroom there would be double faucet sinks, claw foot tubs, three-fold mirrors, and a pendant light. The bedrooms would be warm and inviting with crisp cream coloured linens, a chandelier and elegant curtains.
The formal living room and dining room would have much of the original charm. Crown moulding, restored hardwood floors, victorian inspired couch and chairs and some oil paintings in thick gold toned frames. I would add some beautiful tall wainscoting in the dining room with a floral inspired wall paper.
On the exterior of the house I would sand and paint the wood siding, power wash the mossy front porch, add a new roof with cedar shakes around the bay windows and look-out.
New landscaping, sunroom and a couple outdoor sitting areas in the shade to relax.
This would be a dream project. Much larger than the one I’ve taken on in my current house. This house would be from the ground up and a full gut. But the work in the end would be SO worth it. It would be so rewarding to bring a historical house back to life.
🙂
———- The photos for inspiration are from Google search. I do not take credit for any of the pictures. I simply love the look of them. ———
My Country Farmhouse 