Found this c. 1900 Iowa house for $249k that still has all its original woodwork
If you love old houses that haven’t been ruined by cheap modern flips, you need to see this one in Council Bluffs. It was built in 1900, is listed for $249,000, and retains almost every single piece of its original character.
Out on the porch
The porch is massive and wraps around the front of the house, immediately setting the tone before you even cross the threshold.
It has a great presence on the street, framed by old trees and sitting on a brick-paved driveway.
The columns are grouped in threes at the corners, which is a really cool detail you don’t see often.
There is even an old metal glider out here where you can imagine sitting on a quiet summer evening.
Inside the front door
Walking through the front door feels like stepping backward in time, complete with vintage wallpaper and a hanging mirror coat rack.
The hardware on the door is completely original, featuring a highly detailed brass plate and a cut-glass knob.
The foyer and stairs
The staircase is the real showstopper of the entry hall, built with massive oak posts and delicate balusters.
The storage closet tucked under the stairs is stupidly clever and blends right into the wood paneling.
Giant pocket doors slide open to connect the entryway to the primary living spaces.
The parlor fireplace
The main living room features fluted columns on wooden pedestals acting as a divider between spaces.
Inside, there is a giant painted landscape on the wall and an incredibly ornate fireplace surround.
The fireplace is framed by built-in leaded glass cabinets on either side to hold family heirlooms.
The cast iron insert on the fireplace has some of the most intricate detailing I have ever seen.
The dining room hutch
The dining room is massive and centers around a built-in sideboard made of quarter-sawn oak.
Above the hutch mirror, a previous family member who was an artist hand-painted a little landscape mural.
The woodwork here has never been painted, which is a miracle considering how many of these get ruined.
There is plenty of space for a massive dining table, making it perfect for hosting big gatherings.
The landing window
As you head up the stairs, the landing features a beautiful leaded glass window with a rounded top.
The glass is beveled and catches the light beautifully throughout the day.
Woodwork details
The house still has its original picture rails running along the top of the plaster walls.
It is so cool to see the actual metal hooks still in place, saving the plaster from nail holes.
Even the door headers have this heavy, layered molding that you just cannot buy at a modern hardware store.
The missing kitchen
Here is the project: the kitchen was completely removed, leaving a totally blank space for you to design from scratch.
It has an exposed brick chimney column that would look incredible if you built the new kitchen around it.
The upstairs rooms
Upstairs, the bedrooms are filled with old-fashioned floral wallpaper and solid wood doors.
Many of the rooms still have their original painted wood floors.
This bedroom has a nice bay window area that lets in tons of natural light.
The built-in closets and drawers still have their original hardware.
Even the smaller bedrooms have great proportions and original windows.
Small details like the fluted crystal doorknobs on the bedroom doors have survived intact.
There are even some old push-button light switches still on the walls.
The sleeping porch
One of the coolest parts of the second floor is this enclosed sleeping porch with beadboard walls.
It has windows on three sides, making it a great spot for a morning coffee or a home office.
The ceiling is painted a classic light blue, just like the old porches down south.
The bathroom
The single bathroom features a classic clawfoot tub and a simple pedestal sink.
The massive attic
The attic is completely unfinished but shows off the incredible structural bones of the roof.
There is enough space up here to create an incredible main suite or a massive studio.
Down in the basement
The basement is dry and features solid brick foundation walls that look very sturdy.
It looks like the mechanical systems have been kept up to date, including the ductwork.
There is even an old bicycle storage corner against the masonry wall.
A massive wooden workbench is already set up for whatever projects you want to tackle.
The water heater is a modern unit, so you won’t have to worry about replacing that anytime soon.
The backyard
From the back, you can see how the sleeping porch cantilever overhangs the rear entrance.
There is a small yard space with some historic brick piles that would be perfect for building a patio.
