Property Type: Residential
Neighborhood: North End  |  County: Ada  |  Building Status: Private  |  Architectural Style: Queen Anne
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This Victorian style house was originally built in 1912, which was in the earlier years of Boise’s North End. Thanks to Eva Kean who remodeled the house in 2001, the house looks updated and lively. Her inspiration to remodel the house came from the surprisingly big lot that separated itself from surrounding lots of the area.

When Eva Kean remodeled the house she explained that this house underwent a complete transformation. Originally, the house was much smaller than it is to this day. The floor plan experienced a complete change fit for a more modern way of living (after all it was built in 1912). The remodeling was done to allow more connections between the original rooms and the new rooms.

The lot also had enough room for a complete addition of a separate garage for additional space. Notably because of the size of the lot, the house had also been given a wrap-around porch custom to fit. After all, the house was exposed to a complete transition inside and out. In the end, this wonderful house and its attributes can give a hand to the head of the remodeling, Eva Kean.The architecture of this house is Victorian, with a significant modern undertone. It forsakes the intricate ornamentation that is readily apparent in most Victorian houses, and instead takes a more practical approach, which is characteristic of modern architecture. A definite indicator of Queen Anne architecture is the wrap-around porch, which is shadowed by an overhanging roof. The roof is supported by neo-classical columns jutting from the porch. These columns also support the awning above the back deck, and along with the roof and porch, serve a major role in keeping Queen Anne architecture from being overshadowed.

Two other key characteristics of Victorian architecture are the white trim and bay window. Almost every Victorian house processes a bay window, and the bold trim showcases the architectural elements that may otherwise remain unnoticed. The current owners of the house bought the house from Kean in 2003.

The two aspects of the house that attracted them were the location and the layout. Having lived in the area, they wanted to stay in the North End when they moved. They found this house on 12th St., and were only a short drive from downtown. The layout was also a benefit.

The kitchen is a perfect example of the modern floor plan that Kean built into the house. Multiple windows surround the large room, which has marble countertops and an island. The kitchen opens up into a den area, and both of those areas connect to the dining and living rooms. In addition, the living room was built with a fireplace. Victorian houses that were built in the 19th and 20th centuries did not need fireplaces for heating as wood stoves had taken their place. However, it was added to keep with the modern theme that runs throughout the house.

There are a few inconsistencies in the house, notably its departure from the main architectural theme and its location relative to the surrounding houses. As stated before, the architecture featured in the house is Victorian integrated with some modern architecture. The base of the house is made of concrete, which is characteristic of many craftsman bungalows.

Craftsman architecture is also seen in the deck. It is constructed completely out of rafters, which are usually not visible in Victorian-style houses. The irony is that simple craftsman architecture was an antithesis to the elaborate Victorian architecture, yet both styles are seen in this house. Secondly, the house is also situated somewhat differently than the houses surrounding it. The front of the house is actually too close to the curb, and violates government regulations.

The owners don’t mind, however. The violation is permitted given the construction date, and the space in the front is made up in the back. The yard behind the house is much larger than that of the yards of its neighbors, which is the reason that a garage and upper room could be built on the same one-fifth of an acre.