Renovating an old friend

Mark Dobson has come home again – and he brought his family with him.

The Dobson family of four, plus one dog, one cat and a fish, moved into their turn-of-the-century home in July 2005. “Mark grew up just down the street,” said his wife, Kathryn. “He lived in this house for a time when he was 16 to help care for the elderly woman who owned it,” she said. So, when Dobson and his wife heard it was on the market they snapped it up.

Located within walking distance of the Spokane River and Finch Arboretum, the home, built in 1904, sits on a half-acre lot.

An original light fixture hangs in the wood-beamed entryway. Originally, the windows flanking the glass-paned front door offered little privacy but Kathryn found a solution. She covered the glass with a static cling translucent film in a colorful floral pattern, giving the windows the appearance of stained glass.

Hardwood floors lead to a spacious living room dominated by a large fireplace. The Dobsons painted the walls a deep burgundy, which warms the room and complements the soft beige of a contrasting wall.

French doors open to Mark Dobson’s former bedroom, now the family dining room. Windows draped in ivory beaded sheer curtains offer beautiful views of both the Spokane River and Mount Spokane. A leaf-patterned carpet just matches the deep green of the walls.

“The carpet is the same as one found in the St. Cloud apartments,” Kathryn Dobson said.

The most extensive changes have been made in the kitchen. The couple made the most out the 8-by-8 room by moving the refrigerator to the breakfast nook and replacing the old glass- fronted cupboards with custom- made cabinets. This U-shaped design maximizes the space. Plum- colored laminate countertops add a splash of vibrant color.

A charming window seat in the breakfast nook needed some attention. Kathryn’s mother recovered the cushion with burgundy fabric and the couple added a pub-style table with matching stools. A beaded chandelier gives old-world elegance to the newly remodeled room.

Kathryn Dobson is delighted with the results. “Having all this counter and storage space is amazing,” she said.

Eleven-year-old Katelyn Dobson has her own opinion about what’s to love in their new house. “I like my room the best!” she said.

A pocket door in the kitchen slides open to reveal a set of stairs leading to the second story. Katelyn’s bedroom with its brightly painted tangerine and raspberry walls enlivens the upstairs. The sloped ceilings add to the coziness of the room, with the bed tucked under an alcove window.

The family is enjoying the neighborhood.

“I like the secluded location,” Kathryn said of the quiet cul de sac. “And the views are so beautiful, especially in the summer.”

But it’s the history of the home that charms her the most.

“A lot of the neighbors who watched Mark grow up are still here in the neighborhood,” she said.

And now they can watch his children grow.