Approaching the house, note the elaborately carved gable on the façade.  On the first floor, one can see from the sunroom on one end to the breakfast room on the other end, creating unusual openness, perfect for entertaining.  The living room, with its enormous carved fireplace and mahogany woodwork, is acoustically sound and the site of many home concerts.  The gorgeously oak-paneled dining room features a contemporary dining room table made for the room, beneath the elaborate original light fixtures.  The breakfast room was recently renovated, adding a tile floor that Clarence Johnston originally specified.  The renovated kitchen features period details and a soapstone counter, with the original maid’s pantry intact.

Ascending the magnificent staircase, the original laundry/linen room to the left is now a library, adjacent to the unusually large master bedroom suite.  Note the original fixtures in the grand master bath.  The large sleeping porch at the back of the house has its own sitting room.  Note that there is no direct access to the original nursery—a probable protective measure.

Exiting to the gorgeous, expansive garden with the original reflecting pool, recently restored, one can see why this was the first thing that attracted the owners to this house.  Now, with the many restorations and improvements that they’ve made, they find the house “surprisingly comfortable, despite its size,” with it’s well-laid out rooms, beautiful woodwork, and other period details.

902 Portland Avenue  

This Hosted by the Reverend Beth Royalty and the Vestry of St. Clement’s Church.  St. Clement’s Episcopal Church was designed by Cass Gilbert in 1894, and consecrated in 1895.  Evident in the design is the influence of English country churches that Mr. Gilbert saw during his extended honeymoon in Europe.  These features include the stone wall construction of honey-colored Minnesota limestone, roof beams, the lych gate (a roofed gate in the courtyard under which a bier rests during the initial part of the burial services), and a rood screen (a screen holding a large crucifix at the entrance of the chancel of a medieval church).  The tracery at the wood frame side entry and the lych gate are fine examples of Gothic ornamentation.  In the interior, Gothic motifs are interpreted in the aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts movement.  Rich colors, varieties of materials, and fine carving exemplify an appreciation of the decorative handicrafts of the Middle Ages.  A Tiffany window, which can be seen over the altar, was once a source of “sharp dispute.”  Gilbert’s original design called for three lancet windows; however, the wishes of a major benefactor prevailed in the end. 

In 1910, the parish decided that a new parish house was needed to replace the old wood chapel that had formerly served as the previous church, and that had since been used by various church organizations and the Sunday school.  The architect chosen was Clarence Johnston Sr., another prominent St. Paul architect.  The parish hall that he designed was complete with ceiling skylights and beams, a stage for performances, and a kitchen for the Women’s Guild.  In the late 1960s, this space was remodeled in an undertaking that included covering the old skylights which were “leaking water in and heat out.”  As noted by Hampton Smith in his fascinating book, The Spirit and the Bride, a history of St. Clement’s, “Much of the original ambiance of the interior was sacrificed for cost and efficiency.”   The original features were brought out again in a 2004 renovation.

The congregation is looking to a future of continued growth, with new ways of connecting with their neighborhood, the city, and the world.  Exciting programs for children, music, and the church’s relationship with the environment are taking place.

9 Benhill 

Sitting high above the street and well-sited to catch the light, this is the charming and gracious home of Ginny and Rawley Brodeen.  It was designed by Clarence Johnston Sr. in 1918 for Dr. John Archibald and Jane Holland Cameron, the latter a noted singer who enjoyed a degree of fame as the “Sweetest Maid” on WCCO radio.  The home, a Tudor Revival with Arts & Crafts detailing, boasts several features common to other homes designed by the Clarence Johnston Sr. firm.  Note the large curved entry door similar to that found at 11 Crocus Hill, the personal home of Clarence Johnston Jr.  This door shape is repeated in a second, eight-foot high door leading into the foyer.  Curved arches frame the spaces leading into the dining room and the living room.   At the far side of the living room is the sunroom, featuring a tiled floor, and framed on three sides by seven signature arched windows.  The kitchen, newly remodeled, is one of several projects the homeowners have taken to restore the home.  As noted by the Brodeens, the plaster ceiling in the kitchen suddenly fell down, giving this particular project a certain sense of urgency.  From the kitchen, the back door leads out to their “secret garden.”  Hidden from the street, and complete with a fountain and seating area, it is a peaceful and pleasing sanctuary.     

The Brodeen home is one of at least five homes in the immediate vicinity of Lombard Avenue and Benhill Road designed by the Clarence Johnston Sr. firm.  One of the earliest, at 1029 Lombard, was designed in 1888, while Johnston was still a partner of the Wilcox and Johnston firm.   Others identified as Johnston-designed homes are found at 10 Benhill, (1915), 15 Benhill (1918), and 25 Benhill (1921).  Interspersed with these homes is an eclectic mix of other styles.  Of particular note, walking on Lombard between Lexington and Benhill, are the charming bungalows on the north side of the street; the Neimeyer-designed home at 1075 Lombard, with its early incorporation of a garage to accommodate the automobile; and the contemporary Ellerbe-designed home at 1069 Lombard.   Before leaving the area, take pictures with Winnie the Pooh, perched at the intersection of Lombard and Benhill.  A neighborhood favorite, it is a popular spot for photographs for young and old alike.   

The current owners, two designers who specialize in historic renovations, bought the house in 2000 and saw much potential in the “generic ‘20s” interior,” which been updated or maintained well.   It has proven to be a good laboratory for their experience and skills.  With an eye to historic precedent they added touches like the tile around the living room fireplace, handmade in an Los Angeles studio; the dining room buffet, which they remodeled themselves; and numerous antique and custom-made lighting fixtures.  Most significantly, a back addition on the first floor created a breakfast room from the original kitchen, and added the beautiful new kitchen, as well as the mudroom and powder room, perfectly complementing the original house.  They created a focal point around the back entrance, which they and their guests primarily use, with direct access to the living room.  Note the beautiful doors with their glass additions, allowing more light while maintaining privacy. 

On the second floor, the owners salvaged the original kitchen windows and added them to the landing, and converted a bedroom into the cozy library just off the stairway.  They also created a comfortable master bedroom suite over the front of the house, removing a half bath from where the bed now is.  Note the delightful antique toy car collection, started by one of the owners as a child, made up of cars given out as promotional items by automobile dealerships.   There are many other treasured family momentos throughout the house, mixed in with antiques and more contemporary pieces, that add up to an eclectic yet refined environment that is truly, compellingly personal.

Exiting the house, note the new summer house and garden, which provide a wonderful, welcoming setting for guests before they even enter the house.  In every way, from the visible artifacts of their lives to the collaborative nature of the design and remodeling process, the house reflects the experiences and values of its owners.