EXETER – Thirty years ago, upon moving into their home at 30806 Road 196, Ed and Chris Maurer made plans to remodel for their young family and to welcome visiting family and friends.
This house was built in 1957 and served as a true ranch style house designed to accommodate an office just next to the front door and smaller rooms as was the style of the day. With help from an architect, they set about remodeling the kitchen to a larger footprint and pushing out a wall or two so the Maurers could keep an eye on the children from a common area. The Maurers lovingly call this house their “never-ending story.” Many of the furnishings and accessories are Chris’ family heirlooms handed down from her grandmother and mother. A China cabinet (straight ahead of the front door) holds a Christmas decoration purported to have good luck for its year round display. Her mother’s rolling pin still holds a place in the corner of the kitchen breakfast room. A design element Chris insisted upon was the irregular size ceramic tile that runs through the house, which takes on different shades in certain rooms. Custom Roman shades that coordinate with upholstery and bedding fabrics are Chris’ window covering of choice.
“There’s not a lot of razzle dazzle” Chris confesses, but warm holiday touches and family Christmas tree decorations are everywhere the eye rests. Many ornaments are gifts from family, friends and of course her mom, who with her dad came to stay for a visit after each Christmas.
The tour though the house will take you from the front kitchen and family room area to the guest bedrooms and baths down the hall to the master suite. Custom touches adorn each room.
The yard is a tour team favorite! The patio trellis is a new addition and creates the perfect structure for lights and adornments below. Exit through the garden gate out onto the side driveway.
Touring this home and three others decorated for the holidays is Friday, Dec. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale till Friday noon for $20 ($25 the evening of the tour) at Exeter Chamber, Antiques by the Water Tower and ETC.
This event supports the Exeter Woman’s Club outreach to include Exeter’s youth.
