New 2016 Garden Wall - Drawn Plans

 In February 2016, with very high winds - over 65mph, the outside wall of my courtyard garden fell.  It was ONLY the wind that did this.  There was no rain.

Besides the damage visible here...in order to bring the wall back to "normal", alot more of the wall had to be dismantled...because it was leaning and not safe.

I then went into "Find a New Normal" mode and decided to make the Wall Garden different than it was before.  I knew, either re-building the entire wall back to the way it had been OR doing something different would be time consuming and quite an undertaking.

Each one of the Concrete Blocks and Concrete Caps weighs approximately 45#...heavier when they are wet.  And I would be doing the repairs myself.

The photos below show what the wall garden looked like in my Plans at the end of Last summer...with newer, smaller plantings in it.  [Remember I had all of the Hydrangeas removed in fall 2015]

  

Two separate "clips" of the Plan.  Above: the back of the garden...Below:  the front of the garden.

The red lines indicate the sections of the wall that I had to remove in order to repair or re-design.  The outside wall is nearly 70' long and the garden is nearly 20' wide.,,and the wall was 3 blocks and 1 cap tall.  That was alot of concrete blocks to move! 

The next two photos show my new and revised plan for the Garden, which I just recently did on my computer. 

Above...back of garden.

Below...front of garden.

So far...

 -The back wall of the garden has been raised 1 full course of blocks.

-The entire left side and front walls in the very front of the Garden have been re-laid and leveled. [3 courses high plus the cap]

-All Most of the concrete blocks that were removed from the wall all stacked on the empty lot next door.

Next steps...

-This side of my house, porch [will be stained too] and patio floor needs to be powerwashed to remove mold and mildew and before I have that done, I have to put mulch or plastic where there is dirt without any plantings, so it doesn't splash back up on the house during the cleaning or subsequent rains.

 -I have to tear down and replace and level the short sidewall and inside wall of the front section of the garden, where the plants are.

-I will be removing all of the dirt from the entire long side wall of the garden...a single wall will remain, with a gate.

-Then I will tackle the remaining single wall...making sure that it is both level and straight, which means removing some of the blocks entirely and rebuilding...I'm sure.

-I need to dig out the Hostas that are along side the garage [not shown here] and remove some dirt there, lay down black plastic and cover the area with pea gravel.  It's so hard to have things grow there because of the high water table and the fact that there is seldom any sunlight there. 

As you can tell from the steps I've described, that I will be very busy every nice day, getting things taken care of outside.  And this year I decided to purchase a lawn mower and cut my grass myself.  WOW!  Something else I'll have to be doing - thank goodness, I have a relatively small lot.

I guess, I will be saying... 

"there just just aren't enough hours in the day to take care of everything that needs to be taken care of".

 I also hope to be saying...

"I've lost MORE weight"

Wish me well...and if I'm missing from action on my blog or Facebook, you'll know where I am.

I'm joining the Link Party Thoughts of Home on Thursday at:

Laura at Décor To Adore

Stacey from Poofing the Pillows

Jemma from At Home With Jemma 
Laura at White Spray Paint

Milwaukee Now...Cruzin' With Ted and My Son

Sobelmans Pub and Grill

Thanks to Texas Senator Ted Cruz and business executive Carly Fiorina for stopping by today to enjoy Milwaukee's Best Burgers!*all candidates welcome at Sobelman's

From left to right:  [my DIL] Lindsey - Ted Cruz - [my Son] Stephen

Stephen & Lindsey are very active potically...in and around the Milwaukee area. 

I wish I could be there!  Those Sobelman Burgers & Bloodies are Awesome!  And I'd love to see my son and his wife!!  Oh, yeah...Ted Cruz too!

Senator Ted Cruz and My Son, Stephen

Some of the yummy-ness at Sobelmans...

Tiillinghast-Willys-Bell Mansion - Original & Updates

UPDATE:
Tillinghast-Willys-Bell Mansion

2210 Robinwood Avenue

The Old West End - Toledo, Ohio 43620

9 Bedrooms - 5.5 Baths - Total Living Space 8,381 square feet

This is the 2nd time I posted about this Mansion - on March 23, 2015

[Please click the Link above to see the Update]

Thanks for joining me for this Tour of this gorgeous Mansion.  I originally posted about this English Tudor Mansion a few years ago and then again last fall (October 2014).  It was taken off the market before the Holidays last year and then re-listed in January, 2015.  If you missed the October 2014 post you'll want to check it out Here...it has additional photos and information.

This Mansion has 9 bedrooms, a formal dining room finished in chestnut, a large butler’s pantry, and a third-story ballroom. The  most striking feature is the entryway off Bancroft Street. The foyer has beautiful, tiger-striped quarter-sawn oak from floor to ceiling. Intricate hand-carved details top large columns and decorate the beams overhead. Light filters in through three large stained glass windows above the landing on the wide stairway.

• This English Tudor mansion was built in 1901 for Alvin B. Tillinghast, a licorice tycoon and patron of the arts. Despite his apparent wealth, Mr. Tillinghast went bankrupt building the house and turned it back over to the construction company. The construction company in turn traded the house for 12 Pope-Toledo cars produced by one of Toledo's great automotive industrialists, John North Willys, who founded Willys-Overland. If you are not familiar with the Willys-Overland name—think Jeep! The foyer of the Willys-Tillinghast home boasts a gold-leafed ceiling with a beautiful quarter sawn oak staircase leading to the second floor with a stunning leaded glass window . The massive mahogany living room contains the largest of the many gas fireplaces in the home and features a rounded seating mahogany seating area in the turret. 
• The spectacular dining room features ornately chestnut woodwork, fireplace, beamed ceiling and elaborate sideboard topped with leaded glass windows. The library features the original wainscoting built in bookcases. The office has oak wainscoting, beams and quarter sawn columns. 
• The original terrazzo floor kitchen has been completely remodeled with all new cabinets which are designed to match the existing cabinets in the cook's and butler's pantry. This level also has two sunrooms with ceramic tile floors and a half bath. 
• On the second floor, the master suite features a fireplace, dressing room, two closets and private bath. In addition, there are four bedrooms, three baths plus two massive linen closets. The third floor has four bedrooms and one bath and central air. 
• The original ballroom was converted in 1938 into a chapel for the Oblate Fathers who lived in the home at that time.

 

FACTS

Lot: 0.51 acres

Single Family

Built in 1901

Cooling: Central

Last sold: Oct 2011 for $289,800

Price/sqft: $36

MLS #: 5085079

FEATURES

Attic

Cable Ready

Ceiling Fan

Fenced Yard

Fireplace

Mother-in-Law

Parking: Garage - Detached, 3 spaces, 580 sqft

Patio

APPLIANCES INCLUDED

Dishwasher

Range / Oven

Refrigerator

CONSTRUCTION

Exterior material: Brick

Room count: 13

Stories: 3

Structure type: Tudor

Unit count: 1

OTHER

Floor size: 8,381 sqft

Heating: Gas

Last remodel year: 1901

Lot width: 80

Parcel #: 1207434

Zillow Home ID: 34670830

 I orginally posted about this lovely mansion in September 2014.  Here is the latest UPDATE:  The Old West End’s Tillinghast-Willys-Bell house has found a new owner. The Gothic-inspired Tudor home, 2210 Robinwood Ave. at Bancroft Street, was purchased by the Mishler family, who were looking to escape the quiet suburbs.  THE TOLEDO BLADE

The area was once full of the city’s most prominent families, and many of their lavish homes remain. The Gothic-inspired Tudor at 2210 Robinwood Ave. is widely recognized as one of the best.

“It’s just stunning,” Matt Mishler said. “It does need a little attention here and there, but we’re ready and excited to do it.”

Mr. Mishler and his wife, Laura, closed on the home Tuesday.  For the Mishlers, purchasing the historic mansion fulfills a long dream.  “We’ve wanted an old home,” Mrs. Mishler said. “When we bought our current house 15 years ago, we couldn't find anything that fit our family’s needs.”  The couple has four children, two of whom are now in college.

The Mishlers ended up settling in a nice house on a quiet street in Lambertville. The home served them well for the last 15 years, but Mr. Mishler said they were ready for a change.  “We were a little bored, I think, being your standard suburbanites,” he said.

Commissioned in 1901 by a man who made his sizable fortune in the licorice business, the house on Robinwood has an interesting history. After the original owner moved out, none other than John North Willys moved in. The automotive pioneer lived in the home for a number of years before selling to an investment banker.There’s nothing standard about their new home.

More owners have come and gone over the last 70-plus years, but the Tillinghast-Willys-Bell home still carries the names of its first three occupants.

Like many Old West End properties, the home has a somewhat eclectic mix of architectural styles. One of the most striking features, though, is the liberal use of quartersawn oak. The first floor and stairway are awash in the rich wood.  “To open that huge leaded glass door and walk into that grand staircase, it’s beautiful,” Mrs. Mishler said.  The home retains many original items, including bathroom fixtures and a large pedestal sink. Real estate agents who work in the Old West End have said it’s one of the most original homes in the neighborhood.  It’s also huge. It has eight bedrooms and more than 8,000 square feet of usable space.

Jon Modene, owner of Re/​Max Masters in Perrysburg, was the agent who sold the home. He said it was a complex house and a complex negotiation, but he’d never seen a more determined buyer.  Event after event made it a really complex sale, but it was a journey of love for the Mishlers, and they got their house and they’re happy,” Mr. Modene said. “They’re going to restore it to its glory.”

The home was originally listed at $299,000. Property records show it sold for $270,000.

The Mishlers are excited to be closer to downtown Toledo and to be a part of the Old West End neighborhood.  “We believe a lot in Toledo. Toledo’s been very good to us, and we’re perfectly comfortable moving down there,” said Mr. Mishler, who works in sales for a local company. “We know lots of people there who are friends, and they love it.”

Contact Tyrel Linkhorn at tlinkhorn@theblade.com

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...ORIGINAL POST...

Thanks for joining me for Home Tour Monday. There was an article about this beautiful Mansion in the Toledo Blade Newspaper.  The house has 9 bedrooms, a formal dining room finished in chestnut, a large butler’s pantry, and a third-story ballroom. The  most striking feature is the entryway off Bancroft Street.  The foyer has beautiful, tiger-striped quarter-sawn oak from floor to ceiling. Intricate hand-carved details top large columns and decorate the beams overhead. Light filters in through three large stained glass windows above the landing on the wide stairway.

 Tillinghast Willys Bell Mansion

Located at:

 2210 Robinwood Avenue Toledo, Wisconsin

It is located in the Old West End of Toledo, Ohio

9 bed - 5 bath

8,381 square feet

Single-Family Home

$299,900 Listing Price

Listing # 5078272

This English Tudor mansion was built in 1901 for Alvin B. Tillinghast, a licorice tycoon and patron of the arts. Despite his apparent wealth, Mr. Tillinghast went bankrupt building the house and turned it back over to the construction company. The construction company in turn traded the house for 12 Pope-Toledo cars produced by one of Toledo's great automotive industrialists, John North Willys, who founded Willys-Overland.  The foyer of the Murray-Willys home boasts a gold-leafed ceiling with a beautiful staircase leading to the second floor. The massive living room contains the largest of the many gas fireplaces in the home. The spectacular dining room features ornately carved mahogany woodwork and the original, hand-carved chandelier. The library features the original wainscoting and a fresh air ventilating system. The kitchen has been completely remodeled with all new cabinets, which are designed to match the existing cabinets in the cook's and butler's pantry. Through persistence and careful attention to detail, Michael and Ellen Murray have restored this Old West End landmark to its original elegance.

New Photos of the Empty Mansion by:

All of the Original Photos With Furniture

 All of the original Woodwork!!

The hearth surrounding the fireplace in the empty living room is made of tiles from Rookwood Ceramics. The house, built in 1901 for businessman Alvin B. Tillinghast, is regarded as the best home in the Old West End for its commanding presence and historical accuracy.

Living Room Furnished and with Beautiful Hardwood Floors and Columns

Gorgeous Windows

Beautiful Sun Room

 Butler's Pantry!

Beautiful Staircase and Stained Glass Windows

Beautiful Third Floor Ballroom

This is a Single-Family Home located at 2210 Robinwood Avenue, Toledo OH. The residence has 9 beds, 5 1/2 baths, and approximately 8,381 square feet. The property has a lot size of 0.51 acres and was built in 1901. 

Public Records for 2210 Robinwood Ave

Presenting the Tillinghast-Willys Mansion. Amzaing 3-story stone/half-timbered Tudor. Historic keystone home in the Old West End. Grand mahogony-trimmed foyer opens to huge living room with beautiful hardwood floor. Library and sunroom with leaded glass. Huge formal dining room with carved fireplace. Terazzo floors in kitchen. Huge master suite. 3rd floor ballroom and servants quarters.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Check out the Realtor's Website

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I hope you enjoyed this tour.  

What did you see that you really liked about this house.  And, was there anything in particular about the house that would make you pass it by?