By June Mathews
Photos by Crimson Home Photography
A desire to downsize recently prompted Mike and Farrar Murray to put their Malaga Avenue home on the market. But even with the sweet prospect of freeing up some time and effort in favor of travel and play, leaving the charming Tudor Revival-style home in Homewood’s Hollywood Historic District, where they’ve lived for 18 years, is going to be tough, Farrar Murray said.
“I love, love, love this house,” she said. “It’s my absolute favorite of the places I’ve lived, and it’s the most comfortable, at-home house ever. We’re excited about the future, but it’s going to be hard to leave.”
Built in 1927, the Murray’s one-story brick and stucco bungalow is topped with a terra cotta tile roof and cross gables. The arched front entrance is typical of the Tudor Revival style, as is the half-timbered facade beneath the eaves.
A series of renovations in recent years has transformed the interior of the three-bedroom, 2½-bath house, as well as added outdoor amenities.
Stepping through the front entryway, guests enter a spacious living room offering a fireplace and lots of room to relax. An adjacent dining room forms a semi-open area that gives space for hosting gatherings, large and small.
Within handy proximity to the dining room is the upgraded kitchen, which has been redone in a sleek black-white-gray palette. The nearby master suite is a light-filled retreat with practical touches such as built-ins for books. It has been updated with a stunning new bathroom, full of beautiful marble, a double vanity, a large soaking tub, and separate shower. Also, tucked away in the master suite is a home office.
Wood floors and details such as crown molding and wood window casings impart continuity and understated style throughout the house.
Outdoor changes added two porches – one screened-in, the other covered – to the large, partially shaded porch on front of the house. And a new two-bay brick carport with a roofline and terra cotta tiles to match the house now offers shelter to the family vehicles while also providing an upstairs bonus room and workshop.
And then there’s the yard, with meticulous landscaping, bocce ball court, a waterfall, two koi ponds and gardens.
“Indoors and out, this home is an absolute dream for entertaining family and friends,” said listing agent Brian Boehm of Boehm Brokers-RealtySouth. “It’s the perfect blend of elegant yet casual living.”
While Murray gives major creds to the combined efforts of Betsy Brown for the interiors and Bill Meadows Homes on the construction aspects, a bit more was involved in achieving the spectacular results.
“My husband has great vision,” she said. “All this wouldn’t have happened the way it did without his input.”
