House #7

194 Flint Street has been described as “the finest bungalow in Montford.”  Tour historian Dale Slusser believes it may have been designed by Richard Sharp Smith, supervising architect of the Biltmore House.

Constructed in 1924, the house is a “California” or “airplane” bungalow, referring to its cockpit-like second story and sweeping rooflines that echo the style of architect Bernard Maybeck.  The arts and crafts style continues on the interior, with original woodwork, windows and doors, tapered columns between the living room and dining room, built-in breakfast nook in the kitchen, and charming sun porch.

In the crash of 1929, original owners Elliot and Estelle Fox lost first their new barbershop in the Grove Arcade and then their home.  A succession of owners leased it to numerous tenants and it became increasingly unlivable.  According to a 1988 complaint by Pisgah Legal Services, “rainwater leaked into the living room…the bathroom floor was rotting, ceilings were moldy and wiring was exposed.”  Although this was considered a landmark case, repairs were apparently not made, and by the year 2000 the house was derelict.

Tim Owen purchased 194 Flint in 2001.  He began a long rehabilitation, converting the house back to single-family and replacing all systems.  He stripped all the woodwork and removed 7-8 layers of paint himself, re-did the kitchen and bathrooms, and replaced the crumbling front wall.  The house was brought back to its original charm, and in 2012 won the Preservation Society’s Griffin Award.

Tim’s brother, Samuel Owen, is an artist who carved the quote from Dickens over the living room fireplace and painted the sun room fresco of the four seasons.   Cross stitch pieces in the dining room are by Tim’s grandmother, and Tim himself created the stained glass hangings.