I’ve made it no secret that my favorite room in the Dollhouse is the F.R.O.G—the finished room over the garage. The moment I saw this room in the real estate listing, I knew if I had the opportunity to buy the home, this room would most likely be where I’d place my office.
I tend to decorate slowly, but I’m especially slow right now since I’ve been working on so many other necessary repairs and fixes all over the house. I need to do a recap sometime soon sharing all that I’ve been able to get done on this trip up. All that aside, the most wonderful thing happened recently, something truly unexpected!
About a week ago I got a text message from one of the previous owners saying that when he was unpacking, he had found a few things that I would probably want. He offered to drop those by the house. I didn’t get his text for a few hours, so by the time I could reply, he had already dropped the items off.
One of the items was a second garage door opener. I didn’t need the opener any longer since I have replaced the old garage door opener with a new Liftmaster that works beautifully with the Homelink in my car. The Liftmaster is the quietest opener I’ve ever experienced! I should probably do a post about it, just in case you would find it helpful. It’s incredible!
But the other two items he dropped by—they are priceless! Rolled up and laying in the bottom of the bag with the opener were the architectural plans for the 1951 room addition over the garage!!! Oh my gosh, I almost cried when I saw what it was! There are two sets, both dated January 31, 1951. They were created by Frank L. Sutter, a prominent architect during that period who was responsible for the design of a lot of the homes, churches, and commercial buildings that still exist in the Dayton, Ohio area today.
Here are a few close-ups of the plans. The brighter writing is visible on the second set of plans. Those may be changes or clarifications that were needed.
I wonder how these plans would compare to plans that would be drawn up today. I know a lot has changed in building standards over the years.
As soon as I saw these, I thought how I would love to have them framed using Tru-Vue museum glass. I’ll be taking them back home with me when I return to Georgia so I can drop them off by the framery that I trust and have used in the past.
I’ll have to find a special place to hang them where they won’t get a lot of sunlight, direct or indirect, although the museum glass the framery uses should offer a tremendous amount of protection. Maybe they would look nice hanging on the walls of the staircase that leads to the room for which they were created. ♥
I texted the seller, thanking him profusely for dropping off the blueprints. He texted back that he had wanted to get them framed. I guess he had a change of heart and decided to return them. I’m so thankful that he did!
Have you ever purchased a home and the previous seller left behind something special pertaining to the home? It’s so wonderful when those meaningful treasures are left with a home so they can continue to be passed down to the families who will one day come to love and call her home.
These are, indeed, TREASURES!!! How thoughtful!! franki
Oh, I wish! We are only the second owners of our home built in 1964. Unfortunately, the house was distressed after the owners passed and was unoccupied while in a trust. We have so many questions and no one with answers. We believe that an in-law suite was added at some time. I would love to have the blueprints!
Maybe it’s a reward for all of the hard work you have done since moving in. How long before the trek back to GA ?
Susan, that is so wonderful.
And a wonderful blue color.
I definately would frame and hang them.
Oh Susan, what a great treasure! My husband’s family home was built by his grandfather in Decatur 1934. His Aunt and Uncle had me create a book in 2017 documenting the custom (and somewhat unusual) features of the home and why they were there. We decided to write it as if the house told the story. Of course, all family members got a copy of the book but they also gave a copy to the present owner. Turns out, he was totally unaware of a large patio area on the property that had a stone fireplace and working sink. Knowing the history of a vintage property can be enlightening and so much fun. The final line in the book is: “I encourage later owners to continue a historical diary adding information about the residents sheltered here and their great stories, additions and alterations. Please keep this diary in a safe place and pass it on to future owners.”
What a wonderful gift you gave the family and to the present owner. He received a nice surprise from it. Hopefully future owners will also write in it preserving history.
That’s wonderful! How thoughtful of him to bring them to you! They’d look great on the stairwell wall – that’s a perfect place for them. Can’t wait to see them framed!
Blueprints are incredibly light sensitive. I’ve had them fade out completely even when tightly rolled in cardboard tubes.
You might consider having these professionally photographed and framing the photos.
Very cool. Although newer, we left behind the architectural plans for the home we sold, as well as brand new plans for a riverbank addition we never built! Our sellers left behind their renovation architectural drawings too, for which I am grateful. Our seller’s son was the architect on this home’s renovations!
Let us know if you decide to trim the drawings or have them framed as they are. I’ll be curious of that, and would also like to have your review of the Liftmaster! Ours is noisier than we like (Raynor), and my office is also in this home’s F.R.O.G.
I bought the same navy rugs from Amazon and I love them. The colors are beautiful.I am a blue person, too.
My daughter had owned a historically listed cottage in CNY. The previous owner had had all of the original blueprints from 1912 bound professionally and gave them to my daughter.
She had one of them reproduced and framed and it looked beautiful hanging over the fire place. Life changes required her to sell the cottage, but the new owner was thrilled when, at the final walk through the piece still hung over the fire place. Those things are true treasures.
That is absolutely the coolest surprise you could have!! I think hanging the framed blueprints near the added on room is perfect! I would be beyond excited!!
You absolutely must frame them! They will grace your walls in such a special beautiful way! So thoughtful and kind of the previous owner!!! So happy you found the perfect house for you. Enjoy your updates….
I love this post- best one ever!
A treasure indeed!
We will be moving in October. We have hidden a sort of time capsule of the history of the home we are leaving behind. It includes some information about us and what we know about the past owners. It also includes some of the events that this home has seen. Such as 9/11 and covid as well as occurrences that happened within this neighborhood. We hope the new owners will add to it, once they find it and pass it on.
Susan, it’s wonderful for you to have your blueprints! In our home we’ve downsized from, we had both the house blueprints & the drawings from the landscape architect—only 6 of the planned trees were planted when we bought. Over the years, we added a huge deck, patio, gazebo & more than 20 planting beds, as well as a few additional trees. It was actually difficult for me to leave those for our buyers, so my husband had them scanned for me as a keepsake!
If you have the wall space in the office, they’d be really special there. I also love the look of a framed piece on the front of a display/shelving unit.
Oh Susan I am so excited for you. Do have them framed and hang away from any windows. Years and years ago I worked for a large company that included REITS. I was in charge of planning the private pre-grand opening for the principals of a large furniture store and thought it would be fun to include blueprints of the building in the tablescape. Unfortunately I didn’t know that actual blue prints were no longer being used. With an unlimited budget I was finally able to take the building’s plans and have them converted to blueprints. The experience made me value even more “real” blueprints. How pleased I am to know you appreciate your treasure.
Could they go on the wall behind your desk in that alcove (protected more from light)?
Hi Susan, every time I see your special Dollhouse it reminds me of something and it’s been driving me crazy. Then the proverbial light went on over my head – it reminds me of the house on Miracle on 34 Street (which I have loved since I first saw the movie
Oh my gosh you gave me a great idea for my husband for Christmas! We had our home built in 1997 and made some significant changes in the original floor plans so we have the architects drawings – I’m sure it would probably have to be reduced in order to afford to have it framed – but they’ve been rolled up in my husband’s office for years! And we have the perfect stairwell for them too!
What a treasure for sure. Gives you a good look at the construction behind the wallboard. I have the original plans (not blue though) for my house since we built it! When we did a little remodel on the back porch we left a note behind a wall. Have you looked in the attic? In our first house the former owners left a box of mementos but we had no way to contact them so we left it for the new owners when we sold the house. Oh if walls could only talk what tales they would tell. I so enjoy your posts, Susan!
Oh Susan, it is with great delight that I learn you’ve rec’d the blueprints. Years ago I was jogging on a pretty morning in a county famous for lakes in N. Indiana. As I passed a gorgeous large brick colonial I fell in love. I owned it in two days before knowing it had been built by a famous architect Charles Weatherhogg. It was the original home of a department store owner built in 1915. We used it as a “get away” from our hectic work life for many years & were completely smitten. But the best
discovery of all was finding the original blueprints. Cherish & protect them !!!
What a lovely surprise!!!
They will look beautiful framed.
I find that I am eager to see each new post. Living vicariously.
What a treasure! Even if you use museum glass with UV protection, don’t place the drawings in sunlight. I’ve had prints fade even in indirect lighting.
Cheers
What a gift. After reading several comments on hanging reproductions instead, even in low light, it may be worth asking the frame shop what they advise or searching online for more info. Til the next post then
Wow…what a blessing! So glad they were returned to the place they belong and the color is perfect for framing and placing in your new home.
What a treasure those blueprints are! My house didn’t have blueprints. The original 2 rooms were a dependency on the Shelby plantation, here in Nashille–when there were no streets. When streets were developed, by Dr. Shelby, the house became re-oriented and lifted because of the lot elevation. We found an original porch post encased in a wall! Each subsequent addition happened at times when they were recorded by Nashville’s Sanborn maps. Which I have copies of. They aren’t blueprints, but the next best thing, for me, anyway. Your city probably has them, and they are also a great recording of the change in your home.
Oh Susan, what a wonderful thing!!!! I am just so happy for you. This was an incredibly kind thing that gentleman did for you. (Well done, sir, whoever you are. You make me believe in the kindness of people again!)
What an incredible and heartwarming story! It’s amazing how things come full circle, and those blueprints are such a priceless treasure to have. The fact that the previous owner had a change of heart and decided to return them to you speaks volumes about the deep connection to this beautiful home. Your plans to frame the blueprints with museum-quality care sound perfect—they’ll be a stunning and meaningful addition to your F.R.O.G. It’s stories like these that truly make a house a home. Thanks for sharing this wonderful journey with us!