Historic home

5301 Newell Circle, KETTERING

PRICE: $349,000

OPEN HOUSE: Feb. 14, 2-5 p.m.

DIRECTIONS: Whipp Road to north on Newell Circle

HIGHLIGHTS: About 4,000 sq. ft., built in 1840, restored and updated 2-story brick, 5 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, in-law suite, 5 fireplaces, 2 porches, balcony, 3-car, attached garage, built-in bookcases

FOR MORE DETAILS: Bill Lee Bill Lee & Associates Inc. Realtors, (937) 291-5555

A long history is associated with the brick home at 5301 Newell Circle in Kettering. Built in 1840 this house was reportedly the homestead for a 188-acre farm owned by the Bigger family.

The historical look of the home has remained through updates and additions, notably in the mid-1940s and during the past five years by its current owners.

The 1-acre property backs up to Polen Farm.

“We love the house,” said one co-owner. “We put about $100,000 worth of updates into it. We’ve been able to update the home for the 21st century without compromising its architectural details.”

Listed for $349,000, this brick home offers about 4,000 square feet of living space.

Wood-trimmed pediments and stone lintels accent the Greek Revival styling of the brick façade.

Original, wide-plank flooring in chestnut with wood nails extends through the entry and into many of the rooms. The owner thinks wood was probably taken from trees on the property and that bricks used to construct the home were made with clay from a creek on the original acreage.

“Everything was done by hand,” she said.

Swirled wood patterns embellish the end of each step of a winding staircase to the upper level.

A wood-burning fireplace enhances the library, which has wood-paneled walls, built in bookcases and boxed windows.

More built-in shelves, bookcases and cabinets are available along one wall of the family room, where a modified bay window overlooks the back yard.

The fireplace here has been updated with marble facing and a Buck stove insert.

Original stone facing surrounds the fireplace in the dining room, which has direct access to the front porch.

Another porch was enclosed in sunroom style and is currently used as an office with a door to the courtyard/garden, which is landscaped with perennials such as rose of Sharon, iris and hydrangea.

“It’s all low maintenance,” the co-owner said.

“We love to sit on the deck and watch the birds come and go —cardinals, finches, chickadees. It’s very peaceful,” she said

“There are mature, beautiful trees. In the spring this pink magnolia tree (in the front yard) is the crown jewel of the neighborhood,” she added.

Major renovations were made in the kitchen.

“It’s a spacious kitchen, and there is room in here for everybody,” the co-owner said. “New cabinets are coordinated with the 1940s cabinets.”

The center island has a wood countertop, electrical outlets and an overhang for seating.

A Kohler apron sink (or farmhouse sink) was installed. Granite counters create plenty of workspace under bead-board backsplashes. Appliances include a smooth- top range with five burners, built-in microwave oven, side-by-side refrigerator and a Bosch dishwasher, which was replaced about four months ago. In an alcove is a breakfast table flanked by built-in benches with hidden storage space.

A porcelain-clad, cast-iron laundry tub attracts attention in the laundry room, which retains its 1940s cabinets.

A private two-room suite on this level would be appropriate for in-laws or teenagers. It has its own entrance, a half-bath with a pedestal sink, corner shower and a storage closet.

Three more bedrooms upstairs are arranged on step-up levels from the walkway at the top of the staircase. One bedroom accesses a balcony. Two others have wood-burning fireplaces, and one has a wide window seat under a bay window. White ceramic tile covers the floors and walls of the hall bath, which has two porcelain sinks, a bathtub and separate shower.

“Copper plumbing, heating and cooling have been brought into the 21st century,” the co-owner said. “We’ve done all the heavy lifting on this house — kitchen, plumbing, roof, boiler are all done.

“We think the house is very special. The characteristics of the home (are not) what we see in 21st-century homes. This property is definitely unique.

“If someone wants an historic home, I think we have been able to preserve that,” she said.