Portfolio Project

Clifton – A Cincinatti Victorian Beauty

When we first laid eyes on this 1905 Victorian in Cincinnati, it was wrapped in caution tape and had clearly sat abandoned for years. Beneath the layers of neglect, however, we saw the potential—and the original charm was still there: leaded stained glass windows, intricate woodwork, and a layout just begging to be brought back to life.

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Check it out BEFORE!

Project Info

We purchased the home at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that many tradespeople weren’t available. Like so many during that time, we had to roll up our sleeves and figure it out ourselves. Every day brought a new surprise—sometimes daunting, sometimes delightful. When we finally got the windows open for the first time in years, we cheered. The day we had working plumbing and electricity again felt like a holiday.

The restoration took about a year, with much of the work done by hand. One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was learning as we went: from staining the grand staircase to troubleshooting plumbing and sourcing materials in unconventional ways. It was exhausting, but deeply satisfying.

The neighbors, who had watched the home sit vacant for so long, were thrilled to see it brought back to life. And for us, the greatest reward was returning the historic features to their former beauty—proving that with a little ingenuity (and a lot of elbow grease), even the most neglected homes can shine again.