6. Taz and Pam Shepard--619 Adams Street
The kitchen of this 1876 Southern Victorian home is located where a two-story sleeping porch once stood. The original kitchen was a separate building to minimize the chance of a serious house fire. The stable was also a separate building, but for a different reason. Both were torn down a long ago, but the Shepards have created an authentic attached kitchen that reflects the blending of old and new throughout the home.
The kitchen floor was created with handmade brick from the original foundation of the home, and the central island was constructed from original heart of pine rafters removed during the renovations. The old, smooth stone at the doorway to the porch, and an even larger stone set at the bottom of the porch stairs, are at least as old as the house. They were rescued by Mrs. Sparkman from the west side of the Courthouse Square during urban renewal in the 1960's. Imagine the cotton brokers, bankers and other citizens of Huntsville who stood or walked across these stones in the days of Cotton Row!
A major goal of the Shepards' 18-month restoration was to replace the various times in the last 130 years. Another gaol was to achieve uniform ceiling heights on every floor. Consequently, this kitchen boasts a 14 foot ceiling, airy casement windows and modern appliances, from dual sinks to a warming drawer in the island and an icemaker in the butler's pantry. The Shepards chose mahogany cabinets and granite countertops to coordinate with the original brick and wood, and they design a large 'hidden' pantry where a set of back stairs once stood.
Most of the kitchens included on the tour feature products from local merchants, so if you are looking to remodel, Kitchens for CASA is the place to go! This year's tour will be on Sunday, August 22 from 2-5:00 p.m. Tickets are a $15 donation to CASA. For more information about the tour, or where you can purchase tickets, call the CASA office at 880-0603.
