Since this is my first post, a bit of background information would be appropriate. I’m Mike, I live in the Heritage Hill Neighborhood of Grand Rapids, with my wife and son, and I have a big old house. When we bought it 3 years ago, we did not know much about it other than it was multiple apartments for about 50 years, and that it was built around 1890. Today, we know a bit more.
The 3,500 square-foot Victorian home was built as a wedding gift by John C. Fitzgerald for his daughter Belle, and her husband Edmund Barry on the vacant lot next to their house. Mr. Barry, an up and coming socialite and business man, was also a law partner with his father in-law. While in the house, Edmund Jr., and Geraldine, were born. But then in in 1904, the Barry’s and Belle’s parents up and moved to Pasadena California.It changed hands several times, including being used by a church for the priests, until the late 20’s when it was purchased by William Fisher. His family stayed in the house for over 50 years, and it was during their time that it was converted into apartments. This was common in the area as the houses were becoming too big to use for one family, and the increasing heating and housing costs made it practical.
When we found the house in the summer of 2009, it had been vacant for over two years and was in dire need of some love and attention. The original fire place was long gone, the two story carriage house was replaced with a modern garage, and we were left with several questions including, why is there no front door. On top of that, the pipes had burst, the water heater was shot, and the yard was being overtaken by weeds, trees, and a strange section of fence that did not enclose anything in. In the time that we have lived in the house, the only activities that we have embarked on is the painting of a few rooms, removing the fence from the back yard, removing the fake river stone from the fireplace, cleaning up the landscape a bit, and putting up a much needed privacy fence along the back property line.
Then a forced career shift happened. It is amazing how a ‘change’ can influence so much more than just one aspect. I was laid off of my job after almost 4 years with a company and thrust into business ownership as I was able to retain a client. While it was not the financial hit that one may expect, it was a substantial time adjustment that I did not anticipate. Working only 3 days a week frees up quite a bit of time and my wife noted that there are some things around the house that “need to get done”.
BUT…..
With all things, there must be a twist, and so there is in this case. I am the cheapest person on the planet. I hate spending money, I hate paying someone to do something that I can do, and I hate giving my money to utility companies if I know a way to give them less. Furthermore, my family and their health and comfort are the most important things to me. So, I am committed to doing a green renovation. The only thing that is green about our house right now might be the color of the paint, but our ultimate goal will be to find a way to bring our house to net zero in energy consumption, without compromising comfort or practicality. So thus begins my journey to bring the Barry House as I will now call it back into its grandeur as the finances allow me.
