This classic 1939 post-war house was designed by the famed Fresno Taylor-Wheeler Builders. It lies in the Terrace Gardens District. Orville Taylor and Dennis Wheeler founded their company in 1927 and produced some of the finest and most unique homes in Fresno. The homeowner is the fourth owner and has lived in the home for 30 years. She loves the house, the neighborhood and the history of the Fresno High area.

In 2005, a simple art deco yellow house was renovated into a Frank Lloyd Wright art deco inspired front yard with cascading stairs, brick facades and succulent plantings. This yard has been a frequent winner on the home tour’s front yard contest each Spring.

The French blue color emanates in the living room with the four-chair seating prominent and the two pictures from Charish taking center stage. The cove ceiling above is typical of a Taylor Wheeler House. Of interest, is the traditional mailbox of the l940’s.

When the floor was refinished in the dining room, the homeowner found that the back area had an original back porch. The wainscoting was added. The dining table is an 1800’s hall table bought from Chesterfields. The plates and pictures above the settee are from the homeowner’s mother’s home. In the built-in China cabinet are her grandmother’s crystal pieces, and figurines pieces she has collected. The side kitchen cabinet allowed more room for her travel books. The picture to the right of the dining opening is by Maurice Cohen. Dr. Cohen is an internationally known artist who has won coveted awards in France for his Expressionist paintings.

The headboard in the master bedroom is covered in fabric with custom bed cover. Pictures of the homeowner’s maternal family are on the side table. The built-in closet saves space and has family pictures atop the cupboard.

The main bathroom is pink. And as such, the room was decorated to work with this historic feature. A custom medicine cabinet was installed

This back bedroom is an add-on from the 1960s. The windows and French door were updated to reflect the history of the house.

This European style bathroom was established to make room for the Martha Stewart cupboards to the right.

In the old porch and hidden away from view is the laundry station. The door opening to the kitchen was increased.

The homeowner wanted an island in the kitchen, but the space could not accommodate it. So, they made an “L” shaped countertop with a pull-out bread board for the look of an island.  The kitchen was made ready to cook in whatever way desired. And though much of the room was renovated, they kept the Taylor-Wheeler top cabinets and a piece of the original tile in the middle of the stove tile decoration. The knick-knacks throughout the room are from travels of the world and presents from friends and family.

The homeowner is not a chess player.  But she is an avid reader.   The built-in cabinet has books, art objects and family heirlooms. When the floors were refinished, we found that there had been a wall between the living room and the library.

Though this room was used previously as the third bedroom, it is now an office. The homeowner watches people walking, and birds and squirrels playing in the tree outside the window. The chairs and round table were the first things purchased for the house for $250 at the Terrace Street Sale. The homeowner works from the desk and relaxes and watches TV from the chair.