Residential Renovation: Stone honored with Terrell Award

Published 2:41 pm Thursday, May 20, 2021

The second of four Terrell Awards has been presented to Kasey Stone for her ongoing renovation of the historic home located at 238 East Main Street. 

Stone received the award for Best Residential Rehab and was presented the honor by local realtor Scott Campbell of Coldwell Banker Coastal Rivers Realty on Wednesday afternoon. The award for Best Commercial Rehab was presented to the owners of Flying Pig Provisions during the first week of May. The Terrell Awards are put on by Campbell in conjunction with the City of Washington to honor the history-steeped properties in Washington. The two remaining categories, the Good Neighbor Award and the Stewardship Award will be presented to the winners over the next few weeks. 

Stone, who holds a degree in Architecture from N.C. State, a degree in Interior Architecture from U.N.C. Greensboro and is a licensed general contractor with a specialty in residential renovation and restoration, has worked on several projects in Washington’s historic district. The property at 238 East Main Street will be her personal home once the renovation is completed. 

TOUCHES OF HISTORY: Stone is trying to preserve as much of the home’s history as possible. This doorknob is just one small part of ensuring the almost 300 year history of the home remains behind as she updates it for life in the 21 century. (Chelsea Hofmann / Washington Daily News)

The home was built in 1848 by Charles Mastin, publisher of the Rough and Ready newspaper. Mastin only published four editions of the paper, which served as a political campaign engine supporting Zachary Taylor’s presidential run. 

“I want to keep as much of the original hardware throughout the home as possible. I’ve been checking all the windows and a few have original hardware which is really exciting. Others have hardware dated back to the 1870s which is believed to have been part of the home’s first renovation,” Stone said. 

In addition to the original hardware, many of the home’s windows are still original to the home. The wavy glass produced during the 19th century was referred to as either cylinder or crown glass depending on when it was produced and what methods were used during production. Both types of glass produce a wavy texture that distorts the view slightly.

WELCOMING WINDOWS: Another highlight of the home comes in the form of the expansive bay window at the front of the home. The window’s adjacency to the front porch means views of Main Street are available throughout the year even if the weather is not cooperating. (Chelsea Hofmann / Washington Daily News)

In addition to the original glass windows, the hardwood floors throughout the home are in the process of being refinished and several doors within the home still boast their original brass doorknobs. A large built-in China cabinet resides in the dining room and Stone has reconfigured the home’s layout to fit her needs, including moving the location of the kitchen to a larger space and taking out a vintage armoire that came with the house when she purchased it. 

Stone purchased the house last year from the estate of Doug Cutler, a beloved Washington resident who passed away in July of 2020. 

“He left me a really well maintained garden,” Stone said. “I really want to make him proud and honor him with my renovation and I think he would like what I’m doing.”