As you approach the corners of North Ann and East Lansing Streets, you may not see it at first, but if you look above the rooftops, you won’t miss the custom-designed flying pigs weather vane that sits atop the refurbished cupola and roof. This carriage house, dating back to the early 1900s, sits behind the Queen Anne-style home at 507 East Lansing Street. Currently, the impressive brick home and carriage house belong to Patricia Rockwell and Jeffrey Smith. The home was built in the early 1900s and purchased by the couple in 2005. Renovations began immediately. Pat and Jeff have taken it from a multi-family property to a single-family.
This quintessential Queen Anne-style home embraces the varied details that make it truly a prime example of this favored architectural style that was popular in the United States from the 1880s to the 1920s. Jeff could often be seen leaning against the building high up on a ladder, painting the intricate trim work and wooden shingles in the historical colors of Queen Anne: sienna red, forest green, and burnt yellow. The color palette of three or more colors emphasizes the complexity of detail, including multiple triangular gables, corbels, wooden shingles (often arranged to resemble fish scales), columns, balustrades, relief panels, and patterned brickwork. The many large and small rectangular windows with transoms, bay windows, oriel windows, and the graceful east and west-facing arched windows high on the third level all add to the asymmetrical character of this gracious home. The steep-pitched roof features a large ornate brick chimney. The welcoming pedimented front porch with classical columns spans the length of the façade and, in typical Queen Anne style, covers the entrance area.
The replacement windows, the new roof, both beautiful and functional fire escape, and the added skylight all work to maintain the historical integrity of this property. It has taken many years of committed effort to return this exceptional home to its former glory. When asked if the work was finally done, they both agreed that the work is never done. Because their home is within the Little Falls Historic District, they were able to take advantage of the NYS Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program…