In April of 1997, Stephanie and I purchased this 1917 Craftsman Bungalow in the North end district of Tacoma. At 3,068 square feet, this house was built for Seraphion and Lillian Ball in 1917, at a cost of $14,000 as recorded in the Tacoma newspapers, a somewhat inflated price because of World War I. They sold the house in 1920 to Rosscoe R. Renfro for $10,000. Renfro later sold the house to Charles and Esther Rickabaugh in 1922 for $8,000 cash.

The house is on a corner lot (2.5 city plots), with partial views of Commencement bay. At one and a half stories and a dormered roofline, the Ball house is probably most accurately referred to as a California Bunglow. The main floor has an open living room, dining room, kitchen with nook, den and one half bath.

There are boxed-beam ceilings in the living and dining areas , built-in bookcases in the separator and a built-in service in the dining room. Most of the wood work on the main floor has been maintained in original condition. The hardwood floors were recently refinished. There are oak floors on the "living" side of the house, and fir floors on the "service" side (kitchen an den) and upstairs.

The second floor has three bathrooms, a laundry room and a full bath. The basement is about half finished with a family room and office.

There are several additional features of our house including a windowseat, and alabaster light shades.

In December, 2000 we had the kitchen remodeled in the craftsman style. The cabinets are old growth fir from Canada, the Countertops are soapstone, and the light fixtures from Rejuvenation in Portland.

We also repainted, the outside of the house in September of 2003. Read the story to see the paint colors used.

We also remodeled our bathroom in a somewhat art deco style, in March of 2005.

If you own a bungalow, are remodeling a bungalow, or have a website with information pertaining to craftsman bungalow homes, please consider joining this newly formed webring of craftsman bungalows (click on the "ring hub" link). Thanks!