The two-story Great Room with a fireplace and skylights offers a sophisticated and comfortable oasis in neutrals and earth tones.

The Chagrin Falls Historical Society & Museum’s Home and Garden Tour will be held on June 3.

By RITA KUEBER
Dust off your walking shoes and get ready to wander. The Chagrin Falls Historical Society & Museum presents the Historic Chagrin Falls Home and Garden Tour on Saturday, June 3, 2023. The organization has a lineup of half a dozen homes plus the historic Christian Science Church, which originally was a home in the 1830s.
The tour includes houses on Philomethian Street, an 1884 home/carriage house, an 1850s house, once a blacksmith shop, plus homes and gardens on East Orange, the church on Walnut, an artist’s studio on High Street, plus a more modern home and surrounding garden off High Street, just northeast of the Village.
One home, sure to be a highlight, was built in 1987 so it’s not the most historic home. But it may have the most creative layout, and it is certainly a contender for the most elegantly decorated. Located on a corner lot, the current owners, avid gardeners, have strewn the paths on three sides of the house with shrubs and flowers for a feeling of privacy and serenity.
The current owners also rearranged the interior to better suit their lifestyle, opening up the first floor, and reconfiguring the kitchen. From the front door, the kitchen is on the right and the view extends from there through the dining area, three-season room, and to the back patio. The kitchen is unusual in that the owners decided to minimize the workspace look in favor of extending the living area into the kitchen. While a full-size refrigerator is available on the lower level, the half refrigerator stores the items most needed at hand, but is hidden under the countertop, like a dishwasher. Kitchen cabinets were not installed above the counter, so the eye floats to the tidy windows, farmhouse sink and high ceiling.
Further into the house, the dining area is adjacent to the great room decorated in gray, ivory, and earth tones with a cathedral ceiling and fireplace. Past the dining room is a three-season room with a heated floor, so except for the worst of winter, serves as an all-season room, with accordion doors that open the room to screens on three sides. A cozy patio is at the end of the house. On the second floor, up the tile-enhanced staircase is a lovely landing/sitting area with a large bedroom on either side. While not right for everyone, the space is perfect for these empty nesters who have many grandchildren wanting to visit regularly.
And this is just one of the homes available on the Chagrin Falls Home and Garden Tour. Tickets for the event are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the tour. Shuttle service will be provided, but tourgoers are welcome to walk, drive or bike to each location. Maps and information on the homes will be provided. Presold tickets must be picked up at the Historical Society (87 E Washington, Chagrin Falls) between May 28 and June 3. Note this year tickets are not available from various stores in the Village. Tickets and more information are available at chagrinhistory.org or 440.247.4695.