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An Historic Home
10/25/2008 - By by Michael Berman
A 2nd Empire Jewel Sparkles Once Again
Linda Dickinson-Pancila believes in the inevitability of things. She and her two young children, Erin and Patrick, were in search of a new beginning in 2003; Linda had found a home in Colts Neck that would allow for close boarding of the family horse, but, as she remembers it, her children didn’t really like the house. As luck would have it (or fate) the deal fell through very close to the closing date, and the children’s wishes had been granted.
Linda had frequented Delicious Orchards over the years while living in Marlboro, and as she followed her regular route she had long admired what she considered a diamond-in-the-rough historic home on Route 537 in Colts Neck. The house, however, was not for sale. Not long after the non-closing on the previous property Linda once again passed by her favorite house and saw a “For Sale” sign in front. What followed was a 2-year adventure with twists, turns, a few unexpected challenges, and a new beginning in home that truly embodies the warmth, hopes, and dreams of this family.
Linda was thrilled to own this landmark home (known as the Ryall House, circa 1800). It is a fine example of 2nd Empire architectural style. The Colts Neck Historical Committee informed Linda that the home had been purchased in 1850 by a Judge Ryall, who reconfigured it from a Federal-style colonial into the ornate and stately 2nd Empire Italianate-style the home is today.
Linda’s father was in the construction business, and her brother (who lives in Bayonne) is a master carpenter. His skills have been invaluable to her as she undertook this rather challenging restoration. She remembers the interior of the house to be in rather good shape for a home of this vintage; the problems were more exterior issues, including a leaky hip roof (added when the original mansard roof and cupola had been removed in the 1930’s) and some major structural issues with the porch overhangs in the back of the house. Linda focused on the exterior work and spent the next 2 years working through challenge after challenge, leak after leak, until the exterior and painting were completed. The pride, dedication, and commitment to this restoration are evident from top to bottom.
The exterior restoration was complete when Linda met her husband Chris on a blind date. They married in 2006, and Chris does admit to being a bit overwhelmed and mystified by Linda’s “This Old House” project. He had grown up in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, and had never lived in an historic home before, but he does have a little glint in his eye when he admits to being drawn to them more as time passes – he is proud to be living in this classic home.
Linda has owned the Ryall House for more than 5 years now, and says there are three bedrooms she’d like to finish before she can ever hope to say she is done. She says, though, that part of the charm and challenge of owning any truly historic property is that you’re never really finished. The history of this much-loved home is still being written, and the Pancilas are now an important part of its story.
The landscape design is the work of family friend and excavator Tim Eckle. His design and driveway installation have made the flow around this historic home not only practical, but aesthetically pleasing.
The restored cupola includes restoration wavy glass and an effective use of composition shingling on the roof that mimics the original slate pattern and color.Linda and crew were totally committed to a meticulous restoration, which included salvaging the bricks from the original chimneys for reconstruction and matching the existing masonry chimney pots for a seamless and historically accurate rebuild. The horse weathervane is something Linda added to put her family’s stamp on the architectural element.
Linda believes in paying homage to the different eras and people that pass through an historic home; she calls this the “evolution” of a house. The kitchen includes an original bread oven, and the modified fire box of the main fireplace can still warm the space effectively when stoked with seasoned hardwood. Linda remembers removing a lot of knotty pine paneling, and installing a butcher block countertop on the oversized worktable and a farmhouse cast iron sink. The stained glass pendants and hanging light add light and color to this much-used workspace.
The master bath retains much of the original plaster ceiling and is wallpapered in a traditional toile.
This bay window alcove, just off the parlor, has much of its ornamental plaster in place. The window treatments are not overly heavy and allow the architecture to be front and center.
The formal dining room features two marble period mantels and fire surrounds. Linda remembered, even as a child, wanting a burgundy dining room, so the change from a somewhat out-of-date sea foam green to a rich burgundy was an easy one. The large room may have started as two separate rooms that were combined after the mid 19th century major renovation. A new crystal chandelier and an eclectic mix of antiques and family pieces combine to create a most inviting and decorative environment.
The American “memory” room pays homage to the fallen, as well as images of hope and pride in country, family, and the gift of memory.
The illustration of the Pancila home was done by Meredith Janssen and was given to the family in 2004, just before their home was chosen to be one of the historic houses on the annual Colts Neck House Tour (an honor that was repeated this year).
The cement marker with Linda’s children’s handprints and a horseshoe imprint (the horseshoe was found on the property), as well as theangels ornamentally placed on various parts of their property, make a statement about the Pancilas’ belief in the power of faith.
The majestic wrap-around porch exhibits high-style ornamentations, bracketing, and trim mouldings, giving this home its majestic character. Linda chose to highlight the detail work by using black accents in the final paint color scheme.
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