234 Lathrop Drive, University Heights

234 LATH ROP D R U N IVER S IT Y HE I GHTS

UNPRECEDENTED QUEEN ANNE IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD Meticulously renovated & expanded home offers exquisite detail & refined finishes that boast timeless materials & custom design.

5

Bedrooms

7

Bathrooms

CHAS MARTIN, BROKER 608.334.9042 C H A S @ S P R I N K M A N R E A L E S TAT E . C O M

6,528 Sq. Ft.

O P EN K I TC H E N A N D DI N I N G Beautiful Kitchen is Bella Domicile designed with custom cabinetry, granite counter-tops, copper farm sink, copper hood fan, and multicolored slate tile back splash. Sub-Zero appliances include: double refrigerators with custom cabinetry fronts, ice maker, beverage refrigerator, and wine fridge. Wolf 8 burner stove including grill and double ovens with built-in microwave and warming drawer, plumbing for European espresso machine, and reverse osmosis filter system for ice maker and water source.

• Fabulous Living Room includes imported Italian limestone fireplace, custom milled painted beamed ceiling, Marvin transom bay windows, and crystal chandeliers. • Cozy Dining Room area includes custom designed and built-in banquette. • Large wrap around front porches with seating areas and lonic Columns.

Neighborhood Insight

MADISON, WI

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS One of Madis on’s f irst sub urb s, University Heights was platte d in 1893. L o c ate d clo se to the University, its c ur viline ar stre e ts and b e autiful vistas attrac te d familie s of university profe ss ors and o ther b usine ss p e ople . S ome of Madis on’s mo st archite cturally signif ic ant Q ue en Anne , prairie style and p erio d revival ho use s were b uilt here . Madis on’s f ine st archite c ts, as well as nationally-known archite c ts Ke ck and Ke ck , G e orge W. Maher, L o uis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright , de signe d re sidence s in the Heights.

THE CHRISTIANSONS’ CENTRAL CITY HOME IS FENG SHUI MEETS OLD MADISON B y C hri s Ma r t ell (p u b lish e d in 2 011) After the renovated home of Karen and Craig Christianson in University Heights was ready to be lived in, a monk from the Deer Park Buddhist Center in Oregon came to bless it.

Karen, a Buddhist, asked for the blessing, as well as guidance from a Feng Shui counselor from Philadelphia when the house was being renovated.

The Christiansons’ sprawling home, which will be part of this year’s Attic Angels Home and Garden Tour on June 20, is a striking mixture of influences: European, Asian and old Madison.

The original part of the house was built in 1903 in Queen Anne style with Gothic touches and a wraparound porch. During most of its existence, it was the genteel residence of UW-Madison professors, with the exception of a period of notoriety when it was the home of members of the UW-Madison hockey team.

And for about two years, it’s future was in jeopardy. And neighbors were irked.

Eight years ago it was bought by a developer who poured a huge amount of money into it, adding a vast great room (meant to look

like a tavern in Northern Wisconsin) with a garage beneath it and a detached carriage house. But the owner eventually abandoned the house, and it loomed as the neighborhood eyesore, with exposed insulation and a scruffy yard.

The Christiansons, who were interested in moving from Fitchburg to the central city, were charmed by the exterior of the original house. And, with five children, they were looking for plenty of space. The three-story 6,500-square-foot home has six bedrooms, four bathrooms and two half-baths, and above the carriage house garage is Karen’s painting studio.

After the Christiansons bought it in 2008, they spent a year demolishing the interior and re-imagining it using Feng Shui principles. Karen Christianson described the furnishings as a mix of expensive antiques and things from Target.

Opening up of spaces on the main floor was part of the Feng Shui strategy. Creating welcoming main entrances in the front and back were another. Both are clearly defined with patio gathering places outside.

“You don’t want confusion and anxiety to be the first thing people feel when they visit,” Craig Christianson said. “You want them to know what doors to use.”

And guests need not worry about spilling anything on the floor, which is a rustic combination of several types of barn wood from Virginia: burled walnut, pine, oak and hemlock, in three widths and different lengths, with minimal sanding and no colored stain.

The same wood is used on many of the ceilings.

The Christiansons describe their home as a “legacy house” for which they are currently the stewards.

To make sure it stands another 100 years, they reinforced all the joists. They also installed geothermal pits, and designed their yard so rain water wouldn’t run into the street.

But while the Christiansons see their home as an important part of Madison’s architectural heritage, its decor reflects their love of travel. “This is not a restoration of an American home,” Craig Christianson said. “We wanted it to look continental,” pointing to a stone fireplace imported from Italy, a copper sink and a copper exhaust hood. “It looks more like a European country house.”

MAIN L E V E L Incredible Great Room with exposed structural beams, custom built by Glenville Timber Works, with 20 foot vaulted ceilings, an intricate custom built bannister, and rock gas fireplace.

• Elegant Powder Room featuring luxury Osborne and Little Ornamental Koi Carp wallpaper named after the River Derwent in Northern England, and antique vanity including a fabulous bronze sink. • Character-filled 2 car carriage house, completely heated and cooled, includes second floor studio room, and powder room with imported Japanese toilet/sink combination.

SCH O OL S Some of Madison’s most architecturally significant Queen Anne, prairie style and period revival houses were built here.

FRANKLIN/

MADISON

RANDALL

COUNTRY

E L E M E N TA R Y

D AY S C H O O L

SCHOOL EDGEWOOD H A M I LT O N MIDDLE SCHOOL MADISON WEST HIGH SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

M AST E R S U I T E Spacious 4 room Master Suite similar to those seen in luxury hotels around the world, complete with private living room, bedroom, luxury bath, and walkin closet! Rich Judges Paneling Walls, ornamental fireplace, and double door entry adorn the suite.

Walk-in closet includes extensive custom cabinetry and closet system, Master Bath features sculpted double vanity marble countertops, beveled glass framed mirrors, and marble radiant flooring. Hand built tile shower features a Kohler rain shower head with hand-held shower hose, and pebble stone floor.

• Auxiliary second floor en suite bedroom with full bath featuring granite countertop, tile floor, and custom glass shower doors. • Impressive Music Room big enough for the Baby Grand Piano features a large custom Marvin bay window.

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