---

ATTLEBORO -- For nearly 130 years, the Queen Anne Victorian at 876 Pleasant St. has contributed to the city's classic architecture, with its detailed exterior and decorative turret.

The home was built in 1877 by Edward S. Horton, one of the city's prominent businessmen of the day, and remained in the Horton family until 1923. In later years, it was also home to other prominent city families, such as the Carpenters and the Coopers.

In 1963, the home could have gone by the wayside as other city landmarks have gone, were it not for the foresight of Frederick Cooper, who purchased the home that year.

At that time, the home was located at its original location, which according to city records, was the fourth house from the railroad -- on the property that now serves as a shopping plaza, with a Papa Gino's restaurant.

Saving the house from demolition, Cooper had the house moved to its present location, directly across from the new post office, where it remained in the Cooper family until 1986. For the past three years, the home has been owned by William Chase Bowles and Todd Hall, who have made several renovations while maintaining the home's period architecture and character.

Owners honored

In fact, William, better known as Chase, and Todd, were recognized in 2004 for their efforts by the Attleboro Historic Preservation Society, which presented them with a preservation award. Their home will be featured on the society's tour in June (see box).

Chase and Todd's enhancements begin with the crushed granite surface they have added to the long driveway and walkway, which stretch the 200 feet or so to where the house is now nestled among bordering trees. They have also bordered the driveway and walkway with cobblestone, and added several plantings about the property.

Set against the home's green exterior, wicker furniture on the front porch, beneath its traditional blue ceiling, makes for a very inviting scene to welcome visitors.

Inside, Chase and Todd have painted every room, added new baseboards and moldings to most rooms and added several enhancements, from chandeliers to extra closets.

Preserving the home's original character as the main backdrop, they have also added a special flair to the Victorian, with an overall eclectic blend of furnishings and accessories.

In the foyer, such enhancements include a refinished mahogany banister, walls painted a chocolate brown, and a new crystal chandelier.

Chase and Todd have also added what they call an invisible door here, which blends without molding into the wall. The door provides access to a coat closet, which was previously accessed only from the adjoining room.

The detailed character that Chase and Todd have preserved here includes a square section of original parquet floor along with a narrow-board floor and an archway toward the back of the house. The archway leads to a back foyer, which offers more character with an additional archway, adorned with fluted column facings, in front of a decorative niche.

The foyer also offers a view of the front-to-back living room-dining room area.

In the center of the two areas, the home's original marble fireplace serves as the focal point, with its dark green polished granite hearth and white mantel. The fireplace also offers a marble enclosed gas stove added by a previous owner.

The entire area also offers an attractive white beamed ceiling and a hardwood floor, adorned with wooden pegs and mahogany borders, which was also added by a previous owner. Both areas also have their own bay windows, making for a very bright room, with ample outdoor views.

In the living area, original built-in cabinetry, complete with arched book shelves, flanks both sides of the bay window, while the window in the dining area is set in a box bay, which offers additional side views of the back yard.

For their contribution to the room, Chase and Todd have added a ceiling medallion and antique bronze chandelier on each side and painted the walls a bonjour beige.

For the decor of the entire area, they have created a very attractive and welcoming blend of eclectic pieces, from an Italian dining table with French Provincial chairs, to the antique secretary that belonged to Todd's grandmother and the antique lithograph from his mother's attic.

A French door from the dining area lead to a spacious kitchen, with its original parquet floor and the raised panel cabinets, which Chase and Todd have painted white and adorned with new antique-look hardware.

The cabinetry includes a black undermount sink, a beige subway tile backsplash, modern appliances and sensory touch undercounter lighting. For an island, Chase and Todd have added an antique French pastry table, painted black, with deep drawers and open shelves.

There are several other special touches in the kitchen as well, but Chase's favorite is the quilted piece above the French door, which reads ``Here let us live life at its best... here may your heart find comfort and rest.''

The kitchen leads to a sunroom, which offers a wall of windows beneath its high ceiling. In this room and the mudroom, Chase and Tood have replaced a plywood floor with a hardwood floor they made from old flooring that they purchased.

At the opposite end of the home, Chase and Todd have decorated a den in neutral shades, with more of their eclectic pieces. Among the touches of character in this room, there is a large open area above one wall and an old-fashioned built-in cupboard.

On the second floor, there are three bedrooms, and an area Chase and Todd call the turret room, where they have added a closet with French doors, as they have done in one of the bedrooms.

And, there are many other creative touches throughout the home, which can be seen on the tour.

Take a tour

WHAT: Annual House Tour of the Attleboro Historic Preservation Society.

WHEN: Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: The starting location for the tour is the Rev. Boyle's Candleberry Chapel on South Main Street in Attleboro.

CONTACT: For more informa tion, call Bette Fuller at 508-222-1103.