TA K I N ’ I T
DOWNTOWN Brunswick •
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GEORGIA
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Old Town N E W
V I B E
he Victorian homes of Historic
paint and floor refinishing. Old houses are a
know it was built in 1900 or earlier,
Downtown Brunswick are
project of love, and this husband-and-wife
possibly initially without indoor plumbing,
major part of the area’s
team doesn’t mind putting in the hard work to
though the house boasts 3½ bathrooms
charm. They demonstrate
cross projects off the list. The most recently
now. Candice says, “The most difficult
a wide array of styles and
completed project was custom built-in cabinets
decisions during the renovation process
architecture from a bygone era. Here we take
and shelves in the main dining room. And no
were resolved by sticking with our
a peek inside three of these homes and meet
doubt, many more will follow!
promise to the house: to honor the history
the couples who own them.
and craftsmanship while balancing cost Candice and Steven Murray had been
efficiency. We want her to be here for
As residents of Historic Downtown Brunswick,
dreaming of a home in downtown Brunswick
another 120 years, hopefully with our
Lance and Kate Sabbe always wanted to
for a while. She explains, “I love the energy
descendants still enjoying the front porch.”
purchase and restore a historic home. This
of the historic district. There is a closeness
became a reality for them in 2013, when
among the neighbors that sets this corner of
Lauren Doucet and her husband Michael
they acquired the Captain Lomb house just a
Glynn County apart. They have their own vibe
Brown couldn’t imagine living anywhere
block from the landmark Lover’s Oak. Lomb,
based in the simplicity of life and kindness,
other than downtown Brunswick! Lauren
a tugboat captain, built the house in the late
and a love of old homes. We just wanted to be a
explains, “We love being surrounded by the
1890s for his Swedish bride. Brunswick was
part of that.” So, when the opportunity arose in
beautiful oaks, savoring the fun eclecticism,
an ideal place for him to settle as he escorted
winter 2020 to purchase the downtown home
and having friends sprinkled throughout
ships into the ports of Brunswick, Savannah,
that had been owned by the Hart family for
SoGlo.” For years, their dream house had
Darien, and Jacksonville. Lomb is credited
almost six decades, they knew they couldn’t let
been The Ferguson House originally built
for introducing to Glynn County its first
it pass. With an added flourish from Candice’s
in 1919 and previously owned by Ernie and
Camellia. As the plant is native to Japan, it’s
PR background to express the sentiment she
Joy Craft. “In 2021, the stars aligned,” Lauren
likely he acquired seeds from one of the many
feels every time she gazes out over Halifax
says, “and thanks to a handwritten note and
merchant vessels he encountered.
Square from the front porch swing, the house
impeccable timing, it became ours. Much like
is now known as Sweet Hart House. She says,
it was Mr. Craft’s, our favorite space in the
This historic home had seen some rough times
“It’s a sweet old house that will make you fall in
house is the screened porch.” The Live Oaks
over previous few years and need some major
love with the past. Old houses just have heart!”
in front of the house are named Sarah and
TLC. The Sabbes took on the challenge with
Edna, after the Ferguson sisters, the home’s
installation of a new roof, complete kitchen
Candice and Steven are still trying to
original owners, and are registered with the
remodel, complete plumbing replacement, and
research the house’s history, but they
Live Oak Society of Louisiana.
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ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING
