Neo-Victorian dream home

Neo-Victorian home’s bay windows overlook pond

ith shingled siding, a wraparound porch and five bay windows, Murl and Darwin Tackett’s home recalls a more laid-back time.

The three-story NeoVictorian house was custom built in 2003 by Tony Faddis of Tahlequah.

However, Murl Tackett had been dreaming of the

Whouse for much longer.

“I carried that plan around for 15 years, I guess,” she said.

The house sits on a tad less than two acres, overlooking a pond and is engulfed by pecan trees. Tackett said she loves the lot.

Guided by a wood fence, the spacious wooden front porch wraps around the side and becomes a wood deck in back.

By cathy Spaulding • Photos submitted by darla cantrell

Features

» ADDRESS: 1408 Deer Run Road, Muskogee.

» ASKING PRICE: $435,000.

» SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4,389.

» LOT SIZE: 1.96 acres.

» BEDROOMS: Four.

» BATHROOMS: Two full, two half.

» HEATING AND COOLING: Electric central heat and air.

» APPLIANCES: Dishwasher, disposal, electric cooktop range, oven.

» FLOORS: Wood.

» OTHER FEATURES: Two-car garage with storage, ceiling fans, granite countertops, pass-through gas log fireplace, storm shelter safe room.

» SCHOOL DISTRICT: Fort Gibson.

» INFORMATION: Darla Cantrell, Century 21 Clinkenbeard Agency; (918) 869-6547.

“It’s got that big pond behind,” she said. “Sitting on the balcony overlooking that pond is just dreamy. And we’ve got two purple martin houses. In the springtime, that’s just wonderful.”

Tackett said she and her husband liked to sit outside anytime “that wasn’t too cold or too terribly hot.”

“Usually in the morning and evening, we’d sit out and swing in the swings and watch the birds,” she said. “The front porch is covered, the back porch was a balcony, so if it was raining, we had to go on the front porch.”

They also saw all kinds of wildlife, particularly deer and rabbits. Of course, the pecan trees attracted plenty of squirrels, she said.

Inside, much of the main floor features cherry-stained hickory floors.

Tackett she loved the floors and abundance of windows.

Bay windows are in the kitchen, breakfast nook, master bathroom and two upstairs bedrooms. The living room wall facing the pond has two stories of windows and a sliding door that opens onto the deck.

The interior also features historic style touches, such as a white Colonial wood mantel. White shelves and bookcases are on both sides. The gas-log fireplace passes through to the formal dining area.

ABOVE: The living area combines both space and a cozy feeling.

LEFT: Shelves and cabinets are on both sides of the fireplace.

The formal dining room, done in pink, also features a white Colonial mantle. A crystal chandelier hangs from a recessed ceiling.

The kitchen surrounds a central island with a wood-block countertop. The other kitchen countertops are black granite, which blends in with the electric cooktop stove. They contrast with the white subway tile backsplash.

It features built-in General Electric microwave and double oven and built-in Bosch dishwasher. It also has a stainless steel sink.

White cabinets and shelves, along with a black and white checkerboard floor give the kitchen an old style look.

A bay window by the kitchen features a padded bench, just begging to be a breakfast nook. The bench features storage underneath.

On the other side of the main floor, the master bedroom has a built-in ironing board and his-and-her walk-in closets.

The master bath features hexagonal subway tile floors, his-and-her sinks and vanities and a separate shower. Bay windows surround the clawfoot tub.

Wood banisters follow the stairs to the other two floors.

Upstairs offers a balcony view of the great room. There are three bedrooms of different sizes, from cozy to expansive. Two have bay windows. One bedroom opens into an attic. The second full bath is upstairs. Space at the top of the stairs can be a sitting area, play area or mini office.

The bottom floor features a huge laundry room with a pellet burning stove.

A 12-foot by 18-foot safe room offers protection from tornadoes, plus space for many other uses.

“It’s a storm shelter, but Darwin used it for his music studio; and the boys, my grandsons, slept down there,” Tackett said. “So it was kind of a playroom, game room, whatever.”

A rock porch is outside the bottom floor.

A two-car garage on the bottom floor has enough space for a third car, motorcycles or riding mowers.

The backyard slopes down to a pond.