THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 28, 1995 TAG: 9506270143
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Allison T. Williams
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
RIBBONS OF WHITE PAINT have peeled off the slightly worn but still stately Victorian home standing in the heart of historic downtown Smithfield.
Chunks of the yellowed, 1920s wallpaper are missing - but not really missed - from rooms all over the house. But some things are truly missed, like the gas-powered chandelier that apparently used to hang inside the front door.
Once 23-year-old Sala Clark glimpsed the fiery glow of the afternoon sun through the front door's stained-glass window, she was blind to all the Victorian home's age spots.
When she looked through the house's three stained-glass windows, she saw potential.
``As soon as I walked in the front door, I fell in love with that stained-glass window,'' Clark says. ``That's really what made me want this house.''
So Clark, who in 1994 graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh with degrees in interior design and art history, bought the house to renovate into a bed-and-breakfast.
On the corner of Main and Church streets, the 11-room, seven-fireplace house was built in 1889 by Smithfield resident Richard Thomas, Clark says. In the 1920s, he added a back section that included a kitchen and solarium.
``European tours were very popular in the 1920s,'' Clark says. ``Apparently, Richard Thomas and his wife had recently been on a European tour where they picked up a lot of architectural ideas for this house.''
Clark and her mother, Betty Clark, a local antique dealer, plan to do most of the interior restoration themselves, and Sala Clark estimates the entire renovation should take two years.
``We want to restore the house as close as possible to the original structure and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast,'' she says, ``without changing the architectural design of the existing rooms.''
Clark's latest research indicates the house was originally painted light mustard, with brick red-wood shingles and dark mustard gingerbread trim. She intends to use that same exterior color scheme.
For overnight guests, she plans to have three upstairs bedrooms available, each decorated with antiques and accessories that were popular during the Victorian era.
Clark will live in the basement apartment and intends to open the first floor to the public. She also plans to decorate the parlor, dining room and library with a variety of Victorian antiques that will be for sale.
``This will give people wandering in off the street the rare opportunity to look at a properly restored Victorian house,'' Clark says. ``I think this bed-and-breakfast is going to add a certain charm to downtown Smithfield.''
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? Family.
Birthdate/hometown: Dec. 19, 1971, in Smithfield.
Your fondest childhood memory: Going on a trip to Mexico with my mother and brother.
Pets: Cats and fish.
What was your first job? Selling antiques for my mother's business.
Your worst job, and why: I have enjoyed all my jobs. They have all been very diverse.
Occupation: Working in the historic gardens at Bacon's Castle.
If you had the chance to change your career, what type of work would you be doing today? The restoration and preservation of houses and/or paintings because I believe in preserving our history.
Your favorite night out on the town: With friends in a non-alcoholic environment having a good time.
Favorite food and drink: Chocolate and milk.
Favorite movies/TV shows: Any classic movie with Cary Grant.
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? A relaxing one.
I can't resist: Cute, little, fuzzy cats.
Few people know that I . . . restore oil paintings.
Your most embarrassing moment: I can't think of one!
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Use it to restore the house.
The best advice you've ever been given: ``You can do what you want. Go do it!''
What is the best thing about yourself? My versatility.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? I would not want to trade places with anyone. I'm happy with my life.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Finishing college. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by ALLISON WILLIAMS
by CNB