The Tweeden House in Tacoma's Historic Wedge District is a remarkable example of turn-of-the-century quality and craftsmanship. Valuable updates ensure modern comfort while stunning original woodwork carries the grandeur of the past into today. To cross the threshold is to behold the beauty of another time. The original river rock fireplace defines the reception hall. A signal of hospitality and comfort, it reminds all who enter to pause and enjoy. Original Washington-grown hemlock millwork rises from baseboard to board-and-batten paneling, from crown molding to the beamed, herringbone ceiling while original fir floors gleam below. Every direction calls with interest. Where to start? Go straight ahead into the formal dining room? Up the stairs toward the window seat? Let's take a left into the parlor to begin.
The front parlor offers light and elegance with windows facing south and east. Look out across the wraparound porch to the neighborhood trees and activity of people going to and from nearby schools. A cased opening—complete with a set of working pocket doors—connects the front parlor to the living room and den beyond. Slide them open to glimpse light coming through all the way from the kitchen at the back of the house, or closed to keep the focus in one place. Notice the design of the fir floors throughout. Rather than all running parallel to one another, you'll see "stepped" borders sometimes referred to as a "log cabin corners." Beamed, herringbone ceilings, floor to ceiling paneling, and distinctive fir floors wrap the living room in the beauty of all its original millwork. Notice this first glimpse into the little conservatory off the den.
Move from the central living room into this formal dining room where the herringbone ceiling continues. Board-and-batten wainscot is topped with plate rail trim for displaying treasures. A doorway leads in from the reception hall, and another opens to the back hall toward the 3/4 bathroom and the kitchen. Easy movement between the dining room and living room provides for natural entertaining. There's always somewhere comfortable to sit and visit before and after a meal is served. Linger at the dining table, wander off for quiet chats in the parlor, bring games into the living room, play the piano by the fireside in the den. Notice the door in the corner of the living room that opens onto the wraparound porch for fresh air. A second original stone fireplace draws the eye beyond the living room into the adjacent den. The homeowners installed a new gas fireplace for comfort. Notice the built-ins with leaded glass doors above the mantel.
While the warmth and glow of the fireplace draws attention in the evenings, this little conservatory glows in the morning and afternoon light. This feature of the home is mentioned in the earliest descriptions—your beloved houseplants can continue the tradition of green and growing things enlivening this home for the last 120 years. You have to look closely in this photograph, but there it is: an inscription in the stone below the mantel reads "Good Cheer." If you have the opportunity to visit in person, this will be one of the delights. From the den, enter this hall where the back staircase leads up to the 5 second floor bedrooms and full bath. Move through to visit the updated kitchen.
Different eras join to create a kitchen both up-to-date and full of charm. The brick wall to the south draws the eye and lends an element of solidity and old world character. West facing windows pull in natural light long into the evenings in summer and for as long as we can get it in the darker seasons. The original stove stands in contrast to the modern gas range. The door to the right of the fridge opens to a large storage room with backyard access and the bathroom is just a few feet down the hall. Set up a breakfast table, a spot for afternoon coffee breaks, a place for family and friends to sit and keep you company while you cook. The door to the right opens to the back steps which lead directly to the patio for outdoor dining.
Open the kitchen door and carry dishes out to patio for summer bbqs, afternoon tea parties, and early autumn backyard parties that stretch between the house and garden. Enjoy the new cabinets and general kitchen refresh recently completed by the homeowners. The kitchen is equipped with a full set of appliances including the dishwasher shown here. Take the hall toward the dining room to reach this recently refreshed 3/4 bathroom with its new vanity, mirror, and lighting. Each floor of the home (excluding the basement) offers a bathroom. Shower here, visit the 2nd floor full bath, or find the 3rd floor 3/4 bath with its shower.
It's time to take the front staircase that draws notice as soon as one comes in the front door. Remember, there's that back staircase just outside the kitchen near the den as well. A picturesque window seat waits on the landing. The primary bedroom stretches across the front of the home with windows overlooking the front yard and the tall neighborhood trees. Fir floors and hemlock millwork continue on this upper level of the home.
A cased opening leads to the sitting room where another east-facing window captures the morning light. Beyond the sitting room a walk-in closet with its own window waits. Just down the hall find the full bath with its original linen cupboard for storage. Simple white wainscoting, the claw foot tub, laundry chute, and tiled floor preserve early 20th century character. Four additional bedrooms, each with fir floors, extend along the 2nd floor hall with convenient access to the full bath.
Notice the substantial baseboard trim, solid wood doors, and wood wrapped closets. Windows face south and west in this back corner bedroom. This final 2nd floor room, located in the NW corner, offers a wardrobe in lieu of a closet.
Midway down the 2nd floor hall a door opens to a shorter hall holding the upper staircase. This staircase leads you to the 3rd floor with its spacious, carpeted bonus room. Substantial storage under the eaves is easily accessible via a standard height door. This 3rd bathroom includes a tiled shower heated by a water heater dedicated just to this level of the home. This 3rd floor offers two bedrooms, used most recently as home offices. With 7 bedrooms total, it's easy to find a place for work, rest, guests, and play.
Along with its neighboring bedroom, this 7th bedroom adjoins a little bonus room, or sun porch that catches light from the south, west, and north. Set up a little reading nook, drawing table, or plant sanctuary in this room adjacent to the two 3rd floor bedrooms. Reach the unfinished basement via stairs off the kitchen hallway. Down here you'll find the washer and dryer (new in 2020), along with the furnace, water heater, and storage space.
The fully-fenced back yard holds a detached garage, a patio, lawn, and paved pathways. A white dogwood, blooming cherry, laurel hedge, raspberries, and hydrangeas offer shade, color, and beauty in different seasons. The single-car, detached garage has its own sub-panel and an automatic door. Paved pathways connect the garage to the door into the back storage room, the kitchen steps, and the back gate that opens to the alley. Stone pillars stand at the foot of the stairs while columns support and distinguish the wraparound porch. Notice the sidelights beside the substantial front door, and the art glass window on the right.
Bring patio furniture, wicker chairs, cushions and blankets out to the wraparound porch. Catch breezes moving through the big shade trees that help cool the neighborhood. This historic home belongs to the Historic Wedge District where the Historic North Slope, Stadium, the 6th Ave business district, and Hilltop meet. The Wedge District is part of the local Tacoma Register, the National Register of Historic Places, and the Washington Heritage Register. Contributing homes can't be demolished or significantly altered (think work that requires a permit) without approval from the Landmark Preservation Commission. This preserves the beloved historic character of the neighborhood. Along with this composite of all 4 floors, please reach out to your realtor for individual floor plans representing each level of the home.
Set near all the restaurants of Stadium and Hilltop, near 6th Ave cafes and coffee roasters, close to multiple schools, and within easy distance of Wright Park, this home is also near the Link Light Rail for connecting to downtown or even connecting to transit for commuting. Enjoy the annual Wedge District block party, and the active life of this historic community.
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