A Passionate Team Navigated Tragedy & Renovated a North Avondale Estate Twice in One Year | Cincinnati Refined

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If you drive through North Avondale, you will see loads of exquisite houses, many of which date back to the early 20th Century. 4021 Rose Hill Avenue is one of them. The large, three-story estate underwent not one, but two renovations in a single year. Yes, two renovations in one year. Before we get to why, here’s some information about the house… / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

<p>It recently sold for $819,000. The 5-bed, 4.5-bath home is 4,800 square feet in total. The original oak floors are still present in many of the rooms, as are the original door frames and crystal doorknobs. Fireplaces throughout the house, now operable and gas, retain their original tile, as well. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20</p>

Example of one of the many beautiful crystal doorknobs / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

The house was renovated both times by Eric Smyth and Rob Maxfield of Smyth & Field. The duo’s work involves the restoration of old homes in which electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, tile work, and other services are needed to make it livable. Using a small team of loyal subcontractors, Smyth & Field respectfully update historic homes and preserve as much unique and original content as they can in the process. Those original elements are then incorporated back into the final build. Smyth & Field turns a client's historic property into a modern, livable home by modernizing around the history. That last part is key: whatever original content remains in the house, they will save and incorporate it into the final design. Their goal is to reuse all the woodwork and unique elements they can so the house still tells its story. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Designers Matt Knott (HighStreet Design) and John Wilson (CRI Interiors/Creations) lent their talents to reenvisioning the home. The home is owned by Wendy & Rick Ruehlmann and Hal & Tara Lorton, all of whom had a{ } large part in overseeing the renovations and managing its transformation. Heather Herr and Wendy Ruehlmann (Team Herr of Coldwell Banker West Shell) were the realtors involved with its sale. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

The top floor window looks out onto the street. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Part of the home’s recent story is tragic. On November 20th, 2019, as the first renovation was fully underway, a fire started in the kitchen. As it picked up steam, it raged through all three floors of the house, cooking hundreds of thousands of dollars of progress. / Image: Rick Ruehlmann // Published: 10.25.20

<p>Around midnight, firefighters responded, but crews had difficulty extinguishing the blaze due to low water pressure from the nearby hydrant. Connected hoses reaching from Paddock Road had to be laid through neighboring yards in order to get enough water to the fire. For several hours, firefighters worked to get it under control. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20</p>

<p>Thankfully, no one was living inside the home at the time. Unfortunately, Smyth & Field had to figure out how to save the home and start over. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20</p>

Though the fire set them back months, the two weren’t giving up on the house. Instead of letting it sit burned out and empty, the team renovated it a second time. Heather and Wendy found ts new owners before adding the finishing touches. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

<p>Today, it’s a fresh new single-family abode with a host of historical features that have been blended well with modern finishes. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20</p>

Wendy Ruehlmann says the North Avondale neighborhood, and specifically the neighbors on either side of the house itself, should be credited with their support and patience through the two renovations. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

$You can learn more about Smyth & Field on{ }<a href="https://www.smythandfield.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.smythandfield.com/">SmythandField.com</a>. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20$

They refinished the decorative tile in the entry. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Designers Matt Knott (HighStreet Design) and John Wilson (CRI Interiors/Creations) lent their talents to reenvisioning the home. The home is owned by Wendy & Rick Ruehlmann and Hal & Tara Lorton, all of whom had a{ } large part in overseeing the renovations and managing its transformation. Heather Herr and Wendy Ruehlmann (Team Herr of Coldwell Banker West Shell) were the realtors involved with its sale. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

The top floor has a vaulted ceiling, two other rooms, a massive living space, and a bathroom. This floor was heavily damaged by fire back in November of 2019. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Doorknob detail / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Pocket doors on the first floor were restored / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Large staircase / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

One of the front rooms on the first floor / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

The master bathroom shower / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Wendy Ruehlmann says the North Avondale neighborhood, and specifically the neighbors on either side of the house itself, should be credited with their support and patience through the two renovations. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Today, it’s a fresh new single-family abode with a host of historical features that have been blended well with modern finishes. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Stair railing detail / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Designers Matt Knott (HighStreet Design) and John Wilson (CRI Interiors/Creations) lent their talents to reenvisioning the home. The home is owned by Wendy & Rick Ruehlmann and Hal & Tara Lorton, all of whom had a large part in overseeing the renovations and managing its transformation. Heather Herr and Wendy Ruehlmann (Team Herr of Coldwell Banker West Shell) were the realtors involved with its sale. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

The house was renovated both times by Eric Smyth and Rob Maxfield of Smyth & Field. The duo’s work involves the restoration of old homes in which electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, tile work, and other services are needed to make it livable. Using a small team of loyal subcontractors, Smyth & Field respectfully update historic homes and preserve as much unique and original content as they can in the process. Those original elements are then incorporated back into the final build. Smyth & Field turns a client's historic property into a modern, livable home by modernizing around the history. That last part is key: whatever original content remains in the house, they will save and incorporate it into the final design. Their goal is to reuse all the woodwork and unique elements they can so the house still tells its story. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Master bathroom / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

A second-floor bedroom with loads of morning light / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Designers Matt Knott (HighStreet Design) and John Wilson (CRI Interiors/Creations) lent their talents to reenvisioning the home. The home is owned by Wendy & Rick Ruehlmann and Hal & Tara Lorton, all of whom had a{ } large part in overseeing the renovations and managing its transformation. Heather Herr and Wendy Ruehlmann (Team Herr of Coldwell Banker West Shell) were the realtors involved with its sale. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

One of the second floor bedrooms / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Would ya just look at that beautiful main staircase? / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Though the fire set them back months, the team wasn't giving up on the house. Instead of letting it sit burned out and empty, they renovated it a second time. Heather and Wendy found ts new owners before adding the finishing touches. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Crystal doorknobs that are original to the home / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

They chose new light fixtures for the home that both highlight the home's turn-of-the-century architecture and contrast well with it. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Second floor landing / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

The enormous kitchen / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Knob detail / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

$You can learn more about Smyth & Field on{ }<a href="https://www.smythandfield.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.smythandfield.com/">SmythandField.com</a>. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20$

The house was renovated both times by Eric Smyth and Rob Maxfield of Smyth & Field. The duo’s work involves the restoration of old homes in which electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, tile work, and other services are needed to make it livable. Using a small team of loyal subcontractors, Smyth & Field respectfully update historic homes and preserve as much unique and original content as they can in the process. Those original elements are then incorporated back into the final build. Smyth & Field turns a client's historic property into a modern, livable home by modernizing around the history. That last part is key: whatever original content remains in the house, they will save and incorporate it into the final design. Their goal is to reuse all the woodwork and unique elements they can so the house still tells its story. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Designers Matt Knott (HighStreet Design) and John Wilson (CRI Interiors/Creations) lent their talents to reenvisioning the home. The home is owned by Wendy & Rick Ruehlmann and Hal & Tara Lorton, all of whom had a large part in overseeing the renovations and managing its transformation. Heather Herr and Wendy Ruehlmann (Team Herr of Coldwell Banker West Shell) were the realtors involved with its sale. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20

Considering all floors of the house were on fire at one point, it's amazing Smyth & Field did such a good job fixing it back up. / Image: Cincinnati Refined // Published: 10.25.20<p></p>

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