During the early twentieth century, Sears, Roebuck and Company sold more than 70,000 kit houses through its mail-order catalog, shipping entire homes by rail to towns across America. The Argyle model, a Craftsman bungalow with tapered porch columns and quarter-sawn oak millwork, was among the most popular. When homeowners Sam and Kathleen purchased a neglected 1925 Craftsman in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, they discovered it was likely one of these historic kit houses. What followed was a meticulous restoration that honored the original character while introducing modern comforts. For anyone considering a similar project, the approach taken by the team behind the Rear Window House Minimalist Architecture 1944 Bungalow Remodel shows how structural sensitivity can guide every decision.
The History of Sears Kit Houses and Their Lasting Appeal
Sears kit houses were a revolutionary concept in housing delivery. Buyers selected a model from the catalog and received a railcar packed with lumber, windows, doors, roofing, hardware, and even assembly instructions. The Argyle model featured compact Craftsman design with built-in cabinets, a front porch with tapered piers, and high-quality quarter-sawn oak throughout. These homes became popular in growing Midwestern suburbs where railroads made delivery straightforward. Quality materials at an affordable price made them accessible to middle-class families who could not afford custom-built homes. The modern descendant of the same company that shipped entire houses now produces power tools; the Sears Craftsman 20V Max Cordless Power Tool Combo Kit 5Pc 2019 represents today how homeowners tackle restoration projects of these vintage homes.
Identifying a Sears kit house requires careful observation. Key indicators include standardized lumber dimensions matching Sears specifications, floor plans that correspond to catalog models, and distinctive details such as built-in cabinetry and specific window configurations. In this case, a neighbor first recognized the resemblance to the Argyle model, which architect George Clemens later confirmed. The floor plan aligned almost perfectly with the Argyle blueprint, and the newly designed front porch bore a striking similarity to catalog illustrations.
- Standard giveaway signs include consistent stud spacing of 24 inches on center, pre-cut lumber with numbered assembly marks, and original hardware bearing Sears branding.
- Regional concentration is highest in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states, particularly along railroad lines that served as distribution routes.
- Archival research through the Sears Archives at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago can confirm a home’s provenance using original catalog pages and order records.
Exterior Restoration: Rebuilding the Porch and Carport
The original portico was undersized and lacked the grandeur that defines Craftsman architecture. Replacing it with a full front porch featuring gracefully tapered columns was one of the most transformative decisions. This single change dramatically improved curb appeal and reestablished the Craftsman identity. The homeowners approached the Revolutionary Remodel How A Historic Cedar Shingled House Got A Modern Transformation with a similar philosophy: additions that look original require careful study of period details and skilled craftsmanship.
Key elements of the porch restoration included tapered columns matching Argyle specifications, concrete piers poured below the frost line for stability, and proper roof integration with flashing to prevent water accumulation. A rear carport was added after the detached garage became living space, using the same tapered pier design for visual continuity across the property.
| Element | Before Restoration | After Restoration |
|---|---|---|
| Front entry | Undersized portico, no seating | Full-width porch with tapered columns |
| Columns | Plain, non-tapered supports | Period-correct tapered piers with flared bases |
| Foundation | Shallow, frost-heave prone | Deep concrete piers below frost line |
| Roof | Shed-style, minimal overhang | Gabled with Craftsman brackets |
Interior Woodwork: The Quarter-Sawn Oak Revival
Quarter-sawn white oak is a defining material of Craftsman architecture, prized for its straight grain and distinctive medullary rays that create a flake pattern visible under clear finishes. In this home, the beautiful wood was hidden beneath layers of gray paint. Stripping it became one of the most labor-intensive yet rewarding parts of the restoration. Projects like the Salvaged Douglas Fir Craftsman Kitchen Remodel demonstrate how reclaimed wood can define the character of a space when treated with the right techniques.
The process of restoring painted woodwork requires patience and proper technique:
- Test an inconspicuous area to determine the number of paint layers and the original finish beneath. This reveals whether the wood was stained or painted and what type of paint was used.
- Apply a chemical stripper designed for architectural millwork. Infrared heat guns can remove thick layers but require care to avoid scorching the oak.
- Scrape carefully with plastic or metal scrapers shaped to match the trim profile. Crown molding, baseboards, and window casings each need different scraper shapes.
- Sand progressively from 80-grit to 220-grit following the grain. The ray pattern of quarter-sawn oak becomes more visible as finer grits reveal the natural figure.
- Apply a clear finish such as tung oil, shellac, or satin polyurethane to protect and enhance the warmth of the original wood.
A matching quarter-sawn oak mantel was crafted for the living room fireplace by master carpenter Jesse Treadway. He also built custom period-style built-ins throughout the house, ensuring consistency in wood species and grain orientation across every room.
Kitchen and Dining Room Opening Up
The kitchen presented the greatest challenge because it had to accommodate modern appliances while respecting original character. Custom quarter-sawn white oak cabinets with beadboard panels and furniture-style details blend seamlessly with existing woodwork. The refrigerator was paneled in matching oak to disappear into the cabinetry, maintaining an unbroken line of warm wood.
Rather than removing the wall between kitchen and dining room entirely, architect George Clemens designed a double-faced room divider with lower cabinets and airy tapered piers echoing the porch columns. This approach created a visual connection, allowed light to flow through, and preserved the spatial definition of the original floor plan. The cook can see into the dining room and living room without being cut off from guests, while the raised back of the built-in hides kitchen clutter from view.
- Custom white oak cabinets with furniture-grade joinery and Craftsman exposed hinges
- Brick backsplash revealed during demolition became a defining feature connecting the kitchen to the home’s masonry heritage
- Period-style pendant lights from Rejuvenation provide task lighting within the Craftsman aesthetic
- Modern appliances including a paneled refrigerator, Blanco sink, and Kenmore microwave sit discreetly within the traditional framework
- Sight lines from the sink through the dining room to the front yard connect the cook to the outdoors
Garage Transformation and Mudroom Addition
The most ambitious part of the restoration was converting the detached dirt-floor garage into a conditioned living space. The garage tilted noticeably, had no foundation, and sat steps from the back door. Rather than demolish it, the homeowners connected it to the main house via a new mudroom and laundry area, creating a pondside sitting room full of character.
Structural challenges required excavating below the frost line for new footings while keeping the existing structure from collapsing. Spring rains turned the site into a mud pit. The crew pumped it out, poured concrete footings, braced and squared the leaning walls, and installed large windows and French doors overlooking the garden. The interior was lined with weathered barn wood in shades of red and brown, with black paint behind to hide irregular gaps between boards. Sliding doors conceal a Murphy bed for guests.
| Space | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Garage foundation | Dirt floor | Concrete slab below frost line |
| Garage walls | Uninsulated, tilted | Braked, insulated, barn wood lined |
| Garage function | Vehicle storage | Sitting room with Murphy bed |
| Connection to house | None | Mudroom and laundry addition |
The bathroom was expanded by annexing a portion of an adjacent bedroom, creating space for a walk-in shower with Pratt & Larson tile. The master bedroom received a new cathedral ceiling to replace the previous low ceiling, making the room feel significantly larger for the tall homeowners.
Lessons for Craftsman Restoration
This restoration demonstrates that successful renovation does not require sacrificing character for convenience. By asking what honors original architecture while improving livability, the homeowners created a home that feels both period-correct and thoroughly modern. Work was completed in waves over several years, spreading costs and allowing the vision to refine over time. For those tackling their own kitchen renovation, the Row House Kitchen Remodel Reconfiguring Awkward Layouts For Modern Family Living offers additional strategies for making awkward layouts work better for modern lifestyles.
- Work with specialists who understand period architecture. The team of contractor Sal Cicirello, architect George Clemens, and carpenter Jesse Treadway brought specialized knowledge general contractors may lack.
- Open walls only as needed. Opening no more than 50 percent creates an open feeling without losing spatial definition.
- Invest in woodwork. Quarter-sawn oak defines Craftsman interiors. Stripping paint and adding matching pieces should be a priority.
- Let old materials speak. The brickwork revealed during demolition became a kitchen highlight. The salvaged barn wood became the guest room’s defining feature.
- Paint to support architecture. Soft cream walls let the woodwork be the star, a decision the homeowner made based on his professional painting experience.