House Tour 2008
House A - Sabol House
The Sabol House graces the corner of Main Street and Harris Hollow Road in the town of Washington and its interesting design adds to the ambience of this county town. It certainly is a "town" house, with a tiny front cottage garden, and a disciplined back yard, with a fountain, statuary, and colorful plantings. This house is clearly made up of two distinct parts, with a brick exterior on one part fronting Main Street, and stucco on the other, facing Harris Hollow Road. The speculation is that it is made up of two distinct buildings, one a farrier's and the other, the nearby stable. Inside the division can be seen in the flooring, one part, perhaps the farrier's, is original worn brick floors, now highly polished, and the other, with old wide planked pine flooring. The owner, Ms. Carolyn Sabol, has furnished the home with fascinating and interesting pieces, attesting to her interest in animals, especially dogs, antiques, and oriental artwork and furnishings. There are four fireplaces, with original oak and pine mantels and surrounds, a tiny circular staircase, a bar hidden behind bookcases, and even, according to one expert, a wooden house underneath the stucco!
The entryway on Main Street is decorated in the French style with yellow and blue striped wallpaper, balloon valences on the windows, and a petite French ladies desk and table. Both the entryway and dining room walls are personalized randomly with faux brick paintings, and two large Chinese plaques mark the transition between these two rooms. The dining room opens out to a screened porch with a view to the lush and beautiful back garden, and highlights a leaded glass china closet, as well as an old dining table and chairs. Oriental rugs are shown off by the polished brick floors. Lisbeth Sabol, Carolyn's daughter, a sculptor living in Hawaii, is represented by several of her large pieces, as well as by some early paintings of family pets. The living room features a walnut linen press from the 1800's, two demilune English carved oak tables, and other fascinating pieces. The other section of the home contains, on the first floor, Carolyn's office and a kitchen. The kitchen fronts on Harris Hollow Road, and is furnished with an Irish pub table, an American cherry step back hutch, and Quimper faience plates of unique design.
Upstairs, there is a wonderful master bedroom and bath suite; the bathroom is fit for a queen, with marble tiles and capacious storage; the master bedroom colors are apricot and butterscotch, providing a soothing feeling. This room is furnished with an old ornate desk from Belgium, with several secret drawers, a glass whatnot stand, in front of an old Chinese screen. A fainting couch looks out over the balcony to the back garden. Two other bedrooms, one with a fireplace, provide space for grandchildren and guests, and both are filled with fascinating pieces and paintings.
Sabol House is a home that fills the eye, wherever one looks, with beauty, interest, and taste.
