At Home: Condo Filled with Character in The Short North

Mike and Katie Beaumont bought their first home together in October 2007. This starter house is a 1053 square foot, two bedroom and one and a half bath condo close to the Short North. “The Short North is what attracted me to Columbus,” shared Mike. In fact, Mike grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland and had just graduated from college in Illinois. His brother lived here and he chose to move to Columbus and then found a job. Since his move, he has always lived in the Short North or Victorian Village neighborhoods. His first place was an apartment facing High Street in the Victorian Gate building. He loved the energy in the neighborhood. “It is really nice to be able to walk everywhere or bike,” he said.

Katie grew up on the Northside of Columbus, around Karl Road. She has also always loved the same areas of Columbus. “It was fun as an adult to see the Short North and Downtown becoming much more vibrant,” she said. She remembers participating in the Discover Columbus summer program as a child and being really excited to go see the city’s sights. She also participated in several programs through the Columbus Recreation and Park Department. Seeing and taking part in all of the great ongoing developments such as the new parks here as well as the residents’ neighborhood pride is what has kept them calling Columbus home.

The couple has traveled to many places around the globe, Mike always taking photos and Katie picking up inexpensive black and white photo postcards to remember their travels. The walls of their home are filled with these memories.

They had been living in an approximately 750 square foot apartment right in the middle of the Short North. It was awesome opening your door and being right where you wanted to be, but the late-night restaurant dumpster noise and lack of a yard space started to put a damper on things. Not wanting to move out of the neighborhood, they centered their search on homes in the Short North, Harrison West, Victorian Village and Italian Village. After looking at a few houses, they came across this newly renovated double. It had just been completed and they had their choice of either side.

The flood of natural light, exposed brickwork, bamboo floors, open layout and beautiful kitchen cabinets really sold them on the right side of the place. The good-sized enclosed and shaded patio in the back was an added bonus. They loved that the “place felt like a new home in a building almost 100 years old.”

After they moved in they became active in several groups – Columbus Underground, Slow Food Columbus, the CMH Dinner Club and many of the bicycle rides – and discovered that many of their friends lived in the same area, some only a couple of doors away! That feeling of knowing someone wherever you go is something they really enjoy. “For a big city, Columbus feels like a real community,” Mike said.

They enjoy shopping at The North Market. The Greener Grocer and North Market Poultry and Game are two of their favorite spots there. They’ve also done the Market to Market Rides and Bike the CBus. They also enjoy riding their scooter around the city and think “the scooter parking is awesome.” Mike feels it is “one of the best things the city has implemented and is more than worth it.”

Some of their favorite shops around the city include Eurolife, Columbus Architectural Salvage, the now-closed Voda Emporium, IKEA, Target and even Craigslist.

Even though they love their home and their neighbors, the Beaumonts feel they have outgrown the space. They have recently put their home on the market, but they won’t be moving far – they plan on settling in the same area, hoping to find a home close to High Street with more space to raise a family in.

Check out their listing here.

Many thanks to Mike Beaumont for providing many of the photos.

At Home is a monthly column on Columbus Underground focused on urban home remodeling and style as well as older home renovations and unique homes in Columbus. If you would like to have your home featured in the At Home series, please send an email to me at Anne@columbusunderground.com.

[At Home is sponsored by The Hamilton Parker Company. Located in Columbus, Delaware and Cincinnati. The Columbus Showroom, open to the public and located at I-670 and Leonard Avenue, features brick & stone, ceramic tiles, garage doors and fireplaces for your home and landscaping projects. Click here for current promotions or stop by their showroom. Currently all Glass Tile is 20% off retail prices, offer expires 8/31/2011. M-F 8-5pm, Sat 8-noon, Extended hours Tue & Thur 5-7pm]

At Home is Sponsoring a Special Event!

Stuck on what to do with that room? Where to find the perfect lamp? Just remodeling or redecorating and need a fresh look and some new ideas and help? RSVP to Speed Design!

Speed Design at Hamilton Parker.
The concept is a simple one – people from Central Ohio get to have a 7 minute ‘date’ with some of Columbus’ most successful and accomplished Interior Designers. This allows you a chance to find a designer that fits your needs and gives the designer an opportunity to show their work and share their design philosophy with you. After you meet several Interior Designers, you can choose which Designer best suites your needs for your project! The best part is that all proceeds will be used to support local breast cancer programs. The event will be held September 8, 2011 from 6-9pm. To RSVP and find out more information, CLICK HERE.