November 2026 | Something New Is Coming to Our Restoration Journey

Three years ago, we bought an 1860 home that needed just about everything. What we didn't realize was how much our dreams for this place would grow right along with it.

When Clark and I first walked onto this property, we knew there was something special here. Granted, we couldn't actually see much of it. The house was hidden behind decades of overgrown trees, bushes, and landscaping. Poison ivy was thriving, the buildings needed more attention than we could possibly imagine, and we had absolutely no idea what we were getting ourselves into.

But underneath all that mess, we saw something worth saving. Over the last three years, we've removed more than 100 trees and bushes, uncovered an original brick walkway buried beneath the dirt, restored rooms we once wondered would ever be beautiful again, and made a few discoveries that still leave us shaking our heads.

We've lived without running water, found bees where bees absolutely shouldn't be, dealt with raccoons, and questioned our decisions more times than we can count. Somewhere along the way, this became more than a restoration project.

It became a place we wanted to share.

A New Chapter for Our Historic Estate

One of our dreams from the very beginning was to create a home where people could gather, celebrate, and make memories of their own. We imagined intimate celebrations, family gatherings, beautiful holiday photographs, and special occasions surrounded by the character and history of a home that's been standing for more than 160 years. And now, we're beginning to turn that dream into reality.

We're working toward introducing Pound Home and Gardens, a historic estate where the past and present come together to create something special. Our vision isn't to become a massive wedding venue or lose the feeling that makes this property so unique. Quite the opposite. We want to preserve the warmth, beauty, and personality of our home while opening its doors for smaller, more personal experiences.

Imagine a family celebrating a milestone birthday, friends gathering for a bridal shower, a book club spending an afternoon together, or a photographer capturing a family's holiday memories in rooms filled with history. We want people to walk through the front door and feel welcomed, inspired, and maybe even a little amazed at just how far this old house has come.

Still Restoring. Still Discovering. Still Questioning Our Decisions.

Don't worry. We're nowhere near finished with the restoration! There are still rooms waiting for their turn, projects that inevitably become three projects, and plenty of moments when Clark and I look at each other and wonder what on earth we were thinking. We're continuing to restore the house one room at a time, including our pantry, bedrooms, and other spaces that still need some love.

We're also making thoughtful improvements to the property as we prepare to welcome guests, while remaining committed to preserving the historic charm that made us fall in love with this place. And there's another dream that remains close to our hearts: someday creating a peaceful home for senior animals who deserve to spend their remaining years surrounded by love instead of living in a shelter cage. That dream is still farther down the road, but it remains part of the bigger picture.

The Best Part? You're Part of This Story.

Something we never expected when we started sharing Our Restoration Journey was how many people would become invested in this old house. You have celebrated our progress, helped us choose colors and wallpaper, laughed at our mishaps, and encouraged us on days when the project felt overwhelming.

Some of you have been here since the beginning. Others have just discovered us. Either way, you've helped make this journey something far more meaningful than we ever imagined.

As we begin introducing Pound Home and Gardens and preparing to welcome people into our home, it feels especially fitting that the next chapter starts with the community that has supported us along the way.

We're hosting our first open houses this November, giving friends, followers, and members of our community an opportunity to see the restoration in person and learn more about what we're hoping to create. We're excited. We're nervous. And yes, we're still trying to finish a few things before everyone arrives. Some things never change. Three years ago, we wondered if we could save this beautiful old house. Today, we're beginning to imagine all the memories it might hold for others.

Our Restoration Journey is far from over. In many ways, we're just getting started.

Questioning our decisions, one day at a time.

With love and probably a little dirt (okay, a lot),

Kat & Clark
Our Restoration Journey | Pound Home and Gardens