THIS BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED SHOTGUN HOUSE has been a labor of love for Ted and Sandra Borgman.
âDue to its conversion from a double to a single, the current layout does not strictly conform to the typical shotgun floor plan, but it still pays homage to the iconic design. The Borgmans love the homeâs âgood bonesâ and sturdy construction, and they undertook all renovations over the years with an eye toward preserving its traditional New Orleans feel while also utilizing every square inch of the house. When decorating the home, the Borgmans followed professional advice in choosing the colors, drapes and furniture placement, and added personal touches with religious art, family furniture and other meaningful pieces.
âAt the front of the house, there is no wall between the two adjoining front parlors or âentrance parlors,â except for the double-sided freestanding brick fireplace. Both parlors contain notable antique pieces, including an early 1700s English clock and a small round table that is a family heirloom and the only surviving article from the Hinkle Plantation in Hinkleville, Kentucky. In one of the corners is a wooden cane-seated chair from a factory in Louisville that was run by Tedâs grandparents, who fled Germany as political refugees in 1886. The religious painting over the mantel is from mid-1800s Italy and depicts the Virgin Mary, possibly at the time of the Assumption. A surprise gift for Sandra from Ted, it is one of her favorite paintings in the house.
âAbove the secretary, a painting of Saint Michael the Archangel was bought in its current frame at a consignment shop for only $35. According to the Russian lettering on the painting, it predates 1800. Heading through the much-loved pocket doors toward the center of the house, the library and dining room are also divided by a central brick fireplace. The bookcase displays the Borgmansâ literature collection and many pieces of church art. The dining room is also furnished with an assortment of interesting pieces. Tedâs father reconstructed the chairs purchased during the Great Depression, and the card table was found in the propertyâs shed and restored by the Borgmans.
âMost of the Borgmansâ time is spent in the den, just beyond the kitchen. One of the greatest challenges in renovating the home was matching the wood floors in the den to the original flooring in other parts of the house. Another unique element of the house is the denâs four-way fireplace. Just off of the den, the cozy guestroom is often occupied by houseguests. The trunk in the room was built by Tedâs great-grandfather and brought over from Germany. Some examples of their functional yet attractive adaptations include the âhis-and-hersâ baths, Sandraâs dressing area and the laundry closet.
âThe backyard is an extension of the homeâs living space, featuring an outdoor kitchen and a carriage house used as Dr. Borgmanâs office. In recent years, the Borgmans have refurbished their charming courtyard to include new outdoor seating, an overhead trellis for shade, and a television for viewing sporting events.
âThe bricks in the backyard are older than the home, and their circular pattern near the fountain indicate the previous site of a water well.