The Roanoker - January/February 2015 - 33

As they searched for a new place to call home, Shawn and Kristine
Safford discovered Roanoke had practically everything they wanted,
right down to a historic house to renovate and make their own.

BY JESSICA WRIGHT

When Shawn Safford, a pediatric surgeon at Carilion
AFTER
Clinic, finished his obligations to the Navy, he and wife
Kristine had their first opportunity to choose where
they wanted to live.
"Between his military and medical training, we've
always been told where to go," Kristine says. "Since
we could pick, we really looked extensively for a new
home."
City life? Check. Cultural opportunities? Check.
Outdoor activities? Check. Friendly residents? Check.
Yes, almost every box on their must-have list was
checked off in Roanoke, Kristine says.
Just as important, she adds, was the opportunity
to own an older home. Though they were
torn between living in the mountains or
having a lot of land, the appeal of South
BEFORE
Roanoke was hard to resist. After choosing
their home, it was evident they had found
the best of both worlds, and more.
"We have a nice sizeable yard and
Shawn is close to work," Kristine says. "The
contrast (with their former home in Washington, D.C.) is impressive. We spend less
time in the car and are able to do so much
more in a smaller city."

WILLIAM MAHONE

THE MOVE

The original kitchen was located in
what's now the pantry. A new layout
was created for a more expansive
kitchen featuring modern appliances.

THE HOUSE
The Saffords' home was built in 1914 by
Charles Lunsford and was later sold to the Andrews
family, who made a few modern upgrades to accommodate their five children. With four children of their
own, the Saffords appreciate the two shower stalls in
the children's bathroom and the huge attic space that
serves as a playroom.
They also love the history and character of the
home. And with what Kristine calls an "eclectic style,"
the couple find the home to be the perfect setting for
antiques and consignment-shop finds.
At the same time, the home was in need of some
renovations to add some modern amenities and repair
damage to the walls and ceiling. But with the help
of Building Specialists Inc., the Saffords made every
THE

R OANOKER.COM

effort to also preserve the history of the home and
choose things that stayed true to its era.

THE RENOVATION
"It was wonderful to work with clients who wanted to
keep the historic character of the home intact," says
Ellie Rigby, project manager for Building Specialists.
According to Rigby, older homes can come with many
"unknowns" when it comes to renovating. Luckily, she
says, the Safford home was extremely well built.
Renovations included modernizing the kitchen, creating an open living space near the kitchen, transforming
an area into a mudroom, updating wiring to bring the
home into the modern century, adding an entryway and
taking care of cosmetic needs.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

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The Roanoker - January/February 2015

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