Neighborhood incorporates Victorian motif
CHENEY – The kids call it different names: “Pleasantville,” “Toon Town,” “Candyville.” But the joking is affectionate. The Field of Dreams neighborhood in Cheney offers a colorful glimpse of former times.
A stone pillar announces the Field of Dreams – 21 houses on about three blocks – as a site that offers a touch of the past. Seven main home models line its streets, all Victorian style. Construction began in 2002 and ended in 2005 by JTS Development Inc., which purchased the plans and then redesigned them to fit the needs of the owners.
“We were trying to move to the Spokane area for about 10 years,” says Jill Weiszman. “But every time we tried to move, something would stop us. We had just decided a week before the newspaper came out that we would have to live in Southern California the rest of our lives and hate it. And then the real estate section came the next Sunday, and we just sat in the living room laughing hysterically. The house design was on the front cover. Everything that we dreamed of.”
The colors of the Weiszman house might be a bit startling, but they’re classic for the Victorian era. Dubbed the “red hat house,” it’s lavender with deep rose trim and accents, light blue around the soffits, and has a red roof. Weiszman is a member of the Red Hat Society.
“My husband was the one who suggested it,” says Weiszman. “We started with blue, yellow and white. Then he said ‘You have so much fun in that (society), why don’t you just have a red hat house?’ … But the colors are traditional, as is the red roof.”
The homes all have fish-scale plank lap siding and white scallop picket fences and wraparound porches, decks or balconies. Other typical Victorian features include turret gables, ornate facades, and dormers. All were required to be painted at least three colors.
“We thought about it (colors) for a long time,” says Lori Dupler. “… But I didn’t get inspired until I was looking through one of my books on Victorian houses and saw a picture in there.”
Dupler’s home uses greens and terracotta orange. Her walkway and patio are stamped concrete, and the dining room has anaglyptic wallpaper.
Not all of houses have Victorian décor indoors. Some have Victorian furniture. Most have a Victorian flavor. Each room in the Weiszman home is a different color.
Some of the homes were specs. A few of the homes were custom made. Most of the owners chose their lot and house style and colors.
Lynda Ford chose a “euphoric lilac” home, which is actually quite pink. Greens and purples embellish the striking residence.
Although not thrilled with the style, Ford’s husband was the one who pointed out the house design when it first appeared in print
“He showed me the ad in the newspaper,” says Ford. “It was a compromise. Because I wanted a Victorian style and he wanted a new home.”
Neighbors say the area is friendly, with residents happy to help one another. During the summer, there are barbecues, and in the winter, roving New Year’s Eve parties. The owners believe their camaraderie originated from a hayride and potluck JTS organized in 2003 to help the neighbors get acquainted.
“The neat thing about this neighborhood is it’s like how old neighborhoods used to be,” says Weiszman. “Where people are friends and they look out for each other. It really is a family community.”