Abby and Trey Brothers stumbled upon the Page Mansion while house-hunting in North Carolina in April 2018. Abby, browsing on Zillow, spotted the property listed for sale. Previously owned by a businessman with plans to convert it into an events venue, the mansion piqued their interest. Intrigued, Abby and Trey made an eight-hour drive from their Maryland residence to see it in person, and they instantly felt a connection.
Despite Trey’s initial reluctance about buying a fixer-upper, he recalls feeling convinced as soon as they arrived. He remembers thinking, “that’s the house, that’s ours.” Despite his reservations, they proceeded to purchase the mansion in July 2018 for $155,000 (£110k). A glimpse through the windows revealed the grand staircase, sealing the deal for them. This prompted the couple to make the significant move from their three-bedroom Maryland home back to Abby’s hometown.
The Page Mansion, originally constructed in 1913 for the Page family, had fallen into a neglected state by the time Abby and Trey discovered it in 2018. Covered in overgrown grass and difficult to access, the mansion showed signs of neglect and disrepair. Abby recalls how the grass surrounding the mansion was so tall that it towered as high as Trey, with only a narrow path carved out by the previous owner leading to the entrance. The state of the mansion indicated it was in dire need of attention.
The history of the mansion traces back to Allison Francis ‘Frank’ Page, who established a lumber mill on Devil’s Gut Creek (later known as Aberdeen Creek) in 1880. Page’s lumber mill significantly contributed to the local economy, and alongside his business ventures, he constructed homes for his neighbors, including one for his own family. Initially referred to as the Page-Wilder house, over time, it became known as the Page Mansion.
The restoration of the worn-out structure was a significant undertaking, but the transformation was remarkable. When Abby and Trey first encountered the house, it was almost completely hidden behind a thick curtain of bushes and overgrown greenery, making it difficult to see from the outside. Nature had reclaimed its territory, with vegetation penetrating even the interior of the main building.
Years of neglect had taken their toll on the aging brickwork as well. The house was on the brink of being condemned, with much of the exterior showing signs of cracking and deterioration. Trey recalls that nearly all of the exterior brickwork needed attention. One of the most pressing tasks was resetting the chimney, which had deteriorated to the point of needing reconstruction. Professionals were called in to rebuild the chimney from scratch, as much of the mortar had crumbled away, making it the most significant exterior restoration task.
The transformation of the mansion is truly remarkable. What was once obscured by gravel and debris now welcomes visitors with a sweeping driveway. Situated on eight acres of land, there’s still plenty of landscaping work ahead, particularly in clearing the overgrowth around an ancient willow oak tree.
One of the couple’s priorities was insulation, considering the mansion’s original lack thereof. “Being a solid brick home with no insulation, adding it was a necessity,” Abby explains. “We sacrificed some square footage by adding insulation and then drywall, but with over 6,000 square feet of space, there’s still plenty of room!”
Abby and Trey’s renovation journey was no small feat, lasting nine months and leaving them essentially without a permanent residence. “While we were in the process of selling our Maryland house, we stayed with my dad for a bit because we were selling and renovating simultaneously,” Abby shares.
Among the major tasks was reconstructing the front porch. After enduring a heavy snowstorm in the early 2000s, the porch was left weakened. Fearing it might collapse, Abby and Trey opted to tear it down and rebuild from scratch.
In their commitment to preserving the original charm of the home, Abby and Trey opted to replicate the porch exactly as it was. “It looks exactly the same, but it’s much sturdier and meets modern engineering standards,” Abby explains. Complete with a cozy swing bench overlooking the newly laid gravel driveway, it’s become the couple’s favorite spot to unwind, especially now that they’ve welcomed their first child.
Surprisingly, minimal alterations were needed for the entrance to the mansion. Abby considers it one of the highlights of the house: “It’s the ‘wow’ moment for everyone who visits. They step through the front door and are immediately struck by its beauty, and that’s exactly how I feel every time I come home.”
Due to the stringent building regulations in North Carolina, Abby and Trey were required to maintain the original layout of the staircase; otherwise, they would have had to install an entirely new set of stairs. “People have grown taller over time, and folks were shorter back in 1913. The railing is too low by today’s standards, and when you stand next to it, you realize just how low it is,” Abby points out.
Their first step was finding professionals to assist with the more complex aspects of the renovation. “We handle what we can on our own, but for tasks beyond our expertise, we didn’t want to take any chances—especially considering this is our forever home,” Abby emphasizes.
One project they took on themselves was refreshing the wainscoting in the hallway. With a fresh coat of white paint, the once tired paneling revived, giving the hallway a fresh appearance.
Rich in history, the couple still discovers remnants of the past within the home. When they first moved in, tucked away beneath the grand staircase was a small telephone closet, adorned with phone numbers scribbled on the walls from decades ago.
Making the most of the space, Abby and Trey opted to convert the secret room into a downstairs guest toilet. Painted in a striking red hue as a homage to its previous use, this addition ensures that guests don’t need to trek to the master suite for bathroom needs.
When they acquired the house, it was evident that neglect had taken its toll both inside and out. Every room bore the marks of years gone by. The dining room, with its peeling wallpaper and a tabletop scattered with abandoned cups, looked as if it had been hastily vacated.
Seeking to modernize the layout downstairs, Abby and Trey decided to open up the space by removing walls and connecting the dining room to the kitchen. While striving to preserve original features, such as one of the three fireplaces in the house, they aimed for a more cohesive and contemporary feel.
The current study was a scene of disarray left behind by the previous owner. Covered in grime and lacking air conditioning, with exposed plumbing, it demanded a complete transformation.
The study has undergone a complete transformation. With updated plumbing throughout the house, exposed pipes in the study prompted the installation of a new decorative tray ceiling to conceal them. Always keen on repurposing old treasures discovered in the home, Abby and Trey had the sofa reupholstered, only to find out it was crafted back in 1873 in New Hampshire.
Painted in a vibrant ochre yellow, the study stands out as one of the more stylish yet lesser-used rooms in the house. To add character, cabinet doors from the laundry room were repurposed onto new built-in cabinets, concealing the new air conditioning unit while maintaining a cohesive look.
The living room, as depicted in the listing photo, underwent a simpler cleanup process, with a bit of elbow grease needed to tend to the walls and floors affected by encroaching nature.
Today, adorned in an elegant navy blue, it serves as an ideal space for the growing family. As their forever home, the restoration journey continues for Abby and Trey, who remain open to experimenting with new ideas. “We’re in the process of choosing a new paint color for the living room,” Abby shares.
The kitchen stood out as the one area Abby and Trey were determined to overhaul. Comprising several small rooms including the dining area, pantry, and kitchen itself, they envisioned a spacious, open-plan area where they could gather as a family. Moreover, the old kitchen was sinking into the basement due to years of neglect.
With a cramped utility and pantry space, the couple opted to knock down just two walls to create a more expansive layout, while adding a new central wall to house a separate pantry. “I remember walking in for the first time with all the walls gone, and it felt as vast as a football field,” Abby recalls.
Today, the kitchen is a modern haven and ranks among the couple’s favorite spots in the house. Maintaining a budget-conscious approach, they eschewed expensive granite or marble countertops in favor of concrete, which Trey personally cast for approximately $300 (£212). The property itself is now valued at just under $1 million (£700k).
Always on the lookout for quirky and decorative touches, Abby and Trey decided to forgo the traditional knife block and instead showcased a fun utensil storage hack on their Instagram account.
The laundry room has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to Abby’s inspiration drawn from Pinterest. What was once a cramped kitchenette has now been reborn as a modern pantry, adding both functionality and style to the home.
Prior to renovations, the bedrooms were in dire condition. Abby describes the master bedroom as a time capsule, filled with heaps of rubble, while the guest bedroom had a gaping hole in the floor that demanded immediate attention. However, one of the most fulfilling aspects of the renovation journey for the couple has been connecting with individuals who once called the house their home. Meeting an elderly woman in her 80s who could identify her initials scrawled in one of the bedrooms was particularly memorable.
Despite extensive renovations, there were challenges along the way. Following one of the hurricanes, Abby and Trey found themselves standing in the guest bedroom, helplessly watching water cascade down the hole and into the previously unstable basement, which had recently undergone joist replacement. “I just felt so defeated after putting in so much effort,” Abby recalls.
The bathrooms were also in dire need of attention before Abby and Trey intervened. Determined to preserve the character of the home, they opted to reuse the old baths and fixtures. This Jack and Jill bathroom has since been completely revitalized, a testament to their dedication to preserving the home’s history while embracing modern functionality.
With a bit of assistance from loved ones, the transformation in decor is astounding, and the bathroom now exudes the vibe of a completely new space. The next task on the agenda? Tackling the floor tiles!
Despite ongoing work on the house, Abby and Trey find themselves hooked on the fixer-upper experience. “In the end, we want to discover another property and embark on a similar journey,” Abby shares. We’re eagerly anticipating their next endeavor!