A Storybook Sears Stratford in Homewood

1852 Sycamore, Homewood.

Sears Stratford.

The Sears Stratford was a rustic English bungalow sold from 1930 to 1933.  The exterior featured brick and stone, but because customers purchased their own brick and stone locally, Stratfords can be found in a variety of colors and finishes.

Designed by architect David S. Betcone, the Stratford had a storybook style that made it one of Sears’ most distinctive late-era homes.

This cream-and-brown Stratford is in the heart of Homewood. It has been thoughtfully remodeled, but still retains its vintage character.

The front vestibule and the coat closet. The arched front door is an original from Sears, as is the coat closet door. The small window next to the front door is in that closet.

The Stratford has a spacious 13'x17' living room with a cozy wood-burning fireplace. The recessed built-in bookcases were standard in this model. The triple front windows, which were originally full-length French doors, fill the space with light.  

The remodeled kitchen features quartz countertops and floating shelves. 

The doorway on the right leads to the basement stairs and the back porch. The area where the corner cupboard stands today was originally designed for the refrigerator.

A small hallway off the dining room leads to the two first-floor bedrooms.

This is the rear bedroom.

 Upstairs, the finished attic holds two additional bedrooms, one currently used as an office. 

A master bath was added as part of the renovation, complete with a floating vanity. 

The original owners, George and Ruth Jones, built the Stratford in 1931.  George was a general foreman at the Railway Express Agency in Chicago, a national package delivery service much like today's UPS.

George died in 1958, and Ruth continued to live in the house until at least 1978.

Homewood has more Sears homes to see!

• A Sears Verona once home to legendary geologist J. Harlen Bretz
• A Sears Lewiston still boasts original features and a rich family history
• A Sears Homestead and a Harris Brothers Hancock
  
  

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