1008 Monroe
Carl Roode, Owner
The Elizabeth Stein home was designed by local architect A. Richard Williams with input from Ms. Stein. The house was shaped to accommodate trees in existence at that time, causing the home to have interesting curves despite the very linear front façade.
Elizabeth Stein was to Bloomington, a beloved art teacher and artist’s mentor. She was the heiress to a hosiery family and an art collector. She was known for her photography and amazing eye, that would find shapes and scenes in the most prosaic places.
The current owner purchased the home just three weeks before the tour and generously offered to open the home “as is” for OHS! As such, the home is not furnished, carpets have recently been removed and you will see the bare bones of this home just as it was built (almost) for Stein. In each room the owner has placed photos of the room as it existed in 1953.
As you enter the home through the front door (originally painted coral red by Ms. Stein) you step onto a slate floor bound by a wood paneled wall and a floating panel shielding the living room from view. Not immediately apparent is the coat closet on the paneled wall.
The living room has just one right angle. You enter from behind the floating panel into an almost triangular room, bordered by a wall of glass, a wall of bricks and curved paneled wall. The windows look out over the sunken garden, where you can see the original curving walls that made room for the existing trees. The dining area is defined by the wood paneling. The fireplace has a slate hearth, like the slate in the entry way and side porch. This room was created for entertaining and the display of art. Note the unusual door header over the kitchen door and guest room doors.
The two bedrooms in the home are off the closet lined hall. The first bedroom was a guest room and den for Ms. Stein. The master bath is beside the master bedroom, which has built in cabinetry, a window seat for viewing the sunken garden and generous closets. The peg board walls were requested by Ms. Stein, to facilitate the rotation of her art collection, which included works by Picasso and Alexander Calder. The baths have been remodeled by previous owners.
The kitchen is, once again, not a rectangular space. The original South Bend gas range is still present, as is the incinerator in the closet. At one time the kitchen had a small peninsula originating at the panel near the door from the living room. The metal cabinetry is original, as are the upper cabinets of wood and glass. Note the curved yellow soffit in the living room. At one time, the exterior trim beneath the copper fascia was painted yellow.
The screened porch off the kitchen also features a curved wall. Access to the garden is not available during the tour. When the home was built fewer houses existed in the subdivision and a view through to the Mansion and its trees was available.
Off the kitchen is a laundry room (leading to the garage) and the guest bath (also remodeled).
Please exit through the kitchen and down the sidewalk.