See photos of a 140-year-old house flip in 49 days
Dana McMahan, a Louisville designer, real estate and hospitality entrepreneur, and freelance writer, bought “Cherry Pop” before her husband even saw it. | Photo by LOUtoday
When Dana McMahan put her Victorian mansion up for sale in Old Louisville earlier this year, she didn’t expect to sell it in 34 hours. She also didn’t expect to gut and remodel a shotgun house in Portland immediately after, either — but she and her husband (plus their two dogs) needed a place to live.
Luckily, Dana has experience rehabbing homes. Her dad was a home builder, and you might remember her 19th-century mansion rehab in the Beechmont neighborhood — which sold last November for $435,000.
All of the drop ceilings were removed and the original 12-ft ceilings were restored.
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Photo by Dana McMahan
After she bought the bright red house on Bank Street in April — which she now calls “Cherry Pop” — she took it down to the studs and redesigned the whole thing in 49 days.
“Obviously nothing in a 4,000-sqft Victorian [house] is going to work in a 1,000-sqft shotgun [house], so we started from scratch,” Dana said. By the end of the renovation, the house had flipped from a dated, multi-colored two-bedroom home to an open, modern masterpiece with a few European touches.
After pulling up the stick-on flooring in the foyer, Dana was surprised to find plywood and had to pivot quickly to laying tile.
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Photo by Dana McMahan
Aside from removing the drop ceiling throughout the home, restoring original hardwood flooring, and redoing the plumbing, here are a few other notable renovations Dana made to the house:
Created a foyer — which she also plans to use as a dining room for dinner parties
Removed painted wood panels throughout to reveal exposed brick + a fireplace
Replaced the bathroom door with a custom sliding door from India
Designed a closet for the bedroom
Restored the original window frame off of the kitchen to make a see-through shelf
The original pinewood floors are nearly 150 years old.
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Photo by Dana McMahan
“I truly never in my life thought I would own a shotgun [house], but now that I’m here, I realized [other homeowners] are on to something,” Dana said. “It’s such a good use of space.”
Dana and her husband are about 80% sure they’re going to put Cherry Pop on the market, but not any time in the foreseeable future.
Events
Friday, Aug. 4
Barbie Night | Friday, Aug. 4 | 6 p.m.-12 a.m. | ShopBar, 950 Barret Ave., Louisville | Free | Snap a photo in a life-size Barbie box + enjoy themed drinks and a costume contest.
Suburbs Fest | Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 5 | Times vary | Multiple venues, Louisville | Music nerds unite for three days of events and shows hosted by the podcast “Rockin’ the Suburbs.”
“Footloose Live!” | Friday, Aug. 4 | 8 p.m. | Christy’s Garden, 720 Brent St., Louisville | $19.87-$34.78 | Bring a blanket or chair to watch a production of the musical version of the 1980s film of the same name.
Saturday, Aug. 5
“Mouse Tales” | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 21c Museum Hotel, 700 W. Main St., Louisville | $0-$5 | Watch a show about two mice cousins performed by Squallis Puppeteers, followed by a finger puppet workshop.
St. Matthews Potato Festival | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 12-6 p.m. | St. Matthews Community Park, 310 Ten Pin Ln., Louisville | Free | This spud-tastic day includes a hot potato tournament, train rides, spud putt, and live music from JD Shelburne.
Dog Day of Summer | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 12-8 p.m. | Monnik Louisville, 1036 E. Burnett Ave., Louisville | Free | A superlative dog show and a beer release featuring 20 local dogs on the label are part of this canine block party.
An Orchestral Rendition of Dr Dre 2001 | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 9:30 p.m. | Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, 724 Brent St., Louisville | $27.50-$57.50 | Hear Dre’s second solo album, “2001" performed with a symphony.
Sunday, Aug. 6
2023 CatVideoFest | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 1-2 p.m. | Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville | Watch a collection of the best online feline videos — plus proceeds go toward helping cats in need.
“Lady M” | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 8 p.m. | Central Park, 1340 S. 4th St., Louisville | Free | See this original ballet inspired by Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”
The Norton Hospital system is the third best hospital in Kentucky. It tied for No. 3 alongside Baptist Health Lexington and St. Joseph Hospital-Lexington on U.S. & World Report News’ “Best Hospitals” list. Norton was rated as high performing in nine adult procedures and conditions, including heart attack and stroke.
Festival
The Louisville Nature Center is celebrating the largest berry grown in North America this fall. The First Annual Pawpaw Festival will include tastings of the native, semi-tropical fruit, guided hikes, workshops, and more. Pawpawse, and add this date to your calendar: Saturday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Biz
San Diego, CA fast-food chain Jack in the Box is scheduled to open its first two Kentucky locations in Derby City next month — but the fried chicken + tacos will keep coming. The new restaurants will be the first of up to eight potential locations to come to the Greater Louisville area. (Louisville Business First)
Arts
A $1,000 prize is on the line for David Dominé’s Victorian Ghost Walk poster design competition. The contest is seeking original designs to commemorate the spooky history tour’s 15th anniversary this October. Anyone 13+ with a connection to Old Louisville can enter before Thursday, Aug. 31.
Drink
Stop, and smell the rosé. A two-day Introductory Master Sommelier Class & Exam is coming to LOU on Sunday, Sept. 17 + Monday, Sept. 18. The intensive, fast-paced course will be taught by Kentucky’s only two Master Sommeliers at The Bristol Bar & Grille downtown and is $799 to attend.
Listen
From a haunting acoustic guitar tune by Bonnie “Prince” Billy to a post-punk headbanger from Charm School, here are six new songs from Louisville musicians. Tune into more local music this weekend during the return of the Seven Sense Festival at Headliners Music Hall. (LEO Weekly)
Home
Looking to transform your drab living space into an Instagram-worthy one? Shoshanna Portman, the owner of Shoshanna Color and Interior Design, has a passion for helping Louisvillians add style to their homes. Set up a color consultation to see how color can transform your space.*
Travel
Dreaming about the beach? In about two hours, you could be sitting by the ocean in Fort Myers, FL. Service to the sunny destination starts on Thursday, Nov. 16 from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) via Breeze Airways.*
Wellness
Heal your body from the inside out — the holistic way — at Elivate Wellness. Their wellness providers analyze + optimize patients’ hormone levels to help them reach optimal wellness (along with laser therapy treatments, expert supplement recommendations + exceptional, empowering care). Start your journey.*
Job
We’re hiring a Branded Copywriter. This team member will directly support the strategy, creation, and placement of branded content campaigns for 6AM City’s clients, including creating dynamic content (including written articles and social) within the 6AM tone and style. Learn more + apply.
Zucchini + squash for sale at the Phoenix Hill Farmers’ Market in NuLu. | Photo by LOUtoday
National Farmers Market Week kicks off Saturday, Aug. 6 — and we didn’t want to leave you empty handed during this 24th annual celebration of local farmers and produce.
So here are 17 farmers markets in the Greater Louisville area to veg out at all next week and beyond.
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