Eclectic 85-year-old French Bexley manse hits the market for $1.65 million

According to the old adage, the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.

Jamie and Susan Rupp took that advice to heart. They planted a border of pines in their backyard when they bought their Bexley home nearly two decades ago.

Now, with the trees matured, along with the couple's two children, they are ready to downsize. They have listed their 1939 home on Ashbourne Road for $1.65 million with Cutler Real Estate agent David Powers .

The trees aren't the only changes the Rupps made when they bought the property in 2005. Before even moving in, the couple significantly modified the 3,788-square-foot home while keeping it true to its pre-war roots and its eclectic French design.

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"We wanted to be very respectful of the history, and keep as much as the original as we tried to restore those elements and bring them back to life," said Jamie.

The biggest change was replacing the small galley kitchen with a much larger one in the former dining room while shifting the dining room into the former formal living room.

In addition to creating a modern, well-equipped kitchen, the change allowed a mudroom to be built and gave the kitchen direct access to the outdoors and the great room, which had been added by previous owners.

In addition to the kitchen and great room, the main floor includes a foyer, library, formal dining room and two stairways, both of which lead to the second floor and basement.

Upstairs, the couple converted the five bedrooms and three bathrooms into four bedrooms, each with its own bath.

Otherwise, many of the changes were more restoration than remodeling.

New copper gutters were installed below the home's slate roof. Every window was replaced with custom casement windows. All bathrooms were refurbished.

Leaded glass was added to the front door and brass ornaments were restored along the stairwell. Wall-to-wall carpet, which covered about 90% of the home, was pulled up and the white oak wood floors refinished.

"We really wanted to be faithful stewards of the house beyond our presence there," said Jamie. "We think we've done a good job of that."

Now, with both children out of college and out of town, the Rupps, who run a sportswear business, are ready for a change.

"We're moving to German Village," said Susan. "It's the next phase of our lives but our house is a great family house and we're hoping it's enjoyed next by another family."

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jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Eclectic 85-year-old French Bexley manse hits the market for $1.65 million