Transformed is a good way to describe it, literally rebuilt from ashes of a fire that burned the front and upstairs of the 1910 Craftsman-style house two years ago. It remains a family home, but is also a new bed and breakfast and is still a presence in its lower Rattlesnake neighborhood.
"A few weeks ago, we had a breakfast for 20 in here," said Blossom, sitting at the dining room table and looking around at restoration work that has taken more than a year to complete. "It was filled with people and talk and laughter, the way it should be. This is a house that has good spirit."
Nobody was hurt, but fire, smoke and water damaged much of the house, the furniture and the family's belongings. A year of emotional turmoil and grief began.
"We couldn't decide what to do," Blossom said. Their kids were nearly grown and they weighed downsizing. They considered selling the burned house as-is, rebuilding but not restoring, even taking the insurance money and going sailing for a few years.
"But I didn't want to leave," said Blossom. "I thought I was going to die sitting on my front porch."
The Savages hired neighbor and friend Jason Lonski, a contractor and carpenter and historic-preservation specialist, to restore the house to its original grandeur, only better.
One not-so-small miracle is that family photos did not burn in the fire. Some were damaged, but many survived, inspiring and guiding the rebuilding of the house.
Hundreds and hundreds of decisions were made along the way, including whether to replace distinctive Craftsman-style beams (they did) and whether to rebuild hardwood floors with original log-cabin designs or a less-expensive pattern (they compromised).
Heavy metal radiators were salvaged, cleaned, powder-coated and returned to the house, where they'll continue to heat the rooms. Some original doors, windows, casings, jambs, trim and hinges were salvaged, others had to be built new to look old.
Missoula glass artist Katie Patten, who lives a few doors down, is recreating stained glass that once graced the house.
Troy said he wanted to save money by just repainting the old kitchen until a "project intervention" convinced him otherwise.
"You make these decisions one by one," Troy said. "It almost feels like a blessed project, because all of those decisions were the right right one" - something they know today, as they see the house and garden pull together.
They've taken over the upstairs for their own apartment, and are making the rest of the house into a bed and breakfast, with four bedrooms and private bathrooms, one of which is wheelchair accessible. Linda Baldwin is the B&B's chef; she's a longtime friend who knew the old house and is now part of the new house, too. Her fresh-made scones are becoming a signature item.
The home's character and proximity to the University of Montana should be a draw, the Savages said. Blossom is an assistant manager at the Good Food Store; Troy is a chemical engineer and training specialist for Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.
On Sunday, two years to the day from the date of the fire, they'll host an open house for everyone to see the almost-finished project. Hundreds of people - friends, neighbors, strangers - helped them get through the tough times with donations, food, sympathy, tears and emotional support, the couple said.
"We're not just rebuilding our house," said Blossom. "This house has a story behind it. It has a history. It's part of the neighborhood."
Grand opening Sunday
The grand opening for Blossom's Bed & Breakfast is 2-5 p.m. Sunday at 1114 Poplar St. Reach the B&B at 721-4690 or info@blossomsbnb.com.
The business's Web site is www.blossomsbnb.com.
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