Home Feature: Vintage Charm, Modern Life
Story by Allison Razic
Photography by Harris Visual Media
Carli and Alex Gabbard moved into their downtown home in 2021, after deciding they needed to be closer to the hospital for their daughter. They left their peaceful country property on the south side of the county and never looked back. “We actually signed the contract on the house the same day we found out I was pregnant with our youngest,” Carli says. The home spans 3,800 square feet, with five bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.
Before moving, Carli had purchased Larry’s Goldsmith downtown and transformed the space into her salon, The Social Salon. “I was six weeks pregnant with Stahl, our middle child, when we bought the building. At the time, we had no idea she would face health challenges or have special needs,” Carli shares. “With everything that came after, I needed to be closer to home. Moving the salon into our house was the perfect solution for this season of life.”
The home underwent a major remodel by Andee and Scott Crutcher, in collaboration with Randall Erskine of Erskine Concepts. Since then, the Gabbards have worked to layer in their own personality and vintage charm. One of their first projects was stripping the painted banister to restore the original wood. “They did such a great job with the remodel, but we wanted to bring back some of the home’s original character,” Carli says. “I’m slowly adding more vintage colors and heirloom pieces to make it feel more like us.”
Nearly everything in the home holds a story, almost of the furnishings are family heirlooms. Even elements from Larry’s Goldsmith have found their way in. “It’s really a mix of both our histories,” she adds.
In the den, a detailed map of Kodiak, Alaska, hangs on the wall. “It’s probably our favorite place in the world. I have family that lives there,” Carli explains. “We’ve marked all the places we’ve hiked and visited. Alex even spent over two weeks on a remote island and saw things you’d expect only in books or movies.”
The first time Carli toured the house, she knew it was the one. But it was when she brought Alex and their children that it really hit home. “It was the first time Stahl had ever walked up stairs,” she says. “I just sat at the top of the stairs and cried. We knew it was meant for us.”
The Gabbards are known for their hospitality, and the home has made hosting easy. “We have an open-door policy—our front door is basically a revolving door,” Carli laughs. “We love having two living rooms so we can always be hosting our friends and family.”
Carli has dreamed of owning a home like this since childhood. “In the game of Life, I always wanted the Victorian house. It wasn’t even the best house in the game, but if I didn’t get it, I’d be crushed. I always knew I wanted a Victorian home.”
But most importantly, the home is a perfect fit for them. “Stahl can do her therapy here now, her therapist works with her in her room, and I can be downstairs working. It’s just exactly what we need right now.”
