House #3: Meridian-Kessler Painted Brick Ranch

Our “true mid-century modern” was entirely too far away, on the western edge of Meridian-Kessler (according to Google Maps Highland-Kessler). So we moved our search east in the hopes of a better location. We found this painted brick ranch in what Google Maps is calling North Crows Nest. To me, since its on Kessler and half a mile from Meridian I consider it Meridian-Kessler. Take that for what it’s worth.

I forgot to take a photo of the front, so this is the photo from Tucker’s listing.

The first thing I noticed about this home Kessler is. I had no idea. I haven’t spent much time in the Meridian-Kessler area, and I pictured it as pretty quiet. However, on the Sunday afternoon we looked at this home cars were flying down the twisty Kessler Boulevard. Even though this home was only about a mile from the Monon Trail, I didn’t think I would be able to ride my bike to it safely.

The home had some nice features. A big garage, a cool real wood paneled den, and nice lighting and tile in some of the rooms. It also had a breakfast nook, which I have a soft spot for since I grew up in a home with a breakfast nook.

The “real wood” paneling den was pretty amazing too.

But the paint was also peeling in the back and the red brick was showing through. When someone decided to paint the brick, it became much higher maintenance. Maintenance we’re not sure we’d want to keep up with through the years. I’m not sure why they decided to paint it. The brick may have been too red. Or out of fashion at the time. Or maybe it was looking worse for wear. But it’s not something I’ll want to keep redoing.

We decided pretty quickly that this wasn’t going to be a good home for us. Which is why there are fewer pictures of it than any of the other homes. Most of the pictures I did take were of lighting so I could remember it for later.