| Holly Gregor |
| Cottage Advisor |
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| Holly Gregor is a freelance writer living in Louisville, Kentucky. Gregor writes only on interior design, a passion she acquired after buying their first home. Married with a 5 year old son, Gregor grew up in Austin, Texas and lived in Orange County, California for 11 years working as a television reporter. After having their son, she pursued freelance writing, a more flexible career, allowing her to stay home. What Gregor loves about interior design is the combination of creativity and personal expression reflecting ones personality and lifestyle. If you have a particular question for Holly or would like to see an article on a particular topic, you may contact her by e-mail at HollyGregor@CottagesandGardens.com |
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| Sharing A Vision |
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| Both Anitra and Kip were attracted by the challenge of making something out of the mess that was there. "We both saw the potential," said Kip. Anitra agreed, "We have the same vision. I think we are a whole lot alike. I don't think I've ever not liked one of his ideas." |
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| As seen in Today's Woman magazine (Louisville, Kentucky) |
Anitra and Kip Kimmel make a good team when it comes to renovating houses, along with their three young helpers Karolin, 7, Crew, 5, and Chase, 2. Anitra, a stay-at-home mom, handles the creative design ideas, and Kip, owner of a painting contracting business, likes to make it happen. Their most recent creation is a late 1930s Anchorage house built by George Eiders, the third house they've renovated. Together they have transformed a very old and rundown Anchorage house into a warm and comfortable family home: It is filled with all the charm of an old house, yet blessed with the luxuries and comforts of a new one.
Back in October of 1997, the Kummels walked through the house that was such a wreck it was scheduled to be burned down. Later that evening, Anitra recalls Kip saying, "You know I really can't stop thinking about that house."
"I felt relief," said Anitra, "and I said, 'neither can I'. I felt crazy for thinking that". What sold Anitra was picturing herself looking out the kitchen sink window and watching the kids playing in the backyard with all the neighborhood kids around them. "It's the perfect place for our kids to grow up. Kip grew up in Anchorage. That's why we wanted to be here [along with] the education you can get at the school. And I'm going to know my children's friends' mothers. That's my favorite part," said Anitra. "When I drive my daughter to school, I will see all the kids in the neighborhood going to the same school."
Both Anitra and Kip were attracted by the challenge of making something out of the mess that was there. "We both saw the potential," said Kip. Anitra agreed, "We have the same vision. I think we are a whole lot alike. I don't think I've ever not liked one of his ideas." They wanted to keep the feeling of an old house. "We envisioned restoring it back to as much as its original state as possible," said Kip. 
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