FOR SALE: 1888 Victorian Masterpiece

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The Hornibrook Mansion, built in 1888, features every aspect of the Queen Anne Victorian style in it's highest and best form. The aesthetic movement details in this house have been exquisitely and lovingly restored.
Construction begun on this masterpiece in 1881 and ended in 1888. Sadly, the builder only enjoyed living in the home until 1890, when he died of a stroke at the homes front gate. His wife Margaret died in 1893. After her death the home became the Arkansas Womens College, an insurance agency, a rooming house for women, and eventually a nursing home.
The home was purchased in 1993 by Sharon Welch-Blair and Bob Blair, who undertook a massive restoration which included removing walls, bathrooms and an elevator to return the mansion to it's original floorplan. They then meticulously restored the eastlake and aesthetic movement elements of the home to the highest and best standards. Minton tile, Bradbury and Bradbury wallpaper, Lincrusta and more were used to create the period appropriate perfect details. They then christened the home "The Empress of Little Rock" and opened it as a Bed and Breakfast. It was quickly listed on the nations top BNB lists, and awarded the prestigious Diamond of Excellence in the industry.
The Blairs then surrounded the home with sumptuous gardens, and created a backyard mini-chapel to host garden weddings. It is where Laine and Kevin spent their honeymoon in 1996, just after the Empress Opened for business.
In 2019 the Blairs sold the home and business to Antonio Figueroa and Keith Sandridge, who continue the tradition of luxury and excellence worthy of the Hornibrook Mansion.
For more information: empresslittlerock.com Ryan Stephens. 501.551.2430
Ryan Stephens Group - Engel & Volkers Little Rock
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[@OurRestorationNation]

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[@richardbrown1737]

"Remuddleing". I like that. Most of the "Remuddleing" was done by my father Bill Brown after he bought the house from Claire Freeman in 1975. He loved that house. Dad ran a plumbing business an mom ran a long term care facility in the house from '75 till their divorce, then dad kept the place until his heart attack disabled him in approximately '88. He paid Freeman approximately $34,000 for the house which was unlivable at that time. It had lead water lines running up the walls on marble backing that were torn out & repiped with copper. He installed a full heat & air system in the home and his first months bill with hvac was an exorbitant $400 and he turned it all off and went to window units for the rooms continuously used. He "remuddled" most of the bathrooms and installed a second floor kitchen for more convenience. 14 ft ceilings, fireplaces in every room, meant that at the time, cold rooms in winter, wasps & bats down the chimneys in spring & fall. Bats would get into the central staircase ceiling below the skylight. He and I would get at each end of the room & knock them down with tennis rackets. Dad "remuddled" the three upstairs rooms at the top of the double staircase for his personal living quarters. Custom built cabinets & closets, a 6 ft harvest gold tub with Spanish tile surround, double vanities and a bidet in the bathroom, a hand built pagoda bed with mirrors under the pagoda and a triangular built in dresser at the foot of it. All accessorized with imported brass pulls, shesham wood panels and painted in black with gold trim. Typical upscale 1980's kitch. Dad sold the house approximately 1988 for $170,000. The new owners, the Blair's, spent far more restoring the house than it cost them. The house is a true marvel of 1880's craftsmanship. My father loved that house and poured every dime he had into it until his health failed and he was forced to give it up. I commend the Blair's for the beautiful restoration. I'm glad someone could afford to return the house to its original glory. My father spent himself broke trying to make it the showplace and landmark it now is.

[@zzzzipy12]

Rick, I truly believe this house has part of your soul!

[@sandysimmer1279]

Thank you for sharing the background history of this beautiful home frozen in time. So very cool that you know so much about it!

[@darlap2742]

It's a fantastic home and you can see the love that's been put into getting the old girl back into shape. I know your dad would be proud of how she's turned out now. ❤

[@faulltw]

So sad, I wish we could have seen it just after it was built. As the ordinal owners intended

[@faulltw]

My wife and I stayed there and was told the story of how an old mane came in as they were renovating and showed them the trap door near the fire place which he remembered being shown when he was a young boy playing with one of their children.

[@sandysimmer1279]

So sad, the men that had these great homes built hardly get to enjoy them. He died two years after it was built, and passed at the front gate, not even entering the home that I'm sure he loved.

[@cindybogart6062]

How sad is that story Sandy Simmer. What a gorgeous home this is! Absolutely my favorite!

[@Chereese0808]

10 bedrooms 11 bathrooms 4 parking stalls. $281. Per square. ft. Asking price is just under two million dollars. Gorgeous home.

[@sacredlovetarot1971]

The room with all the stained glass windows is mine, everyone else just back away lol ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@sacredlovetarot1971]

@Andi that's perfect, I read tarot and have been known to commune with the dead lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣❤️❤️❤️

[@robbinbruno2320]

That fireplace in one of the upstairs rooms with the birds is to die for!!!!!!!

[@shortliner68]

That front door design is simply amazing! I've never seen curved hardwood entry doors on older homes in my life and I'm in my seventies. What a gorgeous home!

[@1111Thatway]

1888 my favorite year. I'm already in tears and im not past the front door. My entire being must have lived past lives in these homes as the chills up my spine tells me so. And I Long to go home. As I'm forced to watch people get in these homes today and literally destroy them with modern upgrades 😞~ One guy ripped out a huge built in kitchen wall pantry that went clear to the ceiling. I thought I was going to die when I saw what he'd done. I tried to find it but they destroyed it when removing it and it went to the dump. 😫 Saving and preserving these structures in this country is most urgent. I just wish these real-estate flip mad men would ask somebody first. And forced to stop from destroying precious original feautures. Can it get any more perfect than this home~ 🗝️✨

[@megfuchs9425]

I am an old soul also. I hate when people buy historic homes and modernize them!! I really think I grew up in the wrong time period!

[@Chereese0808]

It can be yours for a reasonable 2 million dollars. I'm not sure if that price includes any furnishings. I doubt it.

[@1111Thatway]

@@Chereese0808 it is a beauty and lucky are the next ones chosen to own her now The furnishings should be bought with it id say. So gorgeous

[@1111Thatway]

@@megfuchs9425 I do to. I refuse to watch these mad men that are out flipping properties and don't have a clue what they're doing when they get a hold of a treasure house. I've seen things they've done inside a home that's kept me up at night sick about it. Ripping out fine craftsmanship only to replace it with fake plastic crap. 😫

[@darlap2742]

What an amazing piece of history brought back and saved. God bless those who saved the old girl from rot and brought her back to her glory once again. I love seeing these homes saved instead of bulldozed down. ❤❤

[@wandamackenzie144]

I have never forgotten the fireplaces, and the stately elegance of the Empress from the first video 👍 A pre-congrats to the new owners and may they experience the same, and more, success with her ❣ This beauty leaves me breathless ☯🎆

[@1111Thatway]

Yes thank you. I was certain she took us here before. Never gets old. Such a beauty 🗝️

[@Chereese0808]

I agree. Incredible craftsmanship. Stunning beauty.

[@droxyy]

i wish i could afford the staff to keep this all clean in addition to a gardener. The dressers converted to a sink stand- very clever.

[@tortiesrule7432]

I really appreciated the dresser-sinks. It was a great compromise that kept to the period, reminiscent of a basin and pitcher.

[@piedpiper7051]

Laine and Kevin, I've read 50+ reviews about this exquisite home and its current owners graciousness. It's hard to imagine anyone could pull off carrying this forward with the same preservation and elegance (especially with that mortgage). Unless...it was yourselves! How about we crowd fund you into the B&B life? We just need each of 114k subscribers to kick in $20 to buy it and give you a little extra seed money. I'd give up a few meals to pass this gem forward. What say you? Pretty please!...with sugar on top 😁

[@CreatedByNoriElan]

This is a great idea!!!!

[@OurRestorationNation]

That’s just about the sweetest offer I’ve ever heard. We are going down a different path but there may still be an opportunity for a bnb. Who knows.

[@piedpiper7051]

@@OurRestorationNation Disappointed but I understand. There is a time for everything. Crowd funding is a mighty force and it could be applied in the future to any project that calls your name but is out of reach. Let that simmer and if you ever are interested just whistle. It would be an extra helping of joy to watch you save a home that we contributed to. So little to give for the pleasure you provide. Your sharing of your knowledge, accomplishments and tours are indeed a blessing to all who dwell here. So thank you!

[@megfuchs9425]

I can see why it's been an extremely successful Bed and Breakfast!! Beyond lovely. Sometimes asymmetry is the way to go!

[@katymcwhirter]

Those morning glory tiles! I die.

[@djahant]

This was incredible!! Wow what a responsibility it would be to keep this going. I hope they have found a buyer that will give it the same love!

[@lawriefoster5587]

And the veranda ceiling is painted Haint Blue..of course!!

[@sophisticatedswine7172]

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! I WOULD BE FOREVER DUSTING!🥲

[@lisaveenstra7098]

I love the staircase so so much! beautiful home.

[@MediocreComedian]

It just keeps going! Who knew there were so many beauties left in this country….💚💚💜💜

[@leeleescraps]

Oh my heart ❤️ I’d love to own this & run a bread & breakfast 😊

[@kennethstuckey7823]

All I can say is, can I have the keys to that impeccable, gorgeous house and a bottle of your Bright Cellars wine? What an impressive, beautiful, spacious, airy, peaceful historic property inside and out...to include the interior outbuilding living spaces and the exterior landscaped gardens. As for that bottle of your wine, the perfect place for a person to consume it in serene fashion is on that fantastic wrap-around porch.....as the sun goes down. Such a glorious, blissful thought!

[@reneebeahl228]

I cry every time I see these Gorgeous homes. They are being tore down so fast, and I know they will be non existent very soon.

[@OurRestorationNation]

Not if we have anything to do with it

[@megfuchs9425]

I SO miss the fine craftsmanship of fretwork! This house has some beautiful fretwork!

[@Castleknight]

I wonder with the advent of 3D printing (I don't know much about this), if these older ornate parts of an older home could be reproduced?

[@lawriefoster5587]

My, how I would love to hold an elegant Hallowe'en party in this glorious house....only using vintage decorations, of course!!

[@laurielaurie8280]

That first upstairs bedroom is to die for. I just love it! 🥰

[@joanreichenbach4896]

There is a lot going on in this house. Which might be typical for the Victoria Era. I now I am being picky but the house felt too over-crowded for me. Although there some lovely pieces of furniture. It would be interesting to see the original floor plan to know if all the rooms on the second floor were bedrooms. They were certainly big rooms. I love the staircase!

[@donaldstrickland8093]

OMG I wish I could afford this one she is just plain gorgeous thank you Lainey and Kevin

[@stephenburns3678]

Thank you

[@fredrobinson6990]

The house is impeccable. It has been maintained beautifully.

[@harleye2323]

Please don’t let it fall into the wrong hands!

[@connieparker8896]

I have been waiting for this to become available,

[@laurieelderkin1353]

All of it is soooo beautiful💖💖😊🥰😍☕️🪄

[@Ainna_vlogs]

My dream house!!! I love it ❤❤❤

[@bensantos3882]

The drone shot left me speechless. So beautiful and timeless.

[@BellaRigelOrion]

Today is my birthday so I sent this to my partner telling him it's fated you posted this today & it would be the perfect gift! ;) Despite the bit of fun with him, oh how I wish we could move into it-I have been dreaming of this place since your previous tour video of it! Thanks for sharing, and I hope the person(s) lucky enough to get her treat her well.

[@megfuchs9425]

Happy Birthday 🎉🎈

[@eleanoreagly4844]

Thank you for the tour of this gorgeous Victorian.

[@joannewall5499]

Such a beautiful house, feel like you are stepping back in time

[@strngenchantedgirl]

Everything in this house is just WOW. I’m such a sucker for fireplace tile. Gorgeous tiles in this house.

[@carolweaver3269]

Such an amazing home! Lovely home for a Bed and Breakfast and can think of even a couple other ideas. But it needs to be taken well care of and cherished! It is warm and full of charm! Seems like it would be comfortable, and the neighborhood looks like it ia s a quiet and nice one too. Such exquisite fireplaces! Thank you for showing this lovely home. It is one I would have loved to purchase if able! It is really so lovely we cannot find anything we would need to change! Enough modern necessities and yet kept to look like it was always like this frog such a grand year of being constructed as in 1888! It will bring income, family, and many spiritual endeavors for the family. Many people would enjoy a short stay when coming to Arkansas for a vacation am sure , If kept as Bend And breakfast! Certainly, would be fantastic as a family home period!

[@suzistinydesk]

my god, its breathtaking

[@what1dreamt]

Those tiles around the fireplaces are just beautiful. They have done such a great job on the house. It is gorgeous!!

[@brendaprice4664]

WOW! This is an Air BNB that I would love to make my permanent guest residence. Once a year I’d ‘move into’ a different room! Seriously! It truly is exquisite! Thank you for sharing her with us!

[@JoyceB-qv9xq]

Was simply a bed and breakfast, not an AirBnB.

[@brendaprice4664]

@@JoyceB-qv9xq Thank you, my bad.

[@pamhutzell8268]

The first room you filmed the wallpaper is the same I put in my Victorian dollhouse. Love it!!

[@SpanishEclectic]

Everything is fantastic! I especially recall the custom decorative tiles on the fireplaces in the public rooms. I do hope the new owners will maintain the quality of the restoration we see here.

[@tristazerbe8119]

So you do actually say “remuddling”! I’ve heard you say it before and I thought surely I was losing my mind! 😂

[@aloysiusdevanderabercrombi470]

Remuddling is not a new term.

[@selah7702]

I loved that too! 🤣 it’s a new term to me! And I love it 😝

[@debbralehrman5957]

You and Kevin all do such an amazing job with the home tours. Thanks again for the great video. 😄💕💕

[@rrt401]

I’ll never forget the diff between a turret and a tower from your way back vids! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 and I love when I can pass on the knowledge! 😂

[@anniemoss8773]

Beautiful

[@carrierockwell2447]

Gorgeous Gorgeous Gorgeous!!!❤❤❤ On Zillow, it doesn’t say the furnishings convey but it does mention the carriage house and guest cottage conveys. At almost $2m one might assume but that’s a broker question. It sold in 2019 for $885k. I would assume the revitalization cost upwards to $600 -$700k so the asking price seems a little high but not unreasonable. Furnishings included would be a great assumption if anyone wants to walk in and continue BnB.

[@tortiesrule7432]

Where I live, a small bungalow home goes for $700,000. This is a relative steal! (...I say, not having money for either.)

[@JoyceB-qv9xq]

@@tortiesrule7432 Come to Naples, FL and I'll show you a bungalow for $5.5 million. The woman selling it is quite delusional and is being egged on by realtors who claim three homes can be built on the site which is less than a quarter acre.

[@janeimel7488]

The fireplaces are stunning. The entire house is amazing! However, I still love Pearl best. I so wish I had the money to buy her.

[@joubertcronje35]

Beautiful place, a real gem!

[@karenstanislaw8912]

Pale blue bedroom starting at about 15:18, had the loveliest fireplace I think I've ever seen. Workmanship overall, *quality of materials - exceptional . In last shots that stained glass enclosed, rarefied "perch" not as honored, understood, or as chicly appointed as is possible. Barring someone with a 30-40 million dollar inheritance, 5-6 kids, and ideally great artistic intelligence , purchasing to keep for a single family, I hope the next owners keep it as an Inn. Dynamite, drenched in Victorian detail -place. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@ninnin261]

Absolutely gorgeous! ❤

[@ThatGirlYouKnow97]

I have seen so many videos of this house but what I have not seen is a kitchen.

[@OurRestorationNation]

If only we’d explained WHY the kitchen isn’t shown… Oh wait, we did

[@LindaStein-ze8bk]

I was gonna saw, "hey you showed this house already" LOL She's a beaut

[@debbieedwards9508]

Of all your wonderful videos I’ve enjoyed, this Empress BNB is the absolute very, very best! I would love to purchase this, with all furnishings and accessories and every other beautiful item included! I normally cannot stand the busy-ness of decor in these home treasures, wanting to make toned-down changes. But, this is so tastefully put together that I wouldn’t rush to change even one trinket-it all seems to fit! Great taste, awesome vision, and professionally executed to perfection. Thank you!!!❤

[@user-ez2ug5lg1e]

This is my dream home

[@Annaorlando22]

This house is absolutely gorgeous, Every room was decorated perfectly. I'd love to buy this house, Do you get it furnished?

[@laurablakeley6559]

Breathtakingly, beautiful exquisite!!!

[@src4409]

Living in the south, it seems difficult to find historic brick or stone houses. We're only getting older and it's only getting harder to find quality contractors to do anything... I'm going to paint my 4300 sqft Victorian myself... but I don't think I'll be able to do it again in 20 or hopefully 30 years.

[@christinestephenson1742]

This house is exquisite! Just a dream come true! Everything is perfect!

[@Miesque1973]

For a second there, my inner ditz asked, "How did they get the bricks to curve like that?".

[@tealemon4693]

Great job as usual! Your shirt is very cute and your hair is looking gorgeous. I always watch your videos and I'm so excited when a new one pops up. Thanks for all you do and educating us

[@OurRestorationNation]

Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@hsimpson6581]

I love the printed carpet on the second floor it’s very hard to find a printed carpet in America. The carpet mills just don’t understand what the American people need

[@tiredofit4761]

Arkansas has so many beautiful homes. Little Rock and Conway. I love these old home but sadly the conveniences of newer homes rules over purchasing older ones.

[@christineherrmann205]

Holy vrap, that house is gorgeous.

[@lmooney97]

I've been seeing this house on my Pinterest for years!!

[@redrooster1908]

Perfect. But, I wouldn't want to be the one to clean it all.

[@larrypicard8802]

The house that booze built, beautiful.

[@selah7702]

Delightfully beautiful and the music was so so lovely also

[@susanmetzelar549]

What a dream house

[@gloriasears9798]

Whoa! That is a whole LOT of house!

[@ItsNatalieD]

I love a good Victorian.

[@kellygreen8255]

Absolutely stunning! ❤

[@eastcoastartist]

Beautiful 🤩

[@cherylholasek2193]

Another beautiful home. Thanks for sharing your videos 😊😊

[@seattlebeard]

You did a lovely job filming this amazing home. :o)

[@PurrBiteMeow]

Three weeks later and I just looked up the listing on Zillow, which was taken down! Now not for sale. I wonder what happened. The asking price had been over 1 million bucks, and it did NOT include the carriage house!!😮 Curious.

[@pennytarleton7364]

The house is magnificent ❤

[@marciareagan2718]

Wow!

[@thekelleejean]

I want it! I want it! I wannnnnt it!😩

[@leahtreck1083]

Thank you for sharing this gorgeous piece of architecture. In my humble opinion, the interior decorating is a bit too busy for my taste. It feels to me like everywhere you look it’s over saturated with gorgeous furniture. It’s kind of brocante looking. Whoever purchases this museumish home can work wonders with redistributing the furniture for a breathable look in keeping with the time period. The antique furniture is outstanding - just a bit too much per everywhere you look,

[@tigerphid9677]

Nice channel. I just stumbled across it yesterday.

[@laurielaurie8280]

Beautiful home. I did not know there was a tower and a turret. I thought they were all called turrets. Interesting to know. Thankyou for the information :))

[@swoooooooooop]

A beauty. Any stats on the cost of upkeep and income generated from the BNB business?

[@OurRestorationNation]

That’s a question for the realtors

[@KentuckyGirl]

All I can say is, Wow! I'm curious as to the red cords hanging from the door knobs?

[@charityhostetter8123]

Such beautiful design!! ❤ Love everything minus the bath tubs in the rooms. Just can't like that no matter how much I try. 😢

[@jelsner5077]

Wow, fantastic! Almost sensory overload.

[@HermicraftAddict]

I want.

[@hsimpson6581]

I noticed all the transoms are painted I know Lane loves a good painted transom over door L O L

[@Paula-Jo]

This is a showstopper! I just need somebody to send me 2 Mill 💸 I wonder what did these people pay for their home when it was built? I'll take one just like it on a lower scale🙌😊

[@Castleknight]

Are the front doors curved or is it just the camera angle?

[@OurRestorationNation]

They are curved!!

[@Castleknight]

@@OurRestorationNation - Very cool. Thanks for the reply!.

[@michellezaplitny2458]

I just have to ask, where do you buy all of your beautiful blouses?

[@debbiehorn8263]

Where's❤ the kitchen and what are they asking ?

[@dawnwesterbeck346]

You deserve a break with a glass of wine!

[@laurac8659]

It’s off the market.

[@karam7912]

Is it me or is the piano music reminiscent of Jim Brockman?

[@megfuchs9425]

They do list the music. It doesn't look like it's Jim Brickman, but I have a book of his piano music. He's wonderful!

[@connieparker8896]

Let me know your price?

[@OurRestorationNation]

The Zillow link is in the description. They are asking $1,999,000