My Portraits of a Place project, a photoseries that captures the heart of a home on film, was born out of a desire to capture the feeling of being in my favorite places. To me, 35mm film does that in a way that digital doesn’t quite capture. Call it the nostalgia of flipping through family photo albums or the whimsy of not quite knowing how the photos will turn out—the results always feel a bit like magic.
It’s the perfect medium for capturing a home as unique as Hannah Parker’s Hyde Park residence, which she and her friends have lovingly called the “Doll House” since Parker purchased the property 10 years ago. Restoring the charming Victorian built in 1909 to its glory has been a labor of love for Parker. As any old-home owner knows, things break, but to Parker, the bones are worth saving.
Made to last
When the original hardwood floors underwent refinishing, Parker learned the ground floor was all oak while the upstairs was pine—a common building practice at the time, as pine was less expensive. The first-floor oak was used to impress visitors. The Doll House’s oak floors are high-quality and could last another 100 years. The ground-floor signature apron pattern shines with the natural oak stain.
All of the windows facing the street are original, including the grand picture window in the room Parker selected for her nursery. Working with an expert in historic windows to ensure the long-term survival of the signature wavy glass, Parker learned that—similar to the hardwood floors—the windows could last another 200 years if they remain well-maintained. “The maintenance is a lot, but the bones are built to last,” Parker says.
Glow-up
When Parker purchased the home, the exterior was painted a bright orange. After researching more classic colors for Victorians of that era, she repainted the home in purple- and pink-toned greys to restore it to something approximating its original look.
Outdoor oasis
When it came to landscaping, Parker opted for native varieties from City Roots Nursery and Soil Service Garden Center. Parker tore down a large deck to make way for an entertaining area that includes a patio, fireplace and pergola that feel more in tune with the home, she says. Her goal was to carve out an outdoor oasis in the city.
Composition and color
Parker’s approach to design lets texture guide the way. From textiles to sheepskins to rugs, the various materials move through the space, complementing the home’s bold paint tones. This is where form meets function, as the layered fabrics help with the draftiness. Large antiques acquired from scouring Facebook Marketplace and the halls of local dealers like Urban Mining anchor the space.
The old and the new
Parker’s art collection began with family originals. Her grandpa, Ike Parker, was a well-known painter in Clinton, a small Missouri town located about an hour southeast of the KC metro. Stationed on the USS Rainier during World War II, he painted the image of the ship at sea that hangs in the dining room. Displayed alongside more modern pieces, like Merlot Striped Birds by Alex King (of Fayetteville, Arkansas), Parker’s philosophy is simple: “Find art you like and build your home around it.” Rather than solely sticking to antiques, she collects art from different periods. The result is a beautifully layered home that honors its history alongside a modern love for design and color. “It doesn’t have to be matchy; it’s more interesting when it’s not,” Parker says.
Learn more about Anna Petrow’s 35mm film project on Instagram @portraitsofaplace or visit annapetrow.com.
