Genealogy and a 100 Year Home

 

Breathing New Life into a 105-Year-Old Bungalow in the Blue Ridge Mountains

By Sandy aka Appalachian Renovator | August 2025

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My husband and I recently took a leap of faith and purchased a 105-year-old bungalow tucked into the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. This house, with its creaky floorboards, original stone chimney, and stories hidden in every corner, instantly stole our hearts. But let’s just say… it’s a project.  Actually, we made it a project.

We’re not just giving it a fresh coat of paint, we’re rolling up our sleeves for a full-on revival. Think modern comfort meets mountain soul. And because this journey is just too full of charm, surprises, and sawdust to keep to ourselves, we’ve decided to document every step along the way.

What’s On the To-Do List?

First up: adding a third bedroom. The original layout is cozy, but with family visits (and possibly a future studio space in mind), we knew we needed more room to breathe and grow. We’re being mindful of keeping the historic bones intact while also salvaging old doors and trim, and choosing finishes that reflect the bungalow’s original Craftsman style.

Next: a second bathroom. One bathroom just isn’t going to cut it, especially when the house starts filling up with muddy boots, weekend guests, and the occasional plumbing mystery (we’ve already had one). This new bathroom will bring not only convenience but a little vintage-meets-modern elegance with it.

And, of course, we can’t forget the Yorkies. Our furry family members need room to roam, so we’re installing a fence around the property. It’s a delicate balance—we want it safe and secure, but also something that blends into the rustic beauty of the landscape. Think wooden rails, native plant borders, and enough space for tiny zoomies.  Because we have a double lot, it's going to take a bit of time to dig over 40 fence posts.

Click to continue reading.

The Yorkies also have plenty of cousins that plan on visiting.

Why We’re Sharing

We know we’re not the only ones who fall for fixer-uppers with heart. There’s something magical about peeling back layers of wallpaper to find old beadboard, 100 year old inch thick wood siding or finding an original antique and rarely used secretary desk buried in the overgrown shed out back (true story). Whether you’re in the middle of your own renovation or just love a good before-and-after, we invite you to come along for the ride.

We’ll be sharing:

• Progress updates and design choices

• Local antique store treasures

• Challenges and triumphs (including the ones that make us laugh after the fact)

• Behind-the-scenes of life in the Blue Ridge

Genealogy

I'm also tracing the original owners who built the bungalow and all those that lived in it along the way.   Starting with Manuel Jefferson Holcomb's family.  He was a farmer from Tiger, Georgia with over 35 grandchildren.

The Holcomb family lived in the bungalow we bought for over 60 years.



See how you are connected to the Holcomb's of South Carolina and Georgia by joining WikiTree.  It's free!

So if you want to follow along—whether you’re here for the mountain views, the renovation inspo, or the Yorkie antics—come find us on Pixelfed:
👉 https://pixelfed.social/Appalachian

There’s plenty more to come, and we’d love to have you with us on this journey.

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Got any tips for renovating old mountain homes? Drop us a message—we're all ears (and maybe a little drywall dust). 🛠️🏡🐾