Located in the historic Old Town neighborhood of Ames, is a charming century home built in the early 1900s, reflecting classic architectural design with its gabled roof and inviting porch. This 5-bedroom, 2-bath residence spans over 2400 square feet of beautifully preserved living space featuring original details, large windows, and a cozy brick fireplace. Recent updates include a sunroom that doubles as a bright home office. The home also offers a walk-up attic and an unfinished basement, presenting exciting possibilities for expansion. Priced at $299,000, this rare find blends timeless character with modern potential close to downtown amenities.

Living Room Corner

Soft blue painted walls contrast with natural wood trim around windows, doors, and baseboards, adding warmth to the space. The plush, light gray carpet covers the floor, providing a cozy feel. Two large double-hung windows and one single window invite ample natural light, brightening the room’s airy atmosphere. A white ceiling fan here offers a subtle modern touch. To the left, an open wooden door reveals a hallway with metal lockers, hinting at a vintage or utilitarian element. Another open doorway leads to a sunlit adjacent room with white curtains, enhancing the home’s historic charm.

Living Room Fireplace Wall

Centered on a dark brick fireplace with a decorative metal screen, the room is framed by light blue walls contrasted by natural wood trim. Two small windows above built-in cabinets flank the fireplace, their wood frames and mullioned glass doors adding historic charm. A wide wooden mantle runs the length of the fireplace wall, drawing the eye horizontally. The carpeted floor is a soft, neutral gray, complementing the cool-toned walls. A white ceiling fan with a light hangs from a paneled ceiling, blending modern convenience with classic architectural elements. Sunlight filters gently through the right-side double window, highlighting the warm wood tones and inviting ambiance of this quiet living space.

Living Room Entryway

Soft gray carpeting covers the floor, complementing the muted blue walls that bring calm to the space. Natural wood trim frames the windows, doorways, and baseboards, providing warmth and character that nods to classic architectural styles. A central ceiling fan in white blends subtly into the white ceiling, adding functionality without visual weight. The room is connected to adjacent areas by wide entrances, one of which holds a glass-paneled wood door allowing light flow while maintaining separation. Large windows invite natural light, enhancing the airy and open feel of this inviting living area.

Entryway and Adjacent Rooms

A transitional space connecting multiple rooms with wood-trimmed doorways and muted pastel walls. The entryway boasts honey-toned hardwood floors flowing seamlessly into carpeted adjacent rooms. A partially open French door with multiple glass panes allows natural light to filter softly between the spaces. Thick baseboards and window casings in rich wood frame large, grid-style windows. The wall colors contrast subtly—sage green in the entry and a muted blue in the adjoining room—enriching historic charm with a peaceful, lived-in atmosphere. Simple white curtains and traditional details create a welcoming, classic ambiance.

Entryway and Staircase Area

Green walls meet natural wood trim molding in this transitional space leading to a carpeted staircase, visible through a simple wooden doorway. Hardwood flooring adorns the immediate foreground, transitioning to carpet in the adjacent room, which is painted a muted blue and features matching wood trim around windows and doors. A built-in pass-through shelf with a wooden ledge connects the two rooms visually, adding vintage charm. The overall aesthetic combines a soft color palette with warm natural wood tones, typical of early 20th-century American homes, offering an inviting, cozy ambiance with functional design elements.

Kitchen Details

Oak wood cabinetry with classic paneling lines the upper and lower sections of this kitchen, paired with a light gray speckled countertop. A white Whirlpool refrigerator stands prominently in the corner, adjacent to a white electric stove and oven, both appliances blending with the neutral tones. The flooring is wood-textured laminate in warm honey tones, complementing the cabinetry. Doorways framed in honey oak trim lead to adjoining rooms painted in muted sage green and pale blue hues. Overall, the space is simple and functional, with a focus on natural wood finishes and clean white accents.

Kitchen Corner

Natural oak cabinetry with classic paneled doors lines the walls around a white electric range and a double-basin stainless steel sink. The countertops are finished with a light marble-patterned laminate, blending seamlessly with the neutral wall color. Two large windows above the sink bring in ample daylight through horizontal blinds, highlighting the warm wood trim that frames them. A white range hood contrasts softly with the cabinets, while a stainless steel dishwasher is tucked neatly beneath the counter, balancing modern convenience with a straightforward, functional layout. The kitchen emits a cozy, traditional appeal with practical charm.

Kitchen Workspace

Natural light floods this cozy kitchen area with multiple windows framed in warm wood trim. Oak cabinetry with a classic finish lines the wall, complementing the neutral, marbled countertops that extend into a built-in desk workspace. A modern stainless steel dishwasher blends into the lower cabinetry while the double sink sits beneath a wide window, offering views outside. The small office nook includes a rolling chair and a countertop desk, ideal for multitasking or casual dining. The space combines traditional wood accents with contemporary utility and comfort, accented by light wall paint and wood-look flooring.

Bright Corner Nook

A sunlit corner with four large double-hung windows framed in natural wood trim allows abundant daylight to fill the space. Light gray walls complement the honey-toned wood baseboards and window casings, bringing warmth and contrast. White curtains hang on simple metallic rods above each window, softening the natural light. The ceiling has square drop tiles with wooden trim accentuating its perimeter. The floor is covered with a textured, neutral-toned carpet, adding comfort underfoot. The combination of classic wood features and modern neutral colors creates a cozy yet airy atmosphere perfect for relaxation or reading.

Empty Room Corner

Neutral-toned walls create a calm atmosphere, complemented by a soft, gray carpet covering the floor. Two windows framed with rich wooden trim bring in natural light, highlighting the warm hues of the wood baseboards that run along the floor’s perimeter. A white support column and overhead beam subtly divide the space without enclosing it, maintaining an open feel. The room’s simplicity, with its clean lines and unadorned surfaces, suggests a versatile area adaptable for various uses, while the contrast between wood accents and light paint adds a touch of classic charm.

Bathroom Corner

Small bathroom area featuring a white toilet set against light gray walls. The flooring has a neutral-tone tile pattern resembling stone, complementing the light wood baseboards and trim. To the right, a wooden vanity cabinet supports a white sink with a simple chrome faucet. Above, a rectangular mirror framed in matching wood adds warmth to the otherwise minimalist space. A towel rod is mounted on the wall near the sink and another horizontal grab bar is installed near the toilet, indicating accessibility considerations. The clean, practical design focuses on functionality with subtle natural wood accents.

Attic Storage Area

Exposed wooden beams and rafters create a rustic atmosphere. The unfinished attic space reveals the original wood structure of the home, with wide plank flooring and visible grain and knots. Natural light filters in through two small windows at the far end, providing illumination to the space. Simple wooden railings outline a stairwell opening in the floor, emphasizing functionality over decoration. A narrow shelf runs along one side, potentially for storage or workspace. The overall warm tones of the wood emphasize a historic and utilitarian aesthetic in this underutilized upper level of the house.

Bathroom Details

The compact bathroom combines functionality with subtle charm. White fiberglass surrounds the shower area, equipped with a detachable showerhead and two sturdy stainless steel grab bars. The flooring is tiled in a beige stone pattern, extending up as a short baseboard around the perimeter, contrasting gently with the slate blue-gray painted walls. A simple white toilet is positioned beside the shower. The vanity features light oak cabinetry topped with a beige speckled quartz countertop, housing a sink with a brushed nickel faucet. A small mirror hangs above, partially visible, underscoring the clean, utilitarian design.

Empty Room with Doorway

Light teal and off-white walls contrast with rich wood trim and baseboards, highlighting a classic, simple aesthetic. The hardwood floor adds warmth through its smooth finish and natural wood tones. A dark wooden door, slightly ajar, reveals an adjacent space with similar flooring and contrasting wall paneling detail. Vintage elements include a vent cover built into the lower wall and old-fashioned electrical outlets. Crown molding and a ceiling smoke detector suggest a focus on safety and architectural detail. The room’s bare state provides a blank canvas blending mid-century and traditional elements with potential for personalization.

Cozy Corner Nook

Soft lavender and light gray paneling meet in a corner space illuminated by natural light filtering through sheer white curtains. The room combines classic and simple design elements, with aged wooden baseboards and a window casing adding a touch of warmth and historic charm. A vent near the floor and visible electrical outlets interrupt the wall’s smooth surfaces, mixing vintage components with modern necessities. The ceiling panels continue the neutral palette, sloping gently to create an intimate atmosphere above the wooden flooring, which exhibits subtle grain patterns, enriching the cozy aesthetic.

Bedroom Corner

Soft natural light fills this cozy bedroom corner through double-hung windows framed in rich wooden trim. The hardwood floor gleams warmly, complementing the deep wood baseboards and door frame. Walls are painted in a gentle pastel green on one side and crisp white on the window wall, creating a subtle two-tone effect. The ceiling slopes slightly, adding architectural interest and a sense of intimacy. Visible door trim and baseboards reveal the home’s historic charm while the uncluttered space invites personalization. The window offers a view of a peaceful neighborhood with trees and traditional homes.

Bedroom Corner

Two adjacent walls painted in pastel shades bring a soft, calming atmosphere to this bedroom corner. One wall is painted in a muted lavender, while the connecting wall is a pale mint green, creating a subtle but refreshing color contrast. The ceiling is tiled in white, adding to the light and airy feel of the space. A single window framed in rich, dark wood trim lets in natural light and offers a clear view of the yard outside. The hardwood floor is natural with warm tones, matching the wooden baseboards and window framing, adding a classic, historic charm to the room.

Bedroom Corner Details

Two adjacent windows framed with rich wooden trims brighten this cozy bedroom corner, one wall painted a gentle lavender while the other is a soft off-white. The hardwood floor complements the wood baseboard beautifully, adding warmth to the space. The ceiling slopes modestly, covered with square panels that lend subtle texture. The combination of classic window frames with pastel-colored walls evokes a vintage charm with minimal modern updates. A single electrical outlet on the lavender wall suggests practical functionality in an otherwise simple, inviting room with natural light filtering through the outdoors.

Sunroom Corner

A bright sunroom corner with three large windows framed in rich, medium-toned wood trim contrasts against soft white walls. The windows allow ample natural light, illuminating the honey-colored hardwood floor beneath. Light beige curtains with a gathered valance adorn the windows on one side, hung on simple black curtain rods. The wood baseboards and door frame add warmth and historic charm to the minimalist space. The ceiling is fitted with white tiles, offering a utilitarian touch. Overall, the room balances vintage wood elements with light, airy openness and functional simplicity.

Bedroom Doorway and Window

Natural wood doors with classic vintage hardware open into this room, highlighting the historic charm of the home. The hardwood floor adds warmth and continuity throughout the space, complementing the wood trim around the window and baseboards. A double window with divided panes allows ample daylight, framed with soft beige curtains that are casually draped for a relaxed feel. The walls are painted a light neutral tone, enhancing the brightness while retaining a simple, understated aesthetic. The traditional ceiling tiles contrast subtly with the older architectural elements, creating a blend of old and newer design details.

Basement Laundry Area

The space includes exposed wooden ceiling beams and metal ductwork, revealing the home’s structural and mechanical elements. The flooring is a worn concrete slab with patches of green paint, indicative of an older basement. Mounted on the brick wall are gray metal cabinets with drop-down work surfaces and open shelving below, adding practical storage and workspace. A white Amana dryer stands near a flexible exhaust vent on the right, suggesting the area’s use for laundry. Natural light enters through small windows, softening the utilitarian atmosphere without decorative elements or finished walls.

Basement Storage Area

Concrete block walls painted in off-white show signs of age with peeling paint near the floor. The floor is bare concrete with visible wear and discoloration, adding to the utilitarian feel. Exposed wooden ceiling joists and a large steel beam run across the ceiling, emphasizing the unfinished nature of the space. Two simple light bulbs with protective cages hang from above, casting a bright but basic light. On one wall, several black and gray plastic shelving units stand empty, providing storage potential. A small, single-pane window allows limited natural light into the otherwise secluded space. A visible pipe and valve system suggest utility access in the basement.

Listing Agent: Jamie Seehusen of RE/MAX REAL ESTATE CENTER via Zillow