11/01/2025
My friend Leigh captured The Wren House so beautifully — both in words and in photographs. She spun this amazing story that truly reflects the heart of our next chapter. I wanted to share her post here so you can catch a glimpse of what Greg and I are working toward.
Shared from Leigh Rutledge Wooten:
“I was absolutely delighted when my friend Melissa invited me to tour her home. The Wren Home, c. 1890, is under renovation by my friends, Melissa McEwen & Greg Walton. They’re accomplishing an incredible feat by bringing this grand dame back to her original glory. This house is truly GRAND in every sense of the word.
The Wren House features six main receiving rooms, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a finished attic space showcasing a grand three-level staircase and pitched roofline that creates a magical setting. Melissa is using this area to create a space for his and her dressing rooms. (Victorian homes did not have closets—people owned fewer clothes and accessories, which were kept in armoires.)
The Wren House displays beauty and craftsmanship in its ornamented spire, ornate chimneys, and unusual arched stained-glass triple windows. Together, it’s all incredibly breathtaking!
A little history:
The Dr. E. B. Wren House was designed by noted architect Frank Lockwood and built by Robert S. West between 1894 and 1903. Dr. Wren came from Shelby County to practice medicine in Talladega. He became influential in local politics and served as a deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Talladega.
The Wren House is located in the Silk Stocking District, a historic area listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. Architectural styles include Queen Anne, Classical Revival, Colonial Revival, and American Craftsman, covering 113 acres with 120 contributing properties.
From an interior design perspective, Victorian homes reflected the growing affluence of the era — intricate wood paneling and trim, stained-glass windows, grand staircases, hardwood floors, and ornate tile fireplaces. The Wren House beautifully embodies all of these hallmarks.
Its floor plan reflects the formality of the time, with many smaller rooms designated for specific purposes such as entertaining, receiving guests, or even, in Dr. Wren’s case, examining patients. Each room features its own fireplace, each one distinct — from the colors of the glass tiles to the Victorian firebacks and mantels.
While the interiors fascinate, it’s the exterior flourishes that make The Wren House a quintessential Victorian showpiece:
– Steeply pitched roofs designed to draw the eye upward.
– Lavish millwork adorning windows, doorways, and eaves — the gingerbread charm we love.
– A gracious front porch that welcomes guests in true Victorian spirit.
– Unique windows — stained glass, arched, cameo, and multi-pane — each reflecting artistry and status.
– Towers and turrets, including the enchanting “Princess Room” in the turret, now planned as a guest bedroom.
And of course — color! I still remember Melissa carrying around a piece of Wedgewood china as inspiration for the home’s future exterior palette. I can’t wait to see the finished masterpiece!
Until then, I hope you’ll enjoy the history of this remarkable home and the photos of the thoughtful, loving work Melissa and Greg are putting into restoring her — a labor of heart, heritage, and hope.”
Thank you again, Leigh, for capturing this so perfectly — your words mean the world to us.
