Family is focus for renovation project
Staff reporter
Blending two families is no easy fete — especially seven people in a two-bedroom home.
Wally and Kim Ross are Marion's answer to television's Extreme Makeover, except they have been working on their makeover project for two years instead of seven days.
Wally is a full-time, over-the-road truck driver, hauling whatever can be carried on a flatbed semi.
Kim dispatches her husband, sending him on trips that may be two days or two weeks.
In their "spare time," the couple and their five children work on the family's dream home at 217 N. Coble, Marion.
The children range in age from 16 to 9 — Riley Ross, 16, Jake Czarnowsky, 15, Roxanne Ross, 14, Royce Ross, 11, and Christian Czarnowsky, 9.
No stranger to home improvement projects, Wally worked with his father and brother in renovating other homes. He also has built homes.
"I worked with Earl Winter and we built some spec homes for Gerry Harris," Wally said. His cement experience came from his job at the railroad.
"When I'm not sure how to do something, I'll ask people for advice," Wally added.
Wanting to make this house their home, the couple firmly believes working together will bring the family closer.
"The basic idea from the get-go was to work on this together," Wally said.
"All of the kids have helped," said Kim.
The family has gutted the entire structure, jacked up the house and poured a new and larger basement, removed a one-car garage that was located on the north side of the house, and added a three-vehicle garage with living space in the two-story garage.
"We ran into some interesting problems," Kim said.
The original structure was built in 1890, and three additions were added to the home by previous homeowners.
When the family began tearing out ceilings and walls, termites had damaged one corner of the original structure.
The Rosses replaced the damaged portion and installed support beams in the basement for additional stability.
New construction continues to be completed to make the home one structure instead of a home with three additions.
"We want this home with the garage to look like it was built at the same time," Kim explained.
Professional contractors have assisted with concrete work, roofing, and heating and cooling systems.
Otherwise, the project has been the work of family and friends.
"It's sort of been a community project," Kim said. Friends of the couple's children have spent numerous hours working.
"We pay our kids and other volunteers who have helped when we can," said Kim.
Plans are to have the home finished sufficiently for the family to move in by fall.
When completed, the family will have a five-bedroom, three-bathroom home.
End result
With a little imagination, visitors can transform bare studs, currently visible, to a comfortable, modern home with old fashioned charm.
A gracious sitting area or parlor will greet visitors as they enter the home. The steps that lead upstairs have been moved and widened.
What once was a small bedroom on the main floor will become a large, master bedroom with a walk-in closet.
A small kitchen and dining room, now separated with a narrow wall, will be opened.
A wall also separates the dining room from the family room located at the rear of the home.
Eventually those walls will be removed which will open the area from the kitchen to the family room.
A vaulted ceiling also is being planned for the dining room and family room.
Off of the master bedroom is a bathroom. West of the bathroom will be an office area for the couple's trucking business.
A laundry and mud room will be located in the north part of the house, next to the garage.
An outside entrance has been made to the room south of the garage. A laundry shoot will be installed on the second floor.
The upstairs will accommodate three bedrooms with three large closets. An area above the new garage will serve as an area for the children to entertain friends.
The basement has an area for a pool table, a bedroom, bathroom, and safe room or storm shelter.
As a finishing touch, the family is looking for a fire pole. It needs to be a metal pole 18 feet long.
