The movie industry lured independent filmmakers David Burton Morris and Victoria Morris to Los Angeles in the 1980s. A charming farmhouse-style home in Deephaven lured them back.
"We grew up in St. Paul and we wanted to raise our kids here," said David, who described the 1990s return home: "We went from hell to Norman Rockwell."
The Morrises were attracted to the five-bedroom dwelling for its big open front porch, well-designed layout and more than an acre of land across from Thorpe Park. They also were excited to set up their home offices in the carriage house.
While the house, which was built in 1920, was quaint, it clearly needed work.
"She was a grand old lady of a house, but had been neglected," said Victoria. "She had a beautiful layout, high ceilings and no one had torn her apart."
During the past two decades, the Morrises revitalized the grand old house and did several modern makeovers. The long list of repairs and improvements includes new windows, refinishing hardwood floors and reinstalling the original screens on the front porch.
In 1999, they undertook a major renovation on the main floor, which involved tearing off the back of the house and rebuilding it with a kitchen, hearth room, back entry, mudroom and powder room.
"It's a traditional country-style kitchen with butcher-block countertops in keeping with the character of the house," said Victoria, who designed all the remodeling projects.
