PENDLETON, Ind. —
Calvin and Esther Whitaker were simply looking for land to garden, but they stumbled onto a whole lot more.
Drawn to a lovely 10 acres between Pendleton and Anderson, the couple happened upon a home that is extraordinary in every detail. Custom fixtures and flair-filled touches delight the senses at every turn.
Built by Donald and Sharon Clark in 2003, the house was carefully designed sparing no expense. Particular in each selection she made, Sharon designed a treasure to behold. While cutting-edge style graces the home, there is nothing cookie cutter about the features.
Unfortunately, Sharon was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly after the home was completed. Donald set up a memorial stone on her behalf by the pond he had dug in the back yard. Then he sold the home to the Whitakers.
Calvin and Esther appreciate Sharon’s planning and exquisite taste.
“I love the customization of it,” said Esther, formerly a graphic designer at Union Bible College in Westfield. “We didn’t know it was like this on the inside. The space outside attracted us at first.”
Feeling that
they’re outdoors
Once inside, the Whitakers could see the unique charm of the home. Over 10 stained glass windows from an old ice cream shop appear in many of the rooms, unifying a theme. Several other stained glass windows were salvaged from a church that was being razed.
A wealth of palladium windows and double French doors provides a view of their property from every room of the home. A farmer all his life, Calvin enjoys feeling like he’s outside even when he’s not.
“I’ve been a farmer west of Pendleton all my life,” he said. “When I finally decided to sell the farmland, I still needed some land to garden.”
Now he raises corn, green beans, okra, peas, tomatoes and watermelons outside, but gets to simply cross the threshold to step into luxury.
Each week, Emma Bowen Meyer features a Madison County home. If you know of a home that should be showcased, send an e-mail to emmagoldiemeyer@yahoo.com.
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Whitaker home near Pendleton has unique charm
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