It’s impossible to drive down Holly Street in Cranford and not notice the yellow Queen Anne style Victorian at number 215! With her traditional mustard coloring, green-striped awnings, double cone-roof turrets, and grand triple-arched porch entry – she’s a real head-turner! My latest art mailer was the winner of my 3rd Annual “Spotlight on Cranford Teen Artists” contest and the artist is the resident of this stunning home – Olivia Schindler!

A Cranford NJ House with History

The Schindlers have lived in this historic home for the last 23 years. The “House on Holly” was built in 1890 as a summer cottage home on the Rahway River and Olivia’s family are the 4th owners. This was the former home of Curtis G. Culin III who fought in World War II during the D-Day Invasion and invented the Culin Hedgerow Cutter Device that allowed American tanks to cut through thick hedgerows at the Battle of Normandy, allowing the Allied forces to advance! Sgt. Culin is honored with a memorial installed on the Municipal Building lawn.

Cranford HS Art Department Cultivates Talent

Olivia loves drawing as a hobby and drew this as a sophomore while taking a Drawing Class through the fantastic Art Department at Cranford High School. Her home has been the inspiration behind many sketches and paintings by local artists. “I liked that they admired it and I wanted to do it as well!” This was her first drawing of her home using colored pencils and blending tools to create a smooth appearance. Her favorite features of the home are the turrets on each side, the spiral staircase, and decorating during the holidays. “I just really love to draw my house because it’s full of so much detail with the lines and roundedness.” Olivia looks forward to taking more art classes her next 2 years at CHS!

I hope you enjoy one of the “Classic Cranford Homes” this month. I love that this was created by a young artist who lives here and that the family is in love with the history as much as we are! It’s a timeless beauty and one that the entire town can embrace and admire. Bringing the past and present together in one home is another reason we Live…Love…Local!!