Marshall Pearson and Thomas Toner turned a former Downingtown schoolhouse into a dream home filled with their collection of antique pieces and other personal touches, writes Terri Akman for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

While looking for a home in 2018, the couple wanted something historic but not too big, set on a private lot but close to dining and shopping. The circa-1870 schoolhouse checked all the boxes. 

Despite a concerning home inspection report that found issues with the well and septic system, as well as the wooden beams in the basement, they believed they could fix up the place. 

Their efforts paid off. Over the following several months, the couple dealt with all the issues, painted most of the interior, and put on a new roof and gutters. 

The home, which boasts a living room, dining room, kitchen, and den on the main level, along with three bedrooms and a loft upstairs, truly began to shine with all the decorative items the pair have added. 

The couple especially likes entertaining in the living room. 

“We have a lot of people over for dinner parties quite often, serving hors d’oeuvres, wine, and cheese, and we always have a fire,” said Toner. 

Read more about the Downingtown schoolhouse turned home in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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The schoolhouse used to serve those working in the nearby Bondsville Mill.