The Julian Price Mansion: A Hoarder House Restored

I will fully admit that I am a total voyeur when it comes to watching “Hoarders”.  While I know that these people are seriously mentally ill, I’m still flabbergasted by the state of their homes, and I just can’t. look. away.  Awhile back, I watched the Mother of All Hoarder episodes, featuring Sandra, a once successful interior designer, lived in the 9,000 square foot historical tudor-style home – the Julian Price Hillside Mansion, built in 1922 – that had fallen into complete disrepair and contained a hoard like none I have ever seen.  If you haven’t seen it, you can watch the two part episode here – (affiliate link) – it’s episode nine.  She had lost her home in foreclosure, and the new homeowners, Michael and Erik Fuko-Rizzo were planning on restoring it to its former glory.  They were kind enough to give Sandra the opportunity to go through the home and salvage some of her stuff, as opposed to calling in 1800-GOT-JUNK.  After watching this episode, I admire them for their kindness, empathy and patience of a mountain of saints.  I don’t know if I could have survived the ordeal.  If you saw this episode, I’m certain that you still remember it, because it was like no other.

When I learned that the new homeowners were going to restore it, I made a note to follow up and see what sort of magic they were able to create, given the state of the home when they bought it.  You can see that was a massive project.  Absolutely huuuuuuge!

The Exterior

Julian Price House Before

Julian Price Hoarder House Exterior Before

I’ll share the exterior transformation right off the bat, because as you can see, the exterior alone was an unbelievable undertaking after so many years of neglect.  But look at it now.  Wow.  It makes my heart happy to see this home brought back to life.

Julian Price Exterior AFTER

To get the full effect, look at this side by side comparison.  Unbelievable.

Julian Price Exterior Before and After

The Interior – BEFORE

After the restoration was complete, the new homeowners opened it up to the public in Greensboro, NC, and for a hot minute I tried to figure out if I could justify a trip down there to see it.  Talk about the ultimate before and after.

This house was packed to the gills.  30+ rooms, full of stuff.  Like this.

Julian Price House Living Room Before

And the staircase – 

Julian Price Home Staircase Before

It’s really staggering and overwhelming to even consider, isn’t it?  These new homeowners bought the house and the hoard.  Ultimately, they did get the house cleaned out, but you could see that years of neglect had taken its toll.  Yet, you can also see the potential that was there, underneath all of the junk.

Julian Price Hoarder House Staircase Before

Julian Price Hoarder House Foyer Before

Julian Price Hoarder House Kitchen Before

Julian Price Hoarder House Before

Julian Price Kitchen Before

Julian Price Hoarder House Before

Julian Price Flower Room Before

Julian Price Fireplace Before

Mind you, this house is massive, and I don’t have pictures of everything.  But, what I do have is still pretty compelling.  A large group of designers contributed to this project by taking on individual rooms of the home, and the transformations are nothing short of spectacular.

The Interior – AFTER

Let’s start with that main staircase.  I can’t even imagine the work that was involved to restore that behemoth.  

Julian Price Staircase After

From this vantage point, you can see how expansive it is.

Julian Price Staircase After

Again, here it was before the restoration – 

Julian Price Hoarder House Staircase Before

And here it is now.  You can see that they were able to reuse and restore the original light fixture.

Julian Price Staircase After

And then there is the main floor living room with its stunning ceiling detail and ornate fireplace.  I love the color palette in here – it’s so light and fresh, such an amazing transformation from where it once was.

Julian Price Fireplace After

A couple of other angles of this lovely room as it stands now.

Julian Price Hoarder House Living Room After

Amazing.  As if it was this way for years.

Julian Price Living Room After

One thing I didn’t realize initially is that this room, with the pool table, was transformed into the new kitchen.  A refresher – here it is before:

Julian Price Hoarder House Before

And now – what a stunner.  But yet so warm and welcoming.  I could totally imagine sitting on a barstool at the island and chit chatting.  I love that despite this home’s massive size, the kitchen isn’t a bit out of place in its scale and design.  (But I’m hoping that whoever wallpapered that ceiling has access to magnificent massages).

Julian Price House Kitchen After

Julian Price Showhouse Kitchen

Julian Price Kitchen After

Even the nooks of this kitchen are gorgeous.  And I’m kind of smitten with that subway tile – what a unique look to a traditional classic.
Julian Price Showhouse Kitchen Nook

I know what you’re thinking.  “What happened to the original kitchen?”  It went from this – 

Julian Price Hoarder House Kitchen Before

To this.  It looks like the original cabinets were restored – I can’t even imagine the work that was involved to pull that off.  Wow.

Julian Price Breakfast Room After

Julian Price Breakfast Room After

The upstairs attic space was one that oozed with potential.  (Although I’ll admit that it probably felt a bit scary before the remodel when the house was empty). What a great getaway space for work, guest space, etc…

Julian Price Attic Space BEFORE

Julian Price Attic Study Space BEFORE

Julian Price Attic Space AFTER

Oh the molding and trim details in this home.

Julian Price Hoarder House Before

Julian Price Entry Foyer AFTER

Julian Price House Entryway AFTER

This room was transformed to a playroom.  The before – 

Julian Price Flower Room Before

And the after – 

Julian Price House After Playroom

Julian Price Playroom AFTER

If you’d like to learn more about the Julian Price Hillside Mansion, and see more photos of the home, you can check out their Facebook page here and the Julian Price website here.  I’m still a little bitter that I didn’t find a way to get down there and see it in person!  So if anyone lives in Greensboro, and can hook me up, send me a message. 😉

I hope you enjoyed this restoration as much as I did.  I’ve been keeping tabs on this project since I first watched the episode of Hoarders.  The new homeowners are good people to undertake such a huge project (huge, in more ways than one), and restore such a historical beauty to its original glory.

Note: Photos are sourced from the Julian Price Facebook page and Greensboro News and Record.

Jenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

37 Comments

  • Reply
    Lauren@SimplyLKJ
    May 22, 2018 at 10:48 am

    I am speechless! That was one massive undertaking. I cannot imagine the amount of time and money that took to restore the home, but it is amazing.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      May 22, 2018 at 5:51 pm

      Isn’t it fantastic? Totally overwhelming, but absolutely amazing!

  • Reply
    kate
    May 22, 2018 at 1:50 pm

    I want to know more about the previous owner, the designer. How could someone who has such a passion for design let the home get that way? I am obsessed with home decor/design and with that, comes an obsession with cleanliness so it always looks pretty! That is baffling to me!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      May 22, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      From the episode, she went through a divorce and then some legal/financial troubles, but from what I can gather, at one point that home was in amazing condition while she was living there. Very sad what this disease can do to a person.

    • Reply
      Helene
      June 2, 2019 at 4:29 pm

      Hoarding to that level is an illness, as we now know. I just watched that Hoarding program today and it was pretty intense for everyone. It was intense viewing it. The new owners were beyond compassionate. They went far beyond what most people would ever go, with someone who was struggling so much to let go of their foreclosed home and all she had collected there for years. It was quite an impressive show, if someone hasn’t seen it.

  • Reply
    Ivory
    May 22, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    OMG, WOW! what a beautiful transformation. I love whats was done. thank you for sharing. That for sharing the before and afters. I am so happy to see this house being restored, because its fabulous in and outside.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      May 22, 2018 at 5:52 pm

      I was so happy to see it restored to its original glory. It makes me so sad to see such a beautiful home in such a state of disrepair. It’s like even the house is happy again. 🙂

      • Reply
        Helene
        June 2, 2019 at 4:30 pm

        Agreed. I just watched a clip of the new owners, with one becoming emotional about feeling the house was calling to them for help.

  • Reply
    Patricia
    May 22, 2018 at 3:59 pm

    I remember seeing that episode on “Hoarders” – I think they actually did it in 2 episodes. I had never seen anything like that before, it was truly shocking and heartbreaking. I don’t understand how that happens, but it’s very sad. What really stood out to me was the compassion and kindness of the 2 young men that bought the home. They were so understanding of the previous owner – even when she refused to leave the property and lived in her car on the property – she was breaking the law and yet they were still so kind and patient with her, willing to try and work it out with her. The home is absolutely beautiful and has been brought back to life so tastefully. Thank goodness those 2 young men became the new owners – they were amazing….

    • Reply
      Jenny
      May 22, 2018 at 5:49 pm

      The new homeowners were absolute SAINTS in dealing with that whole situation. I don’t think I would have that sort of patience – it was all so overwhelming on so many levels!

      • Reply
        Terry Mullane
        January 13, 2024 at 3:42 pm

        I do agree that the new owners were absolute saints and God love them… but i also have to believe that given the cost of the clean out to them and the fact that they stayed patient for what sounds like years after the sale, and the cost of what is undeniably a top tier renovation on an olympic scale… that they purchased the home out of foreclosure for a ridiculously low price to ease their thought that the sale of that house even as a tear down would have MORE than kept the previous owner in blue boxes the rest of her life. After all.. her ex husband wanted to sell the land to a developer to tear down decades earlier. I actually tend to think that was the source of the tears and good will from the new owners. I have a couple friends who lost over $500,000 in earned value on a house they’d owned for more than 20 years in DC where property values have skyrocketed. This happened because they’d gotten older and felt shame at the bills getting behind and just waited too long to ask anyone (me, for one) for help. They live as senior citizens in squalor in Missouri now and it breaks my heart. A very wealthy man bought it to add to his collection of rental properties for a ridiculous price probably $800k under market value. And this is why we need reform for the tax code.

  • Reply
    Lynn Terry
    May 22, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    Southern Home magazine is publishing this house in the September/October issue. The transformation was really spectacular and it will be a fantastic feature! Michael and Eric really did an amazing job to bring this grand home back to life. They maintained the architectural integrity of the home while updating it for modern living. As the editor of Southern Home, it was really a treat to partner with Michael and Eric to bring attention to this great project and benefit the Greensboro Preservation Society.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      May 22, 2018 at 5:44 pm

      I have been absolutely captivated by this home since I first laid eyes on it, and I could tell by the kindness that Michael and Eric showed to the former homeowner, that they would do right by this home. I can’t wait to see the feature! I’m still upset that I didn’t get to see it in person! If only I lived closer!

  • Reply
    Joen Bayliss
    May 23, 2018 at 10:55 pm

    My sister inlaw and myself went from Iowa just to see the designer showcase. It was AMAZING.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      June 4, 2018 at 6:04 pm

      I’m soooo jealous Joen! I wish I had made plans to see it in person – I was so captivated by it, I’m sure photos don’t do it justice!

  • Reply
    Sherry
    February 1, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    I am amazed at how beautiful it is now. Does anyone know what the renovation cost was? I can’t believe anyone can afford such a house and renovations. What did these young men do for a living? Their daughters are adorable!

    • Reply
      Rachel White
      February 10, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      From what I could find, they paid $415,000 for it when they bought it but God only knows how much money they must have sunk into it. It is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! They did a spectacular job renovating it.

      • Reply
        Helene
        June 2, 2019 at 4:35 pm

        Oh, wow. That’s a steal for a home like that. Yes, we can assume the restoration was huge. But I’m sure they knew it was going to be very costly. Sometimes one can’t know precisely though, until they actually get into it and realize it needs so much more. I wish them well. It really shines, doesn’t it?

    • Reply
      Helene
      June 2, 2019 at 4:34 pm

      I’d be interested to know what the new owners purchase price was as well. I’m going to look around and see if I can find that info. The Hoarders show mentioned that the previous owner had fallen behind in payments of 2.1 million dollars. I believe another clip showed she owned the bank 67 payments. How tragic. But these new owners were meant to take over and help this gorgeous home live again.

  • Reply
    jackie weaver
    April 9, 2019 at 10:18 pm

    watched the emsoide of this. I agree the new owners were awesome with her. I would like to look up more about her Sandra what is her last name. is she still living.

  • Reply
    Andrea Carman
    April 10, 2019 at 11:04 am

    I just watched that episode of Hoarders Overload last night! (4-9-2019), so many feelings went through me; the previous home owners mental illness, the patience and kindness of the new owners, the unbelievable undertaking just to get it cleared out, not to mention the restoration. Judging by your photos, they did an impeccable job, and mostly the love and sympathy they showed, and how their little daughters have a real Princess Castle to call their forever home.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      April 11, 2019 at 5:16 pm

      The whole thing was overwhelming even to watch, wasn’t it? I can’t imagine living through it! Those new homeowners are some special human beings to behave the way that they did.

  • Reply
    LAVERNE LOCKETT
    June 2, 2019 at 1:25 pm

    I just saw this sad episode of Hoarders and it affected me to the point that I just had to know if the mansion was ever renovated..I googled it and …boy was it ever !!! I would even like to go and see this in person…The young men who took over the house did a fantastic job..I would love to know how long it took and how much money did it cost to do such a massive project..who did the work.?..This is absolutely stunning and I am so happy to see this beautiful piece of property and architecture brought back to it’s more than original glory!! Well done!!

  • Reply
    Helene
    June 2, 2019 at 4:38 pm

    I’m interested to know what the new owners will do with all of the other massive rooms and space. Perhaps they might use some of the space for community events or fundraisers in the future. So good of them to help the restoration org there with the profits from the home tours.

  • Reply
    Caitlyn
    December 11, 2019 at 10:19 pm

    Holy crap! I’m watching The Julian Price Mansion Hoarders episode right now… What a transformation! I’m so jealous! I wish I lived here!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 13, 2019 at 7:38 am

      Isn’t it amazing? Those new homeowners certainly had vision!

  • Reply
    Kendra Irvin
    July 20, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    I am soooo glad to come across this article. I watched the episode of Horders and could not wait to google the outcome with the new owners. I felt so bad for all involved. I knew that Michael and Erik would do an amazing job! What a beautiful incredible space to raise their children!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      July 23, 2020 at 4:09 pm

      They were such amazing and patient homeowners, seeing the jewel that was beneath all of the junk!

  • Reply
    Shereda Buckingham
    July 21, 2020 at 2:59 am

    I just binged watched this episode. I want to know if they ever did anything to that secret tunnel that they found!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      July 23, 2020 at 4:09 pm

      A reader told me that you can stay there as part of Air BnB – I’d love to visit and find out!

  • Reply
    Genevieve Bostick
    December 4, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    I recently watched the episode of Hoarders with this sweet woman. Absolutely sad! You must face your fears before it’s too late. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this couple for giving her a last chance. I wonder what happened to her?? The house looks absolutely amazing and good for you guys for being able to rehab that absolutely gorgeous beautiful house. Wow. Just beautiful!!

  • Reply
    mee
    July 23, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    Thank God for gay men !

    • Reply
      Jenny
      July 26, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      They should be sainted!

  • Reply
    Meghan McHale
    August 21, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    My friend and I stayed there last week in the Dogwood Suite. It was absolutely beautiful!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      August 22, 2021 at 11:53 am

      I would love to stay there and see it in person!

  • Reply
    Mendy Bacon
    November 12, 2021 at 11:02 pm

    Oh my gosh. I love the transformation. So beautiful. I am a FL REALTOR, I did a pre-listing walk through today and it’s the worst one I’ve ever done. It’s a 1930 home that is so overgrown and so full of hoarding I was seriously worried to go inside. 3 stories (walk through attic or 3rd story and basement which is rare for FL, I did not go up or down the stairs to other floors so have no idea what it looks like), smaller home that I think would be amazing if redone. This house seriously needs to be on a show.

  • Reply
    John Thomas
    July 1, 2023 at 4:57 pm

    I saw the show as well. She had EVERY chance and MORE to get her stuff out of the home. But was rude and dictatorial so much that even her friends left. All she was able to take was a small load of junk and the rest was lost. The new owners were very upset, but they should not have been. They were more than generous and sometimes, whether you are well or not, you have to live with your bad decisions. What I understand is why none of the hoarders are every treated by a psychiatrist who is an MD and can prescribe medications to help with her obsessive behavior and/or anxiety.

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