Walking up to Jacob Marsh and Jared Pease’s 2,400-square-foot home in Tonawanda, I instantly got the feeling that this house must have always been a cool place. Originally built in 1900, the couple felt it too. And let’s say, our instincts weren’t wrong.
“The porch alone sold us,” says Jacob. “Then when we toured the house, it wasn’t the cutest looking, but we saw the potential.”
“As soon as they accepted our offer, he immediately started putting together mood boards,” recalls his partner Jared, who instead headed to the library downtown to research the home’s history.
“We found out the house was originally built by the late Buffalo All-Americans footballer, Oscar ‘Ockie’ Anderson,” Jacob says.
A vintage playing card of the home’s first owner, All-Americans footballer Oscar ‘Ockie’ Anderson, is on display in the entry.
The couple aptly nicknamed the property “The Ockie House” in his honor and started an Instagram page of the same name where they document the renovation progress.
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“He was like the Josh Allen of his day!” Jared says, Ockie winning MVP for the league twice in the 1920s. His vintage playing card from 1916 is framed in the entry hallway, a gift from Jacob to Jared.
Closing on the house in September 2022, the duo worked systematically to tackle their key design to-do list: transforming what was once a dark purple, red and deep green color scheme into one of light and airy woods with soft, muted accents.
“It’s amazing what a little paint and artwork can do,” Jacob says.
The couple worked on the house for a month before officially moving in, beginning with the kitchen, then sanding and sealing the original wood floors, followed by painting the walls.
“Before we moved into any of the rooms with furniture, we wanted to have all of the major things done,” says Jared. “Painting around furniture sucks.”
Undertaking most of the renovations themselves, as well as some custom woodworking and art, for an over 100-year-old home doesn’t come without its hurdles—even for the handy.
“Both of our dads are contractors, so we have a lot of knowledge from growing up around that. Yet every single project takes longer than you think,” laughs Jared.
The minimal storage, many radiators, knob-and-tube wiring and lack of light switches gave them both headaches and opportunities to get creative with decor.
To create a cohesive flow throughout the house, the pair sourced natural pine accents to compliment the flooring, like the chandelier in the dining room and shelves they custom made. Then they brought in fun colors, like the bespoke pastel pink Samsung fridge.
“For such an old house, it’s a pretty free-flowing space,” says Jacob. “I don’t want to say that we’re minimalist or maximalist. But there’s like a little bit of both, depending on where you are in the house.”
Built in 1900, the home features an easy flow, with the heart of their living space centered around a music room, where the couple spend a lot of time listening to an eclectic mix of records.
The couple spends most of their time in the central part of the home, often settling in their music room space off the dining room—where their curated display of records and Jared’s impressive guitar collection are regularly rotated.
Even with the big updates they’ve made over the last year, like most homeowners, the couple has more plans to come. This summer they’ll be adding a cut flower and veggie garden (with lots of hot peppers) to their yard.
Jacob’s own handmade art adorns their dining room, accenting a statement pendant from Crate & Barrel.
Long-term they plan to spruce up the exterior by removing the shutters, replacing the porch decking and painting the house black. Then on the interior, there are hopes to finish the second-floor guest bedrooms, both bathrooms, plus a full kitchen reno.
“We haven’t even had an official housewarming,” the couple admits.
“But I always like us to cheers the house and say thank you,” adds Jacob, “because it does feel like it’s a special place.”
Jacob & Jared's renovation rules
DIY tips from The Ockie House
Tackle big tasks first. If possible, keep your belongings out of the areas undergoing renovation until it’s ready.
Stay patient. Realize everything’s going to take longer than you think and be OK with it.
Keep a color scheme. Tie all the rooms together with paint. Pick tones that work together, as well as woods of a similar color.
Work together. If one person is having a bad reno day, lend a hand and step in for them.
Take breaks. Take time to enjoy your home amongst the renovations. You don’t always have to be working on a project every day.
