The entire house is a reflection of Janice and Ned Kendall’s hard work and exquisite taste.
The obelisk in the dining room came from a Santa Fe studio, courtesy of Janice’s sister, Bonnie McMillan.
The ‘Circle of Friends’ sculpture on the patio table was a retirement gift to Janice from the Graves County Board of Education.
Janice’s father, N.B. Wheeler, built the sleigh that sits on the stairs’ landing. His handiwork is throughout the house including the grandfather clock in the entry and the faux leather furniture.
Ned jokes that his son’s, Kyle’s, fox, which sits above the front door, is the only trophy he got to bring into the house.
Janice’s pouting room is an escape from football games.
In the kitchen sits a blackboard with grands’ list for Santa.
The grandchildren’s room takes on a storybook aura. When granddaughter Arleigh was very small, she lived in Iceland. She would call the Kendalls and begin each of the weekly activity stories with “Once upon a time.”
Ned Kendall stacked each stone of the fireplace like a puzzle.
Ned Kendall built the house 11 years ago for Janice on the property that was his grandfather’s, Elbert Kendall’s, farm. They had recently married, combining two families with Ned’s four adult children, Janice’s two and together 10 grandchildren. “Every room in this house is used,” Janice said.
Both Janice and Ned are retired. Janice taught for 22 years then worked as a highly skilled educator at Graves County Board office as well as an instructional supervisor. Ned was a pipefitter for 27 years. Ned retired to build houses; their home the first of 15. With his son, Brian, they have built more than 15 houses. “We use this house to show our clients what we can do,” Ned said.
The house plan is “Stonecrest,” a design from Southern Living with some modifications to fit the family’s needs. With 10 little ones, the Kendalls designed a “grandchildren room.” Much of the décor is from Janice’s childhood. “The rocking chair is, of course, a necessity,” Janice said.
The house features a secret room where decorations for all seasons and unused decor are stored. “Mother loved to decorate. I think that’s where I get it,” Janice explained. “I am always changing things in the house.” Her love of decorating makes storage space a necessity. According to Ned, “If Janice sees it and wants it, it comes home.”
A stone fireplace stands across a den wall. Ned joked, “I told Janice that I would build the fireplace if she would dig the footer.” Janice added, “Ned stacked each stone fitting them together like a puzzle.”
While the football lovers of the family gather in the den, Janice enjoys a special place that she has dubbed “the pouting room.”
Each room bursts with Christmas eye candy. On the coffee table a basket holds multi-colored ornaments. In the master bedroom, holiday throw pillows and a red comforter cover the bed. In the kitchen stands a small blackboard with Santa’s list on it. With everything ready, all that’s left is the wait.
