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(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

Was it coincidence or divine intervention that Kerri Post finalized the purchase of her first home on her grandfather’s birthday? 

The vivacious young woman, without hesitation, will say the latter.

Post had always been close with her Paw Paw Billy, she said, so when she officially became a homeowner on Nov. 22, 2016, she knew in her heart she had made the right decision.

“My grandfather passed away two years before I bought my house, but he would have been one of my biggest supporters,” Post said about the purchase of her home on Baum Street in 2016.

“So it was very special to close on my first home on that date.”

Post grew up in Tallulah, La., and attended Louisiana State University.

She received her degree from the school in organizational communications and business administration. After graduating, however, she said she decided it was time to follow her dream and enrolled in cosmetology school.

Post received her cosmetology license from the Aveda Institute in Lafayette, La., and shortly afterward began working in Mississippi.

“I began my journey as a cosmetologist in Jackson, but decided it wasn’t quite close enough to my family in Tallulah,” Post said.

Therefore, she decided to move closer to home and in 2013 opened Rouge Boutique Salon, which is located on Washington Street.

Post said it was in the perfect location for her since she had always loved the brick streets in downtown Vicksburg and the charm of the older buildings.

One might deduce that this was why she was also attracted to the older house on Baum with its brick covered street.

“I always knew I wanted an old house,” Post said, and after looking at the Victorian, she said she knew it was a “diamond in the rough.”

However, some people had a few more reservations.

“Everyone in my life thought I had lost my mind, but I knew with a lot of TLC, the house could be wonderful, and I really liked the Glenwood Circle neighborhood,” she said.

Post closed on the house in 2016, and in just a little more than a year has made significant strides in the renovation.

“I knew I had my work cut out for me buying such a project as my first home,” Post said, pointing out the house had been broken up into three apartments.

The previous owners had begun converting the home back into a single-family dwelling, but there was still a lot of updating to do.

Post was determined to be hands on with the design aspect and renovations of her home, she said, but to help with the construction work she hired Daryl Hollingsworth as her contractor.

The first project that was undertaken was a kitchen renovation that included removing a wall to expand the footprint of the space, pulling up layers of flooring to expose the original hardwood floors of the home, and installing an island made from reclaimed lumber.

One of the unique aspects of the kitchen are the white concrete countertops.

Post said she and Hollingsworth had to do some experimenting to come up with exactly what she wanted.

Exterior doors of the space were also replaced since both were rotted.

Post was able to find a replacement for the back door, but Hollingsworth had to custombuild a side entrance door. In doing so, he custom-built French doors to match the four-paned windows in the kitchen. In keeping with the history of the home, a satin brass cremone bolt was installed as the hardware.

For her next project, Post expanded a downstairs bathroom.

She found an antique claw foot tub that she refinished and an old dresser was used as the vanity.

Next, the entire interior of the home was painted.

“There was not a room or trim in the house that was not repainted,” Post said, and added she was fortunate to have great friends and an amazing family to help, including her father, who painted all of the ceilings in the living room.

However, before the actual painting could begin, prep work that included scraping and sanding had to be done to remove layers of old, cracking and flaking paint.

During the process, Post said she was able to remove all the layers of paint off a walnut mantle in the home to reveal the gorgeous detail.

In addition, lighting was replaced throughout most of the downstairs.

“I collected crystal chandeliers before I bought the house. I found a Turkish antique dealer selling them, so I took a chance and bought them,” Post said.

“The lighting in the house was not original. Most of the light fixtures were ceiling fans. They just didn’t fit the house. I found reproduction medallions, added my chandeliers where appropriate, and still have one or two to add. I just haven’t made it to those rooms yet.”

Post reiterates her house is a work in progress.

“I have done so much but still have a ton to do,” she said.

As for furnishings, Post’s home has a mix of modern and antique pieces.

“I consider my design style to be vintage modern,” she said, and by combining old and new “it accentuates the natural beauty and craftsmanship of the home.”

Post credits her grandmother, Granny Sue, for her love of antiques.

“I can remember the first piece of furniture I ever bought. Granny Sue and Paw Paw brought me to Floyd Kelly’s auction house on Washington Street to buy a dresser for my first college apartment,” she said.

Since then, one of her favorite finds was a hand carved buffet from New Zealand, which she put in her kitchen.

Not only does Post have an eye for design, she has also accented many of the walls in her home with original pieces of art.

“I love art. I have done a few paintings for the house. I have done a modern abstract floral painting for my easel in the dining room. The front sunroom or sleeping porch has a collection of my modern grey abstract paintings, and the small bathroom off the kitchen has two of my all white floral texture paintings.

“I also did a whimsical floral painting in the guest bedroom,” she said.

So what’s next for this Louisiana transplant?

Post said her next project would be to paint the exterior of the home. There are also plans for an outdoor patio and of course upstairs renovations that will include the master bedroom and bath.

“I’m so glad the people of Vicksburg opened their arms to me. I love the history, the architecture, the people, and the potential it has. I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather be,” she said.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

More by Terri Cowart

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