Katie Heim and her wife renovated a 110-year-old mansion in historic Gonzales, Texas. Courtesy of Katie Heim.
For you: Insider Today newsletter — the day’s most fascinating stories.Email addressBy clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Katie Heim, 45, is a seventh-generation Texan with a soft spot for the Victorian era. In 2020, she found the home of her dreams: A more than century-old mansion built in the historic city of Gonzales, Texas.
The eight-bedroom and six-and-a-half-bathroom home was built in 1913 by Emily James “Jimmie” Lea Boothe, the wife of Joseph Henry Boothe, a former mayor of Gonzales. It was designed by Atlee B. Ayres, the famed architect that revolutionized architecture in San Antonio.
Katie Heim and her wife Lindsey Dionne. Katie Heim
“My wife showed me the listing and I thought, ‘Oh my god, how amazing,’ Heim told Insider. “I was a history major in college, so the house really spoke to me — this place really felt like Texas history.”
The couple bought the home for $430,000 but it turned out to be a nearly million-dollar venture — they spent about $500,000 restoring it to its full glory. Aside from replacing its roof, they’ve done gut renovations in the bathrooms and the kitchen. Heim has also purchased hundreds of dollars worth of quirky art and furniture to complete an eclectic, maximalist look.
She and her wife have documented the home’s progression at length on their website and Instagram. See how the couple gave The Boothe House a new life. Do you have a similar story you’d like to share with Insider? Get in touch with reporter Alcynna Lloyd at alloyd@insider.com.
Courtesy of Katie Heim
Gonzales, Texas, is a small town of about 48,000 people, located an hour south of Austin and an hour west from San Antonio. It is best known for being the site of the first battle of the Texas Revolution.
The home has had numerous owners throughout its lifetime.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.
The house has changed hands several times since the Boothes left the home. In 1996, one couple made extensive updates after buying it.
Their projects included the installation of a central air conditioning unit, building a guest house and adding a pool to the back yard. They also turned the home into a bed and breakfast.
However, the couple went on to sell the home to a buyer who lost it in a foreclosure, leading to the closure of the B&B.
The house sat empty for years afterward, and slowly deteriorated. In 2012, a family stepped in and brought it back to life, restoring the property and running the B&B until 2018.
Katie Heim and her wife purchased the home in 2020.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.
The couple has also made its share of renovations to the home, including the installation of a new HVAC unit, adding a new roof, and completely renovating its kitchen and master bathroom. When they are not staying in the home, they rent it out on Airbnb.
The home’s front door has a plaque identifying it as The J. H. Boothe House.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.
In Gonzales, Texas, many older homes are named after individuals. While Joseph Henry Boothe passed away in 1911, prior to the home’s construction, it went on to be known as the J.H. Boothe House.
Heim and her wife are working towards renaming the home after Boothe’s wife Emily because she is the one who had the home built. “It was her passion project,” Heim said, of Emily.
While Katie leans towards maximalist interior designing, she made sure to stick to the home’s Victorian roots.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.
“I think my style is kitschy and eclectic,” she said. “With the Victorian home, I really wanted to convey that old sense of decor.”
The dining room’s wallpaper was the blueprint for the rest of the home’s wall decor.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.
“I got all the colors for the home’s bedrooms from the dining room’s wallpaper,” Heim said.
The breakfast nook is Heim’s favorite room in the home.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.
“We purchased a lot of the furniture from the home’s previous owners,” she said. “The chairs that are around the table in the breakfast nook are a part of that. My mother and I refinished them ourselves.”
Heim completely renovated the kitchen, including the replacement of its countertops and appliances.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.“My favorite part of that room is that it’s very whimsical and has a lot of charm — there’s tons to look at,” Heim said, of her formal living space.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.Heim purchased a lot of the home’s furniture from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Ebay and Etsy.”
Courtesy of Katie Heim.Heim has many animals and flowers featured throughout the home.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.The animal illustrations and vases throughout the house are a nod to Alice in Wonderland.
Andrew Howe/Getty Images.Heim said she gets super excited when she comes across unique artwork.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.
“It’s like getting a present,” she said.
Heim purchased each of these vintage artworks on Facebook Marketplace.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.The pink room is inspired by the distinct styles of the Victorian era.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.Heim replaced the shower, tile, and lighting in the primary bathroom.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.Heim found this vintage bath sign at a local antique store.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.The home’s carousel-like exterior inspired Heim to display this mechanical horse.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.The large upstairs suite was once a ballroom.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.While Heim is done with the restoration she continues to make improvements to the home.
Courtesy of Katie Heim.
“I’m always looking at what I could do next,” she said. However, she is still proud of the home and all of the hard work she has put into its restoration.
“I forget how lovely and how magical it is sometimes until I go back and look,” she added. “I can’t believe I own this.”
