their 8,000-square-foot Ellis Lawrence home three years ago,

they were faced with picking through roomfuls of treasured

family heirlooms.

Buying different pieces for their 2,700-square-foot Portland

Heights home was unthinkable, says Failing, especially

because so many items date back to the Victorian era and

Josiah Failing, Failing's great-great grandfather, who

served as mayor in Portland's early years.

Some people might have been tempted to honor the home's

Prairie architect and original resident, William Gray

Purcell, with more period-appropriate pieces.

But not the Failings. "We would never have gone with

Arts and Crafts and tossed everything," says Failing.

"I think Purcell would have been offended by

that."

Instead, the couple integrated the family pieces, many of

which are quite ornate in contrast to the cleaner lines of

their Prairie-inspired home. Still, some things had to go

into storage.

The couple chose carefully, drawing on Michele's talent

for color and fabric, and Bill's eye for size and

scale. Ultimately, they resolved not to part with anything

they loved.

"It was an interesting and fun challen
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