SHELBY – After a year of devoting nights and weekends to restoration, investing over $250,000 after the home purchase, and paying loving attention to every detail, Blake Caulder and Josh Valentine invited the public to visit the Caulder & Valentine Law Firm’s new office last week. The former Blanton House at 303 w. Marion Street, built in 1870 and one of Shelby’s most historic properties, now serves as the office of their firm.
The former farmhouse had previously been updated to serve as a private residence for different families over the decades. Later it served as a home for the Gardner-Webb University college president and their families. After sitting empty for some time, the law firm bought it in 2019. Caulder shared his wife Daniella’s fabulous book of before and after photos that emphasized the positive changes in the building. However, it is doubtful if any of them will need a book to remember the blood, sweat, and tears poured into the process of renovation.
Caulder and Valentine maintained the classic style of the home, but brought the house up to today’s codes. The entire house had to be rewired and some of the floors leveled or replaced and plumbing brought to today’s standards. The former home was repurposed into a reception area, conference rooms, an updated kitchen, private law offices and even maintained an upstairs bedroom. Original details of the building include retaining the original window glass, antique glass doorknobs, and the original heart pine and white oak floors. These touches serve as a reminder of the home’s former purpose.
Caulder & Valentine Law Firm was established in October 2015 and handles criminal cases, traffic, family and DWI law.