The Story Behind The Purple Doll House in Bellevue

PHOTOS BY NORA BEST PHOTOGRAPHY

Tucked along a hillside on a quiet, one-way street a few blocks from Bellevue’s booming business district sits a vibrant purple Victorian home surrounded by gardens and cozy gathering spots. 

While the home at 683 Shade Ave. today looks like a postcard depicting small town life now, the storybook quality actually is the result of hard work by Dayle Hall and her three children; the family spent a decade transforming a fixer-upper into a haven filled with warmth and character. 

The home — and the town surrounding it — also provided safety and stability for a family in turmoil, says Hall. She was first attracted to the walkable borough by the sense of community and affordable homes, but ended up finding much more. 

“I instantly fell in love with the Victorian look of the home; it reminded me of a childhood doll house,” she says. “I knew I wanted to paint in purple.” 

Hall moved into the home with a to-do list that ranged from purple paint and new flooring to a kitchen refresh and substantial structural work. The list quickly shifted, though, to focus on the family’s own transformation.

“A few months after purchasing this home my marriage fell apart in an abrupt way,” says Hall, who found herself alone in the home with three young children. “I found strength, solace and peace in this home.”

Hall asked her children to name their favorite memories of the purple Victorian, which acted as a safe space for them through their childhood. Her 16-year-old, who worked at the local Eat n’ Park and since has transferred to a new role in Bethel Park, loved the convenient location. 

“I miss how close it was to Lincoln Avenue, and being able to walk around Bellevue and get to work so easily,” he says. 

Hall’s 11-year-old, who was just a toddler when the family moved there, says he will miss Bellevue’s Halloween celebrations. 

“Halloween is the best in Bellevue. We will be back to trick-or-treat with friends,” he says. 

Now listed with Liz Huber of Compass RE, the home is on the market for $224,800. Measuring 1,755 square feet, it manages to pack in four nicely-sized bedrooms, including a third-floor space that is flexible for a home office, gym, studio or future primary suite. 

“The home is lovely, and offers flexible living space that can be used in a variety of ways,” Huber says. “Are you looking for a home office, den or guest room? The finished attic could be used in so many ways.” 

Huber also says that the owner’s improvements offer peace of mind, despite the home’s century-old existence. 

“The house has a new roof, new gutters, new exterior paint and new carpeting, among other improvements and updates,” she says. “Not only is the home ready to move right in, but I love how the front porch and backyard are such relaxing places to have your morning coffee or entertain.” 

On the main level, the inviting front porch leads into a bright foyer flanked by a large living room that’s filled with light thanks to the generous front window. At the rear of the home, a nicely sized dining room and revamped kitchen flow well together for family life and other gatherings. 

Both the living and dining room have original fireplaces, radiators and other architectural details that showcase the home’s origins. The home’s main bathroom on the second floor has also been updated to match the character of the home. A nicer-than-usual Pittsburgh potty with a shower and sink function in the unfinished basement.

The kitchen and butler’s pantry are packed with open shelving, hidden storage and more original character. The back door opens to a small covered porch with stairs leading down to a brick patio in a backyard that acts as a private oasis. 

The yard is fully enclosed by a wooden privacy fence and brims with mature landscaping. Still, on a quiet evening one might hear the cheers of the local high school football game, fireworks at PNC Park or music drifting down from Lincoln Brewery’s beer garden.

Hall says her family will return to Bellevue for many of their favorite local spots such as the weekly Wednesday farmers market, Wunderbar, Lucky Bites and Lincoln Avenue Brewery on trivia nights

Now that their boxes are packed up and the family is settled into a new home and new school year across the city, Hall finds herself nostalgic about her years in the purple house. 

“What I will miss most about the home can’t be summed up in the lovingly painted walls, the charming mantles or light flowing through the kitchen,” she says. “It’s the joy, the music, the laughter, the struggle, the thriving, the small moments. It’s the pandemic home we hunkered down in, the pandemic pup that we adore and the foster dog we failed and adopted. It’s seeing my kids grow into the beautiful teenagers they are now. I will miss my ‘doll house.’”