Hot Property: 100-year-old farmhouse grows up and out

When Amy Paul looked out the window of her 100-year-old Camby farmhouse one day, she saw a man across the street taking pictures.

Curious, she asked what his interest in the house was. When he told her he used to spend summers there with his grandparents more than 50 years ago, she invited him inside to see how it had changed.

Boy, had it changed. For one thing, it was much bigger.

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Paul has owned the home for 13 years. When she bought it, the original structure at 10863 E. County Road 700 South in Hendricks County already had been expanded once.

Ten years ago, Paul decided a second addition was due. She knocked down the rear wall of the house to build a new kitchen, dining room and soaring great room with huge windows and sliding doors that open to the back of the five-acre property.

Paul and her wife, Mandy Sheckles, are raising seven children in the 8,000-square-foot home, which features four bedroom suites and one additional bedroom, six full baths and a finished basement.

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"It's a wonderful home," Paul said. "It just keeps growing."

The gourmet kitchen with huge center island opens to a large dining area and great room with multiple seating areas. A large fireplace in the kitchen is the kids' favorite place to hang out in the winter, Paul said.

A master suite on the first floor is a true escape with its muted tones, luxurious finishes and elegant master bath.

Vestiges of the original house, including the staircase with its heavy wooden banister and the fireplace in the front room, provide a connection to the past.

Upstairs are three large bedroom suites and a laundry room. A second laundry area is on the main floor. In the basement is another bedroom, along with a game room and exercise room.

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You're truly out in the country when you step out back. Two acres of pasture are neatly mowed, but the area, which includes a large barn with stables, would be ideal for horses, Paul said. Closer to the house is a saltwater pool, a pergola with an outdoor fireplace and large patio area. For the kids, there's also a treehouse, a playhouse and plenty of room to run around.

"My favorite place in the summer is out here under the pergola, watching the kids swim," Paul said.

The family plans to build a new home on a smaller lot in Hendricks County.

"I love what we've created here, and now I'm excited to create something different," Paul said.

Call IndyStar reporter Maureen Gilmer at (317) 444-6879. Follow her on Twitter: @MaureenCGilmer.

About the home

• Location: 10863 E. County Road 700 South, Camby..

• Details: Five bedrooms, six baths, two fireplaces, finished basement, two laundry rooms. 8,000-square-foot home on 5 acres with pool, barn, treehouse and pasture.

• Asking price: $699,000.

• BLC: 21435718.

• Contact: Nathan Pfahler, REMAX METRO, The Pfahler Group, (317) 450-1094, npfahler@gmail.com.