A ‘grand’ Victorian in Radnor

Kate Hermans enjoys trolling Zillow, checking out unique homes for sale. In 2015, she came upon a Victorian in Radnor, built in the 1800s by famed architect Frank Furness.

The three-story, 6,000-square-foot home had an appealing design flow and was located near shops and restaurants. She brought her husband, Paul Hermans, to see it, and the pair quickly made an offer.

“We lucked into a house that was charming and had amazing character,” said Kate, board chair of Clue by Biowink, a women’s health-care tech company with a menstrual tracking app.

The pair appreciate the home’s rich history. It was built in 1878 on a 35-acre property for William W. Montgomery, cofounder of the Merion Cricket Club. Montgomery named the home Lainshaw, a nod to his home in Scotland, and raised his family of 11 there.

“Lainshaw’s famous resident was William’s son, Robert L. Montgomery, who grew up here and went on to build the Villanova estate Ardrossan, and founded the investment firm Janney Montgomery Scott,” said Kate, great-granddaughter of Walter C. Janney, a cofounder of the firm. “Ardrossan and Robert’s daughter Hope inspired the movie The Philadelphia Story.”

The home still has some of the original features designed by Furness, including moldings, the staircase railing between the second and third floors, fireplaces and decorative mantels, bathroom tile, doors, and the butler’s pantry. The third-floor atrium skylight remains, although the stained glass had been removed by a previous owner.

The Hermanses were careful to match that original detail when making renovations. They built a new central staircase with a walnut banister post that mimics the detail of the original railing.

“Frank Furness loves stairs,” Kate said. “It’s a little bit like Hogwarts where you’ve got stairs going every which way.”

Other projects included kitchen renovations, adding a covered side porch, redesigning the office, and expanding an outdoor stone patio, complete with a wood-burning fireplace. They also replaced all of the home’s tall windows, which allow in bright light throughout the day, giving the home a light, airy feel.

The six-bedroom home also includes a dedicated third-floor media room featuring a pool table, cedar closet with offseason clothing storage, a well-appointed laundry room, and 5½ bathrooms. The primary bedroom includes separate bathrooms for Kate and Paul, decorated with Carrara marble, rain showerheads, and heated floors.

Kate enjoys cooking in her spacious kitchen, which has a large opening into the family room so she feels connected to family and guests while she cooks.

“The kitchen is the family gathering area,” said Kate, who has two adult children. “We created a large island that is functional for cooking but also a place for people to sit around and talk. When our kids are home, they often use it as their office when working remotely.”

The home boasts seven fireplaces — four are functional gas fireplaces, one is wood burning, and the other two are decorative. Paul’s domain is the basement, where he enjoys woodworking.

“I have been an avid woodworker for most of my adult life,” said Paul, the Upper School STEM teacher at the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr. “I always have a project.”

His handiwork can be seen throughout the house in his restoration of antique shutters, the banister, and old doors. He’s also made custom pieces, including cutting boards, bowls with turquoise inlay, Christmas ornaments, and furniture.

The couple love to spend time outdoors on the ground-level stone patio year-round, with a fireplace and hot tub surrounded by a garden. A second, covered, brick patio extends off the second floor.

“It is very private in the back, despite having houses all around us,” said Kate.

Since 2016, Kate has hosted a fundraiser at the home along with cochair Liz Weber, for the Women’s Resource Center, a nonprofit focused on supporting women and girls through life transitions. The WRC, celebrating 50 years in 2025, provides women in need with counseling and financial, health-related, and legal resources.

The 10th annual Party with a Purpose, held at the Hermans’ home in October, raised more than $25,000 to support women and girls in the five counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

When they aren’t fundraising, the Hermans appreciate the comfort of their home and Radnor neighborhood.

“While the history of the home is certainly interesting,” Paul said, “I think my favorite parts are my shop, the outdoor fireplace, and the way this grand house still feels warm and inviting.”

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