Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette

The kitchen, with Madura gold granite countertops and custom maple cabinetry, was one of four viewing rooms in the former funeral home.<</b> Historic South Side Home Tour When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today Tickets: $15, $3 discount for tour-goers on bikes or in-line skates; available at South Side Carnegie Library, 2205 Carson St., or UPMC South Side, 2000 Mary St. Information: 412-977-6186 or www.southsidepgh.com

It takes most people years to find out about the former owners of their house, through old photographs, letters or other items that turn up inside walls or between floorboards.

Susan and Bill McCoy's history lesson came much quicker. In the living room of the 1830s house they bought on the South Side was a coffin -- unoccupied, luckily.

But you know what? It didn't send shivers down Susan's spine. What really scared her was the leaky roof, peeling plaster and piles of trash.

It's hard to imagine today, looking around the sleek, contemporary living space the couple has created here. But then again, bringing old houses back from the dead is the story at many of the homes featured on this year's Historic South Side House Tour.

The self-guided tour, which begins at 10 a.m. today and benefits the nonprofit South Side Local Development Co., includes eight new and restored residences in both the Flats and the Slopes. And an ethnic lunch ($10) will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brashear Association, 2005 Sarah St.

Thanks to its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants, the South Side has gained a reputation as a fun place to hang out. But its buildings deserve careful consideration, too. The architecture along East Carson Street from Ninth to 24th streets was named a National Historic District in 1983 and a City Historic District in 1992.

Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette
The McCoys will open their home for visitors during today's Historic South Side Home Tour. Here they show their first-floor atrium.

Unlike the Italianates and Second Empire-style houses on the tour, the McCoys' two-story house at 81 S. 15th St. has a modest brick exterior that offers no hint of the modern marvel that lies within. The couple removed most of the interior walls during their 10-month renovation, which was finished last July, creating an inviting open floor plan. They also traded in the primitive antiques that furnished the old farmhouse they'd renovated some 20 years before in Butler County for more contemporary pieces, such as a glass-topped dining room table on an angled base that seats 16.

The oldest section of the house was built in the late 1830s and purchased in 1837 by David Cunningham, a young glass blower. Subsequent owners included a glass cutter and a wagon maker. In 1936, the Cieslak family expanded the house and turned it into a funeral home. The Phillips family continued the business from the late 1970s until about five years ago.

The house had been empty for three years when the McCoys saw it in the summer of 2003 and, despite its less-than-stellar condition, fell in love. Well, at least one of them did.

"It was a mess, but I knew exactly where things would go," says Susan, principal of Paolozzi Designs, an interior design firm.

Major changes included moving the staircase from the kitchen to the living room and turning the old embalming area into a gigantic pantry.

"She had the vision," agrees Bill, a freelance sports director. "I sure didn't see it."

The focal point of the 3,400-square-foot home, which was designed by Friendship-based EDGE Studio and decorated by Susan, is the enormous gourmet kitchen. Originally one of four viewing rooms, it's graced today with Madura gold granite countertops, custom maple cabinetry and a random-pattern ceramic floor. And its appliances are everything a serious cook and entertainer could want: a stainless-steel six-burner Wolf cooktop and hood, several wall ovens, two Fisher Paykel double dish drawers and a Franke Beach undermount sink with integrated measuring bowls, colander and cutting board.

Suspended over the Absolute Black granite island is WAC Lighting's Monorail track lighting system, which features shades that look like upside-down pilsner glasses.

A large opening over the sink looks over a small atrium filled with plants; there's also a separate bar area -- Bill's domain -- with a circular sink, wine cellar and glass cabinets. On the wall of the original staircase, a built-in Profi-Coffee Center from Kuppersbusch brews everything from cappuccino and macchiato to espresso and latte (it even grinds the beans).

The formal living room has built-in bookcases on either side of the original slate fireplace and on the opposite wall, cantilevered shelves. It adjoins the library area, which has ceilings that are 2 feet lower, creating visual interest. The sun-washed dining room has a tray ceiling, two frosted windows and an exposed brick wall.

A staircase with brushed aluminum rails and supports and steel cable sides leads to the second floor and a sumptuous master bedroom suite. Painted a soft cream, it features a large sitting area with gleaming hardwood floors and an original marble fireplace, custom ivory drapes and romantic bedding by Christine Musick Draperies in Cranberry.

The open floor plan downstairs continues here, with no solid walls separating the tub and shower from the bedroom. Along with a two-person platform whirlpool tub, there's an all-glass walk-in shower with three wall jets, twin vanities with granite countertops and curvy "Zen" Porcher sinks. Equally impressive is the walk-in closet, which holds cubbies for 72 pairs of shoes.

You might think a house so close to the bustle of East Carson Street would be noisy, but it's not.

"It's very soothing," says Susan. "I find that if I'm sitting in a traffic jam, I can't wait to get home, which is unusual in the city."

The couple is so pleased with their renovation that they have embarked on a second South Side project, tearing down the garage and building a three-bedroom 3,000-square-foot condo that they hope to sell for $625,000.

"There's just so much character here," says Bill, "and it's so convenient."