Two completely separate homes in very close proximity were combined into one spectacular Country Farmhouse. The large Great Hall was built to create the bridge between the homes and the exterior facades were completely removed and new rock, brick and hardi-plank siding helped to unify the two structure into one home. The new plans included several additions and an extensive re-work of the interior. No space was left untouched. We completed this extensive Remodel/Addition with a family of 8 living in one half of the project – while we worked in the other half..and then we traded spaces in order to finish the home. Our superintendent kept the project rolling along while managing to work around the family who home-schooled their 6 children, a dog, assorted chickens, a couple of roosters and a litter or two of kitties.
There is a comfortable mix of cabinetry finishes in the Main Kitchen that keep it interesting without being too fussy. A refrigerator is integrated into the distressed painted cupboard. The two flanking cabinets have chicken-wire inserts to allow owner’s home canned goods and jellies to be on display. The taller cabinetry is perfectly proportioned to work with the wall heights in the Gathering Room. The Kitchen has three (10-13) foot long working islands. The Belgian styled white oak island was designed by the homeowner. The marble counter-top is rimmed, allowing the homeowner to work with pastry and candy right on the surface. One of the Kitchen’s other islands helps to separate and define the Living and Kitchen spaces. This island plays host to a graphite-colored trough sink with sliding cutting board. The leathered black granite and rustic alder cabinetry make for a comfortable place to sit at the Bar. The third Kitchen Island serves as a Classroom Desk for the Family’s home-schooled children.
There is an Informal Dining area off to the side of the Main Kitchen that has a 5-foot Drainboard Sink, an assortment of under-counter beverage drawers, a fireplace with a raised hearth and colonial style open-dish shelves. Other special features in this farmhouse include a Guest Bathroom with an antique dresser that was refurbished to serve as the vanity. The elegant burnished gold wall-mounted faucet spills into a partially recessed vessel bowl. The children use the spiral stairs that lead to a Playroom Loft that has observation windows overlooking the Great Hall. Even further up…there is a Bell & Observation Tower. And..what teenage boy wouldn’t love having their own Bedroom Loft. Our homeowner built this ladder style stairway to the upper loft. A walk-in bedroom closet tucks neatly under the stairs and loft.
