ARCHITECTURE
JAM Architecture

INTERIORS
FIG Interior Design

CONTRACTOR
Structure Works Construction

PHOTOGRAPHY
Gieves Anderson

Set on a sprawling 30-acre property, this classic 1850s Greek Revival farmhouse got an infusion of modern updates while preserving its unique, original details.

The first goal of the renovation was to bring more natural light into the living spaces. We accomplished this by removing two previous additions and a covered front porch to return the house to its original footprint and expose the large original exterior windows, which bring in wonderful amounts of light. While removing the previous additions reduced the overall square footage of the house, it was surprisingly effective at making the home feel bigger and brighter and gave it more of a connection to the site.

With a new addition, we satisfied the family’s desire to have a large, modernized kitchen that could comfortably accommodate up to 20 people for entertaining. The previous kitchen space was transformed into a mudroom, complete with a salvaged original window from elsewhere in the house, a new covered side porch and a custom Dutch door. Amid these changes that improved the overall flow of the first floor, we employed a historic color palette in a modern way, preserved the original flooring where possible and honored the existing Greek Revival details.

On the second floor an en suite master bath was added, the plan was reconfigured to improve flow, and major roof and structural reframing raised ceiling heights in two of the bedrooms. During that process a number of large chestnut beams from the original roof were salvaged and can now be seen elsewhere in the house, including above the range in the new kitchen.

Completion of this work to the main house was phase one of the project. Future phases will include extensive landscaping, the addition of a pool and tennis court and a renovation of the property’s historic barn.