Family heirlooms can take many forms. Grandma’s favorite brooch is nice; Uncle Eddie’s collection of 1940s Popular Mechanic, not so much. Today’s Featured Customers, Diane and Jim of Washington, Vermont, hit the jackpot when it comes to family heirlooms. They recently took ownership of the family farmhouse which was built in 1850. Like most old homes, this treasure needed some updating.
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When you live in a place that saw settlers as early as the 1600s and your own home is more than 100 years old, you feel a sense of responsibility to respect the history and vernacular of the place. Especially when remodeling! Our friends at the design firm of Schappacher White Ltd., in Lower Manhatten, recently undertook the full renovation of a 1904 farmhouse on Shelter Island located at the eastern end of Long Island. The renovation included an addition, swimming pool, and site planning. The goal was to use as many reclaimed materials as possible along with modern pieces that would layer the history of the space with today’s amenities. The kitchen boasts a traditional farmhouse feel with open shelving, white beadboard cabinetry, wood floors, and two delicate barn pendants highlighting the center island.
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Barn doors have been popping up in places other than the big building on the back 40 for some time now. Barn doors are rustic yet with an industrial edge, and this custom-made, knotty pine door features a clear stain that lets the grain, knots, and character of the wood show through beautifully. Adding to the barn flavor is the Wall Sconce just inside the next room. Read More »
Decisions, decisions. When you build a new home, the questions come at you in a barrage that would make General Patton cringe. You discover that the devil is truly in the details, and you’re faced not only with figuring out what you like and what looks great but what is functional, environmentally sound, and budget friendly too.
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When faced with a tight space for a kitchen, one of the busiest rooms in the house, you might be tempted to keep everything on a small scale — the table, the appliances, the accessories. This cozy kitchen proves that if you want to go grand, it can certainly work. The long dining table fits right into the space with the smooth wooden surface complementing the wide planks of the rugged flooring. Instead of filling in the former fireplace, it becomes a cozy nook for the fridge, and the mantel makes a convenient shelf for the airy, sweeping plant that fills the upper space. And the touches of red all add a pop of color that livens up the look. The barn pendant hanging from above in a matching red finish is the crowning touch. Read More »
In watching the industrial design trend take off like a freight train, we see so many examples of lighting that once hung in warehouses and factories now being used in every room of the house. From RLM-inspired warehouse shades in the kitchen and porcelain reflector shades in the dining room to barn wall sconces in the bathroom. There’s been an uptick as well in commercial settings where warehouse lighting can be found in businesses ranging from swanky boutiques to country stores.
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