In April 2024, Luke and I put an offer on a farm that checked all the boxes for us. It was in the right location, had quite a few more acres than our previous homestead, a year round creek and a gorgeous build spot.
I shared quite a bit more about our “why” for leaving our old homestead, and pursuing this new adventure in this video on my Youtube channel. It was definitely a bittersweet decision, but now that it is made, we are confidently charging forth in designing, planning and building what will likely be our forever farmhouse.
Building a house is always a daunting undertaking, but this is not only our FIRST time, but also hopefully our ONLY time. Therefore, I have given an exorbitant about of creative energy and thought to the design.
Though I can always (and likely will through the years) change paint colors, furniture, hardware, light fixtures, etc. I really want to get at least the bones right the first time. I enlisted the help of historic preservation expert and designer, Brent Hull, of Hull Homes.
We want it to feel like it has been sitting on the property since the late 19th century, loved and cared for by generations of farmers and families! We want it to have historically accurate details, but all the modern conveniences.
Since marrying in 2007, Luke and I have owned and loved three historic homes. Even though our farm is perfect for our family, I resisted the idea of building on it for a long time, because I love old homes so much. When it became clear this was the path we would take, I started studying old home details and became convinced we could create a new “old” house. I read books like New Old House and started collecting architectural salvage.
When we were talking to Brent about how we wanted the place to feel (like a farm that was loved for generations), he suggested we also consider adding a timber frame barn. We reached out to Heritage Restorations, and made that dream a reality in April 2025. I shared the entire “barn raising” here.
We also decided to make the garage look like an old stone barn, with a gambrel style roof. The windows and doors have salvaged barn timbers over them, to really sell the old look!
We are so excited to finally watch this vision come to life!
We were able to move into our new home in April 2026. There are still plenty of projects to finish, but we can work on those slowly and steadily over the coming years.
I have been asked a lot about the paint colors in our new house. I will take official photos of each room, but for now, here is a list of colors:
Sherwin Williams White Hyacinth- most of the walls and ceilings
Sherwin Williams Colonial Revival Tan- primary bedroom
Sherwin Williams Hubbard Squash- guest bath
Farrow and Ball Dorset Cream- kitchen cabinets
Sherwin Williams Crewel Tan- pantry cabinets
Sherwin Williams Natural Wool- trim around kitchen windows, trim and door casings
Sherwin Williams Mellow Mauve- laundry room
Brouns and Co Medway PA- floors in porch, sunroom, pantry, laundry, guest bath, primary bath
Most light fixtures and doors are architectural salvage, but I did buy a few:
Schoolhouse lights in mudroom and back hall
String light in primary bathroom
Candelabra sconces going up the stairs and in the primary bathroom
I am super proud to partner with companies that are able to craft these old house details, and help us achieve the timeless feel we desire.
Kennebec Cabinetry– hand crafted cabinets for our farmhouse kitchen
100 Year Window– windows with historic authenticity and charm
Chadsworth Columns– historically accurate porch columns for our “turn of the century” porch
WindsorONE– for adding detail and craftsmanship through bead board, v-groove paneling and shiplap throughout the home
Thornhill Range Cooker– So excited to use this wood cooker this winter!
Kuiken Brothers– period appropriate moldings
Beautiful Bathtub– restored architectural salvage- pedestal sinks, toilets and clawfoot tubs
Here are some updates I did on the house:
Our new “old” house design plans
Designing our new “old” farmhouse
Building a new “old” house- walkthrough with Brent Hull
Collecting antiques for our new “old” house
Stay tuned for many more sources, pictures and progress coming to this page throughout the year. Get more real-time updates on Instagram and Youtube!
