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Bringing history to life
Bringing history to life from Home & Living Trends volume 2309
Few architectural styles capture the All-Americanideal as succinctly as Colonial. There is an undeniable essence to Colonial architecture that makes it instantly recognizable, and immensely popular.
This love affair most likely stems from a sense of nostalgia for a time when the traditional values we hold dear today were being laid down. Another, more practical reason, is that the style is very livable, says Beth Murphy, interior designer with Jan Gleysteen Interiors.
"The client wanted the house to be casual and comfortable, and she was emphatic about it not having an overly decorated look. It had to be durable and functional with low, easy maintenance."
This project – carried out by Jan Gleysteen Architects – was a fairly extensive addition and renovation. The original house was an 1880s Greek Revival – a more formal style than the Colonial farmhouse aesthetic the client wanted to replicate. The only remaining rooms were two front rooms, the living room and part of the dining room, and they were completely gutted.
"The interior was driven more by what the home was to become, rather than what it had been. All of the selections of materials and finishes were geared towards that end," says Murphy.
Murphy approached each space individually, thinking about how it had to accommodate the family's needs, and choosing furnishings based on that need.
"We looked at how the family would use each space in the house. To use the family room and its need to accommodate large gatherings as an example, placing the round game table in the back corner of the room made that end of the room a multi-functional area. The kids could play their board games, or look through the family photo albums there. At larger gatherings, it could be used as another place for people to eat. Also, it's four more chairs to have handy around the big screen television at game time."
Fabrics were kept simple in pattern and relied more on color and texture for balancing with the antique Caucasian rugs, which dictated the overall color scheme. For the most part, wallcoverings remained neutral tone on tones with an unfussy look. The exceptions to this rule are the smaller bath areas, and the guest room, for which Murphy chose vintage style, farmhouse looking florals.
"The interior scheme is actually both a Colonial reference and the homeowner's preference. Jan began with the antique hardwood oak flooring. This then created the foundation for the look we were trying to achieve, and it was, in my opinion, one of the most important decisions made in terms of achieving the aesthetic we were going for.
"Trim color throughout the house is Benjamin Moore Timid White. It's a soft, warm, off-white that appears to have age to it. We wanted to avoid anything that was sharp or crisp, and, given the patterns and intensity of color in the rugs, it made sense to neutralize them with a warm subtle palette and then balance them with the fabric color and texture choices. The combination created a warm and restful atmosphere," says Murphy.
Due to the scope of the project, nothing was saved from the original structure. Beth Murphy and the homeowner spent many weeks scouring the surrounding countryside, sourcing period furniture and materials. Most of the light fixtures in the house are antiques, with the exception of a few which are reproductions and some which are a combination – reproductions with antique glass shades.
"Wherever there was a casegood or light fixture I used that opportunity to select an antique piece that may have been used in a farmhouse 100-plus years ago – luckily, in New England antiques of this style are readily available."
Despite the availability of pieces throughout the region, there were instances where – due to the time constraints of the project, or the unlikelihood of finding the desired piece – Murphy turned to local artisans to manufacture what was needed.
"There are several pieces in the house that I had custom made from antique wood – the family room cocktail table is one example. It would have been difficult, actually impossible, to find an authentic antique table that size – 5ft square – so we had it custom made from antique wood. It gave us the period aesthetic and has a farmhouse feel.
"It's also the kind of table you wouldn't think twice about putting a drink down on, or putting your feet up on. This is a really livable room – no one needs to feel on their best behavior and that's really what the client wanted. She wanted nothing in her home to be off limits to her friends and family," says Murphy.
It is this mix of solid practicality and its enduring engaging quality that has made this house a home.
"I think the Colonial style is still appealing today because a lot of it is actually pretty simple and clean in its line. It's comfortable and functional, and resonates a warm and welcoming charm, and has clearly proven to be timeless."
Murphy stresses, though, that the house could have been done in a number of styles – an earlier, more primitive colonial look, or a late-period, more classical look – and still have achieved a unified result. What has worked well for this project is the compatibility of the style with the family's needs.
"The house in the end has a period feel. Period is perhaps not exactly the right word, because it really wasn't so much about it having such authenticity as it was about creating a flavor – a hint from the past – the casual simplicity of an antique farmhouse, with all the comforts for modern living that the whole family can enjoy."
This home's family room is a warm, multi-functional space that engages all members of the family.
Antique oak flooring and rugs are a recurring theme in the home.
The family room has been designed to accommodate large groups when the family entertains.
The kitchen is a space where the children can have a quick snack, or the family can enjoy a casual meal.
With the family room capable of sitting 30 without breaking a sweat, the Butler's pantry is the ideal overflow space for meal preparation when entertaining. The extra storage space also means clutter in the main kitchen area can be kept to a minimum. Importantly, when viewed from the family room the cabinetry continues the uniformity of the space.
Specially designed by Jan Gleysteen for the space, the cabinet dividing the kitchen and family room areas provides all-important storage in the otherwise open-plan space. It also doubles as a servery when entertaining.
In the informal breakfast area, immediately adjacent to the kitchen, antique light fittings and furniture complement the period aesthetic. Both the designer and homeowner scoured the surrounding New England region, looking for pieces to fill the home. The banquette provides ample seating while also acting as a space-saving device.
The dining room table is one of the pieces especially made for the project. The color scheme has been dictated by the Caucasian rug to incorporate matching accent colors. Windows on three sides allow ample light into the larger, overall space, while the sheer curtains provide privacy. The paneled ceiling and color scheme link this area with the informal dining space.
The dresser is one of the pieces found on a foray to local antique dealers.
Designed to match the dresser, the vanity is a modified antique French chest.
The master bathroom is one example of modern-day life merging with the period aesthetic. As with the rest of the home, an antique rug and wood furniture add a traditional facade to the contemporary products.
A floral motif was chosen for the guest bedroom – but in keeping with the neutral palette and accent color theme within the home.
Credit List
Architect
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Jan Gleysteen AIA NCARB, principal, Jan Gleysteen Architects, Inc
Project architect
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Christopher Russ
Flooring
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Antique oak hardwood flooring from Carlisle Hardwood Flooring
Lighting
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Decorative lighting from Yankee Craftsman; recessed lighting from Lightolier
Home
Audio
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Maverick Integration
Furniture
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GF Wall Fine Furniture; Joseph Van Benton; Staples Cabinet Makers; Beacon Hill; Warren Chairs; Wesley Allen
Blinds
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Wood shutters from Barrows Window Shoppe
Drapes
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Workroom is Window Fashion
Backsplash
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Icecream gloss beveled ceramic tile from Tile Showcase
Faucets
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Chrome single lever faucet from Harrington Brass
Oven, cooktop, microwave
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Wolf
Master bathroom tub
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Vintage drop-in by Kohler from Hydro Therapy
Vanity
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Antique oak dresser adapted to fit sink and faucet
Basin
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Toto sink from Hydro Therapy
Faucets
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Chrome Astoria from Waterworks
Flooring
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Bottocino pre-sealed marble from Tile Showcase
Wall tiles
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Bottocino pre-sealed marble from Tile Showcase
Toilet
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Portrait by Kohler from Hydro Therapy
Photography by Eric Scott Photography
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