The autumn weather has seen a slow-down in the vegetable garden, and a bit of a scramble to finish a few outdoor projects before winter’s cold sets in. It’s also brought a renewed focus on some interior work that has been idling in the background. We like to imagine spending the winter warming our toes by the fire while sipping cocoa and reading great literature. And yes, there will be some of that. But the truth is, the list of potential indoor improvements is long, and it would be both wise and satisfying to make a start.
First, let’s review: the Willow Greens stone farmhouse began as a Hessian outpost in the Revolutionary War (the leftmost part of the above photo, now covered in climbing hydrangea). When Timothy Taylor inherited the land in 1791, he added on, turning the house into a proper two-story home for his growing family. In 1844 his son Timothy extended the house further. The ground floor then included a kitchen, two rooms with fireplaces, and an “upgraded” curved staircase (a story for another time) leading to the bedrooms. This structure served its various owners well for more than 100 years. The 1970s brought another addition: a wing extending back from the Hessian section, creating an L-shape. In the early 2000s, the screen porch that ran along the back of the house was enclosed; the kitchen was relocated and other conveniences were added including a full master bedroom & bathroom.
You might think this would result in a horrible hodgepodge of architectural styles, but fortunately each successive renovation improved the overall look and use of the house. Well, except for the 1791 and 1844 bedrooms on the second floor. To say these made a poor first impression would be an understatement.
Most prospective buyers—especially families requiring more than one bedroom—would have immediately turned on their heels and left. The bedrooms were musty, and hadn’t seen a coat of paint in some time. There must have been a fire sale on that yellowish-neutral paint; it was slathered over most of the interior surfaces, upstairs and down. The vintage 1980s window air conditioners could barely cope with the summer heat, and if left in place, made the rooms drafty in winter. And then there was the bathroom.
The bathroom was obviously not original to the house, but at some point a space was created between the two bedrooms. A previous occupant, most likely the same one who installed those air conditioners, “improved” upon the original bathroom by adding a jetted tub and creating a sort of ante-room with a vanity. Sadly (or maybe not), by the time of our home inspection the jetted tub had gone out of fashion and was inoperable. The inspector found cracked tile, leaks around the shower head, and “possible microbial growth” in those nasty tub jets. Ewwww.
From Day 1, we knew our most significant contribution to the Willow Greens stone farmhouse would be to bring the second floor up to 21st-century living standards. So far, only our daughters have been brave enough to stay in these rooms (and to be honest, we’ve been too embarrassed to invite anyone else). We’d like the second floor to be a comfortable place for guests while also maintaining a sense of the property’s history.
We turned to our friend Melanie Alport to help us see the possibilities. Mel has considerable experience in art and design, and had already helped us transform rooms downstairs. Among other things, Mel saw ways to capitalize on the beamed ceiling and wood tones in one bedroom, and the lighter, airier look of the other. She proposed color palettes that stretched our thinking and helped us make some initial decorating decisions. We’ve made some progress in the past few months, and will be giving this part of the house even more attention through the winter. We look forward to bringing you along with us.
Laura and Chris ... Love your blog!!! Especially loved this last one and and the beams in the bedroom ... Awesome!!
If houses have spirits (I think old ones like yours must), this house's spirit must be beaming at the thoughtful and respectful care you are bestowing on it. It is such a delightful journey to take with you two. I like how you don't dash into anything headlong but are taking the time to do things right so that there aren't regrets or ghastly mistakes.