A LABOR OF LOVE
“A Labor of Love” could not be more perfect title for this beloved ol’ farm house, originally built in 1843 and passed down from one generation to the next. Once the family decided to begin the preservation and remodel, their renovation team was put in place. The first step was to create more privacy by being nestled into the established trees. So the house was lifted, secured and moved back from the road 130 yards.
On the exterior porch, we found that much of the trim and posts had rotted over the years. Our contractor knew Amish craftsman who were able to beautifully duplicate the original patterns and shapes. We took one of the posts that was still in relatively good shape and repurposed it for supporting the task countertop in the laundry room.
These photos speak to a few of the discoveries that we found and the stories they told.
Wall paper was stripped and plaster was repaired and prepped for paint.
All of the metal hardware was taken apart by our client who tirelessly cleaned and polished each piece by hand before in was reinstalled. Wonderfully detailed old iron, aged pewter and brass pieces finished up beautifully.
The patience and craftmanship it took in blending new and old flooring was so important to our team. We loved and appreciated the beauty in the imperfections.
In the kitchen and master bathroom, custom cabinetry was important to accommodate the need for different counter heights.
We repurposed an old window from the structure for a mirror in the powder room.
Original planks of wood were repurposed to support the barn door hardware for the sliding doors opening into the main family gathering room. Original planks of wood were also applied as baseboard for the island in the kitchen.
This historical black marble fireplace in the library hadn’t been used in years. It was throughly cleaned up inside and out. Then each day during the cool months while the crew was working, it was slowly brought back to life, burning a little more wood each day.
We added glass to the old interior doors in the common space areas to let in as much natural light as possible.
All of the original millwork for trim and moldings was so well done and cared for by previous generations. I just adore how the fresh white paint truly lets the character and details of this old home just shine.
The outbuilding was brought back to life with a little TLC. Then our client could protect and store a lot the old architectural pieces.
It’s true that we learn something in every project, but what makes a renovation special is all the stories of love and faith that unfold. Preserving the past has its challenges, but time, hard work and love make it worth the investment.
Thank you to our clients the Smith family & Mike Davet of Northeastern Construction Inc and trades for this project!
Photo Credit, David Berlekamp