HOUSE TOUR: A Colonial Connecticut Home That Embodies Country Life

Jamie and Tim Forsyth, along with their daughter Sienna, reside in an English country manor house in North Wales, Montgomery County, which was built in 1880. The property, originally part of a 200-acre horse farm, later became a riding academy before being subdivided in the 1970s. The Forsyths acquired the seven-bedroom manor house and a caretaker's cottage on two acres in 2016 after the price was reduced. Both Jamie, a nurse, and Tim, a project superintendent for a commercial contractor, were drawn to the house's historic charm and “good bones,” despite its considerable size. Upon moving in, the house featured 11-foot ceilings on the first and second floors and nine-foot ceilings on the third. The interior had been recently painted with cream walls and a deeper buff for carved doors and trim. The parlor showcased sky-blue walls and ceiling, complemented by Dutch tiles around the fireplace. Brass and crystal chandeliers adorned the parlor, foyer, and family room, hanging from elaborate plaster medallions. The original random-width oak flooring was well-maintained, contributing to the home's historic appeal. Despite the well-preserved interior, the Forsyths undertook several renovation projects. They installed a new roof and trimmed large ash and evergreen trees, while removing smaller trees from the pool area. Tim, with the help of friends, repainted the stucco exterior an antique white. The columns of the wrap-around porch and window trim were painted a brighter white, with shutters and column brackets in black. Tim also collaborated with a plumber friend to remodel the first-floor powder room. Future plans include installing a ductless heating and air conditioning system and creating a master bedroom suite with modern closets. They also intend to renovate the 20-year-old kitchen, merging it with Sienna’s current playroom, and add French doors that open to the patio, enhancing its suitability for entertaining. Jamie furnished the living areas with existing carpets and sofas from her previous home, alongside vintage pieces. Notable items include a grandfather clock built by her great-grandfather as an engagement gift and a mahogany drum table inherited from her grandmother. A metal-lined bar in the dining room belonged to an uncle. Seasonal decorations are a significant aspect of their home life; a spring bouquet of tulips, candle holders spelling “Spring,” stuffed bunnies, and bunny-embossed pillows adorned the parlor for Easter, with baskets of colored eggs completing the theme. The Norristown Garden Club decorated the house for Christmas, including it in their annual holiday tour, featuring floral arrangements and pine cone ornaments crafted for two Christmas trees. The Forsyths welcomed local carolers and hosted a family holiday party. For Easter, they organized an egg hunt on their lawn for Sienna and neighborhood children, reflecting the strong community ties that have developed with other young families living in homes built on the former horse farm. The Forsyths acknowledge the continuous work involved in maintaining such a large property but express that the effort is worthwhile. #EnglishCountryManor #HistoricHome #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #VintageDecor #FamilyLife #MontgomeryCounty #NorthWales #HomeRestoration

Jim and Jennifer Wissing, residents of a three-bedroom, 2 ½-bath ranch home in the North Shore area, have meticulously transformed their 1963 house into a Victorian-era abode, reflecting their shared passion for the period's aesthetics and history. The couple, who acquired the house in 1977, initially decorated it in a traditional style. However, about two decades ago, after their children moved out, they began collecting antiques, progressively upgrading their pieces over time. Their collection is not merely an assortment of old items; the Wissings specifically seek out pieces with a historical connection to Milwaukee. For instance, they own three documented artifacts from the Schandein mansion, which once stood at 24th Street and Wisconsin Avenue. These include a large wood carving of a court jester, a newel piece shaped like a lady, and two carved wood panels that extend their crown molding. These particular items were acquired from the Alpine Village restaurant when it was sold. Another notable acquisition is a wrought-iron lunette by Cyril Kolnik, originally an archway piece from the Blatz Hotel on North Water Street, also sourced from the Alpine Village sale. Their collection further includes a chandelier from the Josiah Noonan House and hand-carved wood statues from the Brumder mansion. Beyond purchasing antiques, Jim Wissing contributes significantly to the home's Victorian ambiance by crafting furniture that aligns with the era's style. He constructed the three-piece bedroom set in their master bedroom, designed by Jennifer, as well as bookcases in the office, a decorative block front chest in the living room, and wall paneling in the family room. When asked about their choice of a ranch house over a period home, Jennifer explained that while they considered Victorian homes in areas like Concordia, they ultimately prioritized their preferred neighborhood, close to their parents. They have adapted the ranch structure to better suit their Victorian decorating style by installing new six-panel oak doors with gold leaf corner blocks and adding thick molding and trim throughout the house. A primary challenge has been fitting large Victorian pieces into the ranch's smaller spaces, necessitating creative solutions such as using a smaller gaming table from the 1880s or 90s in the kitchen and shortening chandeliers to accommodate lower ceilings. The home’s interior colors are all Victorian-inspired, with Jennifer drawing inspiration for the living room from “Victorian America, Classic Romanticism Through Decorating” by Wendell Garrett. The kitchen underwent a significant transformation, with Jennifer designing custom cabinets with raised panels and a hutch, built by Jim. They also incorporated stained glass windows from a house on Brady and Prospect Avenue, black granite countertops with bronze flecks, and hardware chosen to match the bronze accents. The couple collects epergnes, decorative glass pieces for dining room tables. The family room features a French hunting cabinet from around 1850, two 1870s newel post figures, and a three-piece parlor set. The living room is furnished with mahogany pieces, reupholstered in teal sculpted velvet, and includes high-back chairs from an Atlanta courthouse. The guest bedroom showcases an R.J. Horner & Co. three-piece set from the 1880s, with a bedspread made from reproduction fabric from St. James Place castle in England. The dining room boasts an antique oval table that extends to 11 feet, with six chairs upholstered in sculptured velvet damask, and custom-made window treatments. Large gasoliers, typical of Victorian mansions, are present in most rooms, including a piece by Cornelius & Baker in the dining room. Their future plans include transforming the basement into an old beer hall. The exterior complements the interior with an English garden, chosen for Jennifer’s love of roses and its suitability for the light-colored brick exterior of their home. #VictorianDesign #HomeRenovation #AntiqueCollection #MilwaukeeHistory #InteriorDecorating #RanchHomeTransformation #CustomFurniture #ArchitecturalSalvage #PeriodStyle

Interior stylist Leah Ashley Finn, returning to Texas from California, collaborated with her father, Gary Wright, known as “Builder Gary” of River Hills Homes, to construct a multi-generational farmhouse in Dripping Springs, Texas. The family had purchased 7 acres of rural land previously as an investment, which had served as a retreat for picnics. As their family of four outgrew their current home, particularly after Finn’s mother moved in during the 2020 pandemic, they decided to build on their land, which Finn describes as the ideal environment for her children to grow up. Finn's vision for the Finn Family Farm was a home that appeared to have existed for generations, drawing inspiration from the German immigrants who settled in Central Texas over 175 years ago. The design, chronicled in the streaming series _Home to Homestead_ on The Design Network, incorporated a limestone exterior reminiscent of historical regional architecture. A key aspect of Finn's approach was sustainable living, including a rainwater collection tank and raising chickens for fresh eggs and fertilizer. The project emphasized integrating with the natural surroundings; instead of a traditional grass lawn, the property features native Texas pollinator plants, reducing maintenance and promoting water conservation with its 65-gallon rainwater collection system. Contrasting with modern open-concept designs, Finn opted for a more traditional layout with distinct rooms, fostering a sense of discovery within the home. The kitchen, for instance, includes a U-shaped breakfast alcove with nostalgic groove paneling and built-in seating, completed with a bistro table and woven leather chairs. Finn also champions 'slow decorating,' a process of patiently sourcing preloved and reclaimed items. The mudroom showcases this philosophy with an 1800s French pharmacy cabinet and a vintage cast-iron sink, both found at the Original Round Top Antiques Fair. The interior design further blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor elements by using the same smeared exterior limestone for kitchen walls, referencing early German settler homes. A custom kitchen island was designed to mimic a vintage piece, and refurbished pendant lights from Nomadic Trading Co. contribute to the rustic aesthetic. Instead of popular indoor/outdoor living features like large sliding doors, Finn emphasized natural light through numerous large windows and French doors. She also practices repurposing furniture, exemplified by a living room cabinet bought on Facebook Marketplace for under $200 and antique dining chairs from a Llano, Texas, garage sale. The guest bathroom features a thrifted side table converted into a skirted vanity using vintage Etsy fabric and brass fixtures from Signature Hardware. The guest rooms showcase a playful use of patterns and textures. One primary guest space, designed for frequent visitors, combines neutral patterns on walls, upholstery, and linens to create dimension. Custom draperies by Everhem are adorned with large pink tassels from Round Top. Another guest room includes built-in bunk beds painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Pewter Green, offering additional sleeping arrangements for both children and adult guests. For a modern touch in the bathroom, Finn blended metals, such as brass knobs with polished nickel faucets and showerheads. The space includes a silver cast-iron tub, a plastered walk-in shower, and an outdoor shower. Travertine tiles from Taylor Designer Floors and small vintage rugs complete the neutral palette, adding warmth. #FarmhouseDesign #TexasHome #SustainableLiving #ReclaimedDecor #InteriorStyling #MultigenerationalHome #ArchitecturalHistory #DrippingSprings #CustomHome