This 500-year-old farmhouse is full of historic features and charm

Maggie Griffin, an interior designer, found her charming 1940s cottage in Gainesville, Georgia, and immediately fell in love with its historic appeal. The house, with its original features, small rooms, and quirky ceilings, perfectly fit her design philosophy of mixing old and new. Maggie's passion for items with history is evident throughout her home, which is filled with inherited pieces like an antique secretary and settee, alongside modern elements such as lucite and parsons tables. Her approach creates a warm and welcoming environment that reflects her personal style. Upon moving into the Gainesville cottage, Maggie and her husband, David, made minimal cosmetic changes. They focused on refreshing the space with new paint, countertops, and a few faucets, maintaining the integrity of the home's original character. The previous homeowner, who shares a friendship with Maggie, had impeccable taste, which facilitated a smooth transition. The cottage's curb appeal, characterized by painted brick, a charming side addition, a gable roof over the front door, and single-pane windows, embodies the quintessential cottage style that Maggie admires. Inside, the original floors and slanted ceilings on the second floor further enhance the cozy, historic atmosphere. Maggie's keeping room, located off the kitchen and breakfast area, serves as the central hub of her home. This multi-purpose space is designed for family gatherings and features a mix of antique market finds and contemporary pieces. The Thibaut wallpaper adds a touch of happiness, and layered rugs provide depth. The breakfast table and server were sourced from Scott’s Antiques, while the chairs are from Serena & Lily. A settee, inherited from her maternal grandmother, has been re-covered in velvet, adding a layer of family history to the room. An acrylic coffee table from Amazon.com offers a practical, easy-to-clean surface, ideal for a home with a young child. The kitchen, though previously remodeled, received Maggie's personal touch. She painted the cabinets and island, incorporating a wooden countertop for warmth and swapping perimeter counters for granite. This blend of finishes and the natural light from a large window over the sink contribute to the kitchen's inviting ambiance. The exterior also received attention, with shutters painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Herbal Escape,” complementing the vibrant spring blooms of her ten bright pink peony bushes, which bring Maggie joy each summer. Outdoor living is a significant part of the Griffins' lifestyle. From April to October, all meals are enjoyed on their back porch, which is furnished with a comfortable sectional for watching football games and a farm table from Scott’s, paired with easy-to-clean metal chairs. This space is designed for entertaining, accommodating both adult dinner parties and neighborhood playdates, and even hosted over 150 guests for a Halloween gathering. The master bedroom showcases Maggie's affinity for blue and white, with the design originating from a remnant bolt of "La Grenade" fabric by Bailey & Griffin, used for the bed skirt. Nightstands, acquired from a friend’s mother, were painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Half Moon Crest.” A custom upholstered headboard, inspired by Bunny Williams, and a bench from Scott’s with a leopard-print cushion from Lewis & Sheron further personalize the space. The bedding combines elements from Pine Cone Hill and Serena & Lily, alongside a custom bolster. An upstairs sitting room features original pine paneling and flooring, creating a charming den for guests. A camelback sofa, inherited from her paternal grandmother, is recovered in navy velvet. A hand-me-down ottoman and bobbin chairs from Pier 1, re-covered in fabric from Scott’s, complete the seating arrangement. The room also includes an IKEA jute rug layered with an antique store find, and a gallery wall displaying a mix of collected art, personal creations, and pieces from artist friends. Her son Henry’s room, located off the breakfast room, features a sophisticated look with Schumacher linen on the headboard and elephant art by Erika Lackey. A dark-blue chest from Scott’s Antique Market, framed alphabet book pages, and discarded turtle shells decorate the space, reflecting a blend of whimsy and personal history. Henry's bathroom includes Schumacher wallpaper, gray-painted trim and vanity, a Target turtle shell, and antique silver canapé dishes with the New Orleans crest. Maggie's background in furnishings and interiors, influenced by her chic grandmothers and mother, led her to a career in design. Her early experiences at Heery’s Too!, a high-end home furnishings gift shop, allowed her to transition from assisting shoppers with small decorative tasks to managing larger design projects, establishing her career as an interior designer who cherishes history and mixes it with modern sensibilities to create unique, inviting homes. #HomeFeatures #InteriorDesign #CottageStyle #AntiqueDecor #HomeDecoration #GainesvilleGeorgia #MaggieGriffinDesign #OldMeetsNew #FamilyHome

The article details the redesign of an 18th-century farmhouse in Lumberton, transforming it to accommodate modern living while honoring its historical roots. The project was undertaken by Michelle Gage of Philadelphia-based Michelle Gage Interiors, who notes the home's significant age, dating back to the Revolutionary era. This particular residence presented a unique challenge due to its extensive history and the accumulated alterations made by previous inhabitants over centuries. The homeowner's openness to Gage's suggestions was a crucial factor in the redesign's success, allowing for a creative yet respectful approach. Gage identified an inherent 'English vibe' in the home and aimed to align the interior design with both this aesthetic and the client's 'quirky and eccentric' personality. The English influence is evident throughout the house, starting from the entry where antique boot racks hold wellies. The primary bedroom showcases a vibrant display of color and pattern, featuring layered florals on the walls, headboard, and bedding. The chosen wallpaper designs evoke a British country house style, characterized by rich patterns that contribute depth and character to the space. The redesign also incorporated unique elements like a moody, jungle-themed wall covering in the breakfast nook. This wallpaper, featuring hidden animal motifs, thoughtfully frames the home's original built-in cabinetry, adding an element of surprise and whimsy. In contrast, the laundry room adopts a more serene ambiance with a subdued sage-green and white botanical wall covering, designed to create a fresh and crisp atmosphere reminiscent of newly laundered linens. The project successfully merged historical integrity with contemporary comfort and personal style, creating a home that respects its past while providing a vibrant and unique living environment for its current owner. The collaboration between the designer and homeowner resulted in a space that is both historically conscious and reflective of modern eclectic tastes, demonstrating how an antique structure can be adapted for current lifestyles without sacrificing its inherent charm. #LumbertonFarmhouse #HistoricalHome #HomeRedesign #EclecticDecor #InteriorDesign #MichelleGageInteriors #EnglishVibe #RevolutionaryEraHome

Matt Gleckler, the proprietor of Antique Beams & Boards in Delta, Ohio, has established a business dedicated to the reclamation and repurposing of wood from historic barns across the state. His enterprise transforms these rural structures, often seen as ripe for demolition, into valuable reclaimed lumber for various applications. Gleckler’s initial foray into entrepreneurship was not in reclaimed wood; after studying finance at the University of Toledo, he worked in banking investments before building and co-owning a movie theater in Wauseon with his wife. The inspiration for Antique Beams & Boards emerged when Gleckler needed to dismantle a dilapidated barn to make way for the theater. This experience led him to research demolition and the potential of reclaimed barn wood, discovering the inherent quality and enduring beauty of timbers from barns built centuries ago. The core mission of Antique Beams & Boards is to honor the past by giving these ancient wood pieces a new purpose. Gleckler emphasizes that each barn offers a unique window into history. The reclaimed barn boards are skillfully repurposed into a variety of high-end products, including elegant countertops, sturdy mantelpieces, and durable wood flooring. This process ensures that the historical materials, some dating back 200 years, continue to be appreciated in modern contexts. Since its inception, Gleckler's business has successfully harvested materials from over 1,000 barns, extending the life of their timber far beyond their original structural intent. While Gleckler's operations are rooted in Ohio, the reclaimed barn materials find their way to projects nationwide, particularly in the eastern United States. A notable example includes the complete disassembly of a full-frame barn from Northwood in 2010, which was then meticulously reconstructed as a vacation home in Stowe, Vermont. Closer to home, businesses and residences in Ohio also incorporate these historical elements. For instance, the Bass Pro Shops in Rossford utilized restored wood for their flooring and siding, while the Orchard Bar + Table in Catawba Island integrated reclaimed beams and boards into its interior decor. Gleckler has also contributed to preserving local heritage by donating reclaimed wood to Sauder Village, a living-history museum located in Archbold. Gleckler possesses the expertise to estimate the age of a barn, often within a 10-to-15-year margin, based on its architectural style. He notes that the types of wood used in construction can indicate a barn's geographical origin; for example, barns in Napoleon often feature elm, while those east of Toledo frequently contain more oak. He points out that while New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia also have barns, Ohio, particularly the northwest region, boasts a significant quantity. Gleckler highlights the sustainability of his business model, stating that every part of the old barn material is utilized, right down to the last nail. This commitment to recycling ensures that these historical structures are given an extended life and continue to contribute to new designs and constructions. #ReclaimedWood #Barns #SustainableBuilding #OhioHistory #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalSalvage #Entrepreneurship #WoodRecycling

Studio Andrew Trotter, based in Barcelona, has completed the renovation of a historic property named 'Casolare Scarani' in the countryside of Puglia, Italy. The project began serendipitously when architect Andrew Trotter and a friend stumbled upon the neglected but charming farmhouse while driving through Carovigno. They recognized its unique character, including rusticated stonework and dramatic interior vaulting, despite years of abandonment. The house, which had once served as a girls' school until the early 1960s, presented an unusual blend of a 'masseria' (large historic farmhouse) style with the more intimate scale of a small villa. Initially, Trotter and his friend decided against purchasing the property for themselves, instead recommending it to clients who shared their appreciation for its historical value and potential. The renovation process for Casolare Scarani spanned nine months, during which Studio Andrew Trotter focused on a sensitive revitalization that preserved the farmhouse's antique quality while elevating it to modern standards. A key aspect of this approach was maintaining the exterior patina, which involved meticulously scraping off layers of old paint to reveal the original stone of the portico. For the interiors, the team opted for a traditional yet refined aesthetic, fully plastering the surfaces. A local artisan was commissioned to create bespoke lime plaster and lime paints, contributing to an authentic and breathable finish that respects the building's heritage. Material preservation and careful integration of new elements were central to the design. The existing old stones on the flooring were carefully repositioned, and new 'chianca' stones were added to seamlessly match the original material, ensuring continuity and structural integrity. The functional layout of the farmhouse was also rethought to accommodate contemporary living needs. The original garage space was ingeniously converted into a modern kitchen, maximizing existing structures. Similarly, a former donkey house was transformed into a practical laundry room, demonstrating a commitment to repurposing and efficiency. To expand the living quarters, two new blocks were strategically added to the rear of the house, providing two additional bedroom suites. These extensions were designed to blend harmoniously with the existing architecture, maintaining the overall aesthetic coherence of Casolare Scarani. The project ultimately transformed the historic farmhouse into a serene and functional retreat that honors its past while offering modern comforts in the picturesque Italian countryside. #HistoricRenovation #ItalianArchitecture #Puglia #FarmhouseDesign #StudioAndrewTrotter #ArchitecturalPreservation #ResidentialArchitecture #InteriorDesign #LimePlaster