My Houzz: Loving Efforts Restore a 1787 Farmhouse
Careful attention to original details preserves and revives a vacant New England home with a considerable history
I am a Boston based contributing writer/photographer for Houzz, and a professional portrait and commercial photographer. My favorite design style is fresh, uncluttered, and modern although I appreciate any style that is well executed. I also love the surprise and rebellious twist of "a house within a house". This would be a contemporary home filled with period antiques or an antique home filled with modern design. I believe that what one chooses to surround themselves with reveals their true personality.
I am a Boston based contributing writer/photographer for Houzz, and a professional... More »
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The site of Revolutionary War–era romance, dainty fox-hunt teas and formal piano recitals, this 1787 Georgian farmhouse brims with antique ambience and charm. The house had been vacant for years when Barry Barton and David Ferrini first viewed the interior on a dark winter night. "We stopped to shut a door left open by the Realtor and it was like stepping into a time warp," Ferrini says. After buying the home in 2007, they set to work painting, refinishing the floors and redoing the woodwork, intent on preserving the home's 18th-century beauty.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: David Ferrini and Barry Barton
Location: North Framingham, Massachusetts
Size: 2,800 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
That's interesting: The home was built by Revolutionary War captain Thomas Nixon, Jr., as a promise to his bride-to-be before he left for battle.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: David Ferrini and Barry Barton
Location: North Framingham, Massachusetts
Size: 2,800 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
That's interesting: The home was built by Revolutionary War captain Thomas Nixon, Jr., as a promise to his bride-to-be before he left for battle.
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| Listed in the Library of Congress as a Historic American Building, this home sits among rolling fields and horse farms, adjacent to more than 200 acres of state forest. |
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| "About a hundred years ago, the owner, a debutante from Louisburg Square in Boston's Beacon Hill, was a pianist and used [this] as her summer home," Ferrini says. When the ceiling in the great room collapsed, she left it open for better acoustics to play, hence the gorgeous open-beam ceiling. The original iron cooking apparatus for hanging pots over the fire, a warming stove built into the brick and built-in cabinets for storing food and cookware have all been preserved. Needlepoint carpet: John Aga |
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| A view from the second floor to the living room shows what was originally the kitchen, and the largest room in the house. "This home is like a rock star with all of the living that has gone on here," Barton says. The previous owner was the head of the Historic Society of Framingham, so the home was never stripped of its original charms. Wide-plank floors, original doors and latches, built-in cupboards and wall stenciling were all preserved. Since the home is a protected historic landmark, the extent of change permitted is limited. "Anything we've done can be reversed," Ferrini says. Sofa: Domain; wingback chair fabric: Keith McCoy; painting of books: Juxtaposition |
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| An unused back staircase in the living room was transformed into a closet. |
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Unlike many antique homes, the house has abundant natural light. Most of its windows have no drapes, to let in more light and show off the original glass panes.
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| The renovated kitchen features custom cabinetry, stainless appliances, honed Carrara marble countertops and a large farmhouse-style sink. Ten-inch quarter-sawn oak floors were stained with a custom blend to match the original floors. The new kitchen is the hub of the home, with doorways that lead to an outdoor back patio, the dining room and the living room. Pendant lighting: Ballard Designs; chairs: Pottery Barn |
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| "We needed it to be restored to the '70s — the 1770s," says contractor Joe Trainor of Custom Works. The kitchen was previously a land mine of unsafe junction boxes and water lines, unsupported beams and unconnected heating ducts. "Restorations are never simple or inexpensive," Trainor says. "I think the house thanks [Ferrini and Barton], and they know that as the current custodians, they added their own history to it as well." Appliances: Cafe series, General Electric; faucet: Danze |
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| Barton and Ferrini love to cook and entertain. "We build fires in the fireplaces and light candles on the table and wall sconces to create a colonial-era warmth and glow throughout the house," Barton says. The door to the left leads to a tiny front foyer and a staircase to the second floor. |
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"For such an old home, it has great flow and really brings the outdoors in," Ferrini says. These double doors in the living room lead to the back patio, a favorite area for summer entertaining.
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| Stone cleared from fields by farmers centuries ago lines the back patio. "We fill the gaps in between the stones with tea lights that make it all twinkle," Ferrini says. All the windows throughout the home are original and required restoration. "Looking through the 200-year-old glass is not all that common and just one of the joys of living in this home," Ferrini says. |
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Barton and Ferrini have maintained the stone walkways, walls and patios, and created vibrant gardens. The side and primary entry is closest to a detached three-car garage (added in 1980) and leads into the kitchen.
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| Previously a dark, dreary room used for sewing and other tasks, the den also got a fresh update. "The first thing we did when we moved in was to paint all of the walls white," Barton says. The doorway to the left leads to the front foyer and staircase. The fireplace is surrounded by built-in cabinets. Sofas: Domain; leather chair: ABC Furniture |
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A passageway from the main living area to the master suite has been cleverly transformed into a home office.
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This hallway window looks into a powder room. A carriage house was attached to the home in the 1980s and now serves as the hall, laundry area and master suite.
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Black appliances, dark blue cabinets, a carpet runner, warm wood floors and baskets create a sumptuous-looking laundry area and passageway to the master suite.
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| In colonial times, the high bed hid bedpans and took advantage of rising heat. Today it is a clever way to get the bed closer to the television mounted in the ceiling beam. A dividing screen serves as a headboard and lets in light yet provides privacy. The door to the left of the bed leads to the outdoor garden and a detached greenhouse. Dividing screen: J.F. Chen; duvet cover: Pottery Barn |
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| An 1850s Vortex parlor stove warms the master suite. The door to the right leads to the master bath. Rug: Bloomingdale's |
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A claw-foot bathtub painted black, an oversize pedestal sink and black and white tile create a rich, masculine look in the master bathroom.
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| The master bedroom leads out to the backyard greenhouse. This image shows the view from the greenhouse toward the master bedroom door. |
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| Originally part of the property, this red barn has a road running through it as an entry to a private cul-de-sac of homes. The original barn burned to the ground; the owner of the home at the time found this barn in Concord, Massachusetts, and relocated it to the property. |
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| Used for storage in colder months, the backyard greenhouse becomes an entertainment space sparkling with twinkling lights in warm weather. |
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| A chicken coop also sits on the home's idyllic grounds. Barton and Ferrini enjoy fresh eggs from their chickens, which they bought online through My Pet Chicken. |
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| Christmas lights mounted inside the garage door molding welcome the couple home at night. |
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Barton and Ferrini plan to start on the second-floor bedrooms and bath next. "We realize the rich and deep history of this old girl and always keep in mind that we are simply living in this stunning piece of art," Ferrini says.
Contractors: Joe Trainor, Custom Works Contracting; Jane Mortimer, Heartwood Window Restoration
Contractors: Joe Trainor, Custom Works Contracting; Jane Mortimer, Heartwood Window Restoration
Ideabook updated on Dec. 5, 2012.
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Marie Meko
Perfect blend of being true to the time with all of the modern conveniences. Absolutely perfect.
Believe me ,it looks nothing like this one! Some of the similarities are the beautiful brick fireplace with the original pots and bake oven, the wonderful wide plank floors, the hand hewn beams and blown glass windows.
This home is a wonderful inspiration for me. Thank you so much for featuring it.
Would love to see the homes in the cul de sac with the barn entrance–I can imagine!
Are they reproductions? Creighton Hamill?