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My Houzz: Heirlooms and Antiques Befit a 1778 Vermont Home
Family treasures fit right in with original details in a spacious pre–Civil War home renovated with respect for its history
Houzz Contributor. I'm a wife, elementary educator, and collector. As a photographer who's always taken an interest in aesthetics and interiors, I'm excited to be a contributing writer and photographer for Houzz. With a fervor for early 20th century architecture and design, I'm endlessly seeking homes that retain or have been restored to their original beauty. I prefer accumulating pieces that reflect personality and hold a story. You'll find me rummaging at the flea market or estate sales every weekend, looking for those one-of-a-kind pieces at a bargain.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a wife, elementary educator, and collector. As a... More »
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Artist and ceramicist Laura Zindel and her husband, Thor, fell in love with their dream home online. The only problem: They lived 3,000 miles away in San Francisco. But they were so in love with the historic 1778 home that they flew to Guilford, Vermont, to begin the long process of becoming its owners. The previous owner had saved it from demolition in the 1970s, rebuilding it room by room on the weekends, and wasn't about to let it go to just anyone. "The structure was in good shape, but buying an old house is like painting the Golden Gate Bridge," Laura says. "Start at one end, and by the time you are done, you go back to the beginning and start over."
The grand home has since become a part of their family. "And like a person, we try not to judge its flaws and enjoy it for what it is," says Laura. The first step in renovating the new member of their family was installing all-new electrical wiring, done by Thor, who is skilled as an electrician, among many other trades. After that, they set about making the most of the home's individuality.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Laura and Thorsten Zindel, and their son, Wulff
Location: Guilford, Vermont
Size: 3,500 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That's interesting: This home once sat on a 100-acre piece of property.
The grand home has since become a part of their family. "And like a person, we try not to judge its flaws and enjoy it for what it is," says Laura. The first step in renovating the new member of their family was installing all-new electrical wiring, done by Thor, who is skilled as an electrician, among many other trades. After that, they set about making the most of the home's individuality.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Laura and Thorsten Zindel, and their son, Wulff
Location: Guilford, Vermont
Size: 3,500 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
That's interesting: This home once sat on a 100-acre piece of property.
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A three-season enclosed porch in the back of the house is the family's favorite spot. Located just off the kitchen, the porch overlooks a large, idyllic backyard. Thor reclaimed the home's old ceiling boards to rebuild the porch's flooring.
A large wood table paired with black chairs is decorated for the holidays using Laura's ceramics, mercury glass and natural elements.
Pendant light: Ikea; framed artwork: Rick Jones
A large wood table paired with black chairs is decorated for the holidays using Laura's ceramics, mercury glass and natural elements.
Pendant light: Ikea; framed artwork: Rick Jones
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At the far end of the porch is a royal-blue Amish-made hutch from Millbrook Farms Woodworks in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. It holds an array of original ceramics, made in house by Laura and her team and decorated with art that ranges from birds to sea creatures to fungi.
Some of the bottles and jars were made using antique molds Laura has found. "My housewares are inspired by the Victorian cabinets of curiosity and the Arts and Crafts movement," she says.
Some of the bottles and jars were made using antique molds Laura has found. "My housewares are inspired by the Victorian cabinets of curiosity and the Arts and Crafts movement," she says.
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The formal entry to the home was built sometime in the 1800s, as was most of the home beyond the kitchen.
A felt penny rug complements the bold blue paint in the hallway entry. "I love dark, saturated colors, which is a bit of a problem because our house does not get a lot of light," says Laura. "The blue in the hallway I thought was a great updated look for the house but was still historically on point."
Paint: Naval 6244, Sherwin-Williams
A felt penny rug complements the bold blue paint in the hallway entry. "I love dark, saturated colors, which is a bit of a problem because our house does not get a lot of light," says Laura. "The blue in the hallway I thought was a great updated look for the house but was still historically on point."
Paint: Naval 6244, Sherwin-Williams
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A collection of antiques-inspired portrait paintings by Russian artist Nina Friday lines the stairway. The railing is the perfect spot for a holiday garland.
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| The master bedroom has gold elements to complement the ebony furniture. Portraits of the people who once lived in the home hang on each side of the bed. The wide pine floors, painted brown, and wallpapered walls are original to the home. Curtains: Coqo Floral Curtains, Natural, Anthropologie |
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This woodland-inspired bedding, featuring rabbits, among other critters, was part of an exclusive line by Patch NYC for Target.
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In the home office, painted brown trim is paired with apple-green wallpaper decorated in an English hunt club theme. A vintage globe sits on a long Vietnamese teak desk.
Wallpaper: Lady of the Manor, Yukari Sweeney, Anthropologie
Wallpaper: Lady of the Manor, Yukari Sweeney, Anthropologie
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One of the two guest bedrooms upstairs has a neutral and green palette accented with pops of red. This vintage bamboo vanity seat, passed down to Laura from her aunt, was repainted a candy red.
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The second guest bedroom has a much softer, more feminine palette, with painted white floors and pale pink trim. A large, folksy felted area rug pulls the colors of the room together.
Paint: Quaint Peche 6330, Sherwin-Williams
Paint: Quaint Peche 6330, Sherwin-Williams
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A large antique cabinet, purchased at A Candle In The Night in Brattleboro, Vermont, displays Laura's mother's Depression-era quilt collection.
Laura's mother inspires her personal style the most. "She loved to collect antiques and had collections of everything from china to quilts," Laura says. "I have inherited many of her treasures and have them in our home. When we moved to Vermont from San Francisco, she told me that my style would change, and I didn't believe her. But I discovered that when you live in an old house, it has a voice that cannot be denied."
Laura's mother inspires her personal style the most. "She loved to collect antiques and had collections of everything from china to quilts," Laura says. "I have inherited many of her treasures and have them in our home. When we moved to Vermont from San Francisco, she told me that my style would change, and I didn't believe her. But I discovered that when you live in an old house, it has a voice that cannot be denied."
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An antique bureau stands out against white walls and floors, providing storage and a lovely vignette in the guest bedroom.
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Another piece of artwork original to the home, a Victorian sampler, hangs above a nightstand that showcases other vintage finds, such as a milk glass hobnail lamp perched atop an old whiskey box that once belonged to Laura's father.
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The rustic bed frame was made by Moose River Lake & Lodge Store in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The chenille bedding is vintage.
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A collection of antique silver mercury glass ornaments hangs in the old-fashioned front windows for the holidays.
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The formal entrance to the home is lit by an industrial barn light original to the home.
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| "My 1778 home just feels good inside," says Laura. "The entire house is made out of ancient wood, floor to ceiling. Maybe that has something to do with it, or just lots of happy ghosts." A home this old comes with some quirks of yesteryear; for example, a small door used exclusively for bringing coffins in and out. The home also features an "Indian window" in the pantry, used for arrow attacks. |
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| The family's yard is also home to well-cared-for pet hens. |
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| Guilford is a small town close to the historic town of Brattleboro. Laura's new working studio, gallery and storefront, seen here, is set in a thriving arts community. |
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Even with all the treasures inside, Laura (shown here) still says, "The most important part of home is my family."
Ideabook updated on Jan. 2, 2013.
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...just found it online and a steal.
The 2nd guest bedroom has a felted rug. Can you tell me anything about it?