The Modest Mansion

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Exposed Wood Trusses, Painted Board Walls and Ceilings Make a Handsome Rustic Farmhouse

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Rustic farmhouse and barn projects frequently end up in the pages of The Modest Mansion, because they appeal to us on some deeper, heartfelt, family level, and because they're often the very definition of "unpretentious". This barn and farmhouse "compound" in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania by Reed Axelrod Architects does both very well. According to the Architects, the … [Read more...]

Contemporary Cottage Meets Traditional Neighborhood – And it’s a Perfect Fit

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The knock on contemporary cottage homes is usually one of two things - 1) it doesn't fit in a traditional neighborhood, and 2) the interior doesn't work with the "mess" of everyday family life. This home by Charlie & Co. Design in Edina, Minnesota doesn't believe any of that. The use of materials, the window design, and the colors on the outside are clearly modern, but … [Read more...]

How We Re-Tiled Our Big Master Bath Shower (with help). Part Two

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Part Two of the continuing saga of re-tileing our master bath shower, part of an overall master bath remodel. (Read Part One of this story here) With demolition done and all the finish material delivered, Week Two started with the first actual construction work on the shower. First up was replacing the old shower valves, and the old wet/dry fan/light, followed by the … [Read more...]

How We Re-Tiled Our Big Master Bath Shower (with help). Part One.

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Part One of our continuing saga of re-tiling our master bath shower, part of an overall master bathroom remodel... We've done enough DIY remodeling work over the years to know what we're capable of taking on...and what we aren't (or maybe "shouldn't").  We probably could have remodeled our 23-year old master bath shower ourselves, but we needed it done now, and we needed it … [Read more...]

A Blend of Modern and Rustic Design Makes this Craftsman Cabin in the Mountains a Special Family Home

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From the mix of materials to capturing great views, the design team got every detail just right on this rustic Craftsman cabin home in the mountains of western North Carolina.  ACM Design's Architects and Interior Designers combined Japanese design sensibilities with Pennsylvania farmhouse details to create a very special family home. … [Read more...]

Inside This Santa Fe Desert Pueblo Home, Bright Colors Are Painted on a Desert Canvas

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Santa Fe, New Mexico has long list of accolades; the oldest state capital in America; the highest state capital (elevation 7,199 feet above sea level); and one-time home of artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Homes in Santa Fe have a special character, reflecting the character of the high desert including this one, the home of Architect Gayla Bechtol. Stylistically speaking, this … [Read more...]

Old Barn Plus Modern White Farmhouse Equals a Very Special New Home

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Efficient home design and construction can be achieved in a number of ways, but the two most efficient things you can do are to reuse existing buildings, and make homes useful for different generations. This new modern white farmhouse home by Whitten Architects does both, with subtlety and style.  An original milking barn was restored, and attached to a new farmhouse … [Read more...]