The elegant simplicity of this new custom farmhouse home in Freeport, Maine caught our eye right away. Whitten Architects was asked to renovate an existing timberframe barn and add sunlit living space for their clients. The result is a farmhouse very appealing blend of old and new, where old materials are highlighted, and the owners' art collection stands out. … [Read more...]
A Rustic Log Cabin that’s Practically Luxurious Inside
You heard that right. "Rustic" and "luxurious" aren't often used to describe the same house. Which is exactly what we like about this little place in Hot Springs, Virginia - it's a yee-haw corncob pipe rustic log cabin on the outside, and a very, very nice family retreat on the inside. … [Read more...]
The Windows and Porches In This Empty-Nester Sustainable Farmhouse Take in Lots of Light and Views
The smart planning, simple details, and basic functionality of this Portland, Maine farmhouse add up to a home with a real sense of place. Whitten Architects created this sustainable farmhouse for an empty-nester couple (and their dog) to enjoy the calmly spectacular site. … [Read more...]
Exposed Wood Trusses, Painted Board Walls and Ceilings Make a Handsome Rustic Farmhouse
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...]
This Woodland Cottage Makes a Perfect Weekend Retreat
A handful of photos is all we have to show you of this weekend retreat by Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects, but these few are enough to show the wonderful, quiet character of this modest woodland cottage. … [Read more...]
A Blend of Modern and Rustic Design Makes this Craftsman Cabin in the Mountains a Special Family Home
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...]
Old Barn Plus Modern White Farmhouse Equals a Very Special New Home
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...]
Rustic Barn House in Napa Valley with a Modern Interior
What is it about the shape of a barn that calls to us? That whispers “come in…sit…you’re home”. That’s what we see in this little gem of a rustic barn house from Johnson Squared Architects. Outside, the board and batten siding, the corrugated steel roof, the board shutters and the dark paint combine to give this home a soothing and serene appeal. The big wrap-around deck, … [Read more...]
In Big Sky Country, a Craftsman Bungalow Home Filled with the Warmth of Wood and Stone
Karen and I each have one tiny connection to Bozeman, Montana, the site of this picture-perfect cottage by Locati Architects. She visited the city once, and for me, it was the site of the design problem on my Architectural Registration Exam. But neither of those experiences was as memorable as this modest craftsman bungalow home. From the street, it's as cute as can be, with … [Read more...]
A Modern Farmhouse in Vermont with a Unique and Interesting Interior
Taftsville is a tiny area in Woodstock Vermont, founded in 1793 with a sawmill and metal tool shop. Today it's a popular historic district, famous for a covered bridge built in 1836. Taftsville is also site of this new modern farmhouse, built to replace the original decrepit house on the site. … [Read more...]