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Houzz Tour: 19th-Century Farmhouse Becomes Home for 5
Susan Duane snags the house of her dreams in her New York hometown
When she was growing up in her small hometown in Western New York, Susan Duane would drive by a beautiful farmhouse just minutes from her home and daydream about what it would be like to live there. "There was something about it," she says. "I could never go by without looking at it. I probably said 'I love that house' hundreds of times to anyone who would listen." Not long after she got married, the home went up for sale for the first time in almost 30 years. Duane and her husband jumped on it, and managed to seal the deal with the owner the very day they went to go see it.
Now, Duane — who chronicles her home adventures on the blog Hometown Girl — has lived in this home with her husband and 3 children for 12 years. The home was built in 1890, so there was a lot of work to be done. But after several big renovations, she's managed to make her dream house the perfect home.
Now, Duane — who chronicles her home adventures on the blog Hometown Girl — has lived in this home with her husband and 3 children for 12 years. The home was built in 1890, so there was a lot of work to be done. But after several big renovations, she's managed to make her dream house the perfect home.
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| The house is very much a traditional farmhouse, so Duane stuck with that framework when decorating. As an older home, it always has some task that requires a little extra attention. Since Duane and her family have lived here, they've replaced the roof, most of the windows, the heating, and renovated the kitchen and the great room. |
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| A vintage table, chairs and armoire painted in a retro-friendly turquoise brightens the back porch. The chalk-painted flowerpots hold fresh herbs for family meals. Duane loves to go to estate sales and small local shops to find furniture for her home. Many of the pieces in her house are refinished, including several beautiful hand-me-downs from her grandparents. |
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| The back porch looks out over the home's expansive backyard, perfect for Duane's kids. Since it's enclosed, the space can be used year round. Duane designated multiple seating areas for optimal after-dinner entertaining. |
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| A porch swing sits by a small table and chairs on the front porch, welcoming visitors to the front entrance. A large jute rug is great for this transitional space between the indoors and the outdoors. |
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| Traditional Ralph Lauren wallpaper in the dining room suits the home's 19th-century origins. A crocheted tablecloth from Duane's grandmother matches the walllpaper's tan hue. Duane completed the look of this room with a traditional chandelier and vintage art on the walls. Wallpaper: Ralph Lauren Dining table and chairs: Ethan Allen |
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| Once they moved in, Duane and her husband decided to completely re-do the kitchen. Off-white cabinets with glazing were chosen for their antique, farmhouse feel. A custom hood was designed to blend in with the cabinets' style; white beadboard tile was installed on the backsplash, and simple iron light fixtures were chosen from a local light shop. Countertops: Granite Cabinetry: Kahle's Kitchen Backsplash: The Tile Shoppe Barstools: Ballard Designs |
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| The kitchen space extends out into a large great room, which includes this eat-in space. This is where Duane's family spends most of their time, and where guests tend to congregate. The kitchen table and chairs have a much more relaxed feel than the more formal dining room, due in part to Duane's decision to put a bench on one side of the table. The chairs are a mix — 2 are new purchases, and 2 are refinished hand-me-downs from Duane's grandparents. Table: Henry & Co. Bench: Ballard Designs |
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| The simple, casual living room is more of a sitting area for guests than a place where the family hangs out. A mix of Pottery Barn furniture and an armchair from her grandmother gives it a personalized look. A beautiful wool runner on the staircase keeps toes warm and adds a subtle bit of pattern. Couch: Pottery Barn Chairs: Pottery Barn Rug: Pottery Barn Table lamps: Pottery Barn, Target Chest of drawers: Pottery Barn |
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| This beautiful wallpaper in the bathroom was already in this room when Duane and her husband bought the home. A friend found almost identical fabric at Calico Corners and sewed curtains with gingham trim to provide a little privacy. |
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| Duane's son's bedroom was designed with a growing boy in mind — it's a room that can easily last him through his teens. A subtle blue hue is boyish and flexible, and the vinyl decal can easily be taken down if needed. The bedframe was Duane's grandfather's. Decal: Etsy |
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| Like the rest of the home, the master bedroom is a soft combination of beautifully worn pieces and a light and soothing color palette. A few dark accents add contrast to the almost all-white space. The bedframe is wooden, but Duane recently repainted it white to blend with the rest of her bedroom furniture. Bedframe: Ethan Allen Bedding: Martha Stewart, Target self-made throw pillows Armoire: Ethan Allen Curtains: Target |
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A mudroom inside the home's entrance collects the children's daily odds and ends before they end up in a pile on the floor. Assigned cubbies and baskets from Target help keep things neat and clean. A window seat provides a place to pull off dirty shoes before walking into the house. Duane covered the cushion herself and made the pleated skirt.
Baskets and pillows: Target
Baskets and pillows: Target
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"I love being home more than anywhere else, so I wanted it to feel welcoming, cozy and comfortable," says Duane.
It's been more than a decade since she and her husband first saw the "For Sale" sign on this house, and it's truly evolved into a home. "I can't imagine being anywhere else. I think it was just meant to be," she says.
More Houzz Tours:
A Sweet Southern Makeover
Light and Lovely Home with a Special History
Mobile, Modern Farmhouse
It's been more than a decade since she and her husband first saw the "For Sale" sign on this house, and it's truly evolved into a home. "I can't imagine being anywhere else. I think it was just meant to be," she says.
More Houzz Tours:
A Sweet Southern Makeover
Light and Lovely Home with a Special History
Mobile, Modern Farmhouse
Ideabook published on Dec. 5, 2011.
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I love the idea of having a visiting sitting area and a family sitting area. I'd probably retreat there for quiet reading time when the children are watching TV I'm not wanting to see, rather than hiding in my bedroom like a churlish teenager!
And the runner on the stairs while looking good will muffle the children's footsteps as they run up and down the through the day too.
You have absolutely stunning eyes , by the way!
http://www.cttrust.org/11039
I've lived in two old homes, one built in 1891, and one built in 1871. Alas, my family did not have the money necessary to do any major restoration. We lived with horrible old kitchens and stained hardwood floors. We did however, replace windows and upgrade heating systems, which turned out to be very wise indeed because doing so reduced our winter heating bill from $500 a month to a much more manageable $250. Replacement windows can be found that keep the character of the older home, they just cost a little more than what you can find on the shelf at the big box home stores. Ours were custom made to fit the existing openings and match existing finishes. I imagine the Duanes did the same.
Do like we do, just wear sweaters and buy a programmable thermostat.