Leave a CommentShare: |
Subscribe
Come see inside my “new” 1930′s farmhouse! (If you missed it, find out about Sassafras Farm here.)
A couple of notes upfront. Most of the rooms are pretty spartan right now, furniture and not much else. I have strategically located remaining unpacked boxes in a few key areas so that I can deal with them gradually while not having to look at them all the time. Also, I plan to paint right away, so it’s best to not put things on the walls and keep most of my things out of the way until I’m finished. Not to mention, I loathe, despise, and abhor clutter, so even when I’m done, it will be a minimal look. I’ve never had a house completely to myself before. I’m looking forward to being in total control of the clutter (or lack thereof). Well, there’s Morgan, but I can shut her door!
This house was built circa 1935 and is not the original farmhouse on the property. The original farmhouse, I assume, was built circa 1890 along with the big red barn. It was located on the same spot as this 1935 house and there are some original foundation stones in the yard. This house has changed hands several times over the decades, and has been lovingly tended and updated. There are many original features, such as the vintage hardwood floors, built-in shelves, and bead board ceilings, and some remodeled features such as the kitchen and the bathrooms. This house passed inspection with flying colors with the inspector noting on his report that he was amazed at the condition for a home of this age. Previous owners had done a great deal of work in recent years, including, I’m told, spending $17,000 on foundation repair and reinforcement. (In spite of that, the floors are slightly uneven, which I adore. You know you’re in an old house when the floors aren’t level.)
One more note–this house is cozy. Cozy is another word for small, but it’s also terribly charming and I love it. It’s just enough house for me, though I can imagine the size (you’ll see what I mean particularly when I show you the kitchen and the bedrooms) was off-putting and probably contributed in large part to the reason the farm remained on the market for so long. The house is a mere 1135 square feet, with an additional 500 square feet in the separate studio, and then there’s also the cellar.
The living room is airy with three windows across the front. (The windows are updated, double-paned.) The fireplace is original and is a working wood-burning fireplace with a newer insert.
Bead board ceilings:
The paint throughout most of the downstairs is a bright yellow, with a green accent wall at the fireplace. I like it okay, but I don’t love it. The yellow is a bit too intense and bright, and the green is on the minty side. I’m planning to tone this down with a more neutral green for the accent wall and a creamy “hazelnut” throughout the rest of the downstairs.
Here is how the house looked when I first toured it (with the previous owners’ furniture).
They had their couch on the far end of the living room.
That room is actually the dining room, and is what I’m using as a dining room. My table fit perfectly, so I was pleased.
Perhaps the most interesting room in the house is the room that they were using as a dining room. (It was NOT originally a dining room. Can you guess what it was?) The room is located on the back of the house and opens into the living room.
Ross was visiting in October when, very near the end of his visit, I made the decision to move. He came with me when I toured the house. (The other people pictured include a realtor and one of the previous owners.) They used this room as their dining room, but I knew right away that it was not the dining room.
I said, “Isn’t the area on the other side of the living room the dining room?” It feels like a dining room. And I was right. But. Before I explain more about this other room that they were using as their dining room instead, let me show you the kitchen.
The kitchen is, in my opinion, a minor travesty.
I don’t believe that this kitchen was created by the most recent previous owners (who only owned the property for five years), but it’s a relatively modern remodel. It’s a narrow galley-style kitchen that runs on the side of the house between the dining room and the room that the previous owners were using as a dining room. It has some good points, though, despite its size. The cabinets are quite nice, with lots of bonus features such as pull-out shelves in most of the cabinets.
Lazy Susan in one of the corner cabinets.
Appliance “garage” with pull-down door.
A tall pantry for additional space leading out to the dining room. (To the far right in this photo, you’ll also see one of the built-in shelves.)
There’s a spice shelf above the range and over that, a place for cookbooks, which I think is neat.
There’s also a nice wide window over the sink to let in lots of light, and (not pictured) to the left of the sink is a microwave shelf.
The appliances themselves are nice, but the range is a smooth electric cooktop, which blows my mind in a house with free gas. (It HAS to go.)
I suspect the kitchen was a huge negative to most people who looked at this house. Despite how well done this galley kitchen remodel is, it’s a tiny galley kitchen and somewhat awkward to work in, especially for someone who does a lot of cooking and for anyone with a family or friends who they would like to enjoy in the kitchen with them while cooking. This kitchen is like a closet. However, I chose to overlook it for a couple of reasons. One, the rest of the house and property were so perfect. Two, the studio, where I will be making my commercial kitchen, will also provide a space for holidays, family get-togethers, and entertaining. And three–
Back to that other room.
No longer a pseudo-dining room, this is how I have the room set up now. I’m currently using it as a pass-through, mud room, extra pantry storage, catch-all room.
I stood in this room when I first toured the house, and after saying, “This isn’t the real dining room, is it?” then I asked, “What IS this room?”
And they told me it was THE ORIGINAL KITCHEN.
At some point, one of the owners going back sometime in this property’s recent history decided to move the kitchen, create a new galley kitchen on the side of the house, put in a big double glass door/window, and turn this room into the dining room. (The room opens onto the back porch.) It’s lovely and all that, but THIS IS THE KITCHEN.
And if I live long enough to come up with the money, it will be a kitchen again. (Where is HGTV when you need them? I loved the guesses about my surprise being that HGTV was at my house. I wish. Wouldn’t recreating the original farmhouse kitchen make a great HGTV episode? Sigh.)
Next, I’ll take you on a tour of the upstairs, so stay tuned!
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on November 28, 2011
3:17
am
5:29
am
6:05
am
6:22
am
6:23
am
6:30
am
6:33
am
6:34
am
7:05
am
7:20
am
7:54
am
7:56
am
8:01
am
Pat in Eastern NC
8:02
am
8:20
am
8:37
am
I’ve had fun with this before, it has mostly turned out well, but I have had to paint over top too.
It all depends on your mood of course.
Playing with one of the walls to see what works might be fun, or might be a much bigger pain in the you-know-what than you want to consider just now too!
8:45
am
8:49
am
9:02
am
9:04
am
9:05
am
9:05
am
9:12
am
9:21
am
Thank you for sharing it with us!
9:28
am
Didn’t you just get some free cabinets for the downstairs at the other house? Or do they have to stay there?
You gotta love how we all seem to “take over” and offer plenty of advice! Do it the way YOU want to, of course.
Can’t wait to see the rest!
9:31
am
Suzanne–Is the couch pictured in the first photo yours? I am looking for one that will go with my new old farmhouse look, and you have just the print I’ve been trying in vain to find!
9:41
am
I agree, the paint is a little bright…yellow. At least the house is small and won’t take that much to paint.
Here’s the link to get on HGTV! It’s the one where they go around the country remodeling. The kitchen one is looking for people in California and Texas… http://www.hgtv.com/about-us/how-to-get-your-home-hgtvd/index.html
9:46
am
9:53
am
That means the old kitchen which seems to have lost some wall space thanks to that lovely huge door/window, wouldn’t need quite so many cabinets and such. Light is a fantastic thing which old houses sometimes are lacking, good thing is with all that floor to ceiling space in the ‘butler’s pantry’ will leave tons of room in the new-old kitchen area. Also, the kitchen sink that is there, can be moved, but a small one could be put in it’s place for prep/rinsing and such… possibly even that awful electric stove, which could have a piece of wood (or something) over top of it but it would still be available for use as a stove in times of need.
Are you sick of my ideas yet? Sorry, I just can’t help myself!
9:55
am
9:56
am
10:00
am
The house is beautiful and the property is to love.I have to say you found yours first and I feel like it is what we have been in hopes of finding for our family. I have truly enjoyed all the posts and BLESS you in the name of the Lord. I’m so glad you and Morgan are home, it feels right from here.
10:07
am
10:31
am
There are other ways to make a commercial kitchen.
10:38
am
Oh boy, that kitchen! I am sure after you settle in, you will start getting great and reasonable ideas to turn the real kitchen back into a kitchen.
11:16
am
11:19
am
11:29
am
I would be willing to bet your “New Kitchen” was originality the Pantry, food storage closet. I would guess that there is a door in the wall behind the stove.
12:09
pm
12:11
pm
It says “Suzanne” all over it! It’s wonderful…..well, yeah….the kitchen…..WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? I’m sure that wonderful, incredible edibles will still come from that teeny, tiny kitchen!
Welcome Home!
12:32
pm
12:52
pm
1:17
pm
1:26
pm
1:46
pm
2:06
pm
And I just keep getting more and more HAPPY and EXCITED for you Suzanne !!!
I love this house and this farm and still want to sit on the front porch and soak in the beautiful surroundings and can’t thank you enough for sharing with us. BUT, that cute little kitchen is just TOO LITTLE for all the magic you create in a kitchen. You know – a magician, a mother of 3, a writer, and a FARMER needs lots of space to work in.
Does anyone out there know the producer of HGTV? NO?
Do they really do all that stuff for deserving people who do so much to help make other peoples lives happier? Or do they make it all up?
If someone does know how to go about getting their attention, AND A NEW KITCHEN, please let the rest of us know what we can do to help.
HGTV – LOOK OUT here comes Sassafras Farm and ALLLLLLL of its friends. Wait till you see how many of us there are!
SUZANNE, make a wish list!. Maybe we could get more than just a kitchen… like maybe a Horse for Morgan!
2:25
pm
You used to have a button on the side that linked to your camera model. I can’t find that. What camera do you use, or what camera do you recommend?
Thanks so much~
3:07
pm
I’d expect you can deal with it for now. AT LEAST UNTIL WE RALLY TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE HGTV KNOWS HOW MUCH Y0U HELP US ON A DAILY BASIS! Your blog is my CALMforce!
=) Pam
3:26
pm
3:51
pm
4:20
pm
6:24
pm
6:56
pm
7:15
pm
8:09
pm
8:34
pm
I need to add my first inclinition to say OMG….I am a friend. Why didn’t she ask for help. I can be there in an hour!!! I have to add that you are the only blog I read faithfully, So I really feel like I know you. With that I realize I have only came to one party at the farm and I wish I would have done more. I have been unable do to so because of my Mothers illness. I have to say GOOD LUCK!!! Welcome back……I am so glad you are back…..You brighten my day! And I wish you the best!!!
8:50
pm
You certainly landed on your feet- keep your chin up, look for His Guidance,and enjoy this new sassy path!
9:05
pm
9:06
pm
I think you will have so much fun making Sassafras Farm your own that the small kitchen will not seem like a big deal. After all, anyone wanting to “visit” while you cook can sit at the dining table and yak away!
We have faith in you. We support you. And we thank you for opening your world to us every day and allowing us to feel the joy and excitement you are feeling. That is a gift you give to us every day and when our day seems to be going to hell in a handbasket, we can come here and find you. It’s like going to your best friends beautiful, peaceful country home and sipping a cup of ____ (tea, coffee, vodka (lol), whatever)
We come and we share your joys, your sadness, your frustrations, your silliness………because that’s what you allow us to do.
Right now, we are just sooooooo very proud of you for hitching up your pants, pulling up your boot straps, and going for it!
Thank you for allowing us to share your joy!
9:06
pm
I think you will have so much fun making Sassafras Farm your own that the small kitchen will not seem like a big deal. After all, anyone wanting to “visit” while you cook can sit at the dining table and yak away!
We have faith in you. We support you. And we thank you for opening your world to us every day and allowing us to feel the joy and excitement you are feeling. That is a gift you give to us every day and when our day seems to be going to hell in a handbasket, we can come here and find you. It’s like going to your best friends beautiful, peaceful country home and sipping a cup of ____ (tea, coffee, vodka (lol), whatever)
We come and we share your joys, your sadness, your frustrations, your silliness………because that’s what you allow us to do.
Right now, we are just sooooooo very proud of you for hitching up your pants, pulling up your boot straps, and going for it!
Thank you for allowing us to share your joy!
9:07
pm
9:07
pm
9:34
pm
9:49
pm
9:50
am
12:52
pm
5:20
pm
8:41
pm
10:00
am
Your other farm house was just a house–this farm house is a farm home. Home is where the heart is, and it is easy to see your heart is here.
4:37
pm
6:10
pm
7:07
pm
3:22
pm
Susanna
10:41
pm