Fabulous Farmhouse Tour

Do you remember the quote from Out of Africa when Karen Blixen says “I had a farm”.  It always sounded so wistful, so full of memories.

My mom grew up on a farm in North Texas ~ with chickens and horses and cows.  I was only there a few times in my life, but I have vivid memories of an old farmhouse with a front porch and a dark dining room and a kitchen with linoleum floors and yellow Formica countertops.

My favorite places were outside. I still have a picture of me on a horse with my dad when I was maybe 6 months old ~ my first time on a horse ~ that started my life~long love of God’s most beautiful animals. Later, when I started riding and had my own horse, dad blamed it on that first time on a horse.

I’ve always had a secret wish to be back on a farm  ~ with open spaces, blue skies, green pastures where a few horses nibbled on grass and dogs ran around chasing butterflies. A white clapboard house, not with dark rooms, but with bright, light airy rooms and no linoleum or Formica.

I never got my farmhouse, but fortunately, a friend did. About 12 years ago she and her husband bought 200 acres  and over a period of time built a beautiful farmhouse, and a home for chickens and bunnies. And pastures for her beloved goats.  I’ve had the pleasure of being a guest at the farm several times, and last week a bunch of girls (that’s  women) were there for a day at the farm.

And I just had to share her beautiful farmhouse with you. Today I’ll share the farmhouse and tomorrow I’ll share the rest of the farm.

Fabulous Farmhouse Tour

The farmhouse is new construction and has all the amenities of a new home, but the esthetic is definitely modern farmhouse decor.  Attention to detail is evident throughout, from the well~thought~out floor plan to the decorative accessories. There are wide~open spaces for entertaining and small, private spots for family living.

After driving up the long winding road, you arrive at the farmhouse ~ white clapboard and metal roof is the perfect greeting. I love the “tower” topping the second story. You can climb into it through a ladder. A mixture of white picket fence and wire fencing creates “it’s been here forever” feel.

 

The 3-car garage mimics the house. Two guest bedrooms (I’ve spent the night in one of them) and a bath upstairs provides additional sleeping for company.

As you walk to the front door, rocking chairs and a porch swing greet you. All the exterior doors have screen doors ~ the old~fashioned kind.

 

On a farm, there are always puppies to greet you ~ on any given day, there may be 5 or 6 ~ some stay forever and some just wander in and out.

When you come through the front door, a small entry with a vintage cabinet and red barn painting greet you.  Notice the pig lamp and the pig figurines ~ you’ll see more pigs throughout the house ~ but no pigs on the farm.

Enter the hall and you’ll pass a pretty powder bath. The soft blue wallpaper sets the color scheme throughout the house and the bead board sets the tone.

You’ll pass the stairs leading upstairs to the guest bedrooms. I told you there were more pigs.

The floors in the hall and throughout the farmhouse are white pine. Some are stained and some are natural. And every farm has to have rain boots ~ especially in pink.

On one wall of the hall is this collection of about a dozen vintage carpenter planes from the 1880’s. Pretty creative wall art.

In the large family room, dining room, breakfast area and kitchen, French doors across the back let in plenty of light with views to the pasture. Two large sofas and 2 chairs provide plenty of seating. The soft blues and greens add a feeling of peacefulness to the setting.

The focal point is the fireplace and built~in bookshelves.  An old daybed with a new cushion serves as a large coffee table ~ now that’s creative.

Above the fireplace and TV, part of an old windmill provides adds great farmhouse whimsy.

At the back of the seating area is the old farmhouse table for casual meals.  I’ve had a great dinner here.

The kitchen is separated from the seating area by a large island with the cooktop. I love the green check fabric.

All the kitchen cabinets are painted a soft sage green which highlights the white farmhouse sink and the Subway tile back splash. We had just finished brunch when I took this picture.

The dining room next to the family room is up a few steps, overlooking the front yard. The dining table with the upholstered chairs and the beautiful chandelier adds a bit of formality to the room

At one end of the room is a country~style armoire with a collection of white dishes.

At the other end is a beautiful white sideboard, tall lamps, and more little pigs. The painting adds a modern twist to the blue color scheme.

Outside the family room a Great Pyrenees greets you. I love the trough filled with soft blue and white blankets. Where ever possible, windows let in light.

The master bedroom ~ cozy, serene and surrounded by windows and French doors ~ features views of the surrounding pasture. Again, soft blue~green colors are used, this time in florals and large checks. I love the turquoise on the walls.

Comfortable chairs for relaxing or reading flank the fireplace.

Step over the sleeping dog to the master bath.  A vintage cabinet, which provides storage space, and old unframed mirrors are a lovely decorative touch.

I love the shiplap walls, mirrored medicine cabinets and marble pedestal sinks.

What farmhouse bath is complete without a large free~standing tub for soaking after a day feeding the chickens and goats? Here the pine floors have been left unstained for a softer look.

Heading upstairs to the additional rooms ~ one side features 2 sets of bunk beds and one double bed.

And here is what may be my favorite room ~ a large seating area is surrounded by 4 individual sleeping areas ~ double beds, nightstands, sweet chandeliers and curtains for privacy, all in sweet pink and cream ruffles and pale green on the walls.

Downstairs is another guest room with a fireplace and seating area overlooking the “backyard”.

I hope you enjoyed this the fabulous farmhouse. Every time I visit I notice something new ~ a picture, a pattern, a lamp, something that adds to the character of the farmhouse. There is always a little niche or alcove with a treasure to discover.

Tomorrow I’ll share more and you can meet the animals.  I hope you’ll come back.