TAKE A DEEPER LOOK INTO OUR WORK

Abandoned for three years and mostly unrenovated since the early 1900s, this nine-generation apple orchard homestead was a remarkable property that was in need of a new generation to bring the property back to life. The house was left with collapsing ceilings, rotting floors, and broken windows.  Beautifully detailed window casings and radiators were hindered by many layers of paint that had to be stripped and sandblasted for them to be properly refinished. Removing several layers of vinyl flooring and stained carpets revealed hardwood oak floors that were refinished with a rustic touch. The demolished walls in the kitchen made room for a large hand-milled ash wood island and exposed a charming cream city brick chimney. The main entrance steps directly into the large open kitchen with tall ceilings, arched pathways, and authentic built in cabinets. The house was built for simplicity with each area of the first floor made for cooking, living and dining with all of the upstairs for sleeping with four large, cozy bedrooms each with its own radiator. The back entrance passes the first floor bathroom and laundry room which contains the original granite kitchen sink. Just outside the house stands large historical barns and rolling hills filled with hundreds of apple trees. 

After a barn fire in 1992 all that remained standing was a fieldstone grain silo dating back to the late 1800’s. Remnants of that fire can be seen from the inside on burnt sections of the original roof. It mostly sat empty since then until two levels were added in the early 2000’s which served for storage and a hunting post for a short period of time. The silo sat unused for several years until undergoing major renovations which included redesigning and adding levels, installing a cedar shake roof, new windows, pellet burner and a bedroom on the top level. After the silo was enjoyed for several years another renovation on the first and second level was done to make improvements to the design and functionality and with this final renovation a rustic bar on the ground level was added.

This building adjacent to the house was nothing more than a large shed used to store old tools, beer cans, bikes, toys and mounds of recycling. Over the years, varmints took refuge in the walls and birds in the chimney. Found beneath all the clutter was a wood cooking stove and cistern showing it originally served as a summer kitchen in the early 1900s. The renovation began with completely gutting the inside of the structure. While doing so, old tools and beer cans found inside were saved and put on display. To utilize the building to its fullest potential, a portion of the ceiling was vaulted with one section left for a cozy sleeping loft above the bar. The added windows and sliding doors offer beautiful sunsets and easy access to the patio and pool.

Despite being located directly on the lake, this space with beautiful views beneath the second story porch went unused for many years with damp spots and rotting wood floor boards. The boards were ripped out and low muddy spots built up for a stamped concrete patio. The curved section of the patio was sized to fit a large round stone bench and fire pit. The rolling bar table with a copper top helps with extra seating and a place to set food or make drinks. In one corner beneath the porch sits a fifteen foot hand milled ash wood table and matching benches. The other corner fits a relaxing daybed made from oak fence boards perfect for afternoon naps or watching the sun set. 

Between our larger jobs we fill our time with smaller projects and draw up designs and plans for future builds. Using reclaimed barn wood is one way to create one of a kind furniture but also having the ability to mill our own lumber helps us find the right piece of wood for all projects, both big and small. In all things built, we have learned it is most important to pay close attention to detail and durability.