Seattle architect Don Frothingham remodeled this historic Washington dairy barn into something of an architectural icon. Originally built 104 years ago in a pastoral paradise, this barn style house sits on a half-acre lot surrounded by sunny gardens and peaceful rolling pastures. From the exterior, the home’s rustic, country charm appeals to traditional sensibilities, but lovers of the modern and innovative will also appreciate its wonderful blend of the old and the new. The barn original roof was reinforced with metal tie rods and enhanced with a new layer above its traditional gambrel roof, allowing for the addition of extra insulation to maintain a comfortable interior environment. Inside, the main floor of this barn conversion features the master suite, two bedrooms, a full bath and a family room. The original, but beautifully restored nine-light windows flood the home with natural light while framing views of Olympic Mountain and the fruit-tree orchard with apples, plums, cherries, crab apples and Asian pears for the picking! Upstairs, the piece de resistance appears overhead – a grand, sweeping cathedral ceiling with exposed wood framing zigzagging its way across the ceiling and down the walls for an authentic farmhouse appeal. Bainbridge Island Barn is currently listed for sale, click here for more information.


26 Jan 2010 | Farmhouse Homes | Comments (0)
This metal roof house by Dutch architects Sluijmer & Van Leeuwen is an unusual house plan for a traditional rural setting, especially with its roof curved down to serve as a back wall. This countryside home surrounded by forest and farmland is low, long and lean, with a front of expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the line between indoors and out, contrasting the rear wall of weathered metal. Furthermore, this glass wall house is naturally lit with wonderful views of its surroundings. Inside, farmhouse cottage style meets ultra-modern finishes and an open concept interior. Overhead, the curved ceiling of this unusual steel roof home characterizes the home’s exterior and interior alike. Sluijmer & Van Leeuwen
via Contemporist
photo credit: CornbreadWorks


28 Oct 2009 | Farmhouse Homes | Comments (0)
This spectacular stone farmhouse home in Mallorca, Spain, was designed by Juan Herreros Arquitectos to transform a shepherd shelter into a cottage home. The design plan of the farmhouse was mirrored to double its living space, resulting in a symmetrical shape. The rustic house style features a warm stone exterior and bright, modern interiors. Shuttered windows allow for views, natural light and privacy all at once. The north wing of the farmhouse is occupied by a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, while the south wing houses a dining area, living room and study. Each room features only one main component – a table, a sofa, a desk – making for minimalist interiors that encourage minimalist living. Juan Herreros Arquitectos
via Arch Daily
photo credit: Jose Hevia



7 Oct 2009 | Farmhouse Homes | Comments (0)
Located in Hertfordshire, UK, the House at Piper's End is like an onion - boasting many layers which, when peeled back, reveal something totally unexpected underneath. Located on a two-acre country plot, this modern farmhouse by Niall McLaughlin Architects was designed in five parts - "a thicket of silver birch; a timber cabinet; a vitrine of timber framed glass; a loggia of steel columns supporting a perforate metal canopy and a concrete reflecting pool," as described by the architects. The contemporary design replaces the original farmhouse, an old, run-down eyesore in dire need for a total tear-down. The new farmhouse architecture, which is scheduled for completion soon, sports sustainable design features and is set within the existing mature landscape of orchards, gardens and a pond that sets the tone for country-chic living. Interiors are naturally lit via expansive windows. Soaring ceilings set the stage for a modern, gallery-like space. Niall McLaughlin Architects


1 Jun 2009 | Farmhouse Homes | Comments (0)
Architect Marco Casagrande has long been known to push the limits from his early art installations to his provocative, artful architecture a decade later. Completed in 2008 with architect Frank Chen, Chen House is a unique home in Sanjhih, Taipei County of Taiwan. Set on a cherry farm, this open-design home was created to withstand the oft-harsh and unpredictable winds, water and heat. Constructed of concrete and mahogany, this well-planned structure sits slightly above the land, allowing flood waters to flow beneath it, leaving it unscathed. Air too shall pass – the seemly haphazard placement of wood panels allows wind to blow through the home, cooling it down during the heat of the day. Light filters into the house through its barely-there walls, illuminating simple yet stylish interiors. Inside, a thoughtful layout does much more than provide places for eating, bathing and sleeping. “The smaller bathroom and kitchen unit acts as a kicker stabilizing the wooden structure during the frequent typhoons and earthquakes.” Now there’s a house that was built to last! Marco Casagrande and Frank Chen
via What We Do is Secret
photo credit: Marco Casagrande, AdDa




14 May 2009 | Farmhouse Homes | Comments (0)
Copyright © 2005-2008 Infogate Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved.