What elements would reflect the charm of its age in my 1903 rural farmhouse?
– Pam, Kempton
Embrace the Original Architecture
Hi, Pam! Without knowing what your house looks like exactly, but assuming it features a blend of Victorian and Colonial influences, I would say lean into the existing elements while modifying the space to work for your current needs.
Some of the most popular characteristics of early 1900 farmhouses are wide front porches, high ceilings, spacious rooms, exposed woodwork and crown molding. If your house has any of these, embrace them! These are the elements that people are paying to add into their houses right now and lucky you, you get to have the true originals.
Update the Style, Not the Soul
I have owned a 1930s colonial and now own a 1990s colonial farmhouse. In both houses while I may have updated the floor stain, wall color and kitchen style to modernize them, I kept the core elements in both homes that were true to that time.
I didn’t touch any of the trim or crown molding or even the general layout to keep the homes true to their original architecture. I feel grateful to have inlays in the floors, rosettes in all of the door frames and dentil molding through the house and I know I would have regretted it down the line if I didn’t embrace these details.
