When someone buys a 100-plus-year-old farmhouse there are two ways to approach its decoration. One is to go full out and party like it’s 1899, with the most authentic materials, finishes and colors available, while the other is to respectfully conserve its original features but also update and decorate in current modes.
The young owner of this old farmhouse and barn took the latter path, and combined vintage features with starkly modern lighting and furniture, as well as surprising materials. Set on 2.79 acres of land, which overlooks protected farmland in the Hudson Valley town of Hillsdale, the property is available at $1.35 million via Andrew Gates at Houlihan Lawrence.
The farmhouse, a typically modest dwelling, spans just over 2,000 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The front door opens into the living room, with refinished wide-plank hardwood floors and over-sized six-over-six sash windows as well as a wood-burning fireplace. Everything is painted in a calm, soothing white, with cozy modern furniture and art.
With fetching gate-style cabinet doors, the kitchen is large enough to accommodate a butcher block-topped island, a dining area and a lounge. French doors open to a good-sized screened porch, perfect for keeping bugs away during sultry summer nights. Another casual sitting area, animated with white-painted antler light fixture, has a TV over the fireplace and huge windows that look out on the serene surrounding landscape.
The red two-story barn has a loft-like guest studio on the second floor. In addition to the bedroom area and sleek, compact kitchen, the itty-bitty bathroom has an amazing corrugated metal shower that adds a touch of industrial design to an agricultural area.
The bucolic property includes insulated cedar hot tub and a relaxing fire pit area, while solar panels provide some relief from skyrocketing energy bills.
This compound is perfectly situated for weekenders, as it’s convenient to the Taconic State Parkway, or for full time residents, it’s equidistant to Hudson or Great Barrington, Massachusetts. With old fashioned rustic charm and surprisingly up to date features, this property is really delivers.
