Houzz Tour: New Family Home Nails Modern Farmhouse Style
A mix of rustic style and midcentury design creates an eclectic vibe in Massachusetts
Kathleen McCleary
14 September 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a journalist, author, editor, and teacher who loves houses so much that I wrote my first novel about a woman's obsession with her house. In addition to my three novels, my work has appeared in Parade, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications. I wrote a biweekly column about interior design for HGTV.com for several years; one of those columns (about my 1950's chartreuse-tiled bathroom) inspired the series "Bad, bad baths." I live in northern Virginia with my husband and try to entice my college-age daughters home as often as possible.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a journalist, author, editor, and teacher who loves houses... More
Photos by Kyle J. Caldwell
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A married couple with two young kids
Location: Bedford, Massachusetts
Size: 3,700 square feet (344 square meters); four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Designer: Jamie Keskin of Jamie Keskin Design
The backstory: The family wanted a stylish, kid-friendly new home with a relaxed feel and open layout. The initial vision of a modern home with farmhouse details (wide-plank wood floors, farmhouse sink, a brick-floored mudroom) came leaping to life, with some twists and turns (Moroccan-style navy blue kitchen tile, modern gray-and-white wallpaper) that make the home unique. The clients were involved with designer Jamie Keskin in every stage of the process for this new house, from the initial space planning to choosing accessories to mix and match with their original furniture.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A married couple with two young kids
Location: Bedford, Massachusetts
Size: 3,700 square feet (344 square meters); four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Designer: Jamie Keskin of Jamie Keskin Design
The backstory: The family wanted a stylish, kid-friendly new home with a relaxed feel and open layout. The initial vision of a modern home with farmhouse details (wide-plank wood floors, farmhouse sink, a brick-floored mudroom) came leaping to life, with some twists and turns (Moroccan-style navy blue kitchen tile, modern gray-and-white wallpaper) that make the home unique. The clients were involved with designer Jamie Keskin in every stage of the process for this new house, from the initial space planning to choosing accessories to mix and match with their original furniture.
Entry hall: The foyer “sets the tone” for the entire house, Keskin says. A vintage Turkish rug paired with a custom metal and reclaimed wood console table establishes an “eclectic, harmonious” feel. “The wainscoting adds a traditional element,” Keskin says, “but it’s not formal or stuffy.”
Wall paint throughout the first floor: Silver Satin, Benjamin Moore; flooring: Alta Vista in Laguna, Hallmark
Wall paint throughout the first floor: Silver Satin, Benjamin Moore; flooring: Alta Vista in Laguna, Hallmark
Family room: Built-in window seats flank a fireplace with hexagonal Carrara marble tile. A large sectional provides space for lounging, watching TV and entertaining. Pillows with a mix of patterns and colors keep the room from feeling too formal, as do the midcentury modern chair and tree stump table.
Sectional: Room & Board; chair: Crate & Barrel; gray poufs: Jaipur; woven wood shades and white plantation shutters: Hunter Douglas
Sectional: Room & Board; chair: Crate & Barrel; gray poufs: Jaipur; woven wood shades and white plantation shutters: Hunter Douglas
The family room and kitchen are one large, open area. A vintage Turkish rug anchors the family room. “The rug could go formal,” Keskin says, “but in this space, it actually gives the opposite feeling. It’s aged, classic and timeless and reflects a relaxed, cozy feeling.” A tufted leather storage ottoman hides cozy blankets. The client’s existing artwork was incorporated into the room.
Ottoman: RH Teen; see more leather tufted ottomans
Ottoman: RH Teen; see more leather tufted ottomans
Eat and work: The marble Saarinen table and Eames chairs add a midcentury modern vibe to the farmhouse feel of the kitchen.
Pendant lamp: Jarrod, Arteriors
Pendant lamp: Jarrod, Arteriors
Kitchen: Keskin mixed antique brass, antique bronze and stainless steel in the hardware and appliances, as well as old-fashioned butcher block with gray Caesarstone countertops. White cabinetry lets the mix of materials shine.
Cabinets: Dynasty, Omega; perimeter countertop: Raw Concrete, Caesarstone; pendant lights: Rejuvenation; stools: John Vogel, West Elm
Cabinets: Dynasty, Omega; perimeter countertop: Raw Concrete, Caesarstone; pendant lights: Rejuvenation; stools: John Vogel, West Elm
Backsplash: A fish scale-like navy tile creates depth and drama. “It really makes the kitchen special,” Keskin says.
Tile: Fan in Navy, Pratt and Larson; browse backsplash and wall tile
Tile: Fan in Navy, Pratt and Larson; browse backsplash and wall tile
Powder room: The homeowners “are not afraid of wallpaper, and I love them for that,” Keskin says. The pattern (Tree Circles by Scion) resembles round cuts of tree trunks. “It’s amazing how wallpaper can make a space feel so much larger yet cozy at the same time.”
Mudroom: In the large, spacious mudroom, the herringbone brick floors were a splurge, but “100 percent worth every penny,” Keskin says.
The landing: Another vintage rug adds warmth and character to the landing, where the kids often curl up in a kid-sized rattan chair that hangs from the ceiling. “It has ‘come and relax’ written all over it,” Keskin says.
Guest room: The bed, with its cane headboard and footboard, inspired the design in the guest room. Gray X-base bedside tables continue the eclectic feel.
Paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; quilt: John Robshaw; pillows: vintage batik fabric; bed: Serena and Lily
Paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; quilt: John Robshaw; pillows: vintage batik fabric; bed: Serena and Lily
Girl’s bedroom: The design for a first “big girl” bedroom for a daughter just out of her crib started with the floral rug. A spool bed and teal settee make the room cozy and a space that will grow with the daughter.
Paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; rug: Surya; bed: Jenny Lind, Land of Nod; settee: World Market
Paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; rug: Surya; bed: Jenny Lind, Land of Nod; settee: World Market
Boy’s bedroom: “Wallpaper isn’t just for walls,” Keskin says. Large-scale star wallpaper blankets the ceiling. An aqua blue ceiling light contributes to the overhead fun.
Paint: Calm, Benjamin Moore; wallpaper: Sissy+Marley
Paint: Calm, Benjamin Moore; wallpaper: Sissy+Marley
Nearby, a gallery wall of travel posters highlights the places the family has roots.
Kids’ bathroom: Ceramic faux wood tile along the back wall pairs with a trough sink to give the room a “warm, rustic, camp-like” vibe, Keskin says. Penny tile on the floor in a happy shade of aqua softens the rugged feel of the tile. A white sconce “looks like it belongs outdoors,” Keskin says.
Sink: Brockway cast iron, Kohler
Builder: Giannetta Real Estate & Construction
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Sink: Brockway cast iron, Kohler
Builder: Giannetta Real Estate & Construction
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Beautiful!!!
This may be my favorite! I love the elephant table in the “big girl room” as well.