A quaint 1,680 square foot, 200 year old farmhouse situated in lovely Aspetuck Corners of Easton CT, was both preserved, updated and added onto by Bluewater Home Builders, LLC to create a 3,800 s.f. home that both retains and seamlessly blends the farmhouse’s original charm with an expanded floor plan and new amenities found in modern living.
The challenge was to preserve as much of the original structure, which had 7’3” first floor ceilings, a gravity stone foundation, and a quirky charming floor plan – and then create a larger updated version for a modern family looking retain the charm and integrity of the original home.
The solution started with the basics of the floor plan. Bluewater kept the original farmhouse enhanced with only minor interior modifications, and then demolished the existing kitchen and bedroom above it. This portion of the house were not original to the existing 200 year old structure. New construction was then added to the rear portion of the house.
The new construction has 9’ ceilings on the first floor, a gourmet eat in kitchen, walk in pantry, mudroom and family room. The upstairs added a master bedroom with walk in closet and master bath, laundry room and an additional kid’s bedroom. The lower level featured a playroom, exercise room, half bath, wine cellar and room for storage.
Old and new were blended by paying close attention to the flooring, trim, millwork, and the transition of ceiling heights. The flooring was painstakingly matched by milling reclaimed pine beams into rustic planks stained to match the old floors. The trim and mill work honored the past with rosettes around the window casing and back bands around the doors, stained pine built ins and and v grooved wainscoting. The ceiling heights transitioned from the dining room to family room and bar to hallway on the first floor from 7’3” to 9’. This transition was softened by the use of rustic pine beams and trim. On the second floor, there is one set of steps that allows the transition from the bedrooms of the original house to the floor level of the addition.
The addition has a “side entrance” that now serves as the main entrance to the home. As you enter you have the mudroom to the left with built in cubbies for coats, a coat closet and access to a walk in pantry. The flooring is honed Italian Travertine. Straight ahead are stairs leading to the second level. To the right is a gourmet eat in kitchen featuring stainless steel Thermador appliances, custom made kitchen cabinets with latches, an island with seating for three attached to a butcher block table, a pot filler, microwave drawer and honed Marble Carrera counter tops with a back splash that consists of bead board over ceramic tile.
From the kitchen you can enter the family room with rustic pine beams and field stone fireplace with custom cabinetry to hide the flat screen TV. The room has surround sound, a custom pine built in for computers and opens to an elevated stone patio facing the rear yard. The family room also is adjacent to the dining room which is original to the farm house.
From the kitchen and family room, you pass a stair leading to the lower level and a new powder room with honed Italian Travertine flooring. The ceramic sink in the powder room is supported by a dark stained mahogany curved base. From this hall area you enter the newly refurbished bar/service area. The bar is situated in the same footprint as an original pantry area that once stood in the house with minor modifications. Bluewater Home Builders LLC created a bar and service area out of rustic pine that honors the past, yet incorporates modern ideas in design trends and materials. Adjacent to the dining room, kitchen and entertainment areas of the house, the bar was designed in two sections, one for the enjoyment of alcoholic beverages and one as a service area and coffee bar. The bar is custom made out of stained pine to go well with the appliances and zinc countertops. The backsplash from countertop to ceiling is smoked grey glass mosaic tile. The bar features floating shelves that both support liquor bottles or are silhouetted to support hanging wine and cocktail glasses. There is a fold down countertop for bartending needs, a hammered stainless steel sink and antique refitted light fixtures. There is also room for storage, wine racks and waste. The service area boasts a built in coffee maker, under counter refrigerator, storage drawers and a zinc service counter top.
From there, you go into the living room, which is also original to the house and once served as its kitchen. The living room boasts an original fireplace with adjacent bread baking oven and original pine flooring.
On the second level, there is new master bedroom with tray ceiling. Off the bedroom is a walk in closet and a make up vanity with honed Carrera top. The master bathroom has radiant heat flooring, vanity, shower and air tub. Honed Carrera Marble covers the floors, shower and is used for wainscoting on the walls for a timeless yet spa like atmosphere.
The outside of the home was designed in a traditional style. It blends old and new rooflines and features a side porch and elevated rear patio with extensive stone work.
