Barry and Chrysoula Keep the Past Unchanged with their new Yankee Barn Respect for tradition, structural requirements, matching the interior styling and finish, and a host of other considerations ... the details of Yankee Barn’s addition to this 1700’s cape made all the difference in preserving its classic look and feel.

What the farmhouse didn’t have was brought home to Barry in discussion with a relative. “After looking over the kitchen he said, ‘Where’s the dishwasher?’ My wife and I shrugged our shoulders and pointed to each other.”

Although the cape was restored in the late 1980s and had original exposed beams, handmade cabinets and wide pine floors, it also had all the issues of an old house. “All the charm of ‘old New England,’” Barry smiled, “and all the drawbacks. It was small (only1600 sq. ft.) and had none of the amenities. All those little rooms, which were easy to close off during a cold winter, made things difficult for entertaining and watching kids. When I tried to explain it in terms my relative would understand, like classic cars, he replied, “I think Model T’s are cool but I wouldn’t drive one to work every day!”