I’ve actually had quite a bit of first hand experience with this particular Yankee Barn Homes timber frame farmhouse. It’s located in the countryside of Pennsylvania and I often stayed in this house while visiting the greater Philadelphia region. To say it’s special would be grossly understating the obvious.
The house sits on a hill overlooking the Brandywine River and breath-taking horse pastures. As you approach up a curving drive, you actually see the back of the house first with that wonderful wall of windows looking out to the river. The entire back of the home is encompassed by a stone wall patio with built-in flower beds and a pergola off the french doors of the dining room.
The entrance to the home is in the back, but that doesn’t make it any less grand. A lovely farmhouse porch awaits you’re arrival with plenty of space to sit and laze away the day.
Upon entering the house you find yourself face to face with that two-story wall of windows and two spectacular views – one inside and the other, out those lofty windows.
Both the fireplace in the great room and the bases of the porch posts are constructed by a local artisan from stone quarried not far from the home.
The dining room, kitchen, breakfast nook and back hall pantry/mudroom entrance occupy the west end of the house.
I love the sliding glass windows which create a pass-through between the kitchen and dining room areas.
The breakfast nook, with its cheerful skylights and walls of windows, is the perfect place to begin the day. I’ve sat here on more than one occasion sipping coffee and watching the horses playing in the paddock next door. To say it’s relaxing doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling!
On the opposite end of the house is the master bedroom wing. It houses a private media room, a master bath, a huge walk-in closet and a cathedral ceiling master bedroom.
And that’s just the first floor. There’s an entire upper level still waiting to be seen.
All rooms on the upper level are connected by a wonderful series of cat walk-style loft spaces. Except for the private sleeping areas and lavatory, the second floor is open to the lower level of the home. Guest bedrooms are located at opposite ends of the cat walk/loft.
It’s been years since I’ve visited this home. I can’t tell you how much I miss it. It was like stepping into someone elses’ life every time I went there. It always amazes me the wonderful sense of well-being a truly well-built home can have on a person. One of these days, I need to go back!