Spring was my favorite season growing up in New England. Everything is fresh, green and blooming. Needless to say, I was excited to be visiting my parents Vermont farmhouse in early June. My daughter, Kelsey, was excited too since this would be her first time seeing it. I intended to help out with a few small projects during our three day visit…there are always projects! 🙂 Trying to accomplish things outdoors was difficult due to a relentless cold rain, but the sun managed to shine for our final two days and the house and grounds were beaming!
For a house that is just a year old, it is full of comfortable charm and warmth.
You feel at home the moment you step inside the inviting entry.
On the day we arrived it was raining and about 55 degrees. The warmth from the fire and a glass of wine was a wonderful way to spend our first evening.
This little stool from Wisteria makes a perfect side table. Unfortunately it’s no longer available.
The wet weather was perfect for tweaking the bookshelves my dad built.
After torrential rain during the night, we were greeted by the most gorgeous misty morning!
It was magical waiting for the mountains to appear through the fog.
Voila!
I was thrilled my daughter got to experience the house when it is flooded with sunshine.
A wall of glass captures every bit of the early morning light…
Our days started off in the beautiful open concept kitchen with tea and coffee in the light filled breakfast nook.
A view of the IKEA kitchen and the nook.
The large IKEA island affords plenty of room for meal prep. There is a small button on the end of the island. When asked what it does, the answer is absolutely nothing! My parents have a quirky sense of humor.
Dad hasn’t gotten around to building a bigger dining table. I have a sneaky suspicion that they may never happen.
My dad built this crossbuck table. He wants to replace it with one that is longer and a bit heftier to accommodate large family gatherings.
One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Stonehouse Antique Center in Chester. My parents have been looking for just the right piece of furniture (at the right price) to use for a liquor cabinet/bar. They have been searching for the better part of a year…it has become a quest. Lo and behold my mom spotted a rustic cabinet that was the perfect depth and height. My dad didn’t think much of the chippy blue cabinet, but my mom and I knew it was perfect. Poor Dad didn’t stand a chance with his wife, daughter, and granddaughter lobbying for the vintage piece. Kelsey and I were quite a sight squeezed into the back of the SUV with the cabinet!
After reworking the shelves to hold wine bottles and fixing the doors, it is now a perfect fit! And my dad LOVES it!
Originally my parents thought they would refinish the blue cabinet, but once they put it in the room, they fell in love with it’s rustic look.
We also found a sweet little antler at the antiques center to finish off this simple coffee table vignette.
I love styling this house. The pillows are from indiebungalow
A kitchen vignette… fun fact: I painted the little watercolor of the loon chick back in the 1980’s!
Upstairs, my dad finished the barn doors for the guest room closets.
My guest room. Love!
A few changes have been happening outside too. My folks scored a teak table, set of chairs, bench, and an umbrella at a local tag sale for $250. I told you they were thrifty! It sits just outside the glass living room doors on a gravel patio overlooking the breathtaking view.
Rosé and nibbles on the new table after a busy day…
Our second evening we were graced with this magical full moon and pink sky.
The pergola over the kitchen window had been completed since my last visit.
Shadow play…
A hammock now resides in an idyllic grove of trees.
The small barn on the property is my dad’s domain. The repairs have been finished and now the new wood needs to be painted. Dad won the battle of the paint colors! It will remain red! (Mom was lobbying for white or gray) Photo: Kelsey Burns
Dad also made some small tables for the adirondack chairs around the fire pit.
To the left of the flag pole, there are two chaise lounges. One of the projects this summer is building a small patio for them.
My mom and design muse… Photo: Kelsey Burns
When I return in August, I’m sure there will be more projects completed and others to tackle…one of which is naming this extraordinary house. A few of the ideas that have been tossed around are The Work Farm, Over the Hill, Journey’s End and some others that sound more like a retirement home or a place where you go to die! Geez! I think we can do better. We’re still open to suggestions…
sigh and sigh again.
Oh you’re sweet! 😉
This home is so warm and cozy, yet light and bright at the same time! ❤️❤️❤️
My parents have built many homes over the years but this last one seems to encompass the best parts of all of them. And you are absolutely right…it’s cozy but open and bright at the same time. It’s truly a special place.
Love this house so much! Do you know where the guest room bed frame is from? I’m looking for one just like it.
Hi Sarah and thank you! My parents had that bed made by a man in Beaufort SC over 20 years ago!
Just so beautiful!! So cozy and inviting!!
Thank you, Janice! I think so too 🙂
I love the kitchen nook. I think that with just two people you would be eating there all the time?
Hi Petra. Yes my parents love eating in the nook. There is plenty of room for 4 so we eat breakfast and lunch there and dinner at the dining table. 🙂
Really a great place! Name suggestion: After All
Thank you, and I will pass on the great name suggestion:)
This is a dream home, Elizabeth! Your parents have done an amazing job, from the choice of the land to the custom details that your father built! It feels warm and inviting and I would have a hard time leaving 🙂
Thanks so much, Eva. It really is a dream home and I did have a hard time leaving! That’s why I’m going back again in August 🙂
Name suggestion – At Last
Love it! I will pass it on 😉
Hi, Beth. It’s Dorothy Hansen. Merrell and I just took a tour through the new house and it’s absolutely fabulous, as your parent’s homes always are. Full of charm and sweet personality, I know you and your family will have joyous times together there. Fondly, Dorothy
Hi D!!
I’m so glad you got to see my parents Vermont farmhouse. It’s my favorite house by far! I had such fun collaborating with them and am looking forward to heading East at the end of August.
Thanks for taking the tour!
Xx Beth