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A recent cabin renovation by Jessica Love Design. Photos by Jim Graham.
Local designers offer tips for seamlessly integrating newer elements into older homes.
Along the many back roads of the Brandywine Valley, you’ll notice idozens of old farmhouses and barns, some dating back centuries. Many of them may look somewhat run-down, almost as if they’re waiting to be rescued, just as many of their peers have been transformed through the years into modern homes by custom builders. Even so, their vintage roots are visible. Many new owners have opted not to raze faded traditional structures and instead integrate them into larger residences that incorporate all the modern amenities of family living.
With this structural transformation comes an important question: Given this blending of architectural styles, how does an interior designer give some unity to the fusion of new and old? While new owners want to personalize their hybrid creations, there are still certain rules of thumb and helpful hints. First and foremost: Involve your interior designer from the get-go. “We prefer to begin work with the architect and the owner from the beginning of the project,” says Jessica Farnan of Greenville’s Jessica Love Design. “The first thing a designer will want is to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the bones of the house.”
Cheri Privor couldn’t agree more. “The design should reflect the vernacular of the place and its story. You want to honor the architecture and materials that make it authentic,” says the interior designer at Archer & Buchanan Architecture in West Chester. “For me, I try to ask, ‘What’s the story within the structure?’”
Designer Jessica Farnan
And how does a designer achieve this? Farnan likes to mix things up—appropriately. “I love juxtaposition, but our approach is always in striking the right balance,” she says. “For example, if the home has rough architectural elements like stone and wood, I ask how I can soften a room.”
Privor strives to emphasize a focal point. Often, it’s a feature of the original home, like a fireplace or a small window. To blend the older areas with the more modern spaces, pay close attention to color. “It should be cohesive, unfolding from one area into the next—perhaps using the same color in each but with a different tone,” says Farnan.
In the smaller rooms common to older structures, bright paint can be used to add a visual sense of increased space. But if you’re going for a warmer vibe, don’t be afraid of darker colors. “While ‘shiny’ opens things up, velvet, wool rugs and textured wallpaper can give you that cozy feeling,” says Privor. “I love to do this in a library, powder room or a study.”
Period pieces can be also used—but in moderation. “If you have family antiques that are important, use them sparingly,” says Farnan. “Don’t try to stuff everything in.”
Privor feels the same way about clutter. She encourages clients to be selective. Pieces that become focal points or have good stories behind them can become excellent conversation starters.
“The first thing we want is to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the bones of the house.”
—Designer Jessica Farnan
Flooring can also be used to bridge old and new. Privor recommends vintage floor cloths. Farnan advises clients to go with brick in entryways and mudrooms. “Using tile or limestone for the flooring can keep things in the vernacular of the older parts of the home,” she adds.
Ultimately, functionality rules all. While exposed beams, stone walls and brick floors can all be interesting design elements in themselves, the house still has to accommodate the necessities of modern times. Wiring, plumbing, heating and so forth need to be factored in from the beginning. But it can all be well integrated or even hidden completely. “From the beginning, you have to ask, ‘How will the family use this house?’” says Farnan. “Even when a home has charming elements of traditional architecture, you can never forget form and functionality.”
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