There is no absolute prototype for a farmhouse, but most of us can recognize one when we see it. By definition the originals were located on farms and were integral to the life and work of those farm families who lived there.
Depending on when and where those homes were built, they could be made of stone, brick, shingles or clapboard. Most farmhouses had porches since there was no air conditioning and many farm and family chores were undertaken there. The porch roof provided shelter from the sun and rain yet allowed the cool breezes to flow through and help make those steamy summers tolerable.
The center of family life in the farmhouse was the kitchen. Meals were prepared and often eaten there as well as home pickling and canning for the long winters (in the North). In the older farmhouses, a cooking fireplace was essential. Additional fireplaces were used to heat as many rooms as possible.
I live in an old farmhouse originally built around 1790 and then added onto in the 1800s and more recently added onto by my family. I have come to appreciate the simple detailing the wide board floors and beautiful fireplaces.
When designing a modern farmhouse, porches, wide board floors and beautiful fireplaces are welcome. The floor plan can be center hall, side hall or a variation of the two. Gathering places within the home are as important today as they were 200 years ago. Modern farmhouses include big bright kitchens to accommodate the inevitable influx of friends and family.
These days many families spend most of their time in the kitchen cooking, eating, talking, studying and just visiting. Energy efficiency is important, with some farm houses using geothermal heating and cooling and solar panels on the barns.
Popular
-
30 LOVELY TILE WALL FOR LIVING ROOM DECORATIONSAn aesthetically pleasing living room is always great, not only for the homeowner, but for any gues…
-
44 Amazing Master Bathroom IdeasOften we have found that people love nothing more than to come up with new master bathroom ideas fo…
-
40 Gorgeous Diy Bedroom Decor IdeasWith so much indecision about the current state of our economy, more and more people are turning to…
-
46 Luxurious Backyard Lighting IdeasIf you’ve got a backyard, you must have already thought about installing solar LED lights for night…
-
15+ Super Easy DIY Fire Pit for Backyard DesignAre you bored with indoor activities? If so, let’s go to the backyard and have fun there. Gathering…
Post a Comment
Post a Comment