32-acre Gentleman’s Farm with main house, carriage house, springhouse, pony barn, corncrib, and 18-stall horse barn

Hidden within this overrun complex were six historic structures, unfortunately interconnected by two 40,000 square-foot industrial warehouses, and buried under numerous renovations that obscured their 18th century roots. The goal was to eliminate everything that was not historic, and restore, renovate and reuse the primary residence and its out buildings: the stone carriage house was converted into a guest house, the springhouse became a wine cellar, a pony barn provided caretaker’s quarters, and an 18-stall horse barn was restored for actually stabling, with photography studio and recreational center on the second floor.

The main stone farmhouse was brought back to its original intent and period splendor with the addition of some architectural space planning for more modern living. A third-floor master suite incorporates open sleeping and bathing areas delineated by custom cabinetry that accommodates a spacious wardrobe, washer/dryer, and refrigerator.

Throughout the years the masonry fireplaces had been replaced with firebrick, which during construction were completely torn out and restored to fieldstone and stucco. Strip oak interior flooring was replaced with period wide plank hard pine or pumpkin pine; and the guest house, which was cloaked in sheet rock and shag carpeting, was brought back to its original stone walls and hand-hewn post and beam construction, with unexpected spiral staircase and red kitchen as focal points. Quintessential is apt for describing this 18th-century Bucks County gentleman’s farm, which occupies pristine acreage of restored farmed fields, landscaped gardens, bridle paths and riding arena.

Photography: Niko Christou, Carousel Studio
carouselstudio@msn.com