Our barn house: The beginning
Copyright 2008 Benson Woodworking Co., Inc.
Wow―we are finally doing this. But it has been a long journey. So let’s start at the beginning.
My husband originally came from New Jersey, and I was raised on the North Shore of Massachusetts, where we both grew up in tightly condensed neighborhoods. But we have always shared a passion for traditional American barns and a more rural way of living. When we moved to Weston, Massachusetts, we found a great plot of land with a brook in the backyard, called The Stony Brook, running through it. Although our house was on a busy main road we also had a cul-de-sac behind us with great neighbors, lots of kids, and amazing hiking trails.
We then met a woman named Pam Fox who was the local town historian. She had written a book entitled Farm Town to Suburb: The History and Architecture of Weston, Massachusetts 1830-1980.
(More on Pam's book after the jump.)
In Pam’s book we learned about all the great barns of Weston. Our town was a true Yankee farming community. Today our town is a major Boston suburb. And a lot of those great farms and barns have given way to big, new estates.
When we outgrew our home we thought it would be great to
build a new house around our passion for barns, and at the same time
give a nod to that old Weston Yankee farming community. Pam’s book gave
us a lot of great details about the architecture of a traditional barn
and we wanted to key our designs from these impressive structures. We
have included some examples―The Charles Dean Barn (left), the Ledbetter Dairy
Farm, and one of the most amazing barns we have ever seen―the Miriam
Barn (below).
When we decided to go for it and show others what we wanted to do
most people thought we were nuts. That just tells us we’re on to
something. So here we go.
(19) Comments
Wow - what an amazing project! Can't wait to see how the place comes together. Make sure you add some secret room or crazy staircase or something just for fun. That's surely the adventure of a lifetime! - dw
Congratulations on your project. Seems that you and your husband are well-rooted in the area. Unfortunately many of us so mobile that we have to enjoy your project as partially belonging to us. Look forward to more. Regards
Sounds like an exciting project, I can't wait to see the house and show come together. Those are also some great renderings of the house. What software was used to make them?
Looks fabulous. I like the tie-in to old barn history and architecture. Perhaps TOH might do a show side-segment showing the AMAZING, huge barns that have been restored at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT. Their "farm barn" is beauty simply beyond description ... and still fully functioning with sheep, chickens, etc.!
Jim,
Good question about the renderings.
I was blown away when i opened them too.
The guys up at Bensonwood Homes in N.H. made them.
Stunning huh? The colors are a bit off. Like the beams came out yellow for some reason.
I will post a pic of the stain combo we are going with.
I am on the case Jim.
pete, the homeowner
Hey Amy and Pete,
Wayyyyyy cool house! I'm bummed I never got to visit the "before" house so I can compare it when I visit the "after" house!
Looks like you guys are well on your way... so where are you living now? It's just about warm enough for a tent near the brook....
Love,
Michelle
It looks amazing guys! Love the combination of wood and stone. Good luck as you proceed.
Pete and amy
Great project
Don't forget the Boccie coart
hey jim german,
chris adams from bensonwood got back to me.
he goes:
"we used a program called Modo"
http://www.luxology.com
Rick: The bocce court has already been Town approved and designated for the front lawn!
Amy, the homeowner
love what you are doing
where's my room?
johan
Amy and Pete,
This is so exciting! I will be following the progress faithfully! Good luck with everything!
Love, Heather
Amy and Pete, in this cookie-cutter world,it's so wonderful to find people who follow their well-researched dream -wherever barn wood takes them. Home is where the heart is!!! Billie
we can't wait to house-sit!
The creativity of you both is definately showing. All of your time spent researching was worth it. What a design! Huge on the cool factor. Love the curved stairway, and is that a bell in your belfry? I can't think of a more deserving, not to mention fun family for this special house to be built for.
Amy & Pete,
Wow, this is going to be fabulous! Your research and creativity shows in the design. Can't wait to see it come to fruition. By the way, which room is mine?
Carol
Thanks alot Pete! I'm surprised to see thats just a general purpose 3D modeling programing. I would have expected them to use a home design program like Punch! Guess you get prettier pictures with Modo.
WOW! What a great plan! Who designed it? My wife and me are looking to build in a stle like this but can't find really good plans on the web. Any suggestions? Good Luck!
what a wonderful house. you should check out my website www.houselifes.com we are trying to get the histories on all houses. you house would be great on my website all free