1831 anno Farmhouse Project

This project is the interior renovation of the 450m2 main house in this 1831 historically preserved “Fachwerk” (timber and beam and clay plaster constructed) farmhouse ensemble set in the rolling hills outside Heidelberg, Germany. The house had been rebuilt 20 years ago from the ground up to replace the rotted timbersand decaying clay plaster, but the interiors left much to be desired. The clients wanted an interior that was durable for the country, elegant yet understated andhad a touch of the Hamptons, using as much ecological materials as possible plus all themodern conveniences of a new home. I chose to modernize the interiors using naturalorganic materials with simple lines, keeping true to the structure.The total interior was gutted to make way for new pipes and electrical. A new stairway in atraditional land house style was rebuilt to replace an ugly metal stairway. A gallery was added in the living room to add space for bookshelves to be reached through a small spiral stairway. All exposed timber was white washed to get rid of the heavy darker oak feeling.Sandblasted French limestone was chosen to use throughout for its durability and give alight elegant feel. Grey washed oak wood flooring was used in the living room and upstairs. I designed a criss-cross pattern using wood planks and limestone in the winter garden toconnect the wood floor in the living room with limestone in the kitchen and front hall. Some walls were finished in shiplap paneling reminiscent of the Hamptons and to add warmth tothe northern walls. All other walls were finished with a new coat of clay plaster and distemper paint. The walls in the bathrooms and kitchen were finished with colored plasterand a durable, water resistant finish or waxed. At night time the winter garden with all its candle lights, is like a beacon in thecountryside calling one home! Old and new are perfectly combined!

Take a more detailed look of this project here.

‍