Pennsylvania Farmhouse
This complex stone farmhouse sits on a large wooded piece of property on the northwest side of Houston, Texas. These owners from the northeast part of the country wanted natural stone both for its durability as well as the country look that they were accustomed to in rural Pennsylvania. The site has large Southern pines and live oaks and is very private. The owner’s program required three zones: a central family area for kitchen, breakfast, dining and living; a maters area for master bedroom, mater bath, studio and library; and an upstairs guest area for guest bedrooms/baths and a play room for grandchildren. The two-story farmhouse look with one-story wings permitted spacious central front and back porches and a large core gathering room.
The exterior materials are Pennsylvania “Green” and Arkansas “Garden Moss” natural stone, culled to provide an intense green and rust coloration. The stone was interspersed with Hardie siding to create a rustic farmhouse look. The splayed stone window and door headers are a consistent decorative motif. The natural slate roof complements the stone and enhances the multiple roof gable design.
The interior stained “Vintage Pine” woodwork and wide-board floors have these same warm earthy values. “Valley Forge” flagstone floors as well as rich green slate and grey soapstone and bluestone counters are features throughout the house. The vaulted Douglas Fir beamed ceiling in the Family Room provides a warm country ambiance together with its clearstory windows and large rustic flagstone fireplace.
This warm welcoming structure faced with natural random irregular stone provides it retired Owners with a comfortable country house to entertain their adult children and grandchildren. The open ness of the plan and the warmth of the exterior materials and interior finishes create and inspiring sense of home. These folks truly got their wish for a solid beautiful “Next and Last House.”
