Behind the Build: Restoring a New England Farmhouse
When our clients purchased an 1806 farmhouse, they knew that they wanted to renovate the property while still maintaining its quintessential New England charm. Together with Maugel DeStefano Architects, we are thoughtfully renovating this home to meet the needs of modern living. One of the most incredible aspects of this project is the selective demo process, which is focused on preserving many of the original architectural details and thoughtfully incorporating them in the newly designed spaces.
The exterior of the home will retain its quintessential architectural charm, thoughtfully restored to honor its historic character. New siding, windows, and doors will breathe fresh life into the façade, creating a timeless yet refreshed presence along the rolling country road of New Hampshire’s scenic seacoast. The attached barn, a distinctive and cherished feature, will remain connected to the main house—continuing to serve as a centerpiece of the property.
Behind the walls you can appreciate the craftmanship of this home. The hand carved beams and wall joists that were uncovered within the selective demo process. These will be reinforced with steel beams to accommodate the new layout of the main and second floor.
The existing layout of this home included small rooms that don’t suit the seamless flow our clients want. The new floor plan combines several of these smaller spaces, creating a more spacious feel throughout. The existing kitchen will be open to the main living room, creating more space for gathering and further complementing the “cozy” farmhouse aesthetic.
In the barn…
What was once a simple sleeping quarters is now undergoing a dramatic transformation. The new design reimagines the space as a multifunctional area, complete with a gym, garage, kitchenette, and guest suite. Because the barn is directly connected to the main house, it was essential to ensure the redesign feels cohesive—blending seamlessly with the overall flow and character of the home.
As demolition progresses, we’re transforming this farmhouse with a completely reimagined interior tailored to our client’s unique needs. One of the most significant updates is a full redesign of the floor plan on both the main and second levels, creating a more cohesive and open flow throughout the home. The new design will include multiple guest suites, as well as a home gym, and game room. With most of the interior walls removed, the craftsmanship of this 1806 structure is finally coming into view – revealing the timeless beauty and integrity of its original framework.
After the complete removal of all of the interior drywall the new layout will start to showcase an even more open feeling throughout the first and second floors. Once of the most significant changes that will pair modern with the classic farmhouse design is the revival of the multiple fireplaces. These will still remain a focal point in the main design of the home.
The new design of the barn will feature a home gym, guest suite, mudroom/informal entryway and while still serving as a garage. The barn will remain connected to the main house which is a unique design feature that the clients wished to keep. Through selective demo the spaces within the barn will be designed to seamlessly flow with the main house.
After a few months, the exterior of this farmhouse is starting to look refreshed. The new windows and doors have transformed the exterior of this home. As you step through the front door, framing is well underway and the new layout of this home is going to change how this home will flow for our client’s daily life. The stairs were moved to the corner of the home, creating more space on the main floor and allowing the bedroom suits, and home office on the second floor.
Last modified: January 16, 2026
