Home Tour // The Stunning 1850s Farmhouse of Star Bright Farms
STAR BRIGHT FARMS
Do I ever have a treat for you guys today! I found the most amazing old farm via Pinterest recently and immediately reached out to the owners to see if I could feature their home here on the Grit and Polish. Thankfully Helen said yes, and we got to chat about the 2 renovations she and her husband, Mark, have undertaken over the past 23 years. I cannot express in words how beautiful their farmhouse and surrounding farm is, so let's have a look at the photos.
All photos by the homeowner, Helen Norman Photography. Fun fact, Helen does a lot of photography for Lauren Liess!
Star Bright Farms has it all. An 1850s farmhouse, a barn/shop turned guest house, a milk house turned garden shed and office, a renovated barn turned party space, and a soon-to-be lavender field. But it didn't always looks this perfect. When Helen was 7 months pregnant with her second child, she toured a very different, very dilapidated 130 acre farm with 7 outbuildings, all beautifully situated, but falling down.
Helen credits the windows in the 1850 farmhouse with selling her on the property. The plaster-over-stone construction made for 12" deep window wells that featured curved returns and drawers in the sils. She was smitten. But can you just imagine moving into that space with a toddler and another one on the way?! Sounds like something I would do ;)
Since that fateful day decades ago, the farmhouse has undergone 2 extensive renovations, including one major addition. It's finally done, and picture perfect!
Helen and her builder went to great lengths during remodel #2 to keep the new kitchen looking original. Cabinets were built on site and painted by brush after installation (so they would look less than spray-finish perfect). That sentiment has really stuck with me and we handprinted our own Farmhouse’s kitchen cabinets for a similar hand-finished feel.
The above photo was one of the images I used as inspiration for our Porch House kitchen. I love the simple marble countertops with short backsplash and open shelving! Helen really did an amazing job designing this kitchen!
I’m so in love with that kitchen. Isn’t it stunning? This was the first stone sink that I saw and instantantly fell in love. Paired with the vintage faucets…it’s just so lovely.
Okay, let’s move onto living spaces and bedrooms.
Helen’s attention to the history of the home is impressive. A stone fireplace was built to match the original stone exterior of the home. The fireplaces in this house are really something!
Check out Star Bright's website for photos of their other buildings, including the most amazing guest space, and Instagram for current going-ons. Helen and her family are in the middle of a kick-starter campaign to raise funds for a lavender field. Here is the link if you'd like to help.
*post updated 4/10/20 with additional photos