A Faint Farmhouse Feel

The home’s exterior immediately conveys a sense of warmth to all who approach it. Cream-colored Hardie board stretches from the German schmear brick foundation to the roofline, and the vertical texture accentuates a gable in the center of the home’s facade. The materials used on the outside of the home lend themselves to the farmhouse style, but without traditional black accents, the home begins to take on a more neoclassical aesthetic. 

“I do like the farmhouse style, but I didn’t want to overdo it,” says Kristi. “Above all else, I wanted our home to be welcoming and comfortable, and for it not to compete with the beautiful surroundings.”

A set of six tapered stairs leads to a quaint porch that serves as the perfect stage for seasonal decorations, while lantern-style lighting above the garage doors and flanking the entryway adds to the inviting atmosphere Kristi worked so hard to achieve. 

Walking through the home’s front door takes visitors directly to the living room. The airy cream color used on the outside of the home is repeated in a tufted fabric sofa and matching loveseat. Pops of blue found in throw pillows and a velvety accent barrel chair are reminiscent of the eloquent blue-and-white Chinoiserie pottery, some of which can be found dotting a bookshelf on the far wall, as well as resting upon the mantel. 

These same colors and patterns appear in the room’s large area rug, which is topped with a glass-top coffee table. Also complementing each other are the gray tones found in the coffee and matching side tables and the abstract patterned tiles that surround the fireplace. This part of the living room is further encapsulated with custom millwork details that travel up to meet the crown molding. Hardwood floors and beams add another layer to the mostly neutral color palette and set the stage for one of Kristi’s favorite pieces of artwork.

“I’m a big fan of antique shopping, and I especially love places that are off the beaten path. While in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, I found this portrait of Mary Singer Sargent and was immediately captivated by it,” explains Kristi. “I call her my blue lady, and I knew I wanted to put her somewhere front and center. It is almost like she’s welcoming you into the home since it’s one of the first things you see, and the beams and fireplace help to create a space where you’d just want to see a beautiful portrait.”

“I call her my blue lady, and I knew I wanted to put her somewhere front and center. It is almost like she’s welcoming you into the home.”

Carrying further into the home takes guests to the kitchen. Here, vibrant whites reign and lend themselves well to the faint farmhouse feel. Simple shaker cabinetry runs throughout the space with a few glass-front doors scattered throughout. Granite countertops provide plenty of workspace, and gray glossy subway tiles, which have a slight iridescent quality, comprise the backsplash. Stainless steel appliances round out the room and are triangulated for a natural flow. 

“We always find ourselves gravitating to the kitchen,” says Kristi. “Mark also travels a lot, so when he is home, I like to make a lot of home-cooked meals. This is a very used and very loved space for us, and if I could do it all over, I’d make it even bigger.”

Open to the kitchen is the home’s dining room, where a bench and four tufted parsons chairs surround a deep wood grain table. The texture seen in the exterior siding has been preserved in this room, adding an extra dose of visual interest and helping to elongate the room.

“This is a very used and very loved space for us, and if I could do it all over, I’d make it even bigger.”

On the other side of the home is the master suite. Cool blues and grays have been traded for a warmer pale pink, which is built upon with creams and beiges. More custom millwork runs along the back wall, and two Chesterfield-style chaise lounges rest in front of a stately king bed.

A sliding barn door grants access to the en suite, where a his-and-hers vanity brings in some darker tones. A freestanding footless tub is perched in the corner, and pops of pale pink make another appearance through the textiles, artwork, and floral arrangements.

Both in the bathroom and in the bedroom, the more rustic lighting fixtures seen throughout the rest of the home have been replaced with simple chandeliers for an added softness. Pair that with the textures and patterns dotting the room, and a style emerges that has whisperings of French traditional design.

On the second floor of the home is yet another sleeping area. A metal bed frame and gray accents are used in conjunction with wooden furniture and décor for a balanced and natural look. Three windows allow for prime views of the river outside and filter light into the space.

Just outside the guest bedroom is a loft area, which is another highly utilized space for Kristi and Mark. A three-seat studded chaise sofa anchors the space, and a flat-screen TV rests on a diamond-patterned buffet table just to the right.

“We use this area way more than I originally thought we would. We will watch movies or play games up here as a family, and it’s really become a space to have fun and let go,” says Kristi. “Part of what we love about this home is the nature and easy access to hiking and fishing and other things we like to do. It’s been nice to be able to spend time as a family outdoors and then to come into the home and in spaces like this and do it all over again.”

Kristi Kaiser and Mark Liveringhouse