A Family Farmhouse

From the outside, this home stretches across the peak of the lot’s hill. Its white board and batten exterior immediately sets the farmhouse tone. Charcoal accent colors help define the charming details of this home’s façade, while three gabled dormers, shutters, metal roof, and French doors emphasize the established feeling of yesteryear, evoking a timeless aesthetic.

Entering the home’s windowed French front doors, guests are greeted by expansive hardwood floors. Most of the home’s main living spaces can be seen from the front door. However, unlike the popular completely open floor plans of today, Jeana chose to add a bit of separation between rooms so the home would feel more like a traditional old farmhouse. “I didn’t want anyone to be completely cut off from each other, but I like for each room to have its own identity and space,” she explains.

After stepping inside, to the right is the home office. With sliding barn doors on a track, they don’t take up space in the home’s traffic-ways. In the office, the walls’ dark color adds a hint of drama and elevated style. A distressed, leather-top writer’s desk, a mustard gold velvet French desk chair, and a cowhide rug keep the room’s style on point with farmhouse and European vibes.

Across the foyer is the family’s formal dining room. With a lighter appearance, this room, like most in the house, wears a soft gray color. A focal wall of white shiplap continues the farmhouse feel, while extra-wide door casings keep this room visible to the rest of the house but also defined enough to be a separate space. Linen chairs and a heavy wooden dining table provide plenty of room for the family to eat together and host extended family.

“We really wanted to pick most of our furniture and décor, to make the home fit our style. But we did keep some of my grandparents’ items … When I see her butter crock on the shelf or her old church pew on our front porch, it reminds me of my grandma.”

– Zach Lee

Continuing further into the house, the living room is a spacious and comfortable room for the family to spend time together. “I just really wanted furniture that was comfortable and practical for the whole family. We’re in here with both kids a lot and needed a cozy place to relax,” Jeana explains. A shiplapped ceiling and wooden beams continue a farmhouse ambiance, while a stacked-stone fireplace brings in a grounding, earthy appearance. The built-ins flanking the fireplace feature family photographs, some of Zach’s grandmother’s belongings, and other sentimental favorites. Zach says, “We really wanted to pick most of our furniture and décor to make sure the home fit our style. But we did keep some of my grandparents’ items. Not only did they fit our style, but it’s meaningful to have that connection to my grandparents in the house. When I see her butter crock on the shelf or her old church pew on our front porch, it reminds me of my grandma.”

“We really wanted the kitchen to be the centerpiece of the home, where everyone could gather together.”

– Jeana Lee

From the living and dining room, the kitchen is accessible. This is an expansive room with ample counter space, seating, and windows. Truly the heart of the home and designed to be the crown jewel, the kitchen wraps visitors in a welcoming white atmosphere, inviting them to stay as long as they like.

“We really wanted the kitchen to be the centerpiece of the home, where everyone could gather together,” Jeana says. Zach confirms, “It happens naturally anyway, but when we have people over, they always end up in the kitchen somehow.” Luckily, there is seating for four at the end of the island and a table that easily fits eight in the windowed nook beside the island.

This homey gathering place is also highly functional. Jeana loves to cook and especially bake with help from their son, Aiden. “We love the island! We can roll out tons of cookies to decorate,” she says smiling. High-end appliances and a seamless traffic flow make this kitchen a dream to cook in. With beautiful white marble countertops and a subway tile backsplash, the kitchen feels clean and spacious. Traditional white cabinetry and rustic lanterns over the island bring in a sense of nostalgia and warmth.

On the opposite side of the house is the master suite. The serene master bedroom keeps it simple and relaxing. A four-post bed fits nicely under the vaulted and beamed ceiling. A white bedspread with a black and white buffalo check accent ties into a black and white wedding photo above the bed. Large windows offer views of the verdant backyard and provide more natural light.

The adjoining master bathroom is a luxurious retreat for these parents – it features marbled tile floors and countertops, a shiplap focal wall, and a large, walk-through shower wrapped in subway tile. A free-standing soaking tub looks lovely in its own windowed nook.

The outdoor areas add more living space and plenty of places to stretch out and entertain. The screened-in porch, which is just off the kitchen, is wonderful to enjoy on its own for a dining area or to open up and add seating to kitchen entertaining. “When it’s just us and it’s nice weather, we eat out there all the time!” Zach says. The other porch, off the living room, is open to the sprawling backyard. Complete with a corner fireplace and television, this porch is great for lounging and having company over.

The whole home functions flawlessly around the Lees’ dream of farmhouse living with an emphasis on family. They love to host their parents, extended family, and friends in this uniquely modern yet nostalgic farmhouse. CS