Explore a Bedford Farmhouse Saved From Its Design 'Identity Crisis'

Spacious living room with exposed wooden beams, stone fireplace, burning hearth, built-in log storage, and comfortable gray sectional sofa — (Image credit: Styling Veronica Olson/Photography Kate S Jorda)

Walking along a simple dirt track through a landscape dotted with farmhouses, among a patchwork of low stone walls and tall maple trees, it’s hard to believe that the skyscrapers of Manhattan are only 50 miles away. The sound of horns and screeching cabs feels as though it belongs to a different world; instead, the cluck of chickens and the occasional bleat of a goat are the only welcome interruptions to the peace.

Exterior of a dark brown wooden barn-style building surrounded by autumn trees with golden leaves under an overcast sky.

Here, in Bedford Corners, New York, a couple with two young children have swapped their city apartment for a wood-sided farmhouse with room to grow. ‘They wanted their kids to experience the feeling of grass under their toes,’ says interior designer Gretchen Farrell, who, 10 years ago, had also left the city and moved to Westchester County, and knew what was needed to make the transition. The farmhouse ‘presented the perfect opportunity to create a forever home shaped by the family’s hands-on sensibility,’ she says. ‘They were keen on a space that could withstand the realities of farm life, from muddy floors and climbing children to a growing menagerie of animals.’

Cozy living room featuring high vaulted ceilings with timber beams, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, and comfortable gray seating. — **Living room:** A double-height chimney breast takes center stage. ‘We didn’t want to fight with it, so complemented it with soft hues, combined with deep blues and golds,’ says designer Gretchen Farrell. Custom sofa, Pierre Atelier. Lounge chairs, Nickey Kehoe; in fabric by Rogers & Goffigon. Rattan balloon carrier as coffee table, The Barns by Ali Mahon. Jute rug, Ernesta.

To that end, the couple went back to the drawing board and, with Gretchen, embraced the Shaker principles they had grown up with, grounding the renovation in simple, honest materials. ‘Our vision was to create a warm, comfortable, inviting home for our family, friends and community,’ says one of them. ‘We were very much utility first and design second. Nothing could feel too precious, and comfort had to come before aesthetics.

‘Architecturally, the house had a bit of an identity crisis when we found it. It’s an ’80s contemporary home but with beautiful post-and-beam elements throughout. There were several directions we could have taken it, but we ultimately leaned toward a richer, more collected mix of vintage, handcrafted and unique pieces.’

Kitchen island with smooth light wood countertop, pendant light, wooden barstool, and copper pots set against exposed timber beams. — **Kitchen:** ‘We picked simple Shaker-style cabinetry, designed to stand the test of time,’ says Gretchen. ‘It’s also a great base for mixing in antique finds as well as more contemporary forms.’ Pendant lights, deVOL. Island cabinetry in Farrow & Ball’s Hardwick White

The main house is attached to a distinctive 30-foot silo that serves as the entryway – a dramatic cylindrical structure through which the rest of the property reveals itself. Inside, a double-height, sunken living room anchors the space, around which a mezzanine gallery, accessed by an interior walkway, leads to the bedrooms. Original beams are exposed, referencing the colors of nature while underscoring the unpretentious nature of the interior: here, there are no tricks; every joint is on display.

Rustic wooden dining table surrounded by woven-back chairs under heavy timber posts, featuring framed artwork and leafy branch decor. — **Dining area:** A specially commissioned table, designed to show patina, echoes the organic structure of the beams above. Beautiful Shaker-style chairs pick out the rich autumnal tones of the scheme. Table and chairs designed by Connecticut craftsman Ian Ingersoll. Antique grasshopper, Trove Design Studios. Artwork sourced at The Barns by Ali Mahon.

‘The farmhouse was in good shape,’ says Gretchen. ‘There was no need for any structural interventions, but the previous owners had gone for a Scandinavian aesthetic. Instead, we wanted to lean into a deeper-toned, mellower feel, creating schemes that could introduce age and patina.’ A lucky discovery was that the original oak flooring, complete with handmade pegs, was intact beneath its whitewash. Stripped back to a light, golden hue, it sets the tone for the rest of the interiors, with their blend of antique, custom-built, and contemporary pieces.

Round wooden dining table with gray armchairs under exposed ceiling beams, abstract wall art, and tall autumn branches in a vase. — **Games area:** Gretchen turned this spot into a space for card and board games, anchored by the couple’s 19th-century fruitwood table. Wall sconces, PAX Lighting. Buffet cabinet, RT Facts. Linen, wood and leather chairs, Lawson-Fenning. Wooden horse, The Barns by Ali Mahon. Walls in Shadow White, Farrow & Ball. Rug, Elizabeth Eakins. Art by Elisabeth von Wrede.

A double-height, stone-clad chimney breast, which Gretchen describes as a ‘natural indoor sculpture,’ rises proudly from the center of the sitting room. ‘The space is expansive, but you can also bake in the sun there, so we had to think about how to make it comfortable. There are solar shades for the summer, and in the fall, the fire, which opens on two sides, comes into its own. We had to rethink access, too, especially with young children around, so we reworked the stairs leading to it.’

Curved wooden staircase featuring a black-and-beige checkered runner, framed by natural timber columns and white paneled walls. — **Staircase:** ‘A chequered runner adds a contemporary twist to the simple, sinuous form of this curved staircase. ‘It feels playfully modern in the space,’ notes Gretchen. Chequerboard runner, Woodard Weave.

A blend of objects, including some of the couple’s contemporary art, introduces the tension that Gretchen believes is necessary to create a layered home. ‘Those Shaker principles can be seen in the kitchen or in the handmade dining table created as an heirloom piece by cabinetmaker Ian Ingersoll,’ she says, ‘but there’s also the rigor of midcentury shapes, the playfulness of the checkered stair runner, or the contrast of a 19th-century carved horse in front of a modern, graphic artwork.’

Cozy bedroom setting with a wooden bed frame, colorful plaid fabric footboard, terracotta pillows, and low pendant lighting. — **Bedroom:** The golden tones of autumn converge in this cozy space, thanks to thick linens, plaids, and warm wood finishes. Bed, Lawson-Fenning; upholstered in plaid by de Le Cuona. Bedspread, Les Indiennes. Pendant light, PAX Lighting.

Now, life here revolves around simpler pleasures. ‘This is a family who love to relax and host, so the house had to feel comfortable, practical and inviting,’ says Gretchen. ‘Everything has been thought through, but nothing is too precious to use.’ The result is a home that feels collected rather than decorated and where an easy connection to the landscape can be celebrated daily.

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Emma writes across interiors, design, lifestyle, and travel for a number of titles, from The Times Magazine to Living Etc. A born and bred Londoner, she has written two books that celebrate her passion for architecture and design in the capital, including London Shopfronts and London Interiors.