Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Modern Family Farmhouse in Rural Vermont
After years of camping out on their Vermont lot, a couple build a home that keeps them connected to the land
In 2008, Brooklynites Carolinne and Dylan Griffin acquired a 10-acre parcel of land in rural Vermont with the idea of using it as an escape from their New York City lifestyle. After years of camping on the property, they married and had two children. That’s when they decided it was time to build a full-time residence on the site.
For help, they turned to architect Elizabeth Herrmann. She got them to visualize a modern farmhouse with New England ties that sits lightly on the land and affords numerous connections to the outdoors.
For help, they turned to architect Elizabeth Herrmann. She got them to visualize a modern farmhouse with New England ties that sits lightly on the land and affords numerous connections to the outdoors.
After the birth of their second child, the couple decided that New York seemed a tad too congested to raise a family, so they began plotting a full-time residence on the land and a move to the country.
In addition Hermann, they worked with landscape architecture firm Wagner Hodgson to create a master plan for the placement of the house and a future free-standing garage on a knoll, which overlooks a nearby pond and seasonal stream.
In addition Hermann, they worked with landscape architecture firm Wagner Hodgson to create a master plan for the placement of the house and a future free-standing garage on a knoll, which overlooks a nearby pond and seasonal stream.
Herrmann worked with the couple to create a two-story, L-shaped plan with a design that is modernist while acknowledging old Vermont farms with its gabled ends, dormer windows and wood-clad exterior walls.
Rather than designing a solid mass on the land, Herrmann “took bites,” she says, out of the corners of the house to make the home seem lighter as well as to create an entry porch, shown above, and another outdoor space off the living room. She suggested dark-stained cedar siding and a medium-gray standing-seam metal roof to help blend the house into the site.
“I’ve never had a project where the owners had such intimacy with the land,” Hermann says. “They knew where they wanted the house placed and what the views were.”
Windows: Marvin Windows and Doors; chairs: Loll Designs
Rather than designing a solid mass on the land, Herrmann “took bites,” she says, out of the corners of the house to make the home seem lighter as well as to create an entry porch, shown above, and another outdoor space off the living room. She suggested dark-stained cedar siding and a medium-gray standing-seam metal roof to help blend the house into the site.
“I’ve never had a project where the owners had such intimacy with the land,” Hermann says. “They knew where they wanted the house placed and what the views were.”
Windows: Marvin Windows and Doors; chairs: Loll Designs
Indoors, Carolinne channeled her Swedish heritage and asked for a simple, uncluttered backdrop that could showcase her collection of vintage Scandinavian design pieces, modern furnishings and antique finds.
Polished concrete radiant-heat flooring warms the first floor, which includes the kitchen, dining and living areas. The stairs lead to the loft and master suite.
Polished concrete radiant-heat flooring warms the first floor, which includes the kitchen, dining and living areas. The stairs lead to the loft and master suite.
The two-story volume of the living room adds a sense of space to the house, as do the sliding window walls that open to the outdoors.
A Jøtul wood-burning stove provides extra warmth while Sneakers, the family dog, cozies up on one of a pair of midcentury Scandinavian leather armchairs that once resided in Carolinne’s mother’s apartment in Stockholm. The antique ladder holds a collection of Pendleton blankets and a West African quilt.
Sofa: ABC Carpet & Home; floor lamp: Room & Board; drapery rods and draperies: Restoration Hardware
A Jøtul wood-burning stove provides extra warmth while Sneakers, the family dog, cozies up on one of a pair of midcentury Scandinavian leather armchairs that once resided in Carolinne’s mother’s apartment in Stockholm. The antique ladder holds a collection of Pendleton blankets and a West African quilt.
Sofa: ABC Carpet & Home; floor lamp: Room & Board; drapery rods and draperies: Restoration Hardware
The staircase with ash treads provides a sculptural backdrop for the dining area. The Crate & Barrel table is surrounded by flea-market-find chairs.
George Nelson pendant light: Design Within Reach
George Nelson pendant light: Design Within Reach
A black granite waterfall countertop on the kitchen island adds depth and drama to an otherwise pale and cool space.
Herrmann designed the kitchen without upper cabinets, allowing a view-grabbing window to brighten the space. A walk-in pantry to the right of the kitchen houses
the refrigerator and more storage.
A NuTone downdraft venting system in the island also helps keep the kitchen’s look open.
Cooktop, oven and dishwasher: Bosch; sink: Rohl; faucet: MGS
the refrigerator and more storage.
A NuTone downdraft venting system in the island also helps keep the kitchen’s look open.
Cooktop, oven and dishwasher: Bosch; sink: Rohl; faucet: MGS
Simple custom cabinetry gives the kitchen a clean, uncluttered look.
Arne Jacobsen bar stools: Design Within Reach
Arne Jacobsen bar stools: Design Within Reach
A few steps lead down from the main living area to the children’s wing. Herrmann designed the space connecting their bedrooms to the rest of the house to be a small playroom with a built-in bookcase.
Area rug: The Land of Nod
Area rug: The Land of Nod
A bunk bed in one of the children’s rooms ensures space for sleepovers.
Bunk bed: Oeuf; carpet: The Land of Nod
Bunk bed: Oeuf; carpet: The Land of Nod
Pale ash flooring and operable skylights brighten the loft, which overlooks the living room. It doubles as a guest room. The coffee table is a vintage find.
Sofa: Crate & Barrel; skylights: Velux
Sofa: Crate & Barrel; skylights: Velux
A partial glass railing in the loft keeps children safe but allows views down to the living room.
Chair: Room & Board; white console table: Blu Dot; fan: Emerson Ceiling Fans
Chair: Room & Board; white console table: Blu Dot; fan: Emerson Ceiling Fans
The airy second-floor master bedroom has wooded views. The platform bed is a custom piece from Modern Living Supplies, while the drapery fabric is a vintage textile designed by Swedish architect Josef Frank.
Desk: Room & Board; area rugs: West Elm, fan: Emerson Ceiling Fans
Desk: Room & Board; area rugs: West Elm, fan: Emerson Ceiling Fans
The serene master bathroom features a walk-in shower.
Shower fixtures: Waterworks; floor tile: Satinglo, American Olean
Shower fixtures: Waterworks; floor tile: Satinglo, American Olean
Two wings create a protected area for casual outdoor meals. The modernist forms are evident in the children’s wing, behind the picnic table. Herrmann had the cedar siding applied with a pencil-thick reveal, creating subtle texture and shadow.
A few trees were removed from the building site, giving the home more light and space. Except for a lawn for the children to play on and a few new plantings, most of the landscape is in its natural state.
“We used economical materials rather than fancy surfaces for this house,” says Herrmann, summarizing the design. “This has a modest, restrained look. We let the forms do the talking.”
A loft and master suite occupy the second floor.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Carolinne and Dylan Griffin, their two young children and dog Sneakers; Carolinne’s a writer, Dylan’s a photographer, and they produce State 14, a digital magazine devoted to Vermont
Location: Ferrisburgh, Vermont
Size: 2,300 square feet (214 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Elizabeth Herrmann
The Griffins bought the property in 2008 and spent several years commuting from their Brooklyn apartment to camp there on weekends with friends before building a small outbuilding big enough to house a bed and a table.
“The land is mostly woods, with some meadows,” Dylan says. “It was part of a big sheep farm, and we found collapsed rock walls and remnants of old structures on our property.”
The property is also important to their personal history. Dylan proposed to Carolinne here, and a year later, it was the site of their outdoor wedding reception.