2015 Historic Renovation winner: New Hampshire Farmhouse

Photography courtesy of Michael J. Lee

This Ashland home, originally built circa 1865 by a train-depot agent, is a true labor of love. Struck by lightning in the 1970s, the property’s barn and mid-section went up in flames. Miraculously, the house survived; however, it remained untouched until new owners bought it in 2007. Over the next five years, the property was restored into a charming home, where period detailing and antiques blend with modern fixtures and appliances.

To maintain the integrity of this historic home, many of its original materials were salvaged. Original Southern yellow pine floorboards were refinished and stained; the exterior’s asphalt shingles were removed, exposing the original clapboards (now painted in a soft gray color); original doors and hardware were preserved; and, after removing all wallpaper, horsehair plaster walls were saved with a layer of skim coat plaster. In addition, electricity and plumbing were replaced; energy-efficient, double-paned windows were installed; and a new gas fireplace and woodstove were added to the existing forced-air heating system.

Judges said:“This historic renovation showcases not only a vast undertaking and labor of love for the project team, but a perfectly thorough reconstruction that incorporates period detailing with modern and efficient building systems. The exterior maintains an aggregated massing true to homes built in the nineteenth century. The interiors are beautifully appropriate and are well done consistently throughout the house, from the kitchen to the powder room. It is evident that the team put a tremendous amount of work into bringing life back into an old, falling-down structure. The result is a new home rich with details that maintain the integrity of the original house.”