At Home in the American Barn

As we make great strides to slow down and return to basics, to bygone days and simpler times, many are embracing the American Barn as more than just a symbolic, but embracing it as the modern home. At Home in the American Barn is a beautiful tribute to the wonderful architecture of our past reconditioned to become the sought after residential spaces of today.

Those of you who know me and or follow me on social media know that I am completely enamored by all the barns that dot our landscape, #ihavethisthingwithbarns. I've been known to pull over to snap a photo without warning - simply because I'm enraptured by these structures - both new and old. 

Built specifically for utilitarian purposes, the barn was the most important structure on any farm, with more thought and care given to these buildings than the smaller homes of the farmer and his family. Functionality was essential - these dwellings were needed to house livestock and feed. The oldest barns were put together utilizing old world techniques, without metal fasteners. Eventually building techniques changed to incorporate both old and new world methods as well the various styles brought forth by the newly varied ethnic backgrounds. 

At Home in the American Barn showcases the architecture of the Dutch, German and English barn, noting their similarities and differences and how the natural American landscape came into play to accommodate the variety of sizes and styles of these barns. 

Due to the way in which these dwellings were initially constructed they're easily adaptable to modern living, though do have fundamental issues which need addressing beforehand. German barns had walls that were paper thin so that new walls and insulation are necessary and must provide space for modern wiring, plumbing and other necessary infrastructure. Most barns had few to no windows, but because many of the original walls were non load-baring the opportunity to add windows and doors is fairly uncomplicated. Due to the vast open spaces within, certain efforts are needed to create discreet methods of hiding the unsightly hardware that houses the necessary heating and cooling units. Once the technical aspects of these barns have been figured out, when it comes to decorating these residences anything goes. These infrastructures accommodate a wide variety of aesthetics and collections and are able to adapt to changing needs. 

At Home in the American Barn, written by James B. Garrison, beautifully showcases the original buildings that first dotted our country's rich landscape and their exemplary transformations, from old world to Bauhaus. The modern residential barn perfectly marries yesterday's history with today's modern lifestyle. Filled with nearly 200 pages of gorgeous photography, the stories, the architecture and the interiors are truly inspirational. This book is a must for those who love barns, architecture, interiors and history. Published by Rizzoli New York, At Home in the American Barn will be available in April 2016.

Photography by Geoffrey Gross and Brandt Bolding, At Home in The American Barn,  Rizzoli New York, 2016. 

Photography by Geoffrey Gross and Brandt Bolding, At Home in The American Barn,  Rizzoli New York, 2016. 

Photography by Geoffrey Gross and Brandt Bolding, At Home in The American Barn,  Rizzoli New York, 2016. 

Photography by Geoffrey Gross and Brandt Bolding, At Home in The American Barn,  Rizzoli New York, 2016. 

Photography by Geoffrey Gross and Brandt Bolding, At Home in The American Barn,  Rizzoli New York, 2016. 

Photography by Geoffrey Gross and Brandt Bolding, At Home in The American Barn,  Rizzoli New York, 2016. 

At Home in The American Barn by James B. Garrison, Rizzoli New York, 2016. 
Photography by Geoffrey Gross and Brandt Bolding
US $50
Rizzoli New York
Publication date: April 2016
www.rizzoliusa.com

13 Sublime Attic Transformations :: The Sky's the Limit!

I'm a lover of small spaces and despite the expansive homes I've lived in, I prefer the smaller ones. I love a small cozy home but because I have children, 3 of them, we all need places to get away for a while and we need a common living area that can comfortably seat us all. What we don't need is a rambling house where one can get lost in. It's overrated. I've been there and done that.  I had one. I didn't like it. It wasn't for me.

I grew up in a spacious pre-war apartment on the Upper East Side with a sprawling kitchen, a butler's pantry, 2 "Maid's Rooms" - 1 of which was an office, the other a small guest room, a large dining room, a living room with a phenomenal view of Central Park which was just across the street and 2 expansive bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. A long and narrow hallway that opened up to the living room and housed two large closets separated the two bedrooms. I loved to climb those walls as a child. My childhood bedroom was a child's dream with two raised 4 poster beds, white wicker dressers, white wicker couch matching coffee table.  Each wall had been painted a different color - pastel pinks, lavenders, yellows, greens and a pale blue ceiling coordinated with the pale leaf green shag rug below. The plaid bedding perfectly coordinated with the striped fabric on the couch and wall colors. It was magical and was the creative design of my mother. Although it was the quintessential little girl's bedroom my favorite spaces in the apartment were the 2 small "Maid's Rooms." The small burgundy room that was my father's office housed a long desk my mother had built specifically for that space. The desk spanned the length of the room. Over it were shelves and shelves filled with books. On the desk were assorted pads of paper, various writing implements and a dish of paper clips.

On the far wall was the only window in the small room. From it you could look out into the neighbor's kitchen and the courtyard below. In front of the window was a super comfortable oversized chair and to the left a small black and white television set. It would be many years before I would be allowed to have a television in my bedroom, but when friends came to spend the night we were allowed to carry the TV into my room where we'd stay up late to watch the Love Boat and Fantasy Island. But mostly the small television set lived in the office and I loved nothing more than to snuggle up in that chair and watch in there.

Next to my father's office, separated by a tiny bathroom, was the other Maid's Room that we used as a spare guest room - but mostly my mother used it when my father's snoring woke her up! Every once in a while I would get to stay there and I just adored it. I felt sheltered and cocooned. I felt safe. The decor was scant, but for a bed, an old fashioned secretary and a bentwood chair. I loved this room more than I loved my own. The small space, to me was perfection. 

I feel the same way about small spaces now. After my marriage ended nearly 4 years ago I left my nearly 5000 square foot home with very little in tow save for my children. I ended up in a small house that was just over 1200 square feet. It was all I needed as all my furnishings had been left behind and we had to start all over again. The house, now filled with our furniture and accumulated items does feel small sometimes, despite its coziness.  

There are certainly those times I would like to have an extra room to serve either as an escape or a place to which I can banish the children! The space is already here however. I would't need to add anything on to this charming little house - everything I need is at the top of the stairs. In the images below you'll see attics that have been beautifully transformed into play areas, bedrooms, sitting and living areas, bathrooms, home offices and even movie theaters. With attics, you see, the sky's the limit! 

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via The Way We Play.

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via Color Me Carla

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via Tumblr

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via Studio Aflo.

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via Wood Home

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via ElleDecor

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via Blood and Champagne

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via Huffington Post.

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via Tumblr

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via Domino Magazine

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via My Domaine

13 Sublime Attic Transformations - The Sky's the Limit! The Entertaining House. Image via Apartment Diet

Architecture Crush :: The A-Frame House

The iconic triangular style home called the A-frame was a popular form of American architecture that surfaced in the 1930s and peaked in the 1950s and 60s. This mid-century tee-pee style of architecture, defined by it's steep roof, front and rear gables and deep-set eaves, seems to be enjoying a new-found popularity. Numerous windows, both large and small, can be found on the front and rear facades allowing the interiors to be graced by natural sunlight. The interiors are loft-like with their high ceilings, open-floor plans and limited living spaces with the exception of a couple of interior lofts. Due to their structure, these houses are best as vacation or secondary homes. Though now with the growing popularity of the smaller homes, it makes sense that the A-frame is once again becoming a style of interest. I love this style home for many reasons - I love it for its simplicity, the feeling of warmth and comfort it evokes, the large windows that open up to the outdoors and for the casual, rustic vibe which is a total contrast to our busy, modern lifestyles. 

I'm always thinking about my next home and where I will settle when my children leave the nest. On one hand a small pied a terre in New York City would suit me perfectly, on the other hand there's something equally inviting about a small A-frame out in the country. Perhaps I should play the lottery and see if I can acquire both!

A brief history of the A-frame:

Triangular and tee-pee shaped homes date back to the dawn of time, but several 20th century architects awakened our interest in the geometric A-frame form.

Though the popularity of this style of home peaked in the 50's and 60s, it was Austrian-born architect Rudolph Schindler who in 1934 brought this design to the States when he built a simple A-frame vacation house in a resort community overlooking Lake Arrowhead in California. It had an open floor plan with exposed rafters and glass-walled gables. 

It was perhaps the post WW2 era that brought forth the popularity of this style of home. During this period not only did Americans have more disposable income, allowing many to purchase vacation homes, but so was the affordability of the construction of this triangular shaped house.  The style was so adaptable that many architects started to explore different avenues of creativity due to the versatility of this structure. Soon this modern style of architecture was preferred over the traditional, and this vacation style home began to crop up all over the place. According to some sources pre-fabricated kits were widely available and inexpensive and apparently could be purchase at such as establishments as Macy's. Imagine that! It was the well known modern architect, Andrew Geller, who may have given this style more than a passing thought and saw it as more than an inexpensive way to build a home, making it an important style of American architecture. For more read here. 

Architecture Crush - The A-Frame House. The Entertaining House. Image via Cabin Porn.

For the love of A-Frames! The Entertaining House. Image via Homeedit.

A-frame Crush. Architecture. The Entertaining House. Image via Tumblr.

A-Frame Crush. The Entertaining House. Image via Freshome

A-Frame Lust. Architecture Crush. The Entertaining House. Image via Design Sponge

Architecture Crush. The A-Frame. The Entertaining House. Image via Design Sponge.

A-Frame Architecture. The Entertaining House. Image via Bromley Caldari.

A-Frame Architecture. The Entertaining House. Image via Tumblr.