“Old homes are, at best, a little scary,” says Anna Allen, and she’s not talking about the potential resident ghosts. “They can have confusing, choppy floor plans, hazardous materials, and some pretty serious issues, depending on their age.”
Perhaps that’s precisely why Broad Oak Farm—a nearly 400-year-old six-bedroom Cape in Hanover, Massachusetts—had gone on- and off-market a total of eight times before Anna and her husband finally took up the torch as its newest stewards in late 2020. “We felt like we’d won the lottery. The previous owners had taken such good care; really, all it needed was some paint,” Anna says.
The home—a humble portion of which was constructed in the 1640’s, before America was even declared a country—was decorated in the theme of classic Americana design, each room bearing its own garish shade of near-primary color. As the couple brushed and rolled their serene white-, taupe-, and slate-hued palette over every wall and cupboard, they paused over areas where chips in the walls offered a kaleidoscope-like glimpse into the past. “This home surprisingly hasn’t had that many owners, but each one has left their mark,” Anna says. “It’s almost comforting knowing that our version of Broad Oak Farm is impermanent, too. It’s like we’re giving the house a pause, letting it breathe, so that the architecture—the history—can speak for itself.”
Let’s take a tour.
Photography by Anna Allen.
After
![the rough, hand hewn beams in the kitchen were concealed beneath a modern drop 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-kitchen-wide-anna-allen-2-733x563.jpg)
![of the entire house, the kitchen underwent the most extensive renovation. 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allenkitchen-new-faucet-51523-733x932.jpg)
![of the sizable island, anna says: “i’d been eyeing it on ebay for 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allen-kitchen-733x920.jpg)
![in the dining room, an antique table anna found on etsy provides an intimate se 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allendining-room-table-733x977.jpg)
![“i feel like every house needs one moody room,” anna notes. the w 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allendining-room-733x977.jpg)
![goose, a lab hound mix, lounges on an antique loveseat covered in a ticking str 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allengoose-photo-loveseat-733x931.jpg)
![“the fireplace in the living room is truly enormous,” anna says. 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-living-room-wide-anna-allen-733x550.jpg)
![keeping with the rustic, pared back aesthetic, the space features an easy to co 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allenliving-room-733x977.jpg)
![the antique chest in the \2\20;reading room\2\2\1;, topped with a 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allen-reading-room-733x903.jpg)
![on the opposite end of the reading room, a built in cabinet painted in benjamin 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allenchina-cabinet-733x1005.jpg)
![in the hallway, the wood floors are painted in mopboard black by benjamin moore 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allenback-hallway-733x977.jpg)
![above: “the soapstone sinks the previous owner installed in the mudroom 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allenmudroom-2-733x970.jpg)
![above: in the airy south bedroom, an antique rope bed frame is topped with a cl 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-bedroom-wide-anna-allen-733x977.jpg)
![above: a handsome clawfoot tub in the guest bath complements vinyl floor tiles 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allenclawfoot-bathroom-733x977.jpg)
![above: goose stands guard over the formal gardens, composed of symmetrically pl 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-anna-allencoffin-door-garden-733x977.jpg)
Before
![above: “i loved that the previous owner had taken down the upper cabinet 32](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-before-1-733x550.jpg)
![above: “each room was a different, albeit period appropriate, color. the 33](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-before-3-733x550.jpg)
![above: the former grounds, au naturel. 34](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/broad-oak-farm-before-2-733x550.jpg)
For more historic homes, saved, might we suggest:
- True Colors: Historical Paint Expert Pedro da Costa Felgueiras’ Beautifully Idiosyncratic London Home
- Saved from Abandonment: A Historic Hudson Valley Farmhouse Receives the Ultimate Makeunder
- On the Market: A 1793 House in Maine With Hand-Painted Murals, via Cheap Old Houses
Frequently asked questions
Who is the designer of the Massachusetts remodel project?
The designer of the Massachusetts remodel project is Anna Allen.
What is the name of the house that was remodeled in Massachusetts?
The house that was remodeled in Massachusetts is called Broad Oak Farm.
Are there any before and after photos of the remodel?
Yes, there are before and after photos of the remodel in the article.
Can I find details on the renovation process in the article?
Yes, the article provides detailed information about the renovation process.
Where can I find more information about Anna Allen and her work?
You can find more information about Anna Allen and her work on her website or through a search online.
What is the style of the remodeled house?
The remodeled house features a mix of modern and rustic farmhouse styles.
What is the location of Broad Oak Farm?
Broad Oak Farm is located in Massachusetts.
Are there any sustainable features in the remodel?
Yes, the remodel incorporates sustainable features such as energy-efficient appliances and reclaimed materials.
Can I contact Anna Allen for remodeling services?
You can try contacting Anna Allen through her website or professional channels provided online.
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