Saved from Abandonment: A Historic Hudson Valley Farmhouse Receives the Ultimate Makeunder

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For most people looking for a country getaway, a derelict 1830s farmhouse that had been abandoned for the past 40 years might appear a little too distressed. But for New Yorkers Don Howell, an artisan furniture maker, and his partner, Ray Camano, the home’s “oxidation and decay” were part its charm. (The 40 acres of woods, meadows, and streams that came with it may also have been part of the draw.) “We wanted something that hadn’t been renovated or polished,” they say. So when the couple bought the eyebrow style colonial home, they set out to preserve as much of its rough-hewn character as possible.

Photography by Justine Hand for Remodelista.

originally three separate rooms, the generously sized cooking/dining space feat 17 — Above: Originally three separate rooms, the generously sized cooking/dining space features the kitchen at one end and dining table at the other. The resulting room receives light from three sides. A lofty, beamed ceiling further enhances the spacious feel.

The Hudson Valley home, located in Accord, New York, had been chopped up into a myriad of tiny, unusable rooms. Major renovations included knocking down walls to create two larger rooms downstairs and three above. In addition, the couple added electricity and running water, the first public utilities ever installed in the house. Apart from these two interventions, Don and Ray preserved as much of the original detailing as possible, including all the original paint—chips and all—and the well-worn, wide-planked floors.

the kitchen is equipped with antique appliances—a chambers stove and uti 18 — Above: The kitchen is equipped with antique appliances—a Chambers stove and utility sink—that look original but were actually sourced from a local vintage dealer. The custom cabinets, designed by Don, were made from recycled barn wood by a local cabinetmaker. A vintage workbench, which serves as a center island, along with industrial lighting and stools complete the utilitarian feel.

The farmhouse interiors are furnished with an eclectic mix of antique, industrial, and midcentury modern, and handmade pieces that complement the home’s rustic character. Don, a fashion designer turned furniture designer, made much of the furniture himself.

separating the kitchen from the dining area, a central fireplace looks original 19 — Above: Separating the kitchen from the dining area, a central fireplace looks original but was actually added by Don and Ray.

To install insulation, the original plaster walls had to be ripped out. To re-create the walls’ textured appearance, the couple applied plaster skim coat over Sheetrock, treated with distemper—a traditional technique using a mixture of slaked lime, rabbit hide glue, and pigment—which Don mixed and applied himself.