A Transformation Project at My Farm
I hope you all have a copy of my newest issue of “Living” - our March 2019 magazine is on newsstands right now!
In this issue, I talk about the completion of a transformation project at my Bedford, New York farm. For quite some time, I've wanted to expand the living space in my Winter House to create a peaceful area for writing, meeting and enjoying the beautiful views of the landscape. I decided that enclosing my large porch was the perfect solution, and worked with my architect, Keith Kroeger, to design the room. We installed sliding doors and sidelight windows by Reilly Architectural, and painted the area my signature Bedford Gray. Once the room was finished, I filled it with some of my favorite pieces and accessories, including: shades by Bruce + Hansen LLC, vintage Lloyd Loom settees with horsehair pad cushions by Luther Quintana Upholstery, an antique English desk, my Apple MacBook Air in their new gold color I love, desk supplies from my Martha Stewart Office collection at Staples, mirrors I brought down from Skylands, my home in Maine, rare 19th century English papier-mache chairs, and antique sconces. I also brought in my large black canary cage and my flock of Red Factor canaries from Marc Morrone, vintage plant stands and plant stands from my collection on QVC as well as various seasonal houseplants from my greenhouse. You will love the finished result - pick up the issue and take a look at how it all came together. You can also go to marthastewart.com for great ideas on how you can update or transform the rooms in your home.
Here are some photos of the transformation process - enjoy.
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- The first step was to remove the balusters from the original porch, so double-sided sliding glass doors could be installed. The “before” picture is in the March issue of “Living”.
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- These balusters are still in great shape, so they will be stored away and repurposed in a future project.
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- All the original windows into the house are covered and protected.
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- Exterior clapboard siding is removed to make room for vertical wall boards.
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- Here are the wooden boards for the new interior wall.
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- Fernando Ferrari from my crew primes the boards outside on a mild, sunny day.
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- Once the wall boards are primed and dry, they are put in place ready for painting.
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- Any adjustments to the stonework were completed and the floors cleaned.
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- The team from Reilly Architectural installed several double-sided sliding doors on three sides of the room creating unblocked views of the horse paddocks and gardens.
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- Here, the team makes sure everything is level and secure from inside and outside the new space. The windows will allow fresh breezes all summer long.
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- All the windows at the farm have matching custom-fitted bronze screens, so we put the same type of screens on all these doors.
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- These are the new Reilly sidelight windows, which will be positioned perpendicular to the door on both sides.
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- The frame for the new entrance is completed and the sidelight windows are installed.
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- Back inside, everything is properly insulated, so the room is completely usable through all the seasons.
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- Here is my original front door after it’s removed from the old spot and about to go into its new location just feet away.
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- The doorway leading into my foyer is covered to protect it from any dust and debris – this is where the door used to be. You will see the difference it makes to move a door just several feet forward in the March issue of “Living”.
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- Here is a view during the painting phase of the project – everything is coming together so nicely.
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- All the walls are painted my signature Bedford Gray.
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- Next, Bruce + Hansen LLC, installed beautiful shades on all the doors and windows.
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- Everything is measured twice, sometimes three times, to ensure everything is lined up perfectly.
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- After each shade is installed, the chain pulls are tested and cut to the appropriate lengths.
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- On the west side of this room, I decided to put up a black out shade behind the decorative shade because this window gets all the heat in the summertime – it will provide just the perfect amount of shade protection.
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- I wanted to move my darling Red Factor canaries to this area, so I could hear them sing while I worked. Here are my strong outdoor grounds crew members, Chhiring, Pete and Phurba, carrying the cage into the space.
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- The birds will love this new location and all the outdoor views and activity.
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- I needed a desk for this space, so I chose this antique English desk I already had. It was the perfect size for my laptop, a phone and all my needed desktop accessories.
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- We brought it in and experimented with how it was positioned. If you’re trying to place furniture in a room, don’t be afraid to try different formations or directions in which a piece faces – you can always change it back. Be sure to go to my web site at marthastewart.com for great tips and ideas on redecorating and reorganizing any room in your home.
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- Here are all the drawers for the desk – we removed them for easier transport. I labeled where each drawer goes, so everything could be put back properly.
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- I found these decorative medallion curtain holdbacks to place around the room. There are no curtains here, but they add texture and fun to this newly transformed space.
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- As you know, I love houseplants, so I added some in this room right away – beautiful big-leaf alocasias.
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- The houseplants will vary depending on the season, but I love keeping them in this sun-filled space. Here are pots of rhipsalis atop my new black Adjustable Metal Plant Stands and Tables from my collection on QVC.
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- Mirrors with gold leaf trim add a wonderful touch – I just love how the entire room came out. Please see the finished result of our hard work in the March issue of “Living” and learn more about what inspired me to create such a peaceful and inviting space – you will love the story and the photos! This issue is on newsstands now – get yours today!
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