A Historic Farmhouse in Washington Shines After a Brightening Restoration
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1/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottDePerno and Andrew Fry describe their circa-1900 house in Washington, CT, as a classic vernacular farmhouse with Arts & Crafts detailing. A screened gazebo, of sorts—which the owners rebuilt and use often for alfresco dining—came with the property.Photographss By Ellen McDermottDePerno and Andrew Fry describe their circa-1900 house in Washington, CT, as a classic vernacular farmhouse with Arts & Crafts detailing. A screened gazebo, of sorts—which the owners rebuilt and use often for alfresco dining—came with the property.
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2/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe homeowners positioned vintage wicker furniture on the front porch.Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe homeowners positioned vintage wicker furniture on the front porch.
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3/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottA bow bridge vaults the narrow—but mellifluous—Kirby Brook that courses the property.Photographss By Ellen McDermottA bow bridge vaults the narrow—but mellifluous—Kirby Brook that courses the property.
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4/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottChairs, spotted at a local tag sale, work well in the yard; the house’s barn assumes a dignified presence on the property.Photographss By Ellen McDermottChairs, spotted at a local tag sale, work well in the yard; the house’s barn assumes a dignified presence on the property.
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5/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottIt was at the foyer that the homeowners first had the idea to paint all of the home’s existing woodwork and trim white. “That established a harmonious backdrop for everything we added here,” says Michael DePerno. Elements include an antique English Campaign writing chest, a Chippendale chair and an antique Oriental rug laid atop a sisal.Photographss By Ellen McDermottIt was at the foyer that the homeowners first had the idea to paint all of the home’s existing woodwork and trim white. “That established a harmonious backdrop for everything we added here,” says Michael DePerno. Elements include an antique English Campaign writing chest, a Chippendale chair and an antique Oriental rug laid atop a sisal.
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6/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe homeowners found the kitchen work island before closing on the house; it now serves as a regular dining spot.Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe homeowners found the kitchen work island before closing on the house; it now serves as a regular dining spot.
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7/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottA clipping from the garden works as a natural accent.
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8/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe living room is furnished with a lolling chair upholstered in a Rose Tarlow fabric. Modern elements include a circular, carved stone sculpture and a painting by Ronald Bladen.Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe living room is furnished with a lolling chair upholstered in a Rose Tarlow fabric. Modern elements include a circular, carved stone sculpture and a painting by Ronald Bladen.
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9/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottA vintage Kaare Klint sofa fills a bay window area of the dining room; two Danish chairs are grouped at the antique Empire table, while an antique caned chair serves as additional seating.Photographss By Ellen McDermottA vintage Kaare Klint sofa fills a bay window area of the dining room; two Danish chairs are grouped at the antique Empire table, while an antique caned chair serves as additional seating.
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10/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottA cabinet in the dining room is filled with everyday china.
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11/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottA tableau, of sorts, in a corner of the dining room includes an American sidetable on top of which is a vintage Nigerian basket and a 19th-century French bronze sculpture.Photographss By Ellen McDermottA tableau, of sorts, in a corner of the dining room includes an American sidetable on top of which is a vintage Nigerian basket and a 19th-century French bronze sculpture.
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12/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe home’s top-floor office is a contemplative space with an inviting window seat. A mounted dance tunic becomes a multidimensional work of art; the lidded basket is from the Philippines.Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe home’s top-floor office is a contemplative space with an inviting window seat. A mounted dance tunic becomes a multidimensional work of art; the lidded basket is from the Philippines.
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13/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe master bedroom features an antique pencil-post English bed; the African shield is an antique, as is the circa-1930 American fan, an object both decorative and practical.Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe master bedroom features an antique pencil-post English bed; the African shield is an antique, as is the circa-1930 American fan, an object both decorative and practical.
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14/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe couple’s dog Fennie reclines on a George Smith sofa in a sitting room adjacent to the master bedroom; the painting is by Fabio Herrera.Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe couple’s dog Fennie reclines on a George Smith sofa in a sitting room adjacent to the master bedroom; the painting is by Fabio Herrera.
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15/15Photographss By Ellen McDermottThe master bathroom also has its share of antiques.
This article appears in the September 2019 issue of CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens).
