Ways to Modernize a Farmhouse

The new home’s porches glow like lanterns at night.

Located off the dining room, the deep covered porch features an outdoor countertop and sink for washing vegetables on their way from the garden to the table.

Before the Moumings built their house, they camped out on their six acres while preparing the land for farming, planting grass and clover in place of soybean stubble. As the house arose from its foundation, soil-fixing plants grew from seed. Now the couple can focus on growing food.

Homeowner Tom Givone states, “The hope has been to combine archaic and modern elements in a way that would enhance the beauty of each by virtue of its contrast with the other." While the table is situated in front of the house’s rear wall of skyscraper glass. The laminated kitchen cabinets by Ikea are framed in wraparound bluestone; the 48-inch commercial range is by FiveStar. Photo by: Mark Mahaney

For a bit of elevation in the overwhelmingly horizontal compound, step onto the deck of the Stealth Barn. A strip of mowed grass delineates a path between the two structures; otherwise the grasses grow wild.

Bold color continues in the entrance hall. The bench is from an antiques fair.

Seed Bank illustration by Wendy McNaughton/Modern Farmer.