Hillside Farmhouse

With Medieval overtones, this shingled house is anchored by a great hall of reclaimed wood, with a musicians’ gallery at one end.

Farm Villa combines imagery of the New England farmhouse with that of the Neoclassical European villa. Columns vary according to a hierarchy of formality: plain square white columns for the entry porch, monumental paneled columns for the view-facing porch, and locally-milled timbers with metal connections for the outbuildings.

The plan is largely one room deep to encourage cross ventilation and to take advantage of water views to the north, while admitting sunlight from the south. The flavor is influenced by an informal rustic camp next door.

The first floor functions as a living room in the summer with French doors that open to the view. At the end of the season, the furniture is moved aside to make room for the pick-up truck. Lanterns suspended from the points of the roof are standard mooring balls fitted with light bulbs inside.