The Farmhouse: New Inspiration for the Classic American Home

by Jean Rehkamp Larson

Farmhouses evoke nostalgic memories -- real or imagined -- of a simpler life and a deep, nourishing connection to the seasons and the land. While most of us dont live that way anymore, we all share a longing for the values that this classic American house form represents.

So what makes a true American farmhouse? A farmhouse is intimately connected to the land and all its seasons, dominates a community of buildings, and is built to last using natural, indigenous materials. These are the core qualities of the farmhouse style, whether old or new.

This remarkable collection of 20 new and remodeled farmhouses celebrates the best American farmhouses built in the past five years. Over 300 photographs beautifully illustrate these homes, and the accompanying site and floor plans, historical sidebars, and up-close details add depth to this rich collection.

With The Farmhouse , Americas quintessential house style is reinvented for the 21st-century family.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 2004

Reviews

[Kim Shults · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took away one good theory: the "accretion" value of the farmhouse vernacular. That is the expansion over time depending on the needs of the family and the availability of funds. Led to a distinctive "rambling" look that is the classic farmhouse.

On the other hand, I didn't care for a lot of the author's pushing of the modern model. I was hoping this showed more of the older methods in newer design and construction. Many were simply contemporary and some were totally incongruous with the theme, and one addition was actually offensive to the model.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

I know a lot of people don't actually read books like this, they just primarily look at the pictures. I'm a reader, I read every word. The descriptions (and pictures) throughout the book were quite good. Usually found some item in the reading that I might have missed if not for the prompting. Also came across several ideas for my dream home, even though it'll be a "retirement" home and not a family abode.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how this book broke down what it means to be a farmhouse. About half of the homes featured were new builds, and half were renovations. Many of them were not on working farms. So it was necessary to point out why this new build with no animals is a farmhouse as well as why the 200 year old working farm qualified. I didn’t like all the houses, especially not the hyper modern styles, but I appreciated fact that the houses were broken down to their basic parts and reassembled, and the most modern houses actually illustrated this best.

[RebL · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a very pretty book, with plenty of words (not just photos), but I just don't like farmhouse style. If you do, and you're thinking about building or remodeling, this might be the inspo book for you.

[Shannan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dated material. Reading this coffee table farmhouse design book 15 years past publication date. A lot of yellow walls and cherry wood.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original as Library, Purchased April 2022

[Kipk]

added to library as resource