Isn’t it funny how some interior design remains current despite the test of time?
Case in point: Peri Wolfman’s farmhouse, featured in Country Living magazine almost two decades ago (in July 1997).
I rediscovered photos of her home after I bought a stack of old magazines at an antique store. I knew that I’d find ideas that I wanted to share with you (and I have and I will), but Peri’s house deserves a post all its own.
I love (or appreciate) all of the following design features:
- a warm neutral palette in shades of white, creamy yellow and light green to successfully achieve, as Peri was quoted in the article, “a look that was spare but not austere”.
- wonderful natural light throughout the home including french doors in the living room that open to the expansive countryside
- LOTS of comfortable and casual seating in the living room, slipcovered for easy maintenance
- Open living and dining and a wide entryway to the kitchen, providing plenty of visual space, but still providing separation (which I personally like) between the invariable messiness of a kitchen and the dining area
- in the dining room, a huge farmhouse table with beautiful green chairs and a wonderful yellow cabinet, perfect for storing necessary dining things like placemats
- a large 12×18 kitchen with shaker-style cabinetry, open shelving, a large Viking stove, a nice two-bowl soapstone sink with two faucets and two dishwashers (allowing two people to clean up quickly), a large island (a repurposed mid-1800s French baker’s table) and a very handy walk-in pantry with a screen door . . . and again, lots of natural light
- a butler’s pantry with gorgeous vintage shelving (in my favorite shade of green), perfect for holding a pretty collection of copper pans and a very nice collection of serving dishes
- a vintage-style bathroom with a cute crescent moon door, a clawfoot tub, a custom vanity with double sinks, easy-to-clean galvanized metal countertops and lots of countertop space, and matching medicine cabinets with an antiqued painting finish
- a fun guest room, perfect for grandchildren or single adults
- a cozy laundry room with built-in linen storage on the second floor close to all of the bedrooms
- a pretty entryway with a lovely green piece of furniture, perfect for laying down mail, keys, shopping bags, etc.
- a gorgeous barn with carriage house style doors
- a relaxing backyard with a plain but oh-so-serene swimming pool
- a more-than-ample floor plan — certainly more square footage than Mark and I would ever need in our lifetime, but then again, we don’t have kids and grandkids
Take a look at these photos and let me know if you agree or disagree. I’m interested in knowing your opinion.
All images shared with the express written permission of Country Living magazine and the photographer, Keith Scott Morton. The architect, Larry Bogdanow, is now deceased.
I had to keep going back and forth looking at the pictures of this house and wouldn’t change a thing, its hard to believe it’s from 1997. In old magazines things can look dated, but this house is representative of today’s decorating and that pool was a surprise. I could find myself being very comfortable in that house and that marble topped table – loved the corners. And the colors – yum. Thanks for sharing.
I hear ya, Heather. I could move right in, that’s for sure.
OH my LOVE THIS!
I’m not a big yellow and green fan, but I’ve always loved this farmhouse. I saved this magazine just for this house. I do miss the fabulous houses Country Living used to post.
I love both yellow and green, but I do agree that the paint colors could be a tad too much for some and perhaps even me. At least the colors were subtle! I do tend to like “barely a color” colors.
I saved this magazine too! I look through it at least once a year.
I really do wish they’d start publishing Country Home once a month again!
I was so smitten by this house that I went searching for the magazine! Found it on eBay. It is so close to the look I want for my little vintage farm cottage that I’m building! So glad you shared! Thank you!
Awesome! I’m delighted to hear that, Barbara!
This looks like it could be in a magazine from today.
I just cleaned out my potting shed where I found three totes full of Country Living and Country Home
Magazines from the early and mid 1980’s. I think I might take a little time to look at some of them.
Blessings
Oh my goodness, what a treasure trove! I love looking at old magazines.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s gorgeous. The only thing I would change out would be the lamps. She needs some drum shades at least.
I also snatch up old decorating magazines, especially Country Living.
Country Home and Country Living are both favorites of mine.
Thanks for reminding me of how influential this magazine article has been to my decorating style. I move away from it at times then find myself right back where I began.
You’re so welcome, Peggy Jo!
Kim – I remember this issue and how I fell in love with her farm house all those years ago. Indeed it does seem very much in style with design and styles of today. I wonder how much has been changed in this house, since 1997? Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I’m pinning to my board for ideas of a remodel of our cottage. Best, Kim
Yeah, I distinctly remember when I saw it the first time, and some of the rooms I tore out of the magazine long ago and filed them away. When I came across the old magazine, I thought, “Oh, I need to feature the kitchen on Friday Favorites …. no the living room! …. oh my gosh, I love that little shelf . . .” and I quickly realized Peri’s home was well-suited for a “One Cool House” feature.
To me my goal in decorating is to make it timeless so in 18 yrs from now, like this article, I do not shudder wondering what I was thinking! Heritage and neutral colors and antique furnishings will never get old for me. I do still have a number of pine topped pieces I painted that Hunter green that was popular in the early 90’s and want to repaint those otherwise have mostly accomplished a non-faddy house . My winter project is purging the bsmt and I have yrs of old 80’s and 90’s Country Living and Country Homes and have never wanted to part with them as I still enjoy them – thanks for posting this!
OMG Kim, I couldnt believe it when I saw the article on your blog about Peri Wolfman’s home. I discovered your blog through Eclectically Vintage. I have loved Peri’s home since I first saw it back in 1997. I first fell in love with Country Living magazine and had every one since about 1991, when I saw the Peri Wolfman home it was love at first sight. It was like someone had gone into my mind and designed my perfect home.
I was even inspired to do a correspondence Interior Design course and did a whole project on her home. So after about 20 years of waiting for our first home we were finally able to build and designed our own home all based around the design and style of Peri’s home.
I still have the whole article laminated, lol. I have also looked all over the web to find pictures of that home to no avail so it is wonderful to look at them all again, thank you.
I also love your home, which is beautiful and inspires me as well.
Cheers
Debbie
Okuku, New Zealand.
I am so delighted to have blogged about something that touched your heart, Debbie! Thanks so much for liking what we do!
Debbie, reading your comment, that you had searched the web for more pictures of the home to no avail, I have to thank you. You’ve saved me as I totally intended to do it! lol….
Did you see the article on the McAshan gardens in our very own state in Round Top that were also featured in the issue? Another day trip!
Yes indeed! I love that garden — the raised beds especially.
My goodness, I have looked for this issue for many years and by serendipity I threw in a few terms on Yahoo looking for stories on Peri’s new place (“Peri” and “farmhouse” ). I found it in NYT but also your Blog with this fab photos and article. I use to watch the old E Style Channel and they did stories on Peri’s loft and Hampton’s house which I had taped back in the mid 90’s 0n VHS. The tape was lost or taped over. Horrors!!
Thank you, thank you.
You’re so welcome! Glad to the cause of year-end joy. 🙂