This home was once a farmhouse in the Historical District in Barrington, Illinois. When the Shoults family discovered the potential of the property, they were sold. With the help of a fantastic architect, who specializes in historical preservation, the family worked to create a gorgeous home while adhering to the architectural standards of the historical district. I love the simplicity to it. Grey walls, white trim, black floors and gorgeous black and white photography of the family taken by Lori herself!

The family had found an image of their dream home in Metropolitan Home that they fell in love with. When they found this property in Barrington, the inspiration came to life as they created their home. The similarities between their existing home and their inspiration are pretty spot on. The farmhouse came to life and the rest is history.

Our Style: I would describe our style as minimalist, industrial and modern farmhouse.

Inspiration: We built our first home 20 years ago in a conservation community called Prairie Crossing in Grayslake, Illinois and we fell in love with farmhouses. During that time we found an image in Metropolitan Home of a farmhouse in Vermont that we used many years later as an inspiration for our house in Barrington. The similarities between the house in Vermont and the original house we bought in Barrington were pretty remarkable.

Favorite Element: We hired an amazing architect (Jamie Simoneit of Z+O, ai in Glen Ellyn, Illinois) who specializes in historical preservation. One of my favorite things about the house is the way Jamie designed the house on a center line that runs from front to back. When you walk in the front door you can see all the way through the house to a window in the mudroom looking out to the backyard. While the house is quite long it gives it a feeling of being connected. My favorite area of the house is the open kitchen/eating area/family room where we spend so much of our time!

Biggest Challenge: It took us almost two years to make our way through the full Architectural Review Committee process and then almost another two years to rehab and add the addition to the home. The biggest challenge was the historical preservation of the exterior of the home. Every detail had to be approved; from the width of the siding to the addition of the front wrap-around porch to the metal roofing to the all wood windows we were required to use. We actually tried to get an all-metal roof approved similar to the one on the house in Vermont. In the end they approved metal roofing on the garage and over the porches.

Proudest DIY: The bed in the guest bedroom. My husband Kevin built the bed frame out of plumbers pipe. We made the headboard out of new cedar that we beat up a bit. We used a cloth to wipe on a mixture of paint and stain. My daughter Casey wrote the words on it.

Biggest Indulgence: The all-wood windows, the custom cabinets, the stainless steel island, and the industrial sprayers in the kitchen, mudroom and laundry room.

Best Advice: White trim and a good gray paint color and lots of stainless steel.

Dream Sources: Restoration Hardware and a good flea market.

PAINT & COLORS
Benjamin Moore – Stonington Gray and Platinum

ENTRY
Round Table/Light Fixture – Restoration Hardware
Rug – Pottery Barn
Armoire – Schuler Furniture – Jaynesville, WI

LIVING ROOM
Couch/Chairs/Bookcase/Coffee Table/Mirror – Restoration Hardware
Rug – Pottery Barn
Frames – Pottery Barn

DINING ROOM
Table/Chairs/Light Fixture – Restoration Hardware
Frames – Pottery Barn

KITCHEN
Stove and Hood – Wolf
Refrigerators – Sub Zero
Industrial Sprayer – Elkay
Gooseneck Faucet – Waterworks
Cabinets – Custom – Amish – Yost Miller
Countertops – Black Honed Granite/Carrera Marble
Stainless Steel Island – Custom

EATING AREA
Table – Schuler Furniture – Jaynseville, WI
Chairs – Crate and Barrel
Barstools – Tolix

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