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Before & After: A Nearly 400-Year-Old Cape Near Plymouth Rock

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House TourIssue 28 — Good Bones

Before & After: A Nearly 400-Year-Old Cape Near Plymouth Rock

July 10, 2023

“Old homes are, at best, a little scary,” says Anna Allen, and she’s not talking about the potential resident ghosts. “They can have confusing, choppy floor plans, hazardous materials, and some pretty serious issues, depending on their age.”

Perhaps that’s precisely why Broad Oak Farm—a nearly 400-year-old six-bedroom Cape in Hanover, Massachusetts—had gone on- and off-market a total of eight times before Anna and her husband finally took up the torch as its newest stewards in late 2020. “We felt like we’d won the lottery. The previous owners had taken such good care; really, all it needed was some paint,” Anna says.

The home—a humble portion of which was constructed in the 1640’s, before America was even declared a country—was decorated in the theme of classic Americana design, each room bearing its own garish shade of near-primary color. As the couple brushed and rolled their serene white-, taupe-, and slate-hued palette over every wall and cupboard, they paused over areas where chips in the walls offered a kaleidoscope-like glimpse into the past. “This home surprisingly hasn’t had that many owners, but each one has left their mark,” Anna says. “It’s almost comforting knowing that our version of Broad Oak Farm is impermanent, too. It’s like we’re giving the house a pause, letting it breathe, so that the architecture—the history—can speak for itself.”

Let’s take a tour.

Photography by Anna Allen.

After

the rough, hand hewn beams in the kitchen were concealed beneath a modern drop 17
Above: The rough, hand-hewn beams in the kitchen were concealed beneath a modern drop ceiling and uncovered by the previous owner. An antique rug brings warmth to the space, which is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.
of the entire house, the kitchen underwent the most extensive renovation. 18
Above: Of the entire house, the kitchen underwent the most extensive renovation. “Our family friend installed the butcher block counters from LL Flooring,” Anna says. The backsplash, which was sourced from a local stone yard, is Carrara marble. Cabinetry in Coffeehouse Tan by Benjamin Moore feels period appropriate, as does an English-style tap from Perrin & Rowe.
of the sizable island, anna says: “i’d been eyeing it on ebay for 19
Above: Of the sizable island, Anna says: “I’d been eyeing it on eBay for half a year before I finally broke down and bought it. It serves as a visual anchor. Plus, it’s large enough to store all of our cookware.”
in the dining room, an antique table anna found on etsy provides an intimate se 20
Above: In the dining room, an antique table Anna found on Etsy provides an intimate setting for candlelit dinners with friends. Original pumpkin pine floors peek out from under the area rug, which was a gift from Anna’s in-laws. “The floors are really special,” she says. “Some of the planks are over a foot and a half wide.”
“i feel like every house needs one moody room,” anna notes. the w 21
Above: “I feel like every house needs one moody room,” Anna notes. The walls, trim, and built-ins are painted in Soot by Benjamin Moore.
goose, a lab hound mix, lounges on an antique loveseat covered in a ticking str 22
Above: Goose, a lab-hound mix, lounges on an antique loveseat covered in a ticking stripe slipcover crafted by local upholsterer Lisa Connelly.
“the fireplace in the living room is truly enormous,” anna says. 23
Above: “The fireplace in the living room is truly enormous,” Anna says. A sculptural branch Anna’s sister found on the side of the road in Maine is mounted above for scale.
keeping with the rustic, pared back aesthetic, the space features an easy to co 24
Above: Keeping with the rustic, pared-back aesthetic, the space features an easy-to-conceal projector in lieu of a television. A locally sourced circa-1700s chest serves as a coffee table, while an antique rocker from Maine offers a cozy seat by the hearth in cooler months.
the antique chest in the &#8\2\20;reading room&#8\2\2\1;, topped with a 25
Above: The antique chest in the “reading room”, topped with a vase from Terrain, once belonged to Anna’s grandfather. “I purchased the slipcovered couch from Crate & Barrel when we moved in. It was a total splurge, but worth every penny,” Anna says. The vintage photos are of Bar Harbor, Maine, and the walls and trim are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.
on the opposite end of the reading room, a built in cabinet painted in benjamin 26
Above: On the opposite end of the reading room, a built-in cabinet painted in Benjamin Moore’s Annapolis Gray displays Anna’s ever-expanding collection of blue and white china and gold-rimmed champagne flutes.
in the hallway, the wood floors are painted in mopboard black by benjamin moore 27
Above: In the hallway, the wood floors are painted in Mopboard Black by Benjamin Moore. Simple Shaker-style pegs and antique copper bins keep the tight space tidy.
above: “the soapstone sinks the previous owner installed in the mudroom 28
Above: “The soapstone sinks the previous owner installed in the mudroom are true statement pieces,” Anna says. The beadboard is painted in Baby Fawn by Benjamin Moore for a warm contrast to the Simply White walls. An Ikea pendant spotlights a framed painting by Anna’s artist-cousin, Sarah Madeira Day.
above: in the airy south bedroom, an antique rope bed frame is topped with a cl 29
Above: In the airy south bedroom, an antique rope bed frame is topped with a cloud of bedding from Ikea.
above: a handsome clawfoot tub in the guest bath complements vinyl floor tiles 30
Above: A handsome clawfoot tub in the guest bath complements vinyl floor tiles painted in Mopboard Black. “I love this shade of black,” Anna says. “It’s light—so light that, depending on the time of day, it almost looks navy.”
above: goose stands guard over the formal gardens, composed of symmetrically pl 31
Above: Goose stands guard over the formal gardens, composed of symmetrically planted hardy perennials. A path made from cobblestones found on the property leads up to the “coffin door”, which, according to Anna, is exactly what it sounds like. “It’s a fairly common feature in old colonial homes,” Anna says. “These doors are large enough to accommodate the width of a casket and were used when families used to host in-home funerals and wakes.”

Before

above: “i loved that the previous owner had taken down the upper cabinet 32
Above: “I loved that the previous owner had taken down the upper cabinets, but I didn’t love the countertops or color choice,” Anna says of the original cook space.
above: “each room was a different, albeit period appropriate, color. the 33
Above: “Each room was a different, albeit period appropriate, color. The new white, taupe, and slate color scheme provides a blank canvas that allows the home’s unique architectural details to really shine,” Anna says.
above: the former grounds, au naturel. 34
Above: The former grounds, au naturel.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the designer of the Massachusetts remodel project?

The designer of the Massachusetts remodel project is Anna Allen.

What is the name of the house that was remodeled in Massachusetts?

The house that was remodeled in Massachusetts is called Broad Oak Farm.

Are there any before and after photos of the remodel?

Yes, there are before and after photos of the remodel in the article.

Can I find details on the renovation process in the article?

Yes, the article provides detailed information about the renovation process.

Where can I find more information about Anna Allen and her work?

You can find more information about Anna Allen and her work on her website or through a search online.

What is the style of the remodeled house?

The remodeled house features a mix of modern and rustic farmhouse styles.

What is the location of Broad Oak Farm?

Broad Oak Farm is located in Massachusetts.

Are there any sustainable features in the remodel?

Yes, the remodel incorporates sustainable features such as energy-efficient appliances and reclaimed materials.

Can I contact Anna Allen for remodeling services?

You can try contacting Anna Allen through her website or professional channels provided online.

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