A fire began the story
In the hills of Central Vermont, a historic 1850s farmhouse once stood as a symbol of family heritage. When fire claimed this beloved home early in 2024, it threatened to erase generations of precious memories. Our architectural firm, Arocordis Design, is now helping this family create a new chapter in their story through thoughtful Vermont modern farmhouse design that connects their rich past to an exciting future.
"Learning our family home had burned when I was away was devastating," shares Kathy N., our client in Central Vermont. "Finding an architect who truly understands Vermont's homes and what they mean to families has helped us see this as a chance to build something special both for me and family members who will live there after I do."
Destroyed 1850s farmhouse showing fire damage.
Creating New Vermont Homes with Soul
Every magnificent home design starts with listening and looking. When Sticks and Stones Construction, LLC brought this family to our firm, we knew their project needed exceptional care. Their land had been in the family for over 150 years. The new home we would design had to honor their deep connection to their land, views to nearby meadows, pastures, and views. It also had to keep the spirit of the lost farmhouse demolished mid-summer while meeting modern family needs.
The original farmhouse showed the best of Vermont building traditions. Walking through it with the family after the fire broke my heart. I saw for myself the fire and smoke damaged foot wide plank floors, hand-hewn beams, the destroyed family wood stove holding court in the center of the family kitchen and so much more. All those memories are gone.
View of smoke damaged ceiling hand-hewn support timbers
Destroyed family wood stove
Extra-wide wood plank flooring throughout.
Now, we're working with the family to create a home that keeps these traditions alive while adding modern comfort and energy efficiency to their modern farmhouse design. This creative balance of old and new is at the heart of our approach to custom minimal farmhouse design in Vermont and our architectural practice.
How We Design Your Custom Vermont Home
Instead of starting with drawings for this project, we began by getting to know the family. We learned how they lived in their old home; areas of the property they thought would be great homesites, and what they dream of for their new one. They also shared images of new modern farmhouse design homes that inspired them. All of this helped us understand both the practical features they needed and the special touches that would make their house feel like home. They especially wanted to reuse where possible cleaned up hand-hewn timber beams from the lost home.
As we moved into the design phase, we worked closely with the family to explore site planning and home layout ideas. Together, we looked at how traditional Vermont farmhouse features could work with modern family life. After three design options, the result is a modern farmstead design that feels familiar, while offering all the conveniences of a new home.
A Modern Vermont Farmhouse Design
Eastern elevation of the proposed new modern farmhouse.
The new relatively compact home design speaks the language of Vermont architecture like many of our projects like, the Rustic Modern Farmhouse, while offering modern comfort. The main shape of the house follows the gentle slope of the land, just as Vermont farms and farmhouses have done for generations. A long front porch faces east to catch the morning sun and frame beautiful mountain views. It also faces the working barns across the country road. Upstairs, a continuous shed dormer adds both charm and interior bedroom space, while matching the patterns of nearby historic homes.
Inside, we've chosen materials that tell a new story. Wide plank floors, reminiscent of those in the original home, add warmth throughout the house. Local craftspeople will create custom details, from ceiling woodwork to built-in cabinets, counter and tilework in the kitchen and baths, carrying on Vermont's tradition of craft and fine woodworking while taking a new direction in modern farmhouse design.
Building for Vermont Family Life Today and Tomorrow
While respecting tradition, we've carefully added features that make this modern farmhouse home ready for the future. The layout works for both today's needs and tomorrow's changes, with an accessible bedroom and full bathroom on the main floor. We've included the latest energy-saving features and smart home technology, all carefully chosen to work well in Vermont's climate.
We've created spaces where family traditions can continue and grow. The open kitchen and living room provide ample room for holiday gatherings. Quiet corners throughout the house offer peaceful spots to read or relax. We planned every window to frame a special view and every room to make daily life easier and more enjoyable.
Single-level-living for future flexibility.
Rear view of the western elevation.
Access from the garage is all on the same level as the ground floor of the house. A small step up to the covered porch from the walkway leading from the driveway makes it easy for visitors of all ages to stop by. Generous hallways and turning area space are found throughout the bottom level to ease access and flexibility. This approach help meets the growing demand here in Vermont for aging in place friendly modern farmhouse design.
The Living and Dining Areas
On the eastern side of the main floor the living and dining areas bracket the gracious main entry off the front porch. A central stair goes upstairs. Throughout the spaces coffered ceilings carry on the theme from home lost to the fire. Tasteful lighting is interspersed with easy to control features. Strategic window placement help connect inside to outside.
Living room view through porch to nearby country road.
View from dining room through front porch.
The Main Bedroom Suite
The main bedroom suite on the ground floor sits toward the back of the home plan with meadow views. An accessible ready yet beautiful bathroom occupies the center of the home. A door from the living room provides easy toilet access for everyday living while still connecting to the bedroom and walking in another way. This budget and space saving idea does away with the need to build a separate powder room.
Main bedroom on the easy to access ground floor.
The Main Level Bathroom
A wide double vanity sink, and a pair of medicine cabinets anchor the bathroom. Linear glass wall tiles with stone accents cover the wall near wet areas. We show a zero-threshold walk-in shower and separate soaking tub.
Bathroom view towards soaking tub nook with meadow views.
Grab bars embrace the toilet and provide safety and stability in the shower enclosure. Dark metal hardware matches the kitchen fixtures, cabinet and drawer pulls. Slate flooring ties together with the kitchen.
Open concept kitchen with side door to outside grilling area and mudroom on the right.
Kitchen Elegance and Convenience
The kitchen has a special barn door and more dark metal hardware fronting an easy to access pantry. There is a window over the dual sinks looking towards the meadow beyond.
Modern conveniences will abound. They include simple shaker style cabinet doors, eat-in engineered stone counters, and under wall cabinet lighting. Glass and stone wall tile backsplash and stainless-steel appliances will complete the updated kitchen experience. A side kitchen door leads to a covered grill area with clear visual connection to the sink window for easy communication between family members.
Two-bedrooms Await Upstairs
The central stair with the modern cable-railing will guide visiting family and friend’s upstairs to two bedrooms, a sitting area looking east and a shared bath. The sizes of the bedrooms are like one another. Both have east-facing windows to catch the rising sun and mountain views.
Detail of central stair with cable railing and view to kitchen beyond.
More Than Just a House - A Part of Vermont's Story
This project goes beyond building a new home - it's about keeping a family's connection to their Vermont land alive for generations to follow. On a scenic road in Central Vermont, the new modern farmhouse design style home will fit beautifully among its historic neighbors while showing how new houses can respect the past and embrace the future. The project is on pause at the end of this design phase while the owner focuses on other priorities related to recovering from the fire. We hope to revisit it next year.
Start Your Vermont Home Design Journey
For over 20 years, we've been designing custom homes throughout Vermont, from Stowe to Montpelier, from Waterbury to Calais, and beyond to Burke, Ryegate, White River Junction, Tunbridge, and the Woodstock region. Every project comes with its own story and special needs. Whether you're:
Planning to build a new custom home
Rebuilding after a loss
Making major additions and or renovations to your current home
We bring deep knowledge of Vermont architecture together with fresh ideas for modern living. Ready to talk about your Vermont home? Let's start with a free consultation to explore your ideas. Together, we can create a home that your family will love for generations to come.
Contact us today: Phone: 802-448-0056
Or if you want to learn more about the work we do and want to see more portfolio examples, click on the button below. It will take you to recent projects, works in progress, as well as our fine selection of easily adaptable prototype houses.
Arocordis Design, a custom home architect, has served Vermont families since 2010. We provide licensed architectural services throughout Central Vermont, including Waterbury, Stowe, Montpelier, Calais and beyond. We also serve the Burke, St. Johnsbury, White River Junction, Tunbridge, and the Woodstock regions.
**Disclaimer:** The information provided in this post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Please consult a licensed architect or qualified professional in your area for guidance specific to your situation.