Historic Farmhouse in Shelby, North Carolina receives rehabilitation

Originally The Suttle home, now known as Twin Chimney Farms – Historic home of 200 plus years gets renovation & rehabilitation.

The opportunity to work in a historic home is a unique endeavor which allowed us the opportunity to be creative in establishing a new functional space while challenging us to stay true to the character of the home.

Questions & Answers: 

Because this was a collaboration of the designer, contractor, interior designer & the homeowner, we have answers from the entire group.   We hope the answers will help you understand the complexity of this project.

Owner of Walker Woodworking & Greenbrook Design – Travis Walker

Designer – Greenbrook Design

Interior Designer – Wendi Gragg ( Wendi Gragg Interiors)

Contractor –  Tony Brooks ( Beam, Edwards & Brooks Construction)

Homeowner of  Twin Chimney Farms – Jack & Carole Arey

What is ONE WORD that you would use to describe this  process? 

Collaboration – Wendi

Partnership – Greenbrook

What was the greatest challenge faced in the entirety of the  project? 

To design the addition to complement the character of the home. – Tony

Sourcing and utilizing the reclaimed heart pine material. – Greenbrook

• What obstacles did you face in using the reclaimed wood?
  • The easy part was the nails and bolts we had to remove. We scanned the wood with a metal detector. The hard part was the amount of pitch and resin in the wood. This was tough on the knives, blades, and sandpaper, and very hard on the machinery. – Travis Walker

What personal contribution to the project are you most proud of?

Designing and implementing the storage under the stairs. – Greenbrook

It’s the small elements we did to make you feel like the new materials were original to the house. – Tony

Meeting the clients expectations. – Wendi

What is the best feature or biggest asset to your newly remodeled home?

The heart pine wood used throughout the new addition blended perfectly with the 200 year old part of the house.  – Carole Arey (homeowner)

If given the chance to rewind, what, if anything, would you have done differently?

No regrets. – Greenbrook

Take more before pictures – Tony 

The end result exceeded our expectations. – Carole Arey

How was it beneficial for you to work alongside a panel of professionals (Contractors, Designers, etc.) as a collaborative team to complete the project?

Everyone knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to work together to leave our mark on a masterpiece. – Tony

It was great to work with a team that you trust and can depend on to meet the highest level of craftsmanship. – Wendi

We knew from the beginning that the entire project would be challenging.  We had to have the best team we could find to pull everything together – professionals who were sensitive to our achieving our ultimate goal.  This was our third time working with Walker Woodworking.  There was never a question who would design and build our cabinets for the addition.  They are the best! – Carole Arey

What were your initial thoughts when selected to complete this historic renovation?

I didn’t hesitate at all. The Arey’s are repeat clients and there was no way I was going to let another firm complete the work. I knew it was going to be a “labor of love”, but I was eager to take it on. – Travis 

What was your design inspiration for the this project?  

This historic home has its own personality.  Keeping in tune to that kept all the selections cohesive.   – Wendi

How did you incorporate the preserved features of the home? 

In the small details, such as the beadboard, shower tile and custom stains on the floors & cabinets to match the 200 year old pine in the main home. – Wendi

If you had to rate Walker Woodworking / Greenbrook Design for an overall satisfaction grade, what would your score be? 10 = highest – 1 lowest.

Walker Woodworking is a 10, no question.  You deliver a great product and your team of people through the entire process was fantastic.   

Carole Arey       

Project Information: Historic Home Renovation & Addition

Designer: Greenbrook Design

Cabinets: Walker Woodworking

Interior Design: Wendi Grigg

Contractor: Tony Brooks 

Architect – Jerry McGinnis   

Photography: Darin Holiday of Electric films 

Location: Shelby, NC

Features and Details:

Kitchen & Back Porch:

Build Method:  Inset

Wood Species & finishes: Reclaimed Heart pine w/ Vieux Chateau Flat finish

Countertop: 1 1/4″ Heart pine w/ Vieux Chateau Flat finish

• Utensil divider drawer
• Utensil storage pull out
• Knife block
• Antique glass
• Silverware drawer
• Peg drawer
• Double trash pull out
• Paneled appliances
• Valance board
• Farm sink (original to the home on back porch)

Kitchen Island & Pantry:

Build Method:  Inset

Wood Species & finishes: Reclaimed Heart pine w/ Hunting Lodge Gray Stain Flat finish

Countertop: 1 1/4″ Heart pine w/Hunting Lodge Gray Stain Flat finish

Master Bath:

Build Method:  Inset

Wood Species & finishes: Painted Maple – Sherwin Williams Halcycon Green Satin finish

Countertop: Solid Surface

• mirror frames
• outlet covers

Closet:

Wood Species & finishes: Melamine  – Wild Apple Rust finish

Door Style: Slab

• 2 hamper tilt outs
• pants pull out
• belt & tie pull out
• valet rod
• ORB closet rods
• Mirrored door

Half Bath:

Build Method:  Inset

Wood Species & finishes: Painted Maple – Benjamin Moore – White Dove Satin finish w/ dry brush medium

Hardware: Top knobs Saddle M1218 ORB

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