Integrating house and garden is Kevin Reiner's trademark - and the key to the revival of his farmhouse.

New Living Room

Simplicity of lines and trim harmonized new construction with old. In the new living room, French doors blur the transition between indoors and out, while white cotton slipcovers and a sisal rug create a relaxed atmosphere.



Harvest Dining Room

This 10-foot harvest table was rescued from an old general store; its linoleum surface peeled away to reveal honest wood beneath, which Kevin finished with a light coat of wax. The surrounding chairs are as individual as Kevin's frequent dinner-party guests.




Kitchen

Paneled cabinets painted a sober dark gray (Ralph Lauren's Surrey) lend a pantry ambience to the kitchen area. Classic marble on the counters emphasizes the sleek utility of the stainless steel Viking range.




Woodworking

Painted poplar-wood paneling (custom-built by a local carpenter) was inspired by wainscoting Kevin spotted in an old house in the historic German Village district of Columbus, Ohio. A three-inch-wide shelf that completes the upper edge also provides an opportunity for display. The rustic sideboard strikes an authentically rural note in this transitional space between new and old areas of the house.




Oversize Bathroom

Kevin created this oversize bathroom by removing a closet and part of the upstairs hallway. He kept the original claw-foot bathtub, adding fixtures and hardware to enable its use as a shower. The door, like most in the house, is salvaged; the differences in style from door to door reinforce the house-with-a-history feel Kevin sought.




Renovated Bedroom

Maximize usable space in small rooms, such as designing windows to open outward.




Paint Choices

The dark paint color in Kevin's second-floor office (Ralph Lauren's Grange Hall) distinguishes the space. However, he feels a small house such as his requires restraint: "I use no less than three and no more than five paint colors in similar tones throughout the house to create a flow."









Photo credit: Don Freeman