UPSTATE GLORY A New York State farmhouse has been lovingly preserved to reflect its fascinating history

The sensitive renovation of an 18th-century New York State farmhouse prompted a journey of discovery for its owners

If walls could talk, this 18th-century farmhouse belonging to Andrew Arrick and his husband Michael Hofemann would surely have some great yarns. By the turn of the last century, the house, which was originally the homestead for a 100-acre orchard, had become the Locust Rest and Tea Stop, a favoured break point on the journey between Albany and New York City. Preserving its fascinating history has been a challenge this couple have embraced with sensitivity and joy, feeling a gut pull to the house from the outset. ‘We had friends in the area and enjoyed visiting nearby Hudson, which is famed for its antiques shops,’ says Andrew. ‘The sale of the house was prompted by the most casual of internet searches, but when we viewed it we were utterly seduced and within a month the sale had gone through.’

Andrew and Michael initially intended to use the house as a weekend retreat, but after a few years they decided to leave their loft in Brooklyn and, in 2012, became permanent residents of the countryside. ‘Our families thought we were mad as we had no furniture for this 3,800-square-foot house and spent our first few days getting beds delivered and purchasing a few items in Hudson,’ says Andrew. Buying pieces that suited the period of the house became an obsession that lead to the founding of Finch Hudson, the pair’s antiques and lifestyle shop in the local town. ‘My father is a dentist-turned-antiques dealer, so it runs in the family,’ says Andrew. The quest for furniture took the couple all over the world, finding gems in England, Denmark, Sweden and, more locally, at the Brimfield Antique Flea Markets in Massachusetts. The house now acts as a shifting canvas for pieces that pass through dealers to Finch customers via the store.

Work on the renovation took place over several years and, as Andrew explains, new jobs continually crop up. For Andrew, an enthusiastic cook, refitting the 1970s kitchen was a top priority, in addition to replacing the 25 windows and sills, and rebuilding the pantry on more solid foundations. ‘We had to tear it off the house as it had been originally built straight onto the ground and was falling apart,’ says Andrew. The interior has been painted in neutral tones that set off the eclectic furnishings and light fittings to their best advantage.

The house is rarely without guests and the couple, who are keen hosts, took advantage of the free-flowing space on the ground floor to make visitors feel comfortable. Dubbed ‘the keeping room’, the sitting room, which is just beyond the front door and next to the kitchen, makes a fine place to settle guests with cocktails in four vintage armchairs. The kitchen refit itself was modelled after an antique cabinet the couple bought in Hudson, which is now in the pantry.

‘With four acres of land, the farm felt manageable,’ says Andrew. ‘Michael is an avid gardener and has established amazing vegetable beds as well as wild flowers and perennials all around the property. The house has great bones and we love that it’s such a quintessential upstate farm property. There are beautiful mature trees surrounding us, such as the 150-year-old silver maples.’ Respectful of both the land and buildings, the renovation has ensured that the heritage of this farm is exquisitely preserved in a time capsule that will enthral future generations.

SITTING ROOM Transforming and preserving the Federal Colonial farmhouse has taken several years. Now, in here, four chairs are the perfect spot for a cocktail when friends arrive. Woman in a Blouse artwork by Isaac Soyer. Rug, FJ Kashanian

HALLWAY Andrew and Michael’s oil paintings draw the eye up the stairs, which are covered in a hardy runner that’s both functional and understated. Stair runner, Dash & Albert at Annie Selke

DINING ROOM The drawers of this antique worker’s table are where table linen is stored. Vintage chairs were given seat pads made from 19th-century German grain sacks. Table and chairs sourced at Brimfield Antique Flea Markets. St Antoine wallpaper, Farrow & Ball BEDROOM (opposite, top left) White walls enable the rich tonality of antique wood and paintings to become the focus here. PANTRY A piece of antique cabinetry was adapted by a local carpenter and inspired the rest of the kitchen cupboards. KITCHEN (opposite, bottom left) An original sign from when the house was an inn is a reminder of the room’s old identity. Try 1stdibs for a similar grandfather clock LIBRARY Furnishings from different eras – like this mid-century sofa and 1930s Danish chair – sit harmoniously together. Walls in White Dove, Benjamin Moore

BEDROOM The rich tones of the bobbin bed and makeshift crate bedside table echo the timber on the ceiling. Cushion, for similar try Parna. The White Company has a similar rug

CLOAKROOM A pair of portraits is a grandiose touch in this otherwise rustic space. Artwork, for similar try Puckhaber

BATHROOM Slimline wainscot panelling and dark grey walls are a smart combination. The green-hued marble used on the vanity unit came from an old hotel. Walls in Kendall Charcoal, Benjamin Moore. Similar marble-top vanity unit, Catchpole & Rye