Historic pre- revolutionary treasure/
One of the unique aspects afforded by living in New England is the strong connection we have to our history. In 1769, before the American Revolution, when America was still a British colony, the land where the antique colonial at 21 Old Farm Road in Weston now sits was deeded to William Osborne. Today, hanging in the front hallway of that home, is a copy of the original deed to the land, signed by King George III himself, the King who would eventually lose the American colonies in the Revolutionary War. The house remained with the Osborne family for generations, until it was purchased by the McCormick family in the 1970s. The McCormicks sold the home in 1993 to the current owners, who are only the third family to have lived in the house in the past 250 years.
Today, this cherished three/ four- bedroom home has been preserved to honor its past while providing modern comfort. Most of the rooms have a southeastern exposure, with views of the yard and gardens. The level, threeplus acres include a small orchard, spring- fed pond with perennial gardens, and woods with tall spruce trees and mature acacias. There is also a quarter- acre, fenced organic garden, chicken coop, and composting area. A European- style patio connects the house with the kitchen garden and yard, creating a favorite gathering spot in the spring, summer, and fall. The kitchen is at the heart of the house, with three wings extending around it. The oldest wing dates from 1771. The second wing was renovated and updated in the late 1990s, and the third wing was added in 2005, creating a total of 3,895 square feet.
The wide- plank oak, chestnut, and pine board flooring and hand- hewn exposed timber beams were one of the first things that attracted the owners to the home, along with the original hardware, plaster walls, and bubbled windowpanes. “Our goal has been to preserve the original home, while making it more efficient, secure, and sustainable,” said the owners. “The design has been wonderfully flexible for our changing lifestyle phases— from starting a family, to giving space to teens and their friends, to work- from- home emptynesters.” The owners are passionate chefs with their own YouTube cooking series. They designed the kitchen themselves and do much of the filming for the show in the kitchen and gardens. “We love cooking with the double ovens, the sixburner gas cooktop, and the soapstone island and sink,” the owners added. “In the winter, we move a sofa in front of the woodburning stove in the kitchen. It’s our favorite place to curl up and read the Sunday paper.”
In the dining room, the wood paneling and fireplace make a cozy setting for an intimate dinner party or holiday feast. The family room features a gas fireplace, along with high ceilings and wood beams, setting the stage to host film screenings and Oscars parties.
Simultaneously cozy and spacious, many rooms have been repurposed to include multiple guest rooms, two private offices, as well as client and intern work areas. A studio/ inlaw apartment was built in 2005 to accommodate the owners’ expanding TV production business which could also be converted to a primary suite. The addition includes a pantry and laundry room downstairs, and a large, bright space above the garage with a private office, full bathroom, and kitchenette. This has also been used as a yoga studio and Airbnb.