Photos by DM Creative + Design
It may be history. It might even be apocryphal. But as the story goes, this cheery red barn in Rochester’s southwest “Pill Hill” neighborhood once housed William Mayo’s horses. Designed by “Pill Hill Pioneer” Harold H. Crawford, the structure was later converted into living quarters for Newton Holland, who owned one of the first major grocery stores in downtown Rochester.
By the time a busy Mayo Clinic professional bought the structure, it had endured a 1990s facelift that did little to complement its farmhouse details and historic character. “[The homeowner] bought this 1927 charmer with the full intention of restoring it,” says Jessica Curry of Rochester-based Interiors by J. Curry. “We worked creatively to keep the integrity of the structure while adding modern amenities. We wanted to bring new life into this cozy cottage.”
The team, which included R. Fleming Construction, kept the cottage’s original beamed ceiling, hardwood floors, built-in benches, and barn-door front entrance with a stained glass window. The rest of the 1,400-square-foot home was renovated.
The renovation included a full kitchen remodel, the addition of a new main-level powder room, and a full master bathroom remodel upstairs. The contemporary kitchen includes a wine bar, custom cabinetry, Caesarstone quartz countertops, a lively backsplash in a bold print, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and a color palette that flaunts a rich, deep green “that has an earthy quality perfect for the farmhouse feel of the home,” Curry says.
An underused space beneath the stairs was turned into a powder room with a delightful horse-theme wallpaper to keep the home anchored in its mythology, Curry explains. The fireplace was clad in a weathered white tile and converted to gas. Floor transitions were addressed, and a wall in the kitchen discovered to be nonstructural was reinforced with a steel ceiling beam. New barn-style doors fit with the farmhouse theme, while touches of brushed gold add a modern feel.
“Our goal was to give the client’s home an update so it’s more functional for her needs,” Curry says. We also wanted a cozy space in which to unwind or entertain while not at work.”