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A Farm House With Heritage Transformed By Design

Situated on seven acres in pastoral Canada, see how this 1878 heritage house was revived with modern design. You’ll be inspired with the renovations of this historic interior decorator’s home!

interior designer Cynthia Weber's heritage home front porch

As you drive onto the property of the home known as BannockBurn 1878, it’s evident that there is history behind the lush landscape. Located near Southwestern Ontario’s Maitland River, the building of this estate was started in 1876 by pioneer Scotsman James McFarland. Back in the horse and buggy days construction was quite the affair of hand building one stone at a time.

backyard views bannockburn 1878 heritage home

BannockBurn 1878 – Heritage House Design

As with many old homes, when Cynthia Weber and her husband Kent first purchased the home it needed work. Previous remodels left much to be desired with peach walls and oddly placed kitchen cabinets.

BannockBurn 1878 Home Cynthia Weber

Abundant light illuminates the entry foyer that is painted in Cynthia’s signature black and white colors. Minimal furnishings include a large landscape painting by her late uncle, famed international artist Peter Etril Snyder. Cynthia holds the copyright to her uncle’s work and the story is quite fascinating. She is taking Peter’s work and making it available for present and future generations and it’s a must see on her website – HERE 

entry foyer at bannock burn 1878 heritage house decor

The foyer from another angle that leads you into the kitchen that carries on the dramatic black and white. A “before renovation” is is shown below. Sadly, Cynthia and Kent’s beloved 13 year old mini Dachshund Emmitt (pictured) passed away just last week.

After renovation…

Foyer after Rennovation

The kitchen was gutted leaving only the original planked ceiling intact. Shaker cabinetry, butcher block counters and an apron sink stay true to the farmhouse style of this heritage house design.

black cabinets in farmhouse kitchen design

The year of the homestead’s completion 1878 has been stenciled above the sink paying homage to the era.

farmhouse sink design

The striking cabinets were designed by Cynthia and built by local Mennonite craftsmen. The European farmhouse design 
with its rustic charm is enhanced by elements such as the large pendant chandelier, nailhead trim barstools and built in wine rack.

black shaker cabinets farmhouse kitchen

Large corbels fashioned by the Mennonite craftsmen according to Cynthia’s specifications were key in creating a useful and stylish chalkboard. The countertop has a unique inset of blue agate. Cynthia’s husband Kent is an avid woodworker and created the cake stand and cutting board.

Blue Agate Countertop- Farmhouse Kitchen- Cynthia Weber Design

With a small footprint the round dining table was a necessity. Antique woods and a mix of European furniture and a versatile bench that can be pulled up to the table or used as a sitting area unto its own.

Dining room Bannock Burn

Pale floors run throughout the main floor of the home giving it flow, while the black accents add contrast to the design. The floors are new and stained with a transparent stain over white oak that will mellow over time. Paint colors used throughout designer Cynthia Weber’s home are custom.

heritage home European farmhouse design heritage house

The living room is filled with curated pieces that amplify the European farmhouse design. Kent hand crafted the ottoman.

European farmhouse living room heritage house

Simplicity and usability in Cynthia’s studio, where she focuses on her daily work.

“My husband Kent and I run our studio from our home BannockBurn 1878, a stone house on seven acres in the pastoral countryside near the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. I decided early on that I wanted to keep our studio small… no assistants or junior creatives. I don’t want a client to ever feel they are lost in the shuffle… their homes are incredibly important to them; they are the heartbeat of their lives and the soft place they land at the end of each day. From the first email or phone call to the final reveal, we are hands on and fully invested in the success of each project. I think the fact that we run the studio from our home is a reflection of that philosophy … after all, our home is the heartbeat of our lives too!”

farmhouse design studio

As most homeowners know well, renovations need to be accomplished over time as budget permits. A mini master bedroom makeover is a temporary DIY solution. It is a functional space but a very small room. “At some point we will tackle a large remodel upstairs to accommodate a more substantial master suite.”

“To get us through until the time we can do a major overhaul on the master bathroom we decided to do a few quick updates. We painted the box store vanity, added a vintage oval mirror and swapped out the old shower stall for this kit with black glass doors. We installed a simple large subway tile and I painted the vinyl floor for a touch of whimsy.”

Outdoors on the porch the cushions are covered in classic black and white stripes that is outdoor fabric.

traditional porch heritage house

A sense of history prevails beyond the old black walnut tree in the verdant landscape of this heritage house.

heritage house front porch

Simple farmhouse shelf styling.

The water trough and herb Garden at BannockBurn.

The-Water-Trough-Herb-Garden-at-BannockBurn

Willow at the herb garden.

Willow at the herb garden

I hope that you found Cynthia’s home to be inspiring!  If so…then you MUST head over and visit her on Instagram for daily posts at Cynthia Weber Design and her website Cynthia Weber DDA. Find Cynthia on these social media sites as well – PINTEREST and FACEBOOK.

Thank you to the talented photographer Robin Stubbert for providing us with photos. Visit Robin for more of her work on INSTAGRAM.

Check out this recent European Farmhouse Style Home Tour as well!

Modern European Style Farmhouse Home Tour
A Modern European style farmhouse style in this recently remodeled home that will inspire you. Mingled with vintage charm, let’s take a look at this....
See More
Modern European Style Farmhouse Home Tour

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European style farmhouse renovation - heritage house

 

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19 Comments

  1. Cha tal Mariotte says:

    So pretty love it

  2. Susan Pussilano says:

    Speechless…!!!

    1. Right?!! Me too Susan!!

  3. Janet! Words can not describe how grateful I am for this absolutely lovely feature on your beautiful blog! I have been a long time follower of you and your gorgeous work so this is truly very special!!
    Thank you Thank you Thank you!!

    1. Playing catch up here this morning Cynthia and thank YOU for sharing your home with us! xo

  4. Oh my this one is gorgeous. I love every room and that kitchen oh my!!!! This one is probably my favorite of all the homes you have shown. Just love love love it. Love this series Janet. Look forward to it. Thanks for sharing. Happy Sunday.
    Kris

    1. I love black and white, but I never thought to run it through out the house. It is an amazing house and the furniture is lovely. Willow is a stand out.

      1. This is definitely a favorite home of mine Diana!

  5. This is a wonderful post Janet! I’ve always loved Cynthia and her gorgeous home! 💗 Thanks for the peek inside – total inspiration!

  6. This is amazing. I love it.
    Karen

    1. So glad that you stopped by to see this one Karen!

  7. Truly awesome home n design!! I just
    Keep Going back to reread your blog!!
    Thanks Janet

    Emma

    1. Emma…catching up here this morning and I wanted to say thank you!!

    1. I am so glad that you enjoyed the tour Rosanne!

  8. Absolutely stunning, love the ceilings
    Kitchen, the outdoor space gorgeous
    Love love

    1. Glad you stopped by for this tour Rosemary!

  9. Barbara Warner says:

    This is a gorgeous old home. Still beautiful, except for the front steps and porch. Tell the owners to spray the porch and steps with “Wet and Forget” a product that will clean any surface and works with the wind, rain, and sun to clean the surfaces. I use it on old headstones when I take flowers to cemeteries. You can purchase Wet and Forget at Costco, Lowe’s, or Amazon. It is mixed with water and sprayed onto the material/surface. Easy and works so well. You can tell a huge difference in 5 or 6 months.

    1. Thanks for your tip Barbara.