Waterfront Farmhouse Addition & Renovation- Fairfield, NC

Traditional, mid-nineteenth century, vernacular North Carolina two-story timber-framed farmhouse with later additions located on the north shore of Lake Mattamuskeet (near Fairfield, NC- right) was raised above flood elevation and set on new masonry pier and wall foundation.

View of Lake Mattamuskeet

View of Lake Mattamuskeet

A new two-story addition on the rear provided much- needed modern Kitchen, Mudroom/Laundry, Pantry, and Powder Room space on the first floor, as well as Bedroom and Bath spaces on the second floor for a family with two small boys.

Original front historic section was rehabilitated for owner’s office and family living space on the first floor, and Master and Guest Bedroom spaces on the second floor. One of the two original single shouldered brick chimneys which had been damaged sometime in the past was rebuilt to match the existing chimney which remained, and two single hung windows, which formerly flanked the missing chimney (and had also been removed), were fabricated to match existing historic windows in the house, and then installed in their former locations.

Palimsest Schooner

The original center hall stairs were retained in place and rehabilitated, (gallery images below) while a new stairs in the addition joined the levels in the rear. During construction, the owners received a unique surprise, when they uncovered a sort of palimsest (image right)a pencil sketch of a two-masted schooner, that a previous household member/artist had drawn  on an unpainted plaster kneewall below the first floor stairs, and which had subsequently been covered up by multiple layers of paint.

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation Existing Newell Post Detail

Existing Newell Post Detail

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation Existing Stairs @ 2nd Fl. Hall/landing

Existing Stairs @ 2nd Fl. Hall/landing

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation Existing Skirtboard Detail

Existing Skirtboard Detail

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation Handrail Attachment Detail

Handrail Attachment Detail

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation Corner Bracing Pegged to Wall Studs

Corner Bracing Pegged to Wall Studs

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation Half-lapped and Pegged Rafter Detail

Half-lapped and Pegged Rafter Detail

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation South (Lake front) Elevation (before)

South (Lake front) Elevation (before)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation South Elevation (raised)

South Elevation (raised)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation North Elevation (raised)

North Elevation (raised)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation South Elevation (with brick pier construction)

South Elevation (with brick pier construction)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation View from southeast (piers complete)

View from southeast (piers complete)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation View from southeast (after)

View from southeast (after)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation View from northwest (before)

View from northwest (before)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation View from northwest (w/ addition)

View from northwest (w/ addition)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation View from northwest (after)

View from northwest (after)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation Foundation Vent Detail

Foundation Vent Detail

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation View from northeast (before)

View from northeast (before)

Fairfield, North Carolina Waterfront Farmhouse Renovation View from northeast (after)

View from northeast (after)