by Leona Jaeger
This farm is pretty as a picture!
Perched atop 10-plus acres of lolling knolls in the Warren, CT countryside sits what every postcard artist has ever painted when trying to depict a picture-perfect farm. Crisp white house with a wrap-around porch, scarlet barn with a sidekick silo, and trees placed “just so” to frame each building like a gentle hug. Meander across those lazy knolls and you’ll come to a sweet little lake that will be sure to motion you to sit down a spell and enjoy watching—or even fishing for—the bluegill fish that dart below the surface of the water.
Built in 1750 (another pre-Revolutionary gem!) by Samuel Carter this home is a lovely example of transitional Federal and Greek Revival styles. It has a five bay façade with six-over-six sash windows; recessed entry door with sidelights, transom, wide pilasters and entablature.
Beautiful original elements such as wide-planked floors, exposed beams, and a fantastic cut stone fireplace are just some of the features that warm my heart. (I can fully imagine back to the days when it would be filled with iron skillets placed on hot coals and a sturdy pot filled with a hearty winter stew.)
Many newer items have been added, most of which are in keeping with the historical feel of the home. The kitchen ell was added around 1930; it’s nice and open and has added exposed beams that mimic the rustic feel of original ones in the home. A studio apartment with a loft was added, which is perfect if you are considering using the home as a Bed & Breakfast (which is part of the home’s history as well–Turning Point Farm was for many years a working farm, and in more recent years has welcomed guests from around the world as a B & B).
Another fabulous feature that I love—and who wouldn’t—is a huge wraparound screened porch that allows for endless viewing of the beautiful countryside. I can envision this space accented by plenty of potted plants and flowers and extra chairs to share the view with friends and family. And a hammock wouldn’t hurt either.
So that postcard-style farm we were talking about? You might want to take a marker and draw yourself into the picture.
AUTHOR LEONA JAEGER
From the sturdy practicality of a colonial saltbox, to the lavish details of a High Victorian, Leona believes that each old home holds a beauty, solid craftsmanship, and history that is a mystery and wonder to be explored and appreciated. Leona’s dream is to find a huge farmhouse with high ceilings, wide-planked floors (complete with hidden artifacts under a loose plank), a wraparound porch, and enough acreage to house a horse or two, some dogs, cats, goats, and a ring-tailed lemur. In her spare time she can be found with her face pressed and distorted against the car window, ogling the fantastic old homes in the surrounding areas of Pasadena, California where she lives with her loving husband (who patiently peels her face off the windows and tells her to breathe) and her vivacious 9-year-old daughter.
