Collaboration is the key to success for many people. This was the case with a Historic Farmhouse project that Anne Rogers, of Anne Rogers Interiors, had spent several years meeting with the client and planning the remodel. But when there were some issues, Anne called Jim for his guidance and help with the plans.

The result, a gorgeous remodel that pays homage to the 200-year-old farmhouse and a NARI of Central Ohio CotY Contractor of the Year Award: Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration win!

We asked Anne to share a bit about the project and why she collaborates with Residential Designed Solutions.

How did you come to be working with RDS for this project?

I’ve known Jim for a long time. For this farmhouse renovation, I met with the client (who is a 7th generation owner of the home) over a period of several years to discuss this renovation. There were some issues with the house, and I decided I needed to bring in an architect to help with the plan. I asked Jim, owner of RDS, to work with me on the project. We both met with the client, and everyone hit it off well. Jim took my vision and was able to create the perfect additions and changes to the home. We added a bump out addition in the dining room with a big bank of windows and other changes to the first floor. While his original design didn’t include the 2nd floor on the top of the new addition for the main bathroom and closet, I had him design that as well. It was the perfect change to the original plan.

Jim is very easy to work with! Over the past thirty years we have worked together on many projects.

What was your favorite part of this project?

This project was so interesting because of the history of the home. I got to restore history by taking something the client loved and making it more functional and more beautiful.

Every time we open the guts of a home, we never know what we will find. The owners wanted to keep the home as true to its history as possible. When we demoed, we salvaged the original oak 2x4s for various projects including countertops and a 10-foot kitchen table. We took reclaimed wood and built a new mantel for the fireplace. When we did the addition on the house, we tore off the porch but kept the old siding to make the barn door for the main closet. We also used old fencing as shiplap in the back hallway. We matched the original casings and created a second newel post to match the original newel post. New windows were made to replicate the existing (still in use) original windows.

We exposed the original exterior brick (with the homeowner’s help), now part of the interior of the house on the staircase, the living room, guest room, and the main bedroom.

Back in the day, they threw bottles, tools, and crockery over the hillside and around the foundation. The homeowners had found of these items over the years as we were digging. I asked if we could use items from their collection. We even found some when we were digging around the foundation for the new addition. We cleaned them up and used whatever we could to keep the history alive in the home. Some bottles went on the table, crockery has flowers in them, and the original farm sign is hanging in the kitchen. They have dishes and glassware from her aunt, who previously owned the farmhouse, so if we were able to find a place for them, we have them displayed or in use.

We were grateful to have the owners take part as well. The homeowner did a lot of the work by helping with demo, prepping areas, landscaping and other outdoor work, and was there every day.

We took away the ugly, added many beautiful elements, and stayed true to the farmhouse’s history and the fact it is still a farm.

How was your overall experience when working with RDS?

It is always a great process. The designers at RDS are incredibly talented. The documents I receive are always very accurate. They first sketch the design, and once we decide on the sketch plan, then it moves onto a blueprint—this can make it a lengthy process, but it works. The preliminary sketches don’t ever take us down the wrong path and corrections can easily be made before the work moves to the blueprints.

What type of projects does Jim complete for you and your clients?

We recently finished a new build in Evans Farm. Jim was the [residential] designer on it, and I was hired as the designer by the client to take them though the build out process. I hired RDS to help me with a “detached” office project that needed to connect to a breezeway, working with them to figure that out. Ultimately, we didn’t do that project because of the price to do it, but the collaboration was spot on. I’ve worked with Jim many times over the years with new builds where he is the architect/designer and then I come in as the interior designer. Now I bring him in on my renovation projects as needed.

What services do you appreciate that RDS provides?

The reason I continually choose them is that they are all very creative. They work well with us as a team, they listen to me, and when I bring specs with what I need in a design, the documentation is always excellent. They are great communicators, which I feel is really important. I like their style and the way they do things.

Would you use RDS again?

Yes absolutely. They are one of my first go-to groups!

If you are a designer, contractor, builder, or remodeler, we would be excited to collaborate with you on your next project. Reach out to us here or give us a call at 614.430.0027.