WHEN DOORS BECOME WALLS....

This past November my husband and I and close friends went to the Finger Lakes region of New York state to experience wine tasting south of the boarder. We stayed at Black Sheep Inn in Hammondsport, Keuka Lake which is the heart of New York wine country.

The owners, Debbie and Marc welcomed us to their Inn, which at this time, is also their home. Debbie is a classically trained chef and a graduate of New England Culinary Institute. Let me just say, that our breakfasts and dinners were carefully planned, executed and presented with the utmost care and thought. All meals were prepared, whenever possible, with locally grown, produced and organic products, by Debbie.

The Inn, listed on the National Register of Historical Places is known as T.M. Younglove Octagon House. I would be doing a disservice to Debbie and Marc by writing a post about this unique dwelling as they have very thoroughly and eloquently described the history and subsequent transformation of the Inn on their own website (link above).

Instead, I am going to take you on a tour of their barn behind the Inn.... come inside and be prepared to be amazed.

The barn, which will become the couples' permanent home, is being renovated by Marc who is a graduate of Kent State University Interior Design Program. The roof was redone in 2002, but the interior renovation began in ernest in early 2010. When Marc took us on a tour of the barn in November, he was in the process of covering up the wall joists and insulation with DOORS.....that is correct, not drywall...DOORS.

Marc has a huge dislike for drywall and was looking for a material that was easy to install and would also provide an interesting backdrop for the interior of the barn. His collection of doors began when he noticed several doors being put out for garbage collection in his former neighbourhood.

Marc took special care in examining each door in his collection to ensure that identical thicknesses and similar sizes were adjoined, allowing for a smoother transition between the doors.

Marc was also aware that the glazed doors in his collection would need to be placed strategically in accordance with where the barn windows were situated....as these doors couldn't easily be cut down to fit. The panes were removed and replaced with plywood, ready for paint, but may eventually receive a decorative treatment as well.

When all the doors have been placed in their new homes, they will be prepped and painted for a cohesive, finished look.

This set of doors came from a friend's home.  These will remain in their original stain, inspiring a unique paneled look in the loft.

Take a look at this salvaged sink which is now placed in front of salvaged shutters in the new kitchen. Very eclectic indeed.

The wall boards, shown in the new living space below are original to the barn and still exhibit some of their original paint.

Marc confirmed that he would undertake this challenge again as he is very proud that the interior of their barn is predominantly constructed in salvaged material...either collected by he and Deb or donated by the community. They hope to have the main living area completed by March/April 2011, with studio space and mudroom functional by June 2011.
I am anxiously waiting for Marc and Deb to provide me with pictures of the completed renovation....OR...I might take another trip to Black Sheep Inn, enjoy more of Deb's outstanding cuisine and take pictures myself of the amazing barn with the doors that became walls.


For more information on the Inn click: Black Sheep Inn
For information on wine tasting and tours in the Finger Lake region click: http://www.FingerLakesWineCountry.com/

All pictures used in this post taken by Maureen Coates