Fresh From The Country
The modern farmhouse is a fashionable home style. For homeowners, Sharon and Mark Gilbride, it’s a way of life. With 100 acres of pastoral paradise, Lazy Acre Alpacas in Bloomfield, New York is home for 57 alpacas, two dogs, two cats, two goats, and the Gilbrides. The contemporary farmhouse is a residence, retail store, business office, Airbnb rental, and gathering spot for friends and family.
When the original and beloved 180-year-old farmhouse had to be replaced, the Gilbrides sought something practical yet aesthetically charming with rural appeal. Lead architect with Morabito Architects, Paul Morabito, prioritized uncluttered views of the rolling hills and pastures with a back-to-front orientation like those used by lakefront homes.
The driveway sweeps up to a tidy, welcoming front porch and walkway. What visitors don’t see are the pragmatic, maintenance-free features. What appears to be gray cedar siding is a technologically advanced, triple-composite product called Everlast.
Front porches are a farmhouse staple. Clean, tapered columns add contemporary, architectural dimension. Owner of Build It Forward, Vince Miller, got creative to blend maintenance-free living with fresh farmhouse character. Engineered stone and Fypon, a polyurethane product, wrap around steel, load-bearing columns. Stamped concrete in a neutral tone emulates 4-inch-wide wood planks. Additional texture comes from the beadboard ceiling. Soffit lighting on dimmers allows for an ambiance ranging from bright and dramatic to soft and romantic.
Two front doors provide twice the welcome: a multi-paned, glass-paneled rustic door for the primary entry and a separate door with a covered porch for a private Airbnb space.
“Thousands of people visit our farm,” Mark Gilbride says. “People love it. It’s idyllic.” Sharon Gilbride adds, “Authenticity is important to us.”
Elements from the old home such as hand-hewn beams accent the interior. Miller placed an original double-hung window in the garage. A genuine, handdug well was given interior lights, transforming it into a historic sculpture.
“Sharon and Mark are sentimental people,” says Miller. “These elements help connect them to their home. It speaks to their commitment and respect for the place.”