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Home Feature
Little House Prairieon the A True Home for the Holidays
By Jennifer Dumke Photos by Margaret Pennock
Over the river and through the woods lies a cozy home filled with personal treasures, salvaged materials and exquisite décor. But it’s not the unique chandeliers or layers of muted tones blending together to create the perfect farmhouse chic style that makes this home exude exquisite beauty. That would make this ranch-style home located in rural Beresford seem simple. Rather it’s the rustic timber ceiling, original fireplace and hours of painstaking craftsmanship that come together to create a one-of-a-kind acreage filled with both beauty and a passion for design.
When Margaret and Marty became “empty nesters” in 2017, they decided to get back to their country roots and purchase an acreage. “Our stipulation is that we had to be within a half hour drive to Sioux Falls,” adds Margaret. Barely within range, Margaret fell in love with a quaint fixer-upper but had to convince her husband before making the decision. “We knew there was a lot of work that needed to be done,” she adds. “But the overall structure, location and general layout fell in line with what we were looking for.”
No stranger to hard work and perseverance, the duo got right to work transforming the dated décor, tearing off layers of wallpaper and essentially redoing nearly every surface of the 2,000 square-foot home. Yet with all the upgrades, fresh paint and pet-friendly Karndean vinyl flooring, Margaret was in love with the original wood timber ceiling that spanned throughout the main level living room and into a dining area. “This house was originally built in the early 1900’s and was moved to this location in 1975,” she adds. From there, the little house on the prairie stayed with one family for over three decades. “We were so excited when some of the home’s family came for a visit last year,” Margaret says. “The father was a builder and installed the rustic timber ceiling from a barn across the road. He also put up wood on the back wall by the fireplace and built the fireplace.”
Even though they could reuse some of the elements, the labor of love continued. For the main sitting area, Margaret whitewashed the wood wall and original brick fireplace to brighten the space. Expansive windows simply adorned with rod pocket curtains allow light to flood the space now filled with caramel-toned leather upholstery and neutral walls. To maximize budget, Margaret purchased the sofa used and boldly painted over the original red with a rich, golden hue to pair with a gifted chair from her parents. “We wanted this home to fit our lifestyle,” she adds. “And that includes our dogs, which are known to be hard on furniture,” she laughs. “With these pieces, I don’t need to worry about what happens as much.”
Before
The heart of the home was another important space for Margaret. To save expenses, she opted for butcher block countertops but splurged on painted white cabinets. First appearing a bit small for the couple, after a few months of getting acquainted with the space, they realized it fit all their needs perfectly. They even fell in love with the butcher block countertops and were glad they made the thrifty decision. Crisp and classic white subway tile cover the backsplash and coordinate with the cabinets while contrasting with the natural wood tones and stainless steel appliances.
With comfort at the forefront, the Pennocks ensured the living room met their needs. A family favorite, the cozy space features neutral walls, wood floors accented with an oriental rug and subtle Boho chic wallpaper to add detailed interest. With ample natural sunlight, crisp white wood blinds control the light so they can relax in their comfortable upholstered furniture and enjoy watching television by the fireplace. “This is the room we spend the most time in,” adds Margaret.
As the couple made their way through the home; scraping, painting, tiling, installing and updating just about everything needed to achieve their perfect farmhouse chic, they came to the realization that additional space was needed. Already in love with the home and its potential, the best option was an addition. “We took out a window in the wall of the main dining room,” she adds. “This created an interior wall and the beginning of the addition which basically is our master bedroom and bath.”
Seamlessly transitioning from old to new, they worked closely with their general contractor to ensure every detail fit their needs. “I love the transom windows above the bed,” she adds. Being new construction, Margaret took advantage of making decisions like this but always kept the integrity of the home in mind. Lush carpets underfoot mimic a large area rug that softens the dreamy space. Large patio doors lead to a deck which was another thing on Margaret’s wish list.
The master bathroom glows with walls covered in white subway tile, a crystal chandelier dangling above an elongated custom vanity with granite countertop. “This area rug was sent to me from Iraq when my husband Marty was deployed,” adds Margaret. “And this refurbished chair belonged to my father when he was a child.” Listing, Buying or Building - You need
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Down a small hall is the main floor powder bath. Although Margaret was hoping to convert it into a pantry, they chose function over form but made sure to add unique details. “We opted for dual sliding barn doors because of spacing,” she adds. Another conversation piece is the sturdy, white vessel sink. “We wanted our cabinets to be uniform throughout the home.” Opting for black rather than white, this small space is the perfect extension of beauty with a simple brushed gold round mirror and floor to ceiling white subway tile.
And what old house doesn’t come with its quirks. A small door opens to a secret space used for storage. But Margaret finds it much more interesting to call it her “babadook closet.” A true work in progress, Margaret already has plans to expand the narrow stairway that leads to the finished lower level.
Taking cues from their family needs, Margaret made the decision to not have a lower level family area. “In our last home, we had the space and it was rarely used,” she adds. “So we decided to dedicate the lower level for two bedrooms and a bath.” Although her son and daughter have moved out, she still opted to decorate each room with their signature style. For the more feminine room, a white upholstered tufted headboard softens along with the layers of neutral tone bedding. A small silver painted built-in desk in the corner is perfect for weekend visits. To add interest, a flat screen television is mounted on the wall above a “faux” fireplace with plaid insert. Taking on more masculine cues, the second bedroom comes to life with a rustic wood headboard and tones of slate blues and taupe. A corner cabinet houses both a flat screen television and electric fireplace.
The lower level full bath capitalizes on space with white subway tile that extends into the walk-in shower complete with a built-in bench and rainfall showerhead. For added light, a glass window was added to create a spacious feel. Coordinating with the upper level powder bath, a black vanity with wood countertops provide the perfect surface for the large, white vessel sink. A classic mirror medicine cabinet once again gives a nod to the past. “These cabinets were original,” adds Margaret of the elongated storage space. “We tried to use as much as we can.”
And while the couple may technically be considered “empty nesters,” just one look around the large and lush yard soon changes minds. “I have always loved horses and had mine boarded for many years,” adds Margaret. When the couple moved to the country, one of the first things they did was to build a place for her horse and even a couple of animal friends. “We added this shed and created a large fenced area for a mini donkey, horse, and two baby doll sheep,” she adds. “We plan to purchase another horse for my husband this spring so we can go riding together.” With riding trails close by, the Pennocks have the perfect arrangement for their hobbies. And whether they had a long day renovating their home, riding horses or tending to their small animals, the couple can relax in their private Jacuzzi tub during the cooler months or take a refreshing dip in their above-ground pool. A true necessity since Margaret still has many projects in her head. “I don’t think I’ll ever be done renovating my home,” she laughs. “There’s always something in my mind that I want to accomplish.” But for now, the couple is enjoying the holiday season in their cozy acreage and relishing in the fruits of their labor. n
