Set along the eastern shore of New York’s Finger Lakes, the village of Aurora has long existed in a quiet dialogue with its past. Its buildings – brick, timber, and memory – trace a layered history shaped by agriculture, industry, and education. The restoration and expansion of the Farmhouse at the Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa adds a new chapter to that narrative, one that is less about preservation as an endpoint and more about continuity as a design strategy.

Balancing the Farmhouse’s 19th-century identity with a distinctly contemporary addition required a measured, almost restrained approach. As Teddy McCarthy, Partner at Hart Howerton, explains, “From the outset, our ambition was to preserve the character of the 1835 Farmhouse while introducing a contemporary addition that could broaden the guest experience. We restored much of the home’s original exterior brickwork, select millwork, and defining architectural elements while also retaining the original layout. At the same time, we introduced a contemporary language in the new wing using simple gabled forms and expansive windows. By connecting the historic home with the new Meadow Studios through light filled galleries, we allowed the old and the new to work together while retaining the original Farmhouse.”

That balance is immediately legible in the architecture. The restored structure leans into its material and spatial inheritance: repointed brickwork, a reinstated columned porch, and interiors that maintain their original configuration. The front rooms – parlors, dining space, and study – retain a sense of enclosure and weight, enriched by layered colors, custom wall coverings, and an extensive collection of American art. Rather than diluting the historic atmosphere, the design amplifies it, allowing these spaces to feel intimate and contemplative.

Read the full article in Design Courier HERE