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Blueberry Farm 1: Nat Rea, original photo on Houzz

 

Photos by Nat Rea

 

Houzz at a Glance

Who lives here: A professional couple with three young children 

Location: Lexington, Massachusetts

Size: About 5,000 square feet (465 square meters)

Architects: Colin Flavin of Flavin Architects and Ben Wood of Studio Shanghai 

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When the homeowners found this bucolic site on one of the last working blueberry farms in the area, they decided to build a new house while keeping the farm in production as an agricultural enterprise and a community resource for annual blueberry-picking celebrations.

The design of the house was a joint effort between architect Colin Flavin (a Houzz contributor) from Boston and architect Ben Wood from Shanghai, and was inspired by traditional courtyard houses in China. The house includes green features such as passive solar heat and native landscaping. The exterior is clad in stucco and natural wood in clear and stained finishes.

The custom teak gate at the front entrance was imported from China. The lattice screen on the gate defines the entry and creates a sense of enclosure from the courtyard. The large overhangs extend the horizontality of the house and engage with the surrounding landscape. The flat roof was selected to reference the many midcentury homes in the surrounding neighborhood. 

 

Blueberry Farm 2: Nat Rea, original photo on Houzz

 

From the front entrance, the glass-lined walkway-solarium, which faces into the courtyard, leads to the kitchen and open-plan living spaces.

An L-shaped plan organizes the house. Extensive windows facing the courtyard are oriented south, taking advantage of the winter sun to help passively heat the home. The two-sided limestone fireplace divides the dining area, with its soaring, double-height ceiling, from the more intimate living area. Electronic roller shades let the family block sunlight or create privacy when desired.

 

Blueberry Farm 3: Nat Rea, original photo on Houzz

 

The living room is a relaxed, modern space for the family to gather. Comfortable furnishings are juxtaposed with modern tables, while abstract artwork and floor coverings add graphic elements.

 

Blueberry Farm 4: Nat Rea, original photo on Houzz

 

A kitchen pass-through to the dining area, the floor-to-ceiling windows and a clean, crisp white palette — created in part with Benjamin Moore’s Super White — are enhanced by white oak flooring in this serene, light-filled space.

In the kitchen, a large window lets in light and views. “It’s a very curated view of the outdoors and the blueberry farm and fields beyond,” Flavin says. The Italian-made Arrital Cucine cabinets and PentalQuartz countertops continue the clean aesthetic.

 

Blueberry Farm 5: Nat Rea, original photo on Houzz

 

The kitchen also includes a nook for casual dining, with spacious views to the outdoors. Appliances are tucked into the cabinetry to further the kitchen’s clean modern aesthetic.

A media and family room upstairs features a wraparound deck with views of the farm.

 

Blueberry Farm 6: Nat Rea, original photo on Houzz

 

The master bedroom and bathroom are also on the home’s second floor, and feature expansive windows to take in natural light and views. The wall tile is from Tile Showcase; the floor tile is from Ann Sacks. The master bath also includes a Wetstyle tub, a glass-walled shower, and Bluform vanity cabinets with quartz countertops.

 

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