Page 20 - The Hunt Winter 2021

HOME & GARDEN
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Enhancing Jacob’s flow of movement was key. But in the end, many of the home’s features benefit the whole family.
design ideas from their travels to New England and Europe. “In Europe, there are lots of old buildings that have been made accessible without compromising the design,” says Jacob.
The seating area that adjoins the island in the kitchen
was inspired by a trip to Spain, where the couple admired wooden furniture with butterfly-joint insets. Crafted from a slab of white oak salvaged from a bank barn, the top is set at table-height to accommodate a wheelchair. Chalfin chose a wall oven with French doors that open vertically so he can lift pans onto the oven rack when he cooks.
Before the renovation, the dining room on the north side of the house was dark, cramped and underutilized. Taking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room brightened the space. On special occasions, everyone gathers around a marble- topped table handed down from Chalfin’s grandmother.
FARMHOUSE AESTHETIC
Throughout the house, the vibe is rustic with clean lines. The floors are reclaimed red oak in a distressed finish that doesn’t show dings from kids’ toys or Fergie, the family’s border collie. In the mudroom, saddles are displayed, along with photographs of Jacob’s racing days. The foyer is more formal, with raised-panel millwork and a display of trophy plates and equine art. Jacob had the wood console table crafted at Springhouse Furnishings in Chadds Ford, and the arched vintage mirror above it is a family heirloom.
In the living room, custom-painted white cabinetry houses a TV, books and mementoes. The couple added a fireplace, trimming a pre-fabricated firebox with a classic white wood mantel. The hearth and fireplace surround are milky marble veined in gray. The hearth is flush with the floor. “It probably would’ve made sense to have a gas fireplace,” Jacob says. “But there’s nothing better than the crackle of a real fire, and I want to be able to add the wood myself.”
Enhancing Jacob’s flow of movement was key. But in the end, many of the home’s features benefit the whole family. On a winter day, the gently sloping ramp to the front porch is an easier route for carrying in groceries than traversing three icy steps. On the first floor, Jacob can roll his wheelchair directly into a large threshold-free shower. “An accessible shower is also great for washing dogs and dirty kids,” he says.
An elevator runs from the basement to the second floor, with its four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Installing the
lift enabled the family to expand their living space upward.
It also gave Chalfin access to the basement for the first time
in years. “After I got hurt, I couldn’t go continued on page 20
18 THE HUNT MAGAZINE winter 2021-22