Historic Farmhouse Restoration in Hollis, NH
- Neil Burtt
- Sep 9
- 2 min read
Entering this Hollis, New Hampshire farmhouse felt like a step back in time. Built in the early 1700s, the home carried the quiet weight of centuries, from its moss-covered roof and heavily worn floors to its granite foundation and hand-hewn beams.
a down-to-the-studs renovation and addition that merged cutting-edge engineering, skilled craftsmanship, and historical preservation.
“This project wasn’t just a restoration, but rather a dialogue between centuries.”
—Matt Sypher, President, Sypher Design Build
Project Goal
Our goal was to preserve the character and legacy of the home while incorporating the necessary structural enhancements and efficiencies to ensure its continued endurance for future generations.
Project Elements
Reinforcing the Granite Block Foundation
We worked closely with structural and mechanical engineers to ensure the home’s bones were solid. Its granite block foundation, set by hand centuries ago, was carefully reinforced so it will remain dry and stable for centuries to come.
Gutting the Interior and Identifying Possibilities
“Our team completely gutted the farmhouse’s interior, seeing possibilities with the removal of each layer,” Matt says, noting that the original beams—weathered but still strong—were carefully refurbished rather than replaced.
Recreating Key Architectural Elements
The floors, which were beyond repair, were replaced with wide-plank hardwood flooring appropriate to the home's period. Each floor piece was fastened with custom-made nails by the Tremont Nail Company, America’s oldest nail manufacturer. The nails are a reproduction of those the original builder would have used to hold the home together.
The chimneys, essential to the farmhouse’s character, were also approached with reverence. Sypher partnered with a mason who specializes in historic chimney preservation to dismantle and rebuild them brick by brick, ensuring they matched the home’s 18th-century aesthetic.
“Taking the time to match the old brick and grout made it appear as though the chimneys were always there.”
—Allie Sypher, Interior Designer, Sypher Design Build
The recreation of the winder staircase leading from the kitchen to the primary bedroom was one of the most dramatic restorations. Narrow, winding, and distinctly period-appropriate, it brings one back to the early chapters of this farmhouse’s story.
The home’s addition roof was timber-framed with custom trusses made to replicate those from the original house.
Incorporating Timeless Craftsmanship with Custom Built-ins
A bench, built-in bookshelves, and nightstands were incorporated into the primary bedroom, providing added functionality and storage. Another hand-crafted bench graces the entryway from the garage, while the back deck showcases custom cedar timbers.
Because these elements are custom-designed and built, they help maximize the living space while seamlessly blending with the home for an “always been there” look and feel. “The woodworking was our chance to blend utility with craftsmanship. We weren’t just building furniture and storage; we were building pieces of the house itself,” Allie explains.
Adding Modern Efficiencies
High-performance windows, doors, and airtight construction brought the farmhouse into the modern era of efficiency, achieving a blower door test score of just 0.68 ACH (air changes per hour), an extraordinary mark even for new homes.
Historic Home Renovations in Greater Concord, NH
Sypher Design Build proudly offers historic home renovation services in the Greater Concord, New Hampshire area. For information about our remodeling or custom home building services, please contact our team.
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