living story by
/ Emily Lubliner
photography by
Facelift for the farm Artistic skill, clever ideas and a lot of hard work help renovate a family farmstead
Originally a mule barn from the late 1870s, the Taylors’ barn is now part of their farmstead business and home outside Lawrence.
16
T
he garden edging is the first clue. Done with old china rather than a more utilitarian landscape material, it’s an obvious giveaway that this historical farmhouse hides a bit of style inside. Charles and Debi Taylor moved into this homestead north of Lawrence in 2007 after a yearlong renovation. Even before they settled in, this place always felt like home. Growing up here, Charles was the only son among five children raised by Charles and Elaine Taylor, who bought the property in 1948. The house, built in 1903, and the stone barn, built in 1879, have served as headquarters for the family farm and cattle
Lawrence Magazine
/ fall 2009 / sunflowerpub.com
/ jason dailey