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by Beth S Buxbaum
As one of the early farmhouses in the Village of Woodhill, this modest Bucks County home was originally built in 1753. Throughout its many changes of owners, the home has been historically traditional and understated. That changed in 1996 when Rob Herion and Julie Stockler purchased the property.
Rob and Julie were both divorced and began dating. They met through, what was then referred to as a Bulletin Board, an early online chat room for meeting people. While they were dating they began looking for a house in Bucks County. At the time Rob was living in Churchville and Julie was living in Gladwyne. Knowing they would be married and become a blended family of six, the house had to accommodate their new family unit. “We knew we wanted to live in Bucks County,” Julie explains, “and we like old houses.” They looked for two years with no luck. “We did bid on one other house, but that deal fell through,” adds Rob. Driving around one day in the Newtown area, they turned a corner and saw the house. “Someone was literally hammering a “for sale” sign on the front lawn,” Rob adds. They knocked and asked if they could view the house. “We walked in and said this is it,” adds Julie. She recalls that the owners were shocked, after living here for 30 years, they did not expect to sell the house so quickly.
What was it about this house that drew them in? Rob and Julie explain that they were searching for a house with character. “We wanted something old and interesting,” Julie adds, “but we had several non-negotiable requirements. We had to stay in the Council Rock School District and the house had to have the right size and configuration for our family unit.” This house met all their requirements. They put in a bid on the property that night. “Within a week it was ours,” Julie adds. As Rob, Julie and their four children settled in they, began the process of making this centuries-old farmhouse theirs. In 1998 they got married in the house, in their living room. This house was a perfect fit, with opportunities to live in the history of each room and enjoy all the interesting and unique features their new home had to offer, while putting their own spin on their new home.
Built on land granted from William Penn, this homestead has survived centuries of change and transformation. Accounts listed in “The Villages of Bucks County” state that this farmhouse was in the “historic Woodhill Village around the intersection of Woodhill and Eagle Roads, the approximate center of the township. Prior to a post office being established here (Makefield, 1881) the area was known as Eagle Tavern and/or Spread Eagle Hotel.” This establishment was next door to the 1753 homestead. Documentation adds that the Eagle Tavern was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Records state that “the tavern was a landmark of Upper Makefield Township and served the early settlers of Bucks County as hostelry, post office, polling place, and general store. “People who worked at the tavern may have lived in this house,” adds Julie. Accounts also suggest that the tavern was a stop for travelers headed to the Brownsburg Ferry to go to New Jersey. “
With the area’s celebrated history, the homestead’s many occupants through the years have orchestrated several additions and upgrades. Without compromising the farmhouse’s authenticity, Rob and Julie wanted to update and redefine the home. Over a period of time they replaced the plumbing and electricity, added a new roof, furnace and septic and landscaped the property. Without making any major structural changes, they made some discoveries and renovations. While working on the house, they were curious about the authenticity of the fireplace mantle in the living room’s original cooking fireplace. “We decided to explore what was underneath the material above the mantle shelf,” Rob adds. Noticing the construction of the fireplace was stone and cement, they chipped away and found the original stone wall above the mantle. One other major project was to tear down an old barn that sat next to the house to build a studio for Rob.
While maintaining the overall footprint of the house, Rob and Julie added their many touches to create a home that reflected their tastes and artistry. They transformed the home’s appearance with a non-traditional color palette creating a new, vibrant presence. Beginning with the exterior, Rob and Julie repainted the siding periwinkle accented with bright red shutters. This color palette overflowing into the living space adding bursts of color, artistry and whimsy. As artists, Rob and Julie’s chosen color scheme was quite a departure from the house’s earlier exteriors, according to Julie. “When we toured the house it had a very traditional feel,” she adds.
The original one- over-one structure was built in 1753. Having all the original woodwork and wide plank pine flooring, the home retained its earliest elements. Hand-hewn beams cover the ceiling in the earliest section. Originally one large room, this 1753 section has two fireplaces; a huge fireplace for cooking and a smaller fireplace for heat. It is evident that at some point this original room was converted to two rooms by the floor markings. One bedroom and bathroom sit above. From this first structure the farmhouse has had two additions to expand the footprint and accommodate growing families.
In the mid 1800s an addition was built with a few distinctive Victorian elements. This addition added a transition hallway and a small room along the hallway. This tiny room is now Rob’s magic room. An amateur magician, this room is filled with all his flight and fancy. From the hallway is an entrance into a spacious room, formerly functioning as a dining room. This space has a small coal fireplace and windows that are two-over-two instead of six-over-six, which is a Victorian styling. Now the music room, this space is filled with musically-themed items and art objects that Rob and Julie have collected over their years of antiquing. Repurposing rooms worked for their lifestyle and how they lived in the house.
A second addition was constructed in the 1960s adding an expansive kitchen, dining area, and powder room. With a very woodsy feel, this room was accented with the original barn wood on a few walls, trim and built-in cupboards. This addition also added a two more bedrooms above, one of which was Julie’s daughter’s room. When she moved out Julie made this room her studio. In 2018 they upgraded a few elements in the kitchen, while maintaining the original barn wood walls and pine floors.
“We added granite countertops, a new cabinet and backsplash. A few interesting pieces fill this space. Rob points out the built-in cupboard tucked into one side of the kitchen. Inside the cupboard door are height markings. “Several years ago there was a knock at the door,” adds Julie, “and the grandchildren of the folks who sold us this house wanted to visit and see the house again.” They confirmed that the height markings were theirs. Another interesting piece in the eating area is the massive farm table. “We needed a table large enough for our family of six,” Rob says, “and shopped around for a table.” They went to a barn sale in an old farmhouse in Wycombe where they discovered old barn wood siding. “We had this table made from this wood, with tongue and groove construction and old oak railroad ties formed the base,” Rob adds. To finish the seating, they collected six different chairs and Rob painted each chair in a different motif and color pattern.
Colors, patterns and creative expression are the basis for Rob and Julie’s artistry. From the external palette to interior walls and accessories, they have accented their living space with all of their favorite things, from those personally handmade to mementos and collectibles. “We love nooks and crannies,” Rob adds. Many of these nooks; as well as counter tops, walls, cabinets and shelves, are filled with whimsical, colorful and unique pieces. Pieces can be on display or tucked into unexpected spots for all to discover, inside and outside. There’s a sense of wonder and whimsy that permeates their living space.
Between the two they have spent many years creating and collecting, as well as browsing for antiques and other found objects. What they shared was their passion for art, while both taking different paths before landing together and sharing their artistry. Formerly a medical writer, Julie worked for a famous quilter in Bucks County for years. Several of her brightly colored quilts are on display throughout the house. Julie also ventured into assemblage making a variety of collages and is currently studying drawing. Rob took several paths before he was ready to pursue his art. “As a kid I was always doing something artistic,” he explains, “I wanted to be a fine artist, but initially did not take that direction.” He was in the Navy and then after 911 he moved to Michigan to take graphic arts classes. After Michigan he moved back to Bucks County and started a digital printing business before deciding to pursue his art.
Rob is a talented wood artisan creating heirloom artisan boxes with exotic woods and interesting grain patterns. “I embellish them with gemstones or found rocks that I cut, carve and polish,” Rob continues. In addition to Rob’s more decorative and whimsical wood pieces, a few of Rob’s more functional items include the knife block and cutting board, the wood top counter in the kitchen and the living room coffee table. His boxes are functional as well, and grace counters, shelves and table tops.
Explorers at heart, Rob and Julie enjoy the element of surprise and sense of discovery. They appreciate a good scavenger or treasure hunt. When not creating and discovering at home they travel out West in their Airstream during the summer months. “Ghost towns in Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico are some of our favorite spots to explore,” Rob adds. Whether home or away, their sense of adventure and appreciation for the unique guide them. With vivid imaginations and the talent to express their visions in their given art form, Rob and Julie are enjoying the journey. This old farmhouse is an extension of their journey and reflects their gift to create.
All of their artwork is available through Dead Horse Bay Art at www.deadhorsebayarts.com, a Brooklyn company.
Beth S. Buxbaum is a freelance writer from the Philadelphia area.