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Emmanuel Pagiotakis
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Emmanuel Pagiotakis
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Emmanuel Pagiotakis
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Emmanuel Pagiotakis
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Emmanuel Pagiotakis
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Emmanuel Pagiotakis
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Emmanuel Pagiotakis
By Beth S Buxbaum
Ginger Mosier always wanted to live in an old farmhouse. “I love the beauty of an old home,” explains Ginger, “older homes have good bones and a distinct feel.” Her dream of owning a centuries-old farmhouse was just that, a dream. Of course, she also envisioned all of her treasures filling this home. As an avid collector of one-of-a-kind pieces, Ginger has amassed a treasure trove of precious items. “I love estate and barn sales, consignment shops, flea markets, and online marketplaces,” explains Ginger. She is always searching for that one unique purchase: a priceless piece of furniture, an interesting chandelier, a unique lamp, or an antique mirror. Ginger knew that one day she would have the right house to showcase all of her cherished possessions.
Until recently, these collections were in storage. Ginger had nowhere to display all of her unique finds. She and her husband, Paul Kiel, had been in a single-family home in New Hope’s Riverwoods community since 2002. After living in a more contemporary home for decades, Ginger wanted to fulfill her dream of owning an old farmhouse. “I was looking on and off for a while, not really looking seriously,” she adds. Finally, her quest for an old home was an active pursuit. During their house hunting, Ginger and Paul looked at the former Lexington Bed and Breakfast. On a busy corner, down a windy road, the property’s size and stature were deceiving from the road. Sitting on four beautifully landscaped acres, this homestead includes an expansive three-story stone house and several additional buildings. “The structure was sound, and the grounds were beautiful,” she says. As they toured the inside, they noticed how well the house had been maintained. “I liked that the interior living space had taller ceilings than many older homes, so it felt a little roomier,” Ginger adds. Ginger knew this was the home she was looking for.
Ginger and Paul bought the property in 2017. As the owners of this historic property, originally built in 1749, they were immersed in its early beginnings. Currently with six bedrooms and six baths covering three floors, the interior was massive. Ginger and Paul were uncertain just where to begin. They decided to live in the carriage house on the property while they renovated the main house. Work needed to be done to this cottage to transform it into their living space. After moving into the carriage house, they had no firm plans to proceed with the renovation. “Life got in the way,” Ginger explains, “our careers and daughter kept us busy.”
All of their restoration plans were put on hold. Slowly, they began to address the interior updating. Ginger explains that the house needed a lot of cosmetic work. Ginger transformed the interior with a totally different color palette to define her vision, style, and personal taste. “It took me a while to figure things out,” Ginger explains. A former B & B, the home had many rooms on three levels. Rejuvenating and updating one room at a time was the most doable process. “My main concern was not disturbing what former owners had done,” Ginger adds. “I didn’t want to rush into any quick decisions,” she continues. Realizing they needed some guidance, they contracted with Jere Bradwell, owner of J Bradwells Home Kitchen and Design, in Lambertville, to restore and update the living space. Jere began working on the property in 2025.
“From the very beginning, Ginger had a clear vision,” explains Jere, “she never wanted the house to lose its authenticity.” Jere goes on to explain that the main goal was to preserve the house’s centuries-old character, while making the home comfortable and functional for modern living. “If an original element could be restored rather than replaced, that was always our first choice,” he adds. “Homes built in the 1700s have already lived many lives, and our responsibility was not to change that story, but to thoughtfully add another chapter,” Jere adds.
Historic documents indicate that the original dwelling, built in 1749, was likely the center section, with additions constructed over time at both ends, as the needs of successive owners evolved. The house is a three-bay, fieldstone residence, with the middle section being the earliest footprint. On the lower level is a keeping room with a large fireplace, believed to have been an addition between 1780 and 1820. Records noted that the original 1700s masonry, with exposed stone and wood-stove fireplaces, has been carefully preserved throughout the years.
Other structures on the homestead include a detached, restored carriage house; a two-story secondary carriage house, with 2 private bedrooms, a living room, a full dining room, and an independent kitchen. The 4-acre grounds include several early American farm structures: an original red barn, a corn crib barn, a smokehouse, and a functioning springhouse. One of the property’s most distinctive structural details is a multi-level, in-ground concrete pool built directly into the ruins and standing remains of the estate's original stone barn. All intact, these structures are a testament to the property’s past.
Paying homage to the history was the focus of the renovation. “Throughout the house, we embraced the idea that every period of its history deserved respect,” Jere explains. “In selected areas, walls were opened to expose the original stone construction, allowing the beauty of the eighteenth-century masonry to become part of the home’s interior architecture,” Jere continues. Jere explains that “each space was another chapter in the home’s long history and brings a wonderful sense of authenticity that could never be recreated today.” Preserving the original architectural elements was the goal. Jere talks about what that preservation looked like. “The wide pumpkin pine floors, worn beautifully by generations of footsteps, were carefully preserved,” he explains, “as well as the original interior doors that were restored and reused throughout the home.”
Working with the original footprint, the existing kitchen space was a tiny area in the center portion of the house. Designed with a small center island, this room had minimal counter space and cabinetry. Flowing from this tiny kitchen is an expansive space that was used as a guest dining room during the Lexington B & B era. Ginger determined that this space be transformed into her new kitchen. “Rather than design a kitchen that felt new, we wanted it to feel as though it had naturally evolved over centuries,” says Jere. Ginger’s vision was an English country-style space, in mostly black and white. Set against pale pink stucco walls and white wainscot paneling, the black-and-white countertops and cabinets pop. “Inspired by an upscale, early 1900s English country kitchen, all accents were finished in black and white,” Jere adds.
Original to this space was an antique built-in, with leaded-glass cabinet doors, that was restored and incorporated into the new English-inspired cabinetry. They blended the newly restored built-in with an additional custom-built cabinet. A center island, accented with a white base and black leather absolute granite marble top, added to the English look. One original cabinet was transformed into a charming baker’s cabinet, accented with Carrara marble. On the back wall, an intricately appointed black AGA Mercury induction range was installed. With the kitchen completed, Jere transformed the original kitchen space into a laundry and utility area.
Transformations abounded in this restoration, while repurposing where possible. Preserving the design elements in the bathrooms was an example of this goal. Instead of replacing the colorful ceramic tiles in the bathrooms built during the 1930s and 1940s, Ginger wanted to preserve the original green, pink, and blue tile combinations. These bathrooms were restored while maintaining these original ceramic tiles.
The first major structural change was made in the primary bathroom. According to Jere, the primary bathroom became one of the most dramatic transformations of the project. “The upstairs floor plan was improved by removing one of two small bathrooms, allowing us to expand the remaining vintage bath,” Jere describes. “By combining three smaller rooms, we created a spacious retreat complete with a generous walk-in shower and soaking tub,” Jere describes. Ginger finished the space with one of her treasured finds, an antique English buffet that was meticulously converted into a custom double vanity. “It looks as though it has always belonged there and perfectly captures our goal of blending history with modern function,” adds Jere. From room to room and floor to floor, the restoration continued. Another renovation involving structural modifications was on the third floor.
“For me, the most rewarding renovation took place on the third floor,” Jere adds. The ceilings had deteriorated over the years, and once they were removed, they revealed magnificent original roof framing with massive antique beams nearly four by eight inches. “Instead of hiding these beautiful timbers behind new drywall, we decided to celebrate them,” Jere adds. The roof was insulated between the rafters while leaving the soaring A-frame ceilings completely exposed. “Suddenly, what had been low, confined rooms became dramatic spaces that showcased the craftsmanship of eighteenth-century builders,” Jere adds.
Also showcasing the original craftsmanship is the restoration of the lower level. On this level was a traditional keeping room anchored by a large walk-in stone fireplace. “The original stone pointing was carefully preserved, allowing the craftsmanship of early masons to remain visible,” he continues. “Massive hand-hewn chestnut beams stretch across the ceiling, now illuminated with recessed track lighting,” he continues. Restoration is a blending; maintaining the original architectural elements while defining the newly refurbished living space.
Jere notes that while the renovation provided the architectural framework, the home’s personality comes from Ginger. “Jere and his team were great to work with,” adds Ginger, “they understood my desire to keep the charming aspects of my old house.” She notes that they worked with her to blend her collections into the living space. Jere describes Ginger’s craft and vision. “For more than fifteen years, Ginger has collected English furniture, antique mirrors, artwork, lighting, fine China, crystal, and decorative accessories, with the dream of one day creating a home that felt entirely authentic. Nothing was purchased simply to fill a room.
“All my collections were stored until I found the perfect home for everything,” Ginger says, “and there was nothing more perfect for the spaces where they live now.” Every piece has been thoughtfully selected because it belonged in the story Ginger envisioned. Jere realized that this project was about revealing the house, rather than reinventing it. “Every time we uncovered original stone, exposed hidden beams, or restored an old door, the house reminded us of its extraordinary history,” Jere adds. “Rather than erasing the changes made over centuries,” explains Jere, “this renovation celebrates the home’s changes and continues its remarkable story for future generations.”
Beth S. Buxbaum is a freelance writer from Montgomery County who writes about homes and the people who care for them.