Solebury Winter 14 House
by Beth Buxbaum
Valarie Patterson and Timothy Guenther love living in an old stone Bucks County house. Granted the life they live here isn’t for everyone. They love history and like living simply. In fact, living simply is something that they are used to. “We lived in simple homes growing up,” quips Val, “and this house’s simplicity was a perfect fit.” They grew up in older homes and appreciate their history and character.
“We knew that we wanted an old stone house in Bucks County,” Val explains. “Specifically in New Hope because it was a manageable commute.” She says that what attracted them to Bucks County was the rural feel and beautiful landscapes, with the accessibility to great restaurants, entertainment, recreation and major roadways. Also on their wish list was a property with land, so that they could plant their own vegetable garden—something else they both had growing up.
When they decided to move to Bucks County, they were living in Allentown and commuting to Princeton, where they both worked at the time. Their house search only lasted about six months. “We started in Upper Bucks and decided the commute was too far,” Val adds. We looked at every stone house between Springfield Township and New Hope.” Then they found this centuries-old stone house in Solebury Township. “We felt the scale of the house fit us.” She adds, “It’s cozy and offers plenty of space for the two of us and we can accommodate guests.”
She explains that, for them, a new home would be too sterile. “We don’t need everything perfect,” she continues, “and older homes have more texture to their surroundings.” It is the texture that is created from the old wood floors, plaster and stone walls, walk-in fireplace and wood beamed ceilings that they appreciated. “We often wonder what life was like living here centuries ago and who the people were that were living here. We are fascinated and enjoy having a sense of the homestead’s history.”
To find out more about this bucks County Farmhouse and what Valarie and Timothy did to restore it, turn to page 58 in the Winter 2014 issue of Bucks County Magazine.