
Pennsylvania Provincial in Landenberg
The Pennsylvania Provincial is a work of architecture perhaps best characterized by its use of two seemingly disparate historical sources of inspiration: the Pennsylvania farmhouse and the French manor house. The challenge of this project was finding ways to integrate and harmonize these two styles while still celebrating some of their most distinctive features.
Composed of a four-bay stone walled central mass with multilevel wings extending from all sides, this house tells the story of a structure built gradually over a long period of time. The exterior is crafted from a palette of local materials—a custom blend of fieldstone, Vermont slate, brick, and bluestone—that has long been associated with the Pennsylvania farmhouse style but embellished and elevated with classical details, such as the elaborate cornice found around the main mass, that are reminiscent of the formal French manorial style.
Inside, the home’s French influence takes center stage. An elliptical staircase and tall ceilings throughout lend themselves to effortless movement between rooms, with an enfilade view across the entire length of the house. A dynamic color palette is used throughout the house as a means of embellishing the abundant classical detailing. Both elegant and comfortable with both formal and informal spaces, the home’s interior captures the atmosphere of a stately French chateau.
Accommodating the many and sometimes paradoxical needs of the homeowner, the Pennsylvania Provincial is designed to balance formal with casual, classical with rustic, and harmony with whimsicality.