Executive Overview

In the picturesque expanses of the Hudson Valley, where rolling hills meet the gentle expanse of the winding river, a meticulous architectural restoration has captured the imagination of design enthusiasts nationwide. Following a widely celebrated profile of novelist Olivia Muenter’s personal style earlier this spring, readers flooded editorial channels requesting an inside look at the 1863 historic farmhouse she shares with her husband, Jake. What began as a routine lifestyle feature evolved into an in-depth exploration of historic preservation, DIY craftsmanship, and the deliberate creation of a soulful, narrative-driven domestic sanctuary.

Spanning over 150 years of localized history, the Muenter-Jake residence stands as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between past inhabitants and contemporary occupants. The property, featuring its original wavy glass windows, uneven floorboards, and hidden historical inscriptions preserved within the plaster walls, represents a masterclass in honoring structural heritage while introducing vibrant, English-country-inspired design sensibilities. Far from a sterile museum piece, the home operates as a living, breathing canvas—complete with a dedicated writing studio affectionately dubbed "Kittenbrick Cottage," a rescue mutt named Winnie, and an uncompromising commitment to warm, layered interior storytelling.

Detailed Chronology & Spatial Evolution

The Entry and the Ground Floor: Unearthing History

Upon entering the 1863 farmhouse, visitors are immediately greeted by a sensory experience deeply connected to the surrounding valley landscape. Muenter notes that during the warmer months, the heavy reliance on original screen doors invites an extraordinary river breeze to sweep up the hillside. The entryway, painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster, sets a bright, neutral foundation punctuated by a vintage blue bench sourced from The Antique Warehouse and a classic West Elm pendant light.

However, the true historical narrative of the home reveals itself during the renovation process. Beneath layers of dated wallpaper and compounding coats of paint across the downstairs rooms, Muenter and her husband spent weeks painstakingly scraping down to the original plaster. In doing so, they unearthed a trove of handwritten notes, names, and dates etched directly into the walls, dating back as far as 1920. Choosing to leave select portions of these historical inscriptions exposed, the couple bridged a century of habitation by officially adding their own signatures to the architectural timeline.

The Library and Living Spaces: Embracing Bold Color

Moving into the library, the home takes a daring aesthetic leap. The space is anchored by custom bookshelves and a rolling ladder, a design element Muenter envisioned upon her first tour of the property—only to later discover that historical bookshelves had occupied that exact location before being removed by a previous owner.

The room is drenched in Farrow & Ball’s Yeabridge Green, a high-intensity hue that serves as a masterclass in trusting one’s creative intuition.

"On sunny days, it is the brightest, most intense green," Muenter reflects. "People have strong reactions to it, but I love it."

The living room continues this philosophy of layered, collected comfort, drawing heavy inspiration from the lived-in, slightly eclectic charm of English country homes. Vintage sofas upholstered in stripes sit alongside jute rugs from Rush House, Anthropologie pillows, and a towering gold standing mirror that, according to local lore, arrived via flatbed truck from New York City in the year 1900.

Adjacent to the living area, a hutch handed down through generations holds framed portraits of cherished friends and family. This deliberate display embodies Muenter’s interior design philosophy: celebrating loved ones by giving them a permanent, honored physical presence within the domestic sphere.

The Culinary Hub and Private Quarters

While the kitchen is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation, its temporary state fails to diminish its inherent charm. Operating as the home’s functional heart, Muenter handles the cooking while Jake manages the clean-up. Here, the imperfections of a 19th-century build—such as warped windowpanes and asymmetrical hallways—are embraced as irreplaceable features rather than structural flaws.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom transitions into a moodier palette, utilizing Sherwin-Williams’ Moody Blue paired with a Lulu & Georgia bed, Boll & Branch bedding, and a handmade quilt crafted by Muenter’s mother-in-law via Etsy. It is also within this private sanctuary that Muenter practices intentional emotional grounding, utilizing framed personal notes written during moments of anxiety—a practice completed by Jake, who penned the final line of a stray note, symbolizing their collaborative life journey.

The guest bedroom continues the theme of hospitality, functioning as a boutique hotel experience. Beyond the Farrow & Ball French Gray walls, family heirlooms like a prized vintage rug from Muenter’s parents sit alongside a fully stocked guest basket containing essentials such as pain relievers, toiletries, lint rollers, and size-inclusive robes.

Supporting Context & Metrics

The restoration of the Hudson Valley farmhouse operates not merely as a domestic project, but as a deliberate lifestyle recalibration. Below is an overview of key design specifications, material selections, and contextual metrics defining the property:

Official Insights & Collaborative Dynamics

The success of the 1863 farmhouse restoration lies heavily in the complementary partnership between Olivia Muenter and her husband, Jake. Having met in a college journalism club, the couple recognized early on that their innate personalities bridged two entirely different spheres of problem-solving.

"I’m a creative dreamer type, and Jake is more analytical and focused," Muenter explains. "To see us now years later redoing this old house, which requires both of those traits, is really cool."

This dynamic is equally present in their relationship with the property’s ghosts of the past. The previous owner, Larry, resided in the home for two decades prior to his passing. Rather than viewing the historic structure through an eerie lens, Muenter maintains a lighthearted, conversational rapport with the former resident:

"People told us he loved big parties, so I’ll say, ‘Larry, the parties are going to be great, we’ve just gotta finish renovating the kitchen first!’"

Furthermore, the integration into small-town Hudson Valley life has provided Muenter with a profound sense of grounding. While running daily errands frequently results in running into familiar faces—a dynamic that can occasionally challenge an introvert—she has grown to deeply appreciate witnessing community members within the unvarnished rhythms of their everyday routines.

Future Outlook & Architectural Legacy

As the Muenter-Jake household continues to evolve, the property remains an ongoing, living canvas of creative expression. Unfinished spaces, such as the expansive attic, hold future potential as dedicated domestic screening rooms or recreational havens, leaving room for organic growth rather than rushed renovations.

The crown jewel of the exterior footprint remains Kittenbrick Cottage—the detached outbuilding transformed from a derelict chicken coop and garden shed into a dedicated writing studio. Named after an inside joke stemming from foundation bricks discovered by Jake that featured accidental kitten paw prints, the cottage serves as Muenter’s professional sanctuary, heavily inspired by the cozy, layered cinematic sets of films like The Family Stone and You’ve Got Mail.

Ultimately, the Hudson Valley farmhouse stands as a masterclass in historical stewardship. By balancing bold color theories, honoring ancestral architecture, and infusing modern domestic spaces with deep personal narratives, Olivia Muenter and Jake have secured the legacy of an 1863 landmark, carrying it forward into its next vibrant century of life.