Rhode Island's home style preferences are experiencing a major shift. Â Smaller homes with authentic period design are rapidly gaining favor over the larger properties favored a decade ago. Buyers want new-old homes that look historic on the outside but contain open spaces, walk-in closets, cooks' kitchens and high efficiency mechanicals on the inside.
21 Mia Court on the Exeter / North Kingstown line is such a home. Completed in 2008 by former historic home owners, this jewel of a house incorporates all the things they loved about their historic farm house in Charlestown. Â Wide plank pine floors, exposed beams, hand hewn doors, forged iron hardware and a huge fireplace with beehive oven are classic American Colonial elements. Â The arrangement of these elements, however, is as modern as can be with an open floor plan, first floor master suite, large eat in kitchen and soapstone center island.
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Old New Home Trends
Little did they know design trends in 2014 would validate their concept for 21 Mia Court. Â High-end builders, architects and designers are moving toward authentic designs that are true to their period - no more mixing farmers porches with Palladian windows - purity of style is the design objective now.
Form, Function & Location
On the outside, it's hard to tell this is a new house - even the setting among vintage stone walls, walking paths and woods is reminiscent of Colonial Rhode Island.  The location, on the other hand, is all 21st century - just 5 minutes to Kingston's train station, 30 minutes to Providence and 20 minutes to T.F. Green.
It's not easy to get this combination of old and new right. Â Purists have been know to take extensive measurements of antique homes to reproduce the proportions exactly. Â Indeed, these owners took several years to select all the materials and plan every inch of space before a contractor set foot on the property. Proportion and scale are the name of the game, and this little house is exactly right.
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