When Claire and Rob Merriman were looking for their dream home, the pair spent many a weekend poring over maps to find a place that fulfilled their greatest wish: a property that offered wide-open vistas overlooking rolling fields and farmland. “We didn’t think we’d end up with all we have today, with the gardens, the estate, the pets, and all the wildlife, including our herd of deer,” explains Claire. “Upon entering, we could see the view from the open back door. We didn’t even look at the rest of the house, as we just knew.”
In its original state, the capacious old house revealed wonderful wooden beams and plenty of character, but the structure was long overdue for an update, and the flow didn’t work for the family. The couple…