Maplewood Farm - Gina and Brian Bishop
Ashley Evans
Gina and Brian Bishop live at Maplewood Farm. It was originally a 300 acre maple tree farm and the middle part of their home was built in 1824. An addition you see from the drive added on in 1850, and a back addition in 1950. Today only 3 1/2 acres of the original farm remains, but it is right within walking distance to the darling historic town of Hudson, Ohio, just east of Cleveland. This area was settled by New Englanders who were promised land in payment for their service in The Civil War and they were seeking religious freedom. Hudson was a well-known stop on The Underground Railroad. The woman who originally lived in the home came to Hudson with the founder of the town when she was a little girl. Her father was the only doctor in the Western Reserve.
The home is a Federal style wood structure like how they built in New England. Brian and Gina still have many of the original windows and floors. A son of the original owners won a gold medal at the World’s Fair in Chicago for his invention of the Maple Syrup Evaporator. They used the syrup as a sweeter as sugar was costly at the time. There were six barns on the property originally and now the Bishops are down to one just behind the house. Over the years Gina has frequently hosted barn sales in the barn. As the smallest barn on the original property it was likely to have been used for carriages. The barn is at least 100 years old and it’s petite size and charm have been the perfect space for Gina to create in.
The house you see coming up their driveway was added on to the original structure in 1850. The rooms are larger sizes for that time and that particular part of the house was used as an infirmary. The office/den that Brian uses now was the doctor‘s office and Patients would ring a bell that is still there. It is Brian’s favorite thing in the home.
Gina has decorated in a style that honors the age and bones of the historic home, but does not feel like it was decorated as a colonial style home. “I like that I have added whimsy and unexpected items to each room and have placed the items in ways that wink to just me. I try to not take myself so seriously and love color so I just go for it. I also love mixing pattern and just playing in my home. I do not really adhere to other people’s rules when it comes to decorating and just do what feels right for me. People describe my home as happy and I take that as the highest compliment.” Gina says of her unique style.
The sunroom is one of Gina’s favorite rooms and the family sits there for morning coffee and after dinner. It looks on to a Wisteria Arbor and it is beautiful in all seasons. Gina has collected all of the needle point artwork and paintings in that room and just decided to cover the walls with the piece. “I have so many quilts and love the handmades so I layer them.” Pillows made by friends and some were in her Homegirl home decor line. “I feel like that’s a Granny’s room but for some reason it feels really nice for me to be surrounded by all of those cute things.”
“The office I again just mixed what felt right. The day bed acts as guest room when needed. The fireplace never stops come winter.” Gina adds.
The living room is an unusual mix for the home and Gina wanted to tone down the whimsy with leather sofas and other heavier furnishings. Gina laughs “Even if I try to be serious in execution of design it just never feels like me until I add that smile element.”
Since moving to their home nearly two decades ago Gina, Brian, and their two daughters — Lila and Edie — have made a colorful, yet cozy home. Gina’s reputation for being the Mother of Barn Sales has made her a voice for the Americana style within much of the U.S. “I could not love my quirky, whimsy house any more than I do and am happy to call it my home.”
