ICF Modern Farmhouse New Construction Home (The Kenwood Story)
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Ever dreamt of a new construction home that’s rock-solid, energy-efficient, and downright beautiful? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening with this ICF modern farmhouse built with Insulated Concrete Forms that Jim will be wrapping up soon.
Many of you know, I started working with Jim a little over a year ago when he shifted to custom home builds.
My role?
Helping clients with selections—floors, colors, fixtures—you name it, plus handling the admin side of bank new construction loans etc (because keeping the money straight is key).
Social media, sharing educational content on Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) and why they’re a game-changer for new builds and home additions is also part of my duties!😉
After seeing the buzz around last week’s post on the MC Build (aka Jim’s multigenerational masterpiece), I figured—why stop there?
This Modern Farmhouse has its own wild ride, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good home-building saga?
So, here we are!
Eight months into construction, this dream home is nearing the finish line, and let’s just say—it’s been a ride. This story of a family and a “lone wooded lot” is worth the read ….so here it goes.
The Kenwood Build: A Custom ICF Home
I would like to introduce you to “The Kenwood,” a home with a heart!
For a family of five who recently moved to town, this isn’t just a house—it’s a dream brought to life.
Meg (the wife and mom) has been planning every inch of this build (I think for years!) down to the tiniest detail (yes, even the little blue birds on the pantry wallpaper) which shhhhh…..her husband knows nothing about the wallpaper (she’s hoping he doesn’t notice 😂.)
If excitement could be bottled, Meg’s passion for this home could power a small city—this is her Super Bowl, her grand finale, her Olympics of home design.
Before breaking ground on The Kenwood, the family had to make a major sacrifice—saying goodbye to a home that had been in her husband’s family for generations.
It was emotional, no doubt—so many memories, so much history—but deep down, they knew it was time.
A fresh start, a new dream, and a home built just for them awaited!
From a Frat House to a Forever Home
But first? Frat-house purgatory.
Their temporary rental (while they wait for Jimbo to build their home), a far cry from their former home, Meg says, “feels feels like she went back in time to her college days”—except this time, she wasn’t sharing it with carefree roommates but with a husband, three kids, and two dogs.
Let’s just say, Meg is hanging on by a thread.
This dream home isn’t just a want; it’s a get-me-out-of-this-chaos necessity.
The countdown to moving day?
At this point, she’s counting down the days in caffeine refills, dramatic sighs, and—let’s be real—probably a few tears of frustration, overwhelm, and sheer survival mode.
From Lot to Foundation: Breaking Ground
Soooo, a little backstory on this lot—Jim’s been tangled up with it for two years.
For decades, nobody could get it approved thanks to its tricky wetland location.
But in true Jim fashion, he saw the red tape as a challenge, not a roadblock, and went all in, working with the town to make this new construction home happen.
The lot had a patch of roadside wetlands, but getting the driveway approved?
A bureaucratic obstacle course to say the least but with persistence, it was eventually approved.
Once the dust settled, a long, scenic drive opened up to the kind of clearing that feels like a reward—the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!
A truly spectacular sight.
Finally, this lot was hitting the market, and honestly?
I was beyond ready to wrap up this wild ride and close the chapter on a property that practically had a life of its own.
The house had barely hit the market when I got a text from Jim that had me cracking up.
“So, a realtor and a buyer just left, and Jess, mark my words—they’re buying this house. The wife was so excited she was bursting at the seams with excitement.”
I laughed and asked, “Did the husband like it?”
Jim? Dead serious. “He wasn’t there. But I’m telling you, there’s no way he’s saying ‘no’ after she walks through the door with this kind of energy. If he does? Well… she might just move in without him.” 😂
Needless to say, they bought the house.
I put together this quick video below (be sure to expand the video when you open it so you can see full screen on mobile) showing the progress from start….I think you will love it!
Breaking Ground—The Challenges of a Tough Lot
Once the conservation stuff was handled (because like I said, you can’t just bulldoze your way through), Jim got busy clearing the 400+’ driveway and prepping the spot for the house location.
A scenic, driveway which cuts through the woods, offering a peaceful entrance to the future home.
Building with ICF: Strength Meets Efficiency
Once the lot was prepped, the real work began.
If you have been following along with the MC build, a multigenerational new construction home Jim is building nearby, you know insulated concrete form houses vs traditional wood-framed houses are very different.
Built to last, these solid concrete walls offer unmatched durability, top-tier energy efficiency, and serious peace of mind.
From keeping utility bills low to standing strong against the elements, this home is built like a fortress.
Or better yet, a tank!
The Build Process To Date
Laying the Foundation
A solid concrete slab was poured, forming the rock-solid base of this ICF home. With strength and stability locked in, the next phase was ready to roll.
Stacking the ICF Blocks
Like giant, insulated puzzle pieces, the ICF blocks were carefully stacked and reinforced with concrete.
This step created ultra-durable, high-efficiency walls that keep energy costs down and comfort levels high.
Framing & the Second Floor
Once the first floor was set, framers went to work constructing the second level.
Another round of ICF blocks followed, with more concrete filled walls.
Roof Installation & Weatherproofing
With walls in place, it was time to lock it all in—the roof went on, sealing the structure and making it weather-tight.
Now that the exterior walls complete, roof is on and house is enclosed, things are starting to take shape and it’s looking like a real house now!
This method of building isn’t just about strength (though hurricane-force winds don’t stand a chance).
It’s about efficiency.
An ICF home is significantly better at maintaining indoor temperatures—keeping the heat in during winter and out during summer.
Translation?
Lower energy bills and a cozier home, year-round.
What’s Happening Now? (The Fun Part!)
Fast forward to today, and the finishing touches are in full swing:
- Interior walls are framed, sheet rock and plaster complete
- Tile work in the bathrooms is nearly complete.
- The kitchen is installed, and trust me, it’s a showstopper.
- Meg and her friends (with me snapping pics, of course) turned an afternoon into a full-on DIY party, secretly adding wallpaper—complete with tiny birds—for a surprise touch. Let’s just say, it was equal parts sneaky and spectacular!
- Painting is scheduled for next week, bringing everything together.
- Final touches—flooring, trim, lighting—are about to begin.
Thinking About Building? Here’s What You Need to Know
If this modern farmhouse has you considering your own build, here are some key takeaways:
- Plan for unexpected hurdles and tears. 🤷♀️ Wetlands, zoning laws, and permits can throw a wrench in your plans. Work with a knowledgeable contractor to navigate the red tape.
- Consider ICF. Yes, it might cost a little more upfront, but the long-term benefits—strength, efficiency, and durability—are worth every penny.
- Location matters. A scenic, peaceful lot adds immeasurable value to your home and daily life.
- Be patient. Home building is a marathon, not a sprint. But when you walk into your perfectly tailored space? It’s all worth it.
This modern farmhouse is proof that a smart new construction home can most definitely meet timeless design.
With just a few more weeks to go, the excitement is at an all-time high. Whether you’re considering building your own home or just love following a good project, stay tuned for the final reveal!
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
