Haven: Modern country living in historic Exton

Don Rossi wanted country living with easy access to major roads. His wife, Marian Rossi, wanted a historic house. It was 1991, and the couple, recently married, were relocating to the Philadelphia area from upstate Pennsylvania for Don's job.

So, the two spread out a map, pinned the most desirable areas, and happily settled on what they've christened Terra Sanctum, a circa 19th-century house nestled on a wooded wonderland in Exton.

The one-acre property was once part of a larger tract owned by William Penn.

According to local folklore, when the original 400-square-foot structure was built, it was occupied by the son of the owner of the historic Ship Inn restaurant on Lincoln Highway. He was the caretaker for the stagecoach and carriage horses that took patrons to the restaurant.

"The building was then used as a school," Don says. A second floor was added for the schoolmistress, doubling the building's size. By 1949, it had been converted into a single-family house.

Through the years, the couple have gradually expanded it, adding a dining room, sitting room, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a gourmet kitchen, and a loft, as well as refurbished the facade with a stately tower, thus transforming the former cottage into the present 3,500-square-foot haven it is today.

Marian might be the organizer of their many projects, but she contends it's Don, a senior manager with Janssen Research and Development in Spring House, who creates them. For instance, Don built the goldfish pond, the stone walls and pathways on the property.

"He just loves it. I think he must have worked on the pyramids," deadpans Marian.

Inside, the house retains many of its timeless qualities, such as the exquisite millwork, oak flooring, and 18-inch-thick walls that act as sound barriers from nearby roads and walking trails.

Lending drama are the original exterior stone walls that are visible in the foyer, on a stairwell wall, and in the master bedroom, where the soaring 25-foot ceiling also shows the original roof lines.

To maintain the period theme, the pair also make sure to incorporate like-minded pieces when replacing materials, such as the garden sink, carved from a single piece of soapstone, in the main bath.

To loosen things up, contemporary pictures and furniture are distributed throughout the home. A large wool carpet anchors the family room, where two eggplant-hued sofas provide a large conversational area. Above the brick-faced fireplace, wooden sliding doors conceal a flat-screen TV. Four antique coat hooks on the back wall hark back to the days when the building was a school.

Marian loves wrought iron, as evidenced by the hardware, railings, and window boxes on the premises, giving the home an Old World allure.

"I waited too long to order a pricey, cool iron desk," she says. "I've regretted it ever since."

Inside Don's office/loft are the hundreds of action figures created by Todd McFarlane of McFarlane Toys. His vast collection, accumulated over many years, is a toy collector's dream.

"I really liked the detail of the figures. I haven't seen anything else that comes near them," he says.

Marian works part time as a handler for QVC. She also creates greeting cards, running her business, Inx Werx, out of her art studio, a sanctuary featuring intricate built-ins that hold her supplies.

The kids' bedrooms abound with all the stylings of two 15-year-olds, with welcome visits from Gunner, the family's 20-year-old cat.

Son Blaize, a baritone saxophonist and national Louis Armstrong Jazz Award winner, has an oversized bureau and a large green-and-blue grasshopper painting hanging on the wall above his bed and right next to Marley, his bearded dragon.

Daughter Ryal, whose room is festooned with strings of lights, an off-white desk, and pictures of her ice hockey team, shares her room with a furry friend, Scratchmo, the gerbil.

Undeniably, the wow feature is the kitchen, a completely redone room with high-end cabinets, state-of-the-art appliances, where Marian's collection of Henry Watson Original Suffolk pottery is showcased.

The 15-foot granite island, a boon to entertaining, took nine workers to install. The couple, both in their 50s, love the new space with zones for prepping, baking, and cooking.

Enhancing the backyard is one of several projects on their bucket list for the summer.

However, on this Father's Day, with Marian's blessing, Don will be fly-fishing with his son.

"It's a sport I really enjoy. I don't take much time off."

@cathilaughlin