Lincoln Way Stay in Franklin Grove, IL, is an exquisitely renovated century home that embodies both historical charm and modern luxury. This remarkable residence, built in the late 1800s, showcases classic Victorian architectural features with its gabled roof, detailed trim, and expansive porches. Spanning 10,000 square feet on a spacious plot, the property has been meticulously updated with over $3 million in recent renovations, including high-end HVAC systems and commercial-grade kitchen appliances. The main home, along with its original barn, carriage house, and cottage, offers numerous bedrooms, living spaces, and unique amenities—such as a custom-built Finlandia sauna and tornado bunkers. Currently listed for $1,500,000, this all-inclusive estate promises both historical significance and modern comfort.
Front Exterior
A historic American home stands at the center, surrounded by lush green lawns and mature trees that create a natural, secluded environment. The house features a prominent metal gabled roof in a medium gray, with wide eaves and a full-length front porch. The upper story has multiple rectangular windows, framed in white, bringing in ample daylight. A winding concrete walkway leads from the bottom to the covered porch, which is flanked by abundant gardens and shrubs. The architectural style blends Craftsman and farmhouse influences, with earthy colors and natural wood details accentuating the peaceful, rustic atmosphere of the property.
Garage Exterior
A detached two-story garage structure sits nestled among mature trees and lush landscaping, with a black paved driveway leading up to several wooden garage doors. Five rectangular windows line the upper story, framed in cream trim against olive-green siding. Potted plants in terracotta pots line the front, adding a touch of greenery and charm to the building’s base. The building features a dark metal roof that complements the natural surroundings. There is a set of wooden stairs at one end, providing access to the upper level. Sunlight filters through the leafy canopy, casting dappled shadows over the drive and structure.
Patio Dining Area
A long covered patio furnished for outdoor dining features two parallel tables draped in cream linens, each surrounded by modern white chairs with abstract cutout backs. The flooring is pale stone tile, with a large textured rug beneath part of the setup. Overhead, a wooden pergola with corrugated transparent panels lets in filtered light, strung with delicate fairy lights and a rustic lantern. At one end, a large stone fireplace adds warmth, flanked by cushioned seating. The perimeter is framed by lush greenery and wooden fencing, blending nature with inviting, rustic-elegant decor. Seasonal centerpieces and natural textures create a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
Entry Hallway
Spacious entry hallway featuring elegant wooden floors and matching trim throughout, complemented by robust wooden pillars that accentuate the archways between spaces. The main entrance showcases a large, multi-paned wooden door with ample glass for natural light. Off to the side is a bench and a metal coat rack, providing practical storage near the entrance. Neutral wall tones maintain a classic, understated aesthetic, while black-framed windows and a few upholstered chairs offer a touch of refinement. An area rug helps define the sitting area, and period-style lighting and emergency exit signs reinforce the home’s historic yet functional character.
Entry Hall Columns
Bright and spacious entry hall featuring polished wooden floors and grand wooden columns that frame the central opening to adjoining rooms. The space integrates rich caramel-toned woodwork, including substantial doorways, trim, and a traditional paneled door. Benches with light cushions and wrought iron legs rest on either side of the columns, providing functional accents. The adjoining rooms showcase plush seating, pendant lights with vintage bulbs, and a large piece of wall art, all amplifying the home’s historic charm. Soft white walls and ceiling beams further highlight the architectural details and craftsmanship of this elegant home’s transitional area.
Living Room Seating
A spacious living room featuring warm wood floors and a large pale rug that defines the central seating area. To the left, a rustic stone fireplace with a decorative white antler piece on the mantle adds a touch of nature. Seating includes an elegant purple sofa, two armchairs with patterned upholstery, and a soft gray sofa, arranged for comfortable conversation. Overhead, two modern light fixtures with grouped glass globes create a warm glow. The room’s white walls are accented by colorful artwork and rich wooden trim, especially around the large window and doorway leading to another area.
Kitchen Bar Area
A compact kitchen bar area with white cabinetry and open shelving holds glassware and mugs. Below the counter, stainless steel appliances are integrated, including a wine refrigerator and a microwave above. The backsplash features hexagonal mosaic tiles in shades of beige, gray, and cream, adding texture and visual interest. To the left, the space opens into a bright sunroom or family room, lined with wood paneling on the ceiling and large windows framed in dark wood. Flooring transitions from warm-toned hardwood in the bar area to stone tile in the sunroom, enhancing the inviting and natural atmosphere. Architectural details include substantial wood moldings at the room transitions.
Dining Room Table
A spacious dining area features a long wooden table surrounded by matching chairs, set over a colorful floral rug. The space is adorned with natural wood paneling on the walls and ceiling, creating a warm, rustic atmosphere. Slate-style tiles in varying earthy tones cover the floor, adding visual texture. Large windows run along one side, allowing ample daylight to fill the room and offering views of the greenery outside. Pendant lights and recessed lighting brighten the space from above. The aesthetic blends natural materials, soft hues, and classic farmhouse charm, complemented by subtle decorative artwork on the walls.
Dining Area
A sunlit dining area with warm honey-toned wood covering the ceiling and walls, creating a cozy, cabin-like feel. Natural light pours in from large picture windows set in dark wood frames, providing a view of lush greenery outside. The floor is made of multi-colored stone tiles, adding texture and earthiness. A richly stained wooden dining table is set for a meal, surrounded by matching wooden chairs. A vibrant floral rug rests beneath the table, introducing color and softness. The space flows toward a wooden door with glass panes, and a glimpse of an adjacent kitchen is visible through a wide doorway.
Living Room Details
A spacious living room features elegant hardwood floors with large, patterned area rugs in muted earth tones. Walls are painted a soft sage green, and windows are framed with dark wood trim, letting in ample natural light. Comfortable seating includes a tufted blue velvet sofa, an upholstered armchair, and a small round dining table with carved wooden chairs. House plants and eclectic decor add a fresh, lively touch. Classic light fixtures hang from the ceiling, while artwork featuring white birds and serene landscapes brings a refined, tranquil atmosphere. The wood doors and trim provide a warm historic character.
Living Room Details
This living room space exudes a blend of classic elegance and comfort. Three large bay windows with dark wood trim provide an abundance of natural light and offer a picturesque view of the garden and trees outside. The room features a plush, patterned sofa adorned with neutral-toned throw pillows, paired with two white upholstered armchairs circling an ornate round coffee table with wrought iron legs. A large, soft area rug in muted blues and grays ties the seating area together. Decorative details include intricate woodwork around doorways and windows, an eye-catching framed vintage poster, and a striking orb chandelier overhead.
Kitchen Details
Spacious kitchen featuring a commercial-grade stainless steel range with multiple burners, double ovens, and bright red control knobs, topped by a matching vent hood. To the right, a large, double-door stainless steel refrigerator stands prominently, complementing the modern appliances. The floor is made up of earthy, rectangular stone tiles in brown, ochre, and charcoal shades. Along the wall, painted cabinetry in a soft sage green with beadboard detailing reaches up to the ceiling, and a rolling wooden library ladder provides access to the highest cabinets. A vintage mint-green drawer unit and a wall-mounted mail sorter add a touch of historic charm.
Kitchen Counter Area
A spacious kitchen features a long, gray beadboard counter with a marble top, accented by an overhead fixture of three industrial pendant lights. Slate tile flooring runs throughout, combining earthy browns, grays, and muted greens. Stainless steel appliances and fixtures add a modern contrast to the rustic theme. Large, multi-pane windows framed in dark wood fill the room with natural light, offering views of leafy greenery outside. In the background, a doorway with wood trim leads into another room with exposed wood cabinetry and distressed finishes, reinforcing the historical character. Subtle decorative touches, like a cake photo and open shelving, complete the aesthetic.
Kitchen Island
A spacious kitchen featuring a large L-shaped island with pale green beadboard cabinetry topped by white granite counters. The island includes built-in shelving, a stainless steel dishwasher, and a raised breakfast bar area. The floor is covered in multicolored slate tiles in earth tones, adding warmth and texture to the space. Surrounding windows framed in rich, dark wood bring natural light and garden views inside. Matching wood trim continues around the doors, contributing to the home’s historic character. Modern pendant lighting hangs over the island, and decor includes open shelving and a framed photograph, enhancing the lived-in, inviting atmosphere.
Bathroom Sink Area
A spacious bathroom showcases a large industrial-style stainless steel sink with sleek fixtures, set beneath a broad, wood-framed mirror illuminated by a double-light sconce. The walls are painted a soft, pale green, lending a soothing and clean atmosphere to the space. Natural wood trim frames the rectangular window and lines the baseboard, bringing warmth and character to the room. A white toilet sits to the right of the sink beside a small, white cabinet with a lamp on top. Slate-tiled flooring with earthy tones adds texture and a rustic touch, complementing the mix of robust industrial and homely historic elements.
Bedroom Suite
Spacious bedroom featuring a silver four-poster bed topped with crisp white bedding and a pillow embroidered with the word ‘DREAM.’ The room is anchored by a large, colorful floral rug atop hardwood floors. Walls are painted a soft pastel, contrasted by natural wood trim around windows and doors. Tall windows allow an abundance of natural light, and two matching bedside tables hold modern lamps. Artistic decor includes a bold wall piece made of wood in the form of a map, enhancing a blend of contemporary and rustic aesthetics. An adjacent bathroom is visible through an open doorway draped with flowing curtains.
Bathroom Retreat
Warm and inviting bathroom with a spa-like ambiance features a large white soaking tub set against an accent wall of stacked stone, creating a natural, earthy backdrop. The space is painted in a gentle yellow-beige, complemented by wooden flooring that adds warmth. Lush green plants, both hanging and potted, bring in touches of nature. Above the double basin vanity, an ornately framed mirror is paired with candelabra-style lighting, adding vintage charm. Decorative shelvings display toiletries and art, such as a cheerful sunflower painting, reinforcing the serene, relaxed, and slightly rustic atmosphere ideal for unwinding.
Utility Room Storage
Long, narrow space with natural wood paneling covering the walls and ceiling lends a cozy, cabin-like atmosphere. Light wood cabinetry lines the upper walls, providing ample storage. Concrete flooring gives a utilitarian feel, and a patterned area rug softens the space near the entrance. On the left wall, a variety of cleaning tools like vacuum cleaners, a mop, and buckets are neatly organized. A small wooden staircase rises on one side, while a wooden door with arched windows at the far end lets in natural light. Overhead lighting is simple and functional, adding brightness throughout.
Bedroom Retreat
This rustic bedroom features a large woven bed with a white comforter and accent pillows in earth tones, set against a weathered wood accent wall. Two windows framed by creamy white curtains fill the room with light, highlighting soft mint green walls and dark stained wood trim. Matching wooden nightstands and industrial-style sconce lighting add warmth to the space. A plush beige area rug with a subtle pattern covers the rich hardwood floor, while a small wooden writing desk and sleek chair provide a functional corner. Decorative antlers above the nightstand lend a historic, countryside charm to the serene setting.
Bathroom Vanity
A cozy bathroom with soft beige stone tiles covering the lower half of the walls and extending into a spacious, walk-in shower. The shower features a pebble-stone floor and is framed by natural stone tiles in muted earth tones. Above the toilet is a decorative metal rack holding rolled white towels, adding both function and charm. The vanity countertop is white marble with vintage-style black fixtures, and a circular mirror with an ornate gold frame brings an elegant, historic feel. A deer antler toilet-paper holder and soft lighting finish the warm, inviting, and slightly rustic aesthetic.
Back Porch Seating
A wide, wooden back porch runs alongside the house, featuring sage-green horizontal siding and multiple black-framed windows reflecting the trees and interior lights. The flooring is comprised of gray-toned wooden planks, creating a sense of openness. A simple black rectangular table with two modern, translucent plastic chairs and light wood legs sits near the windows, accented by a small potted plant. Further down the porch, a classic wooden rocking chair and potted greenery offer additional seating. Overhead, the eaved roofline provides shade, while mature trees surround the space, casting dappled shadows and evoking a tranquil, inviting atmosphere.
Staircase Entryway
Warm wood floors and stairs with a golden tone create a welcoming atmosphere as you enter the home. The metal stair railing is crafted with an artistic, organic design reminiscent of flowing vines, adding an elegant, handcrafted touch. Near the stairs, a small wooden writing desk sits with a nature-themed lamp and a basket of papers underneath. The cozy armchair upholstered in botanical-patterned fabric coordinates with the tranquil decor. Soft blue-green wall paint contrasts with dark wood trim, and natural light filters through a large, oval glass entry door and upper stained glass windows, enhancing the inviting ambiance.
Bedroom Details
A serene bedroom with a light blue accent wall and dark wood trim around a large double window. Sheer white curtains bring in soft, natural light, highlighting a plush off-white area rug covering rich hardwood floors. The black metal daybed features white bedding and pillows, with three woven baskets stored neatly underneath. Above the bed, two framed animal prints and a sculpted bison head add playful character. On the left, a mirrored vanity with a lamp and glass decor sits beside the bed, and the room’s overall palette is calm with soft blue, white, and warm brown tones.
Bathroom Vanity and Shower
A compact bathroom featuring a pedestal sink with a wide, square basin and a polished metal faucet. Above the sink is a round, teal-framed mirror, while soft overhead lighting creates a cozy atmosphere. The walls are tiled in small, rectangular blue and gray tiles that blend into a mosaic border. A sleek glass shelf holds rolled towels and toiletries. To the right, a glass-enclosed walk-in shower includes a built-in wooden bench and a horizontal window that lets in natural light. The hexagonal floor tiles harmonize with the gentle blues and greys, lending a modern yet tranquil vibe.
Bedroom Details
A spacious bedroom features a soft, light green accent wall behind a white, sculpted headboard. The bed is neatly dressed in white and light blue bedding, surrounded by plush pillows with botanical patterns. Two vibrant botanical artworks flank the bed, accompanied by light-colored nightstands, one topped with a lamp and small decor. The ceiling is adorned with ornate, embossed patterns and warm recessed lighting. Light flows through sheer, patterned curtains that reach the dark wood floors. A butterfly motif repeats in the area rug and an upholstered chair, adding whimsy alongside a delicate flower-shaped side table and a vintage mirrored wardrobe.
Bathroom Soaking Tub
A spa-inspired bathroom features a pristine white clawfoot soaking tub placed slightly off-center against a wall of soft, muted green and gray subway tiles. A large, arched mirror with a rustic, distressed frame stands beside the tub, adding depth and elegance to the space. Natural light pours in through a wide picture window trimmed in rich, dark wood and a smaller horizontal window above. The floor is tiled in a mosaic pattern of pale hexagons with hints of green. A wooden bench sits to one side, complementing the earthy, tranquil vibe, while clean lines and tasteful finishes evoke calm sophistication.
Home Office Corner
A sunlit corner room features rich wood trim, a pine tongue-and-groove ceiling, and golden-hued plank flooring, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere. A wooden desk beneath a wide window displays leafy potted plants, a salt lamp, and a basket of brass singing bowls underneath. To the right, a modern black metal bookshelf is filled with books, a few artistic objects, and another tall plant. A sliding glass-paneled wood door opens to an adjacent room, where another window and potted plant can be seen. The decor blends cozy vintage charm with natural, calming details and ample greenery.
Bedroom Corner
A spacious bedroom featuring natural pine wood floors and a matching tongue-and-groove wood ceiling, both in a warm honey tone. The walls are painted a bold lavender shade that contrasts richly with the dark-finished wood trim and sliding doors. The large, plush bed is dressed in white linens and sits atop a faded beige area rug. Matching wooden nightstands with modern lamps and framed artwork flank the bed, while windows with wooden blinds allow ample natural light. Wicker and wood furniture, including a side table and chair, add to the cozy, rustic ambiance of the room.
Bathroom Shower Area
A light-filled bathroom features a large window framed in natural wood, allowing ample daylight and views of outdoor greenery. The walls are painted a soft neutral shade, complemented by a white toilet topped with a colorful tissue box. Stone pebble tile flooring extends into a spacious walk-in shower, which is framed with multi-toned stone tiles and features a sloped ceiling lined with small, tan bricks. A wooden bench sits inside the shower, adding warmth and functionality. Decorative touches include a chrome towel rack and a small floral painting in a gold frame, contributing to a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Listing Agent: Rebecca Hazzard of Re/Max Of Rock Valley via Zillow
