Nestled in the heart of rural Hopewell Township, Cara and David Brown’s 1724 stone house, Harvest Field, holds 300 years of holiday history. Built by French Huguenots, the home is a testament to endurance and reinvention, qualities its owners have embraced since moving from Texas in 2005. The Mercer County home is rich with patina and personality, blending vintage elegance with a casual, collected sensibility.
Cara, a widely recognized jewelry designer, describes the lived-in, loved-in residence as a “jewel box” where antique furniture, playful objets d’art and storied travel souvenirs are layered with intention. “Each room is filled with family treasures, and every corner tells a story,” she says. “Someday, I hope our grandchildren will appreciate these things.”
Presiding over the living room is a tall angel figure, rumored to be a tribute to the 1920 Summer Olympic Games. A jaunty blue sofa, vintage art and curated objects spruce up the space. Photo: Laura Moss
For the holiday season, the family invited Far Hills interior designer Jessica Melillo of House of Worth (Instagram: @_house.of.worth) to source seasonal interior and exterior decor, wrap festive gifts, and style an elaborate sweets and fruit buffet provided by Maranatha Farm in Somerset County. Christmas guests will be greeted with a signature Harvest Field cocktail inside the foyer, where Melillo decorated a fresh tree with dried oranges, persimmons and pineapple attached to velvet ribbons. The tree is radiant atop a herringbone-brick floor, complemented by a Welsh cabinet laden with favorite heirlooms.
A jolly tree, trimmed with dried fruit and velvet ribbons, is adorned with an antique angel topper. Photos: Laura Moss
At the heart of the residence is the dining room, a cozy, hobbit-like space where low wooden beams and original pine floors cocoon family and friends. A walk-in fireplace embellished with wrapped presents, a wood carving by Will Kautz and an antique American flag create storybook intimacy. A mural of the family’s property, hand-painted by a Bucks County artist, graces the dining room walls.
The dining room table, styled by Jessica Melillo, features an old swan sculpture, 30-inch candles, and velvet chair ribbons hand-painted by Karolyn Stephenson. A carved wood garland, antique American flag and wrapped gifts decorate the fireplace. Photos: Laura Moss
Their December 25, 2025 dinner will include blue-cheese-stuffed beef tenderloin, green chile and rice casserole, and a mandarin orange and greens salad. For this couple, the joy is in the details: Imari plates, bespoke monogrammed linens, and heirloom silver from both grandmothers decorate their tablescape.
While the dining room is the celebratory heart of the home, the kitchen, often fragranced by fresh-baked cookies, is a soulful retreat. The breakfast nook offers a peaceful view of the changing seasons and a comfy spot for Cara to create her one-of-a-kind necklaces.
Photos: Laura Moss
Throughout the home, collections abound: sculpture and paintings in neutral palettes are punctuated by unexpected bursts of color, all curated over 30 years of marriage. Each deeply personal object is layered to feel fresh. Many of the contemporary paintings are by local artist Elizabeth Endres, a family friend whose modern sensibility balances the centuries-old architecture. Cara calls herself a treasure hunter, equally happy browsing flea markets as she is pulling over for a roadside find. Her passion for design is inherited. “I grew up with a mom who was an interior designer. She repurposed old things and appreciated their legacy.”
The carved wooden Santa was found by the side of the road. Photos: Laura Moss
Even the home’s staircase carries special meaning. Painted on each riser is part of the biblical verse, “Through wisdom a house is built. And by understanding, it is established.”
From intimate cocktail parties to grand holiday fetes, the Browns’ stone house is perfect for entertaining. But it’s also a place of quiet reflection, where history is honored and the present is celebrated. “We especially enjoy welcoming guests during the holidays,” Cara says. “This home is a joy for us.”
