James Gray and Jacob Hagan have always seen themselves as not just Farrand Hall’s owners, but its stewards. The partners’ seven years and counting of renovations, upgrades, and hard work to preserve their home, which also hosts events, was celebrated Thursday.
Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, known for their HGTV series and Instagram account, Cheap Old Houses, have expanded into publishing. Farrand Hall, Colon, is one of nearly 30 mansions, farmhouses, and more featured in the Cheap Old Houses book.
“They call Farrand Hall an ‘Elegant Northern Escape’ – I’ll take it,” Hagan said, laughing.
Gray and Hagan have been following the Finkelsteins for years. Instagram’s community of old house renovators is close-knit, Gray said.
“A couple years ago, Elizabeth and Ethan reached out through Instagram and asked us if we’d be featured in their book,” Gray said. “We were of course honored and said yes, and so the book was published last October. We couldn’t be more excited about it.”
Cheap Old Houses, the book, was a mammoth undertaking, Elizabeth Finkelstein said.
“Not only are we out there to do homes, but we’re telling the stories of people’s dreams. I think Farrand Hall is a perfect example of that. It’s an escape from the city. It’s ‘How can we turn this house into something that feels good for us?’”
“James and Jacob have really taken this dream and turned it into a massive reality,” Ethan Finkelstein said.
Elizabeth Finkelstein’s favorite part of the Cheap Old Houses experience has been seeing how “people are being saved” by renovating their homes.
“They’re finding renewed purpose in their lives,” she said. “They’re using their hands again. They’re having a lifestyle they never thought they could have, and in many ways, it requires them to get creative with their business and really think hard about the life they want to have. They’re doing that through the lens of these cheap old houses. That is a full circle moment for us.”
The Finkelsteins were at Farrand Hall Thursday for an afternoon meet and greet, followed by an evening book signing, dinner, and house tour. The event for the upstate New Yorkers was sold out.
“We do private dining here with some of the country’s top chefs, who are coming in on a weekly basis,” said Gray, who is originally from Chicago.
The Finkelsteins hope to have future books. Cheap Old Houses is unique to Elizabeth Finkelstein because it is “the antithesis of typical interior design.”
“Not a single interior designer is featured in this book,” she said. “These are all homes curated, designed, and restored by the owners themselves. There’s painter’s tape in these photos, and cracked plaster, and all of the imperfections. I think it’s a bit of a permission slip to just live imperfectly for once, and to just feel okay about that.”
Cheap Old Houses shows what Hagan, a Pittsburgh native, calls a beautiful snapshot of Farrand Hall in a moment in time. Farrand Hall is the home of Gray, Hagan, and their rescue dogs, poodle Flora and Field, believed to be a poochon.
“We hope that it outlives us and will be enjoyed by other people,” Hagan said. “To have it be showcased in this way is wonderful. We’re always trying to say that we don’t do this alone. It’s been a massive effort with a lot of different people who have worked with us for this home.”
Check out Watershed Voice’s gallery of photos from Farrand Hall’s meet and greet with Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein.
Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, authors of Cheap Old Houses. 
Jacob Hagan and James Gray. 
Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kari Hatt, right, chats with Chamber member Didimo Arreola. 
Donna Claar, Sherwood, Michigan, is a ‘big supporter’ of Farrand Hall. ‘I came to their first open house,’ she said. “I knew the house and property would be in good hands.’ 
From left, sisters Kelsea Lochamire, Kortney Sutton, and Karlea Boleyn, all from Angola, Indiana, enjoy Farrand Hall’s interiors and exteriors. ‘They just inspire me, honestly,’ Boleyn said. 
Dave Rademacher, Grand Ledge, Michigan, and Corbin Davis, Muskegon, Michigan. 
James Gray chats with Taylor Ohryn, center, and her mother, Alethea Ohryn, both of Pickney, Michigan. Taylor Ohryn is the creator and editor of Hashtag Magazine. 
James Gray and Taylor Ohryn. 
Like he’s done so many times before, James Gray gathers Farrand Hall guests. 
Farrand Hall’s owners hope to have it repainted soon. The last time was in 2018, Gray said. 
Thursday’s afternoon event allowed guests to informally stroll through Farrand Hall’s rooms. 
Dave Rademacher and Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein observe the decoration of a Farrand Hall living room. 
Jacob Hagan, right, speaks about the den with Donna Claar and Kari Hatt. 
Jacob Hagan and Kari Hatt talk as Didimo Arreola takes photos. 
Jacob Hagan discusses his kitchen with Donna Claar and Stephanie Krol, Bettie Bomb PR, Chicago, as Kelsea Lochamire looks around. 
Julian Scott, 7, and his mom Cassondra. Cassondra is an influencer who also writes for Michigan Country Lines Magazine. 
Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
