In 2013, Isabella Rossellini purchased the farm of her dreams in Brookhaven, on the South Shore of Long Island, New York. At first sight, the place made her think of home, even though it required a major facelift. “I noticed this very beautiful, big red barn. It reminded me straight away of Sweden,” Rossellini told Vogue. “As soon as I saw it, I loved it.” With the help of architect Pietro Cicognani, Rossellini transformed the rundown property into a barn-like residence with a pool and gym and packed it with farm animals.
She named it Mama Farm, and her explanation for the choice, per an interview with Charlie Rose, was, “A lot of people call it Isabella’s Farm and I said it cannot be called Isabella Farm because I’m gonna die.” Mama Farm, she shared, was an ode to the moms and children who visit the farm to learn about plants, animals and fruits. Yes, Rossellini opened up her home to the public.
According to Mama Farm’s website, a stay in the serene haven costs $350 per night at the time of writing. In April 2024, Rossellini unveiled the Mama Farm Foundation. Through a post on Instagram, she announced the sale of ponchos made by wool from Mama Farm’s sheep as an effort toward making the establishment economically viable.
