The house is situated at the end of a half mile gravel road on 70 protected acres bordering conservation land. It features thousands of feet of frontage on the Green River with great fishing and a totally private swimming hole. Trails traverse the property, both through the woods and on the edge of the field, one being the historic 19th century stagecoach road to Albany. The early 19th century house and barn foundations still stand on the edge of the field that has been maintained for almost 200 years. Vistas are due south down the steep river valley and over to the hills of Colrain with an abundance of eagles and hawks floating within view. It’s a peaceful and quiet place with the sounds of the rushing river and streams off in the distance, mixed with bird calls that you hear from the house and screened porch.
The house design, siting, driveway, and stone wall elevations were all carefully thought out to work with the natural beauty of the land as well as highlight the pastoral and distant views in all directions. The main house has the feeling of a large highly crafted cottage that flows beautifully.
The main floor, ground level at the front door is a bright lofted space with breathtaking views. The entrance room has firewood storage and coat closets separated by an expanse of glass and antique wood paneling. This opens into a central bay that could be used flexibly, as living or dining room. The east bay is the stair system up and down, powder room and living room. The west bay is dining room and kitchen and off the kitchen is a breezeway to the garage and a large screened porch that is the main living room in the summer.
The upper floor is all master space open to the floor below, with a study in one area with lots of built-in storage, a bedroom that can be closed off from the lower level and a bathroom. There is a door that goes to a bridge to the carriage house apartment.
The lower floor is totally separated from the rest of the house and is at ground level walking out to the lawns, with a guest room and bath, media room and a pool room housing a beautiful stainless steel and tile swim spa with jacuzzi jets, a great way to have a refreshing workout summer and winter. There is also another smaller area that could be an office, den or workout room.
The carriage house apartment has a main living space with kitchen, dining area, bathroom and laundry. There is a raised deck overlooking the grounds and views. Upstairs is a bedroom and small study area.
The two story slate roofed bank barn has plenty of room for equipment or general storage, with an open area above that could serve as a studio or shop.
The house was designed to be environmentally sound and extremely easy to heat. The house systems, windows and insulation are state of the art with radiant floor heating in all common areas, and high tech hydronic in bedrooms for fast heat recovery and cooling. A German Buderus boiler provides the heat and hot water. The house is fully air conditioned by a high pressure system. The insulation is 8 inches of cellulose with a thermal break (having two walls with space between). The windows are all triple glazed and argon filled with low e glass.
All of the interior and exterior woodwork was fabricated in a small shop in Colrain MA, with 100% reclaimed old growth wood. The massive timber frame was cut from even more massive timbers reclaimed from the old Diamond Toothpick factory in Maine and is of Douglas Fir. Every window, door, piece of interior and exterior trim, flooring and all cabinet work was made for the house following a central theme. Most of the lighting is custom made as is some of the hardware.
The entire project was complex and carried out to create a property that is consistent with a unique and harmonious vision. It was also created to require the least amount of upkeep possible, and to be a joy to live in. The pictures tell some of the story, but there is more.
Feel free to contact me for a viewing or to answer any questions.