Vermont Country House

Kieve-Climbing Building

Renovation on Megunticook Lake.

We endeavored to work closely with the client to design a refined yet singularly styled house that would include ample places from which to experience the rich flora and fauna along the river and in the woods and nearby wetland. The house is reached by strolling across a new bridge that spans a restored wetland. A central oval-shaped Dining Room acts as a centering space in the house leading to a Library/Living Room, a spacious Kitchen, an open Office space and a conservatory-covered Craft Room and Laundry. The Office opens to a wrap-around Conservatory to allow full views of the abundant riverlife. A Sunroom is situated underneath a masterful old Oak tree. Upstairs the Master Suite allows for full enjoyment of the scenery with a private screen porch and Master Bath centered under the Oak. The Sky Room opens to a deck with views of the river and the stars. In the lower level lurks a ‘bat cave’, a full-featured video Screening Room, which was spearheaded and in collaboration by the client. The house makes use of low toxic materials. A garage barn was renovated for temporary housing during construction and features a stargazing deck and a Solar Electric Panel system.

General Contractor: Anastos & Nadeau, Inc. Yarmouth, Maine

Solar Engineering: Solar Market, Arundel, Maine

Photography by Bill Drake

Our client desired a home with both a classic plan and details, and a strong connection to the outdoors. This was accomplished through the classic Vermont farmhouse vernacular and the numerous French doors, porches and patios. The 1960′s gambrel roofed home that existed on their exquisite pastoral site was dismantled due to water and structural issues. The foundation was kept intact and expanded to accommodate the new home, which was sited to maximize views to the pond and lower meadow. The gambrel roof designed was incorporated into the new house in order to maximize the second floor space.

HGTV featured this house: introduction, made for entertaining, bed and bath design

General Contractor: Patterson & Smith Construction, Moscow, Vermont

Photography © Carolyn L. Bates

This family estate includes an English country-style stone house and two timber-framed barns sited on a spectacular 100-acre parcel with views of Mount Mansfield and the neighboring fields. The shape and arrangement of the buildings develop a theme of embracing outdoor rooms and creating vistas. The stone house features solid stone window and door surrounds and a slate roof. A vaulted 2-story great room sits between the master suite wing and the south bedroom wing. The family room-kitchen area opens to a glass conservatory with a stone fireplace soaring above. A round breakfast nook nestles inside a turret. On the lower level is an indoor pool capped by a sky-filled conservatory. The house features advanced low-voltage controls and mechanical systems. An English style timber-framed car barn and woodshop comprise the inner driving court.

General Contractor: Gristmill Builders, Stowe Vermont

Photography by Beckstrom Architecture

Our clients owned a thirty-acre pastoral lot in Stowe, and desired an authentic-looking, ageless farmhouse for their land. The attached carriage barn and a large wrap-around porch overlook the meadow. The design incorporates four bedrooms and a den upstairs, with the living area on the main level divided into a more formal living room and dining room – and the heart of the home – the kitchen area, which overlooks the family room and the breakfast nook.

HGTV featured this home: Main page, Kitchen

General Contractor: Patterson & Smith Construction, Moscow, Vermont

Photography © Carolyn L. Bates

WCSH TV did a nice story on the Climbing Building at Camp Kieve.

Web page including video is here.