Private Residence, Vermont

This Private Residence is a Vermont retreat for a large family. The site is over forty acres, with space and facilities to accommodate the owner's lifelong interest in horses. The approach from a long, curving drive gives the cluster of house, barns and sheds a real sense of privacy. At an elevation of 1550 feet, the view of the Mad River Valley and crest of the Green Mountains is spectacular. The traditional design of the house and barns reflects their location in Vermont. The design is compatible with an 18th Century house that had been moved to this site from New Hampshire and which forms one wing of the house.

The existing small farmhouse has been preserved and utilized to answer the need for a dining room, library, study, and two guest rooms. From the approach drive, this older house is in the foreground and dominates the view. The new and much larger wing is seen only as a broad entry porch from this viewpoint. Once inside the new wing, the house expands to the south and west, providing dramatic mountain and pasture views from all of the living areas.

The scale of this large family house is kept low by the 1-1/2 story building form, dormers, and chimneys that break the roof lines, and friendly porches that bring everything down to human size. Wide porch openings are spanned by gently arched beams. Broad verandas wrap around the south and view sides of the house.

Inside the house, white columns extend up to a heavy cap-molding line, with natural wood beamed ceiling above that point. The interior is dominated by ample windows, antique pine floors, beamed ceilings, and stone fireplaces. The ground floor is an open plan where the kitchen leads to a gallery, a large living room, and across the porch to the outdoor swimming pool...just a few feet away. Wood-slat outdoor walkways connect the pool, hot tub, and exercise space. The walkways are raised above a landscape of ferns, grasses, and rock ledge.

The house adjoins a carriage barn, which culminates in a winding stair leading up to a cupola, providing a commanding view.