Wednesday, October 01, 2025

Architecture Wednesday: Catskills Cabin

Nestled atop a hill this peaceful retreat is located less than two hours from New York City. Sitting on 46 acres, you ascend the private driveway winding through forested hillsides and instantly feel calm as this house comes into view.

Thoughtfully sited on the land, the home affords commanding views of the surrounding countryside, and benefits from the integration of passive solar principles. Californian and Japanese architectural influences, plus generous-sized windows throughout, contribute to a Zen-like feel and connection to nature in every space.

The home is constructed using premium materials and finishes: red slate and copper roofing, walls clad in wood shingles and stone sourced from the property, and radiant-heated bluestone floors throughout the first floor. A stone fireplace rises through the center of the double-story living and dining space with overhead beams extending to an impressive curved wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. A suspended balcony overlooks the great room while a dramatic open staircase connects all levels.

In addition to the spacious two-story great room, the first floor comprises a well-appointed kitchen with walk-in pantry, marble counter tops, Wolf oven, Sub Zero fridge, Gaggenau steam oven, and brick pizza oven. Also on the first floor is a primary bedroom suite, laundry area, and a screened-in porch adjacent to the kitchen that’s perfect for morning coffee, evening dining, or an afternoon nap.

The second floor has two additional bedroom suites. The east-facing suite, currently used as office and lounge, features a traditional Japanese Hinoki wood soaking tub in the bathroom. All bathrooms have towel warmers. On the balcony there’s space to sit and read, or simply take in the dramatic and distant view.

The full, unfinished basement has vast storage space—suitable for creating a workshop, studio, or workout space—the mechanical room, and garage parking for two vehicles; a dumb waiter allows for groceries to be easily transferred from car to pantry.

Outside, an extensive open porch flanks two sides of the main entrance. The 46 acres property is mostly wooded with large stone outcroppings and is suitable for hunting or, better yet, hiking along old trails, perfect for nature walks, foraging, and forest bathing. A small creek flows near the westerly boundary across Bethlehem Road.

Nearby towns provide great shopping, dining, and brewery options, while the area also benefits from having a vibrant and growing arts community. And it’s all yours for $1.295M.

8 comments:

  1. Maybe, I like counter space in the bathrooms, and I am not sure I want to live that far away from others.

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    1. I'm in that "Get away from people" mood today so I may enjoy this one.

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  2. The house is beautiful, except for that Great Room, I would never use it.

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  3. Wow...nice. That wall of windows is awesome. But give me that kitchen!!!

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  4. I would need shades on some of those windows. It looks better from the back than it does from the front. And the driveway looks crummy. In rain or snow it would be hard to drive up there.

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  5. Cleora Borealis10:18 AM

    😃 Very nice in almost every way! I can't believe I'm going to say there may be TOO MUCH light! 🫣 I think I could get used to that many huge windows in daylight, but I am freaked out by what the nights would feel like...46 acres of total darkness except for me lit up for all those creatures creeping around to see me in my fishbowl...SHUDDER! 😱

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  6. I love, love, love all the windows. But I wouldn't want to be the one to wash them. I guess if I could afford the price, I could afford a window cleaner. Problem solved!

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  7. Oh my goodness I love this! And having been to the Catskills numerous times I actually would not mind all those windows. If you ever been to the Catskills you would understand why you'd want to see all that beauty coming through. Oh my gosh this is just beautiful. I love the steel staircase and I love all that slate floor. Area rugs look amazing against a slate floor.

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