Cottage 5 - Framing Commences -- 11/5/07
The lumber got dropped off on Wednesday and Thursday morning the framers arrived ready to work. By Saturday, we almost had a house.
Cottage 6 -- Cross Cottage
Tucked way back in the biggest and baddest building lot of our newest project, Mr Cross has reserved a 5.5 acre, 1400 sf cottage. Big trees, big sun, and a big brook (well, not so big or it wouldn't be called a brook), this gentleman's escape is what people dream of.
Cottage 5 -- For Sale!
Cottage 5 is another attempt by Catskill Farms to enable more people to buy that get-away home. 1 bedroom, fireplace, wide plank floors, 2 acres, vaulted ceilings, and a full basement to build-out when the wallet allows. Did I mention the brook running through the property? And the price is less than $200k? My first home in Sullivan County was a 600 sf shack in the woods, and we lived there for 4 years as I built Catskill Farms. Plenty of space, even at Thanksgiving when everyone brought their kids and dogs. I was very tempted to call this mini-cottage series "The Shack Series", but wasn't sure if prospective homeowners would appreciate it. I believe the McMansion/Hummer era is coming to an end - and reasonable, intimate spaces will be in vogue for many years to come.
Catskill Farms Builds Farmhouses and Cottages in Sullivan County
Well, for better or worse, we're bloggin'. My thinking is that reading about design and construction, seeing pictures, watching the progress of a sketch become a home is a good spectator sport, and since we are immersed in the world of contractors, subcontractors, building inspectors, zoning boards and architects, it may just help those who eventually go out and build something. The one truism about house building, renovation and restoration is that most people only get to do it once or twice in their lives. And the first time is often nothing more than a painful learning curve that leaves you yearning to do it again so all the lessons you've just learned can be put to work. Unfortunately, the house is finished (or nearly), the money is gone, and the lessons have been bought and paid for. Design and Construction is an adventure - the personalities, the weather, the logistics, the problems and the glory. We're going to bring it to you live - straight from the backhills of Sullivan County.
