Farm 11 - Sold (or, 'sounding like a broken record)

Our construction efforts were delayed in the Spring due to the rain, so instead of everything nice and neatly staggered, our 5 spring start homes all started about the same time, which was tough on the old schedule and definitely tough on the old wallet, since we pay for these homes until they are finished, when the client comes in with their cash and mortgage and takes a finished, ready to go home, off our hands.

Farm 11 is a home James and I have been dabbling with for a few years. We designed the general look and feel and then Mimi and Eamonn came along and married it up with a great 12 acre piece of land. That was in Late May that we started, and now, here in late October, the furniture truck was seen leaving the premises on Friday. Our homes are so complete when we sell them, even the microwave clock reflects the correct time, the hot water temp has been checked repeatedly, the house has been cleaned at least 3x, duplicate and redundant walk-thrus, punchlists, etc... All appliances tested, etc...

And we finish them on time. Consistently. It's a rare feat in an industry where delays and excuses not only happen, but are almost an integral part of the process.

1950 sq ft. 3 bedrooms and an office. Loads of covered porches and decks. 4 months to build.

The above picture is of the homeowners and child and that's the famous Janice (or JT) in the background).

It's been so rainy this year that even the pictures of the homes are tough to schedule.

Good picture of all the outdoor living - upstairs deck off the master bedroom, a section of first floor deck uncovered, then a big wrap-around which probably a portion will see a screening in project next year.


And here's the initial inquiry on 2/27/11.

"Hello Charles. My wife and I have been on a house hunt up in the catskills/woodstock areas. Came across your site and we really like what we see - had not even thought before about actually building a house, but would love to find out more. Can you let us know how we can find out more, and how we can set a date to come meet with you? We would be interested in a farmhouse, at least 3 or 4 bedrooms, with a gourmet kitchen, and all the nice features/design/architecture of your other houses.

Thanks, Eamonn"

Great layout and use of space allowed for this cross functioning mudroom, with stone, bench, bookshelves and closet.

The Hallway from the back office cross-sectioned through the front of the house.



James from the office took these pics so I'm at a loss as to his philosophical intention was with some of the angles...

Here's a duel barn door hiding the 2nd floor laundry room.



2 of the 3 bedrooms upstairs got the siding treatment on the closet areas. Eamonn said the shelves in this room is one of his wife's favorite details of the house. Lots of room for toys.


The kitchen got a lot of James' attention. i guess cause it's a pretty hot space.

With open shelves, nice appliances and plenty of room to work, including a place to saddle up to without interfering with all the work going on.


The 3 bathrooms each had a unique personality, starting with the nautical mirror outside the kitchen.

And the masterbath -

And the guest bath -


Farm 11 - one we had in our pocket for some time, waiting for the right time and place and client to unleash its dynamic and unique presence. And now it exists, up on the hill, a few miles outside of Narrowsburg NY.

(more pics to come)

Marching Onward

This time of year in the country, for people in my line of work, you start to get that gnawing notion of anxiety, knowing the winter and all the logistical struggles that come with it, are coming closer with each dying day. the morning light is markedly later, and jackets are starting to come out.

Here's the handsome devil himself, below. And Lucas is pretty cute too. He likes running around my offices with all the trucks and guys and action.

While we didn't have the catastrophic flooding like the northern Catskill thank god, the waters were still super high, with the Delaware really moving along like some sort of Snake River rapids.




A ton of construction happening lately, in preparation for a bunch of closings. Barn 4 next week, Cottage 36 soon thereafter, Farm 11 in mid October, Farm 16 in Mid November, Farm 17 in January. Looks like we are doing a new deal for Barn 5 with Bill and Veronica and possibly, fingers crossed, hope to god, we might have a deal formulating for Cottage 37 in Saugerties. I mean, if that wouldn't prove the saying that 'I'm the man', not sure what would.

Barn IV with Norm's machines cleaning it up, planting the grass, etc...


Cottage 36, water and heat will be on today, which is really the signal for that last 1/4 mile home stretch.

Sweeettt. this is a real winner cause we worked hard to earn this family's business.

Farm 11 went from 'getting there' to 'nearly done' over the past 2 weeks. Moving so fast this recent picture is already outdated.




and farm 16, which is just about ready to get our full and undiverted attention - Trim's done, floor is in, now it's time to spend some time finishing up the trim, getting her painted, and finishing her up.


All in all, we're killin' it in terms of productivity and getting shit done.