Private Client - Weekend Retreat
Stowe, Vermont, USA
This family was looking to create a weekend retreat from their residence in Boston. After spending years visiting Stowe, Vermont, and learning about the town, they purchased a beautiful piece of land with a perimeter of evergreen trees and a rolling meadow leading down to a pond on the property suitable for swimming. Baker Design Group was requested to create a vacation retreat that would someday become their permanent home, later in life.
The support buildings or greenhouses often found on rural farms have a tradition of being simple in design and made of durable materials. The simple design of these structures makes them both “Traditional” and “Modern” at the same time; what we call “Transitional” design. Given the amazing natural setting and traditional building style of the farm buildings in this region, the goal for the design of their home was to create a simple and elegant cluster of buildings using a transitional design approach that could be mistaken for original farmhouses on the property, that had been transformed into a family retreat. The home supports year-round occupancy for family and friends.
The goal for the interior design for the home was to use durable materials elegantly detailed, making sure that the finishes and the furnishings were not “precious.” The homeowners wanted to make their family, and friends feel comfortable and relaxed about having children throughout the home.
The landscape of the property was designed to neatly frame the home and the create an understated and welcoming entry experience, that concealed the amazing views, until you are welcomed into the home. Just beyond the perimeter of the home and swimming pool, wildflowers have been planted to create a rolling meadow of color all season long. A natural trail was integrated into the meadow to provide easy access to the pond at the bottom of the property.
