the story

Coming from Manhattan, we wanted to build something simple and eco-friendly, that featured the ambient beauty of the land and river.

 

This is a house of windows with 360° exposure, west-facing Contoocook river views and acreage. The house makes one elegant bend of 25° in the library, which follows the contour lines of the site, and allows for extra privacy in the master end on the main floor of the house.

 

We built in 2007, when living in New York. While we were there, we worked with two talented architects (you can read about them here too). At the outset, we brought them ideas inspired by a loft in Tribeca, the gallery porches of the New Orleans Garden District and a classic Texas ranch—elements all reflected in the design of this New England retreat.

 

This is truly a unique home and property, built with quality materials and imbued with care (and the memories of many good parties).

 

It will suit a family, empty nesters, city-folk expats, those who like to entertain, or people who are simply looking for the good life—plus the perks of no income or sales taxes.

 

Energy efficient features

 

• 5-star, Energy Star Rating Certificate

• HERS rating of 88

• Blown cellulose with R50 in ceilings

• ICF foundation

• Dual high-efficiency condensing propane fired, hot air furnaces

• Water filtration system

 

Design features

 

• Red cedar siding

• 65 wooden Anderson Low E/Argon filled 400 series windows

• 12’6” ceilings throughout main level, 9' ceilings throughout lower level

• Approximately 2600 square feet on main level alone, additional full walkout finished living space below

• 3 bedrooms on main level with river views, room for 4th/5th  bedrooms lower level

• 2.5 baths upstairs, plumbed for another full bath lower level

• Stainless-steel appliances and vent hood

• 5-burner gas cook stove in island/breakfast bar, facing dining and fireplace

• Granite-tile countertops throughout

• Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling book shelved library

• Hand-scraped teak wooden floors and tile bathroom floors

• Oversized, double-sided, Italian plaster fireplace on main level joining dining and living spaces; woodstove-ready flue downstairs

• Walk-in master closets

• Oversized, tiled master shower and cast-iron claw foot tub with river view

• Solid core hardwood interior doors

• Studio space with industrial triple basin sink and mini fridge

• Currently configured with 450’ home office with private entrance, screening room and spacious kids playroom—designed to convert to separate apartment with private entrance

• Dimmer-controlled lighting main, lower levels and outdoor deck

• 75' mahogany deck with 9' cantilevered overhang at 12' high—all for 800 feet of the Contoocook river

• Custom steel-cable 8' deck railing for unobstructed indoor/outdoor view

• Custom built chicken coop and cedar-sided shed, to match house design

• Outdoor shower off master on main floor

• Paved drive

• No traffic, no income or sales tax

• Fiber-optic high speed internet