Our team recently had the pleasure of catching up with two Beaver Mountain clients who built the gorgeous Wayfarer Lodge back in 2014. Nestled amongst the Catskill Mountains, The Wayfarer Lodge takes our classic Lodge floor plan and gives it a modern twist. Owners Dean and John split their time between Upstate NY and Florida and wanted a perfectly tailored log home that would be a summertime oasis when they needed to beat the tropical heat. This custom log home is truly a work of art both inside and out!
Inside The Wayfarer:
The main level of the Wayfarer Lodge features an open floor plan that welcomes guests in from the moment they step foot inside. The living room has a custom stone fireplace that brings warmth and ambiance to the room in colder seasons. The kitchen was designed around the lavish custom island that is the center focal point of the room. Custom cabinets and state-of-the-art appliances round out this space and truly make it the “heart of the home.”
When you head upstairs, you’ll find yourself in the private owner’s suite that includes a spacious master bathroom and private balcony-a perfect spot for a quiet nightcap where the owners can enjoy their gorgeous views (90 acres of private views to be exact). This floor also includes a cozy loft area that Dean and John have set up as a convenient home office area.
Now that we’ve done a tour-so to speak-let’s take some time to hear a little about the history of this home and the couple who lives there.
Let’s Go Back To The Beginning
In 2012, a 90-acre parcel of land with a 1900’s boarding house on the property went up for auction next door to Dean’s mother. They won the bid but soon realized that the 6000 square foot boarding house they were hoping to remodel in the classic aesthetic of a Nancy Meyer movie was a complete tear-down project. Presented with a clean slate, Dean and John began dreaming up a space that would inevitably combine their family backgrounds perfectly: Upstate Farmland Meets Rustic Lodge. John’s grandfather had owned a camp in the Adirondacks and John wanted something that would be a nod to his happy childhood memories there. Knowing they wanted to build a log home in the Catskills, their first stop was Beaver Mountain to tour our (former) model homes.
The Design Process
After looking at the different models, Dean and John settled on the Lodge design but put their creative spin on the floor plan to create a truly one-of-a-kind space. Working with our team of design experts, the original floor plan was tweaked so that the hallway from the mudroom was removed. They also decided to design a larger kitchen island to accommodate dinner guests and family gatherings better. Additionally, a second master bedroom was incorporated into the first floor so guests would genuinely feel at home. Several other design elements of the original floor plan were changed until all was said and done, and the Wayfarer Lodge floor plan emerged as something new, inspired by a tried and true classic.
According to Dean, working with Beaver Mountain’s team was “easier than other [home building] experiences we’d had. They have the process down pat. It felt seamless.” No strangers to home building, the Wayfarer Lodge is the third home that Dean and John have custom built, not including their seven previous home remodel projects. They worked with Arrowbrook Construction to construct the home and rave about their experience with them. “Scott and Jim were wonderful contractors to partner with. We’re so happy we chose them,” says Dean.
These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things
Dean shared that his favorite detail about their home is their state-of-the-art kitchen. “It’s the gathering point of the home and seems to be where everyone congregates.” He also loves the custom beams in the living room that add a warm and rustic touch to the space. The wraparound porch and screened porch are also two spots in their home that Dean is happy they included in the design process. Although, admittedly, he says he would go even bigger with their dimensions if he could do it over again-especially with the screened porch. He suggests going larger than you think you want.
A Decade Later And Still Loving Log Cabin Life
It’s been 10 years since Dean and John officially moved into the Wayfarer Lodge on their 90-acre upstate oasis. They love it as much today as they did when they spent their first weekend there in 2014. “ [When we moved in] It was Valentine’s Day weekend, and there was a surprise snowstorm.” Dean says it was “Magical. Like something out of a movie.” What could be better than riding out a mid-winter snowstorm in your brand new, artfully crafted Beaver Mountain Log Home? Truly a dream come true.
We loved catching up with Dean and John and walking through the beautiful home that they’ve entirely made their own. When our clients trust our team to help bring their log or timber frame dreams to fruition, it’s truly one of our favorite parts of the job. Thinking of starting your own home build project soon? Reach out to our team to start your Feasibility Conversation today!
