The main portion of this building was originally built in 1910 at a cost of approximately $2,700. It was an act of faith, crafted by skilled artisans in an elegantly simple fashion and intended to last. These are the principles that have guided the conversion from church to residence. It should be emphasized that the architecture of this home is both sustaining and sustainable. Products have been chosen for their long term impact on the health of the inhabitants of this home and the planet.

        The HVAC is state of the art with an 18 SEER American Standard air source heat pump, heat exchanger/ventilation and a two stage variable speed furnace. Propane requirements the first winter were about 250 gallons. The lifetime 104 gallon Marathon water heater, the in-floor tile heat, and the heat pump are all on off-peak billing, costing about half the normal rate. The lower level floor is insulated to R-7, the walls to R-20, the ceiling to R-50.The siding is CertainTeed fiber cement with a 25 year finish. The trim is Azek cellular pvc also with a 25 year finish guarantee. These products have been chosen for their expected 100+ year life. The windows and doors are Andersen. The shingles are Hallmark 30 year.

        The woodwork is finished in all natural shellac. The floors are beautifully enhanced with another healthy and easy to maintain finish, Waterlox, with a tung oil base. The custom designed and milled trim is simple pine, pickled blue for purity. It is an updated version of an older pattern, as is the home’s design. The goal here is not to live in the past, but rather to live with the past; fully enjoying the richness of both modern conveniences and the patina of the history.

        Upon entering, you understand the main level as both the most ancient of all living arrangements (that of single room living) and something more complex and modern. Fully open, the zones flow like a mobius band. Four rolling doors, a theatrical scrim curtain and a pair of french doors allow personal choice and modulation of enclosure levels. The master suite can remain comfortably connected or it can be secluded off when privacy desires warrant. The fireplace room can be the open hub or hunkered down for romance. The kitchen can be fully engaged or partially shielded. The dining area can be completely connected or ceremonially separated. Twin french doors lead to the open veranda, allowing this spatial flow to connect with the outer world.

        The 100 year old southern yellow pine floor in the fireplace room has been finished with tongue oil to catch and reflect the light from the south facing windows as well as the glow of burning logs. The boards are arranged in a woven pattern, true to the intertwining of lives and conversations typical of this room. The sixteen foot tall fireplace is faced in sedimentary slate and ornamented with roves (copper rivets normally used in boat building). The hearth is acid aged copper (seen again in the kitchen cabinet inserts) flanked by two large cabinets with flipper doors. The fir wainscoting is original and has been used through out the home; much like spice blended through a tasteful entree. The ceiling vaults are lodge pole pine, pickled light blue and shellacked. Rope lighting is concealed in the upper pocket. The four large ceiling fixtures are original and offer choice for up or down light. The entry area cantilevers out to welcome guests and capture the morning light. Outside, the elevated porch with benches and planters, offers a pleasant spot from which to enjoy the day. The deck allows the chance to sit below the maple tree canopy, up lit by recessed fixtures. Back inside, the fireplace room’s goose-necked track lights serve to accent images of the building’s past and introduce the theme of new meets old.

        The kitchen is social with two islands and built-in seating. The flip-up bench offers storage for items purchased in quantity. At the core is the 48 inch stovetop with high capacity vent hood and pot filling water valve. The oven is convection and there is space for twin microwaves. The countertop is a granite tile chosen for its beauty and durability. Single hole faucets give elegance to both sinks. The prep sink allows the main sink to serve for cleanup with the disposal and nearby dishwasher. The wood paneled refrigerator is cabinet depth to preserve the kitchen’s clean lines. The family entry includes a mail sorting station with computer desk. The guest entry offers a coat closet. The soffit is extra wide for display above. Recessed soffit lights and under cabinet lighting combine for proper illumination.

        The dining room is designed to be an iconic, yet a fully used part of family life. The space can be dressed up to serve as a formal dining room or dressed down for breakfast or homework. The lighted niches provide space for display. The elliptical ceiling recess contains trough lighting as well as three pendant fixtures. The floor is rough-sawn red oak treated with eight coats of a tongue oil finish. Wrap around windows allow the room to take on the character of a screened porch. With a west exposure, glazing here is tinted for sun control. The theatrical scrim drapery is designed to catch the light and allows for ceremonial separation, much like the paper walls in a Japanese style house.

        The master suite is located on the east for enjoyment of the morning light. The flow through dressing area offers an art gallery style of display for your wardrobe versus the traditional warehouse style. Clothes serve to express our personality and an attitude of artful care reflects and maintains feelings of personal self worth. Note that the shelves and rods can be easily unbolted and removed to convert the space to other uses, such as a sleeping area.

        The master bath is entirely surfaced in Indian marble and glows in the morning sunlight. The commode room and shower walls are limited to an eight foot height in this ten foot space to allow the ceiling to encompass the whole and provide space for indirect lighting. The large widow above the jetted two person spa tub can be opened to hear the breeze singing through the pine trees close by. The walk-in shower with window has two separate valves for tandem control. The wood vanity top contains twin vessel style sinks. The floor is heated and the room is power ventilated through the heat exchanger.

        At the foot of the stairway to the loft is a barrel niche. In a Japanese home, this would be referred to as the Tokonoma, a space for display of a precious item. It has up lighting for accent perhaps for a glass vase.

        The sleeping loft of the master suite has a wood burning fireplace raised for in bed viewing. The pine book shelf and mantle contain a back lighted half round window, which is one of two discovered within the walls during the conversion. The master bedroom has a french door leading out to a balcony in the pine trees. The decorative railing is a custom pattern which beautifully conforms to safety code requirements.

        On the main level, twin hallways lead to adjoining bedrooms. The railings continue the arts and crafts style used elsewhere. To ease your household chores, there is a main level combination laundry and butler pantry. The front loading commercial style washer and dryer allow plenty of counter space for folding or storeroom activities.

        The bathing room has a heated floor and is power ventilated through the air exchanger. The powder room is separate both for aesthetic reasons and to provide a second vanity to minimize the normal morning time crunch.

        The lower level with its fully insulated 3+ car heated garage is the primary family point of entry. It has been designed to feel as gracious and welcoming as the more formal guest entry on the south.

The loggia (open breezeway) reaches out to welcome you home. It provides shelter, connection and frames the backyard.

        The lower entry begins with a place to sit or put down packages. It includes a built-in for display. The tile floor continues into the walk-in closet, past the lockers and into the powder room.

        The lower living room is warmed by the 100 year old fir floor, antique sconces and wall wash accent lighting. The full length built-in seating offers a great place from which to view the ponds.

        The lower bedroom has a large walk-in closet, east daylight and adjoining bath with heated floor.

        The hallway features custom sconces leading to the lower level activity complete with a wood burning fireplace and wet bar with wine tower and substantial storage. Lighting is layered for choice. The south half of the room is large enough for a legal shuffleboard court.

        The lower kitchen area can accommodate snacks or the basic needs of an independent household (e.g. mother-in-law suite).

        The unfinished room allows for personal expression as storage, future media room or wine cellar.

        The clerestory windows of the upper living room draw you up the gracious and open feeling stairway, designed to facilitate multi-level entertaining.

        The bedrooms have a ten foot ceiling height with commercial ceiling fans. The Stainmastercarpeting was chosen for its beauty, durability and is treated to remain 30% cleaner.

Much like a puppy awaiting a new owner... the house sits anxiously on its 1.25 acre site...fully of energy...full of love... and full of the desire to please...