Ideal for VT/MA/NY Vacation, this unique property is unlike any you've ever seen. Entrance is though a brick courtyard up a spiral staircase (alternate handicap entry is available - please inquire in advance) to a huge balcony with hot tub, gas grill, and dining table for six.
This renovated 1938 dairy barn with its 1963 additions is a Vermont icon with 'rooms' cleverly defined throughout the spacious, loft-style 2100 sq. ft. The kitchen, dining “room”, media “room”, and bunk "house" are located in the original structure, and the living “room”, master bed “room”, bathroom/laundry are in the 1963 addition with a big barn door separating the two open layouts.
The large kitchen was designed with a family of chefs in mind and includes the Media area at the far end, perfect for informal gatherings. Kitchen is fully supplied with all necessities for the usual culinary activities, and has a dishwasher, gas stove, refrigerator, free-standing freezer, microwave and a variety of smaller appliances.
The kitchen flows into the media area with a flat screen TV and full+ sofa bed we enhance with a memory-foam topper. Please request use of this bed in advance and know once a bed, it cannot be folded up to be used as a sofa during the day.
Around the corner is the dining room with seating for 6, expandable to 8. The outdoor grill is just a few steps away so you can still BBQ when its too cold to eat outdoors. A Vermont slate buffet invites you to plan serve-yourself meals, with chairs comfortable enough to encourage after-dinner conversation!
Next comes the bunk area with accommodations for four youngsters or teens. (Top bunks are not good for adults due to low ceiling.) New memory-foam mattresses encourage a good night's sleep after skiing, swimming or just lounging around.. There is also a game table for those who remember how to play games without batteries, and a couple of bean bag chairs for reading, texting or playing those games that do require batteries.
The media, dining and bunk areas and much of the kitchen are closed off on three sides being open to the passage area.
Through the barn door is the accommodating living room with a gas log stove, big comfy furniture and soaring cathedral ceiling. If you're trying to break the TV habit there's a library with something for every taste, G-rated that is. The amazing feature of this wing is the seven floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows installed over 60 years ago. One has even been made into an emergency exit to bring the building up to 21st century safety-standards.
Behind a partition created by a row of 9' high closets is the master bedroom with king bed and additional closets. A quiet work space in the bedroom is an ideal respite for a type A personality who can't leave it all at the office.
The bathroom doubles as a laundry with large capacity, low-flo/low-energy machines. The shower is ample for two people, but tub enthusiasts will have to hit the deck and use the hot tub.
The pool and yard are for guests from both apartments to enjoy. The deck box in the courtyard includes croquet and other outdoor games. You can enjoy the large lawn area big enough for tournament croquet, swim in the seasonal 30' lap pool, or use the bikes (please request at time of reservation) for a stress-reducing ride around one of the nearby scenic loops. Or, use the bike rack to transport them for, say, a historic tour around Old Bennington following in the footsteps of Ethan Allen or a shop-free trip to Camelot Village where two barns full of antiques and handmade crafts are offered..
Grilling and dining out are purely private as is enjoying the hot tub and your own fire pit located behind the pool. If you bring additional chairs from the courtyard, please remember to bring them back! Also, you may want bug repellant out in our wilderness!!
Cable TV, CD and WIFI included.
Limited local bus service is provided by Green Mountain Express, and taxi by Walt's, Uber and Lyft.
Six miles to Williamstown, MA and 6 miles to Bennington, VT; both with scores of recreational, entertainment, culinary, and cultural venues. See our website www.ourcountryproperty.com.
Pets are permitted under most circumstances -- please inquire -- at a rate of $15 per pet per day. (NOTE: Vrbo has now set up a payment option for the pet fee plus tax/Vrbo fee.)
We are always available via Vrbo, cell, text or email for any and all questions or recommendations. Sandy (house manager) and Dwayne (maintenance) are nearby and easily reachable, especially since they are a married couple.
We require peace and quiet from our guests, and events and partying are not permitted. The normal "fun" noises associated with outdoor games and pool activities during appropriate hours are, of course, expected.
Note to renters: 99% of our guests love staying here and recommend us to their friends. Fewer than 1% have a problem with the rough-hewn barn boards, the windows not designed to open, an occasional mouse "leave-behind", the proximity to a road, and any number of observations about a barn converted into a residence that maintains a barn-like flavor. So if these things bother you please do not rent from us! We depend on good reviews and a good rental season to cover the costs of owning this rural treasure.
A second apartment is a wholly separate space that can be rented and accessed first floor of the 1963 wing or, by special arrangement, through the interior service entrances and staircase.
On rare occasion, you may see us enter our studio at the other end of the complex, but we're quiet as church mice. When (rarely) in Vermont we usually stay out in the commercial parking lot in our RV in order to maximize your privacy. We never avail ourselves of any amenity except walking our dogs in the side yard when they aren't enjoying Pawnel Pets, our fabulous doggie daycare. We are only there when maintenance issues or repairs necessitate our presence to make sure your stay is enjoyable.
