"Rustic House on a Lake" Berkshire County, MA

The owners had an existing cottage on a lake that their family had owned and enjoyed for three generations. To accommodate a family that was growing up and adding grandchildren, they decided to build a new house in a "rustic" style on the adjoining lot they acquired after a fire in the cottage there fifteen years ago.

The lot was challenging in that it was small, very steep, and subject to many local town regulations since it was a waterfront lot. Extensive stonework was incorporated into the site design to handle the steep grades, to develop terraces, and to build a path to the lake.

The interior incorporated antique barn beams from a Dutch barn, recycled antique heart pine stair treads, balusters and handrails handcrafted from maple cut from the site, flooring and other components taken from trees cut from the site, and many other features of hand craftsmanship. The house was completed in early 2004. The General Contractor was John Cromwell.