Immerse into nature at Mirrör Haüs I & II — two freshly launched vacation rentals in Windham, NY. These twin tiny houses are part of the 22-acre Haüs Windham campus, an ongoing project with multiple lodging options including a chalet, duplexes and more.
Buying a turn-key house on the current market is no easy task; neither is building one. Homestedt Houses aims to provide a premium home design and build service in the Catskills that is streamlined, trustworthy, and beautiful.
A husband and wife team – serial renovators and home builders – take on their biggest project yet: an abandoned cider mill. "A charming, historic, mess." That's how Tom Roberts describes the condition – and the irresitable allure – of the North Branch Cider Mill when he and his wife Anna Åberg were passed the torch in late 2022. “It wasn’t for sale, but it wasn’t in use. So we pestered the owner for 18 months until he sold it to us.” Fast forward to nearly a year since its re-opening in November 2023: an incredible amount of work has been done, made possible by the colossal vision and talent from their parent company/design studio, Homestedt. Its charming and historic parts remain, but this diamond in the rough has been polished back to its original glory. Below, Escape Brooklyn interviews the design-savvy duo who share stories from the renovation, plus give us the scoop on future plans at the North Branch Cider Mill.
Once an industrial epicenter of Massachusetts, the small town of North Adams is best known for two things: Mount Greylock, the highest mountain Massachusetts – and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, aka MASS MoCA. Tucked away in the Berkshire Mountains, this weekend escape is equidistant from NYC and Boston, about 175 miles or a three hour drive. Since MASS MoCA’s opening in 1999, the museum’s presence has helped to put this former mill town back on the map. At 13 acres and housing 250,000 square feet of gallery space, it is the largest contemporary art museum in the United States. Its brick factory building campus once churned out textiles and machine parts; now, it's the cornerstone of this burgeoning arts community, where many new businesses of all kinds call home. Read on for our guide to North Adams, Massachusetts, including the best places to stay, eat, drink, hike, shop, and more.
Tucked between the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains of Vermont, picturesque glamping getaway Sowilo Retreat offers a peaceful respite from city life. Guests may choose from an array of tiny houses and geodesic domes, each with amenities that provide a cushy experience while in the woods (think kitchens, bathrooms, A/C and heat.) Tiny homes can sleep up to four guests, so groups are welcome – and whole property rentals are available. All accommodations are pet friendly.
Located in the Berkshire Hills three hours from NYC, the idyllic River Run accommodates up to 12 guests. Just steps from the Westfield River, the sound of the water provides a serene backdrop to an already beautiful landscape, complete with a HarTru clay tennis court, cedar hot tub, and great fishing spots right out the front door.
Just 90 minutes from NYC in Milton, NY, escape to this warm contemporary farmhouse nestled among picturesque apple farms and vineyards. The 2020-built Milton Farmhouse offers a serene retreat with modern amenities and dreamy aesthetic, only 10 minutes from Poughkeepsie and the Metro North.
What was once an old dairy barn from the 1920s has been transformed into a vibrant hub encouraging collaboration, design, and entrepreneurship. Driven by the goal to create a marketplace for talented makers and encourage well-crafted products within the community, Wassaic Commons was born. Ninety miles from New York City, this barn has been meticulously and creatively restored by the owners, a Manhattan-based architect and designer, who teamed up with exceptional carpenters and local tradespeople, leaving no detail overlooked.
Two hours from NYC in Kerhonkson, the enchanting Dawson Farmhouse is located on thirteen private acres in the Catskill Mountains. Plan the day with your morning coffee in the screened in patio, spend days out (some help on that below), then return to make a grilled feast in the evening on Dawson’s oversize deck. At night, the fire pit is a perfect spot for drinks and s’mores, surrounded by boulders and forest, with a clear line of sight to the stars overhead.
110 miles from NYC in Parksville, New York, find the lovely Castle Hill Farmhouse. At the heart of the property, a charming four bedroom, 2,400+ square foot home is the main player. Beyond, the thoughtfully landscaped 5+ acre Castle Hill Farmhouse includes not one, but two elusive Catskills gems: a ...