In the town of Livingston Manor in the western Catskills, husband and wife team Anna and Tom Roberts are changing the way you travel—and live.
After years of bringing the Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club to life, they’ve recently grown exponentially, adding a country farmhouse, brewery-side cabins, and glamping to their weekend experience roster. During their hosted events, guests experience the magic of the Catskills through Anna and Tom’s outdoor-centric itineraries, which typically include fly fishing, farm visits, creekside dining, hiking, and late night bonfires.
On top of all this, they’ve managed to open a brick and mortar store for their newly launched umbrella brand, Homestedt. Somehow they made some time to share their story with us. Photos by Peter Crosby and Anna Roberts.
Let’s start at the very beginning. When, why and how did you move to the Catskills?
Tom Roberts: After many happy and hectic years spent in New York City we started to crave open spaces, and the peace that only comes from time spent in nature. As we started travelling upstate our weekend escapes became increasingly frequent. We explored many different areas, had some magical weekends, and more than a few miss-spent weekends, hunting for beautiful places and authentic experiences. In all of this, the one place we kept coming back to was Livingston Manor, right on the edge of the Catskills park. This is where we found our first property which was initially just a home away from home: two crumbling down houses sitting on six hundred feet of beautiful riverfront, that later became Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club. We didn’t really know what we wanted to do other than follow our creative passions and spend more time using our hands for building rather than typing and interact with people out in nature, rather than on crowded subways.
From then every weekend was spent surrounded by a willing group of friends clearing paths, painting walls, building furniture, and creating spaces designed to be shared with others. And every week was spent dreaming up the next project, scouring Craigslist, and counting down to the getting back in the car and heading to the mountains.
Fast forward a year and not only had we created a space where people could gather in nature, but we had also developed a following of people that wanted to share it with us, and perhaps most importantly of all we met a community of mountain people in Livingston Manor that welcomed us in, and were chasing many of the same things we were. Every trip back to the city felt like it made less and less sense as we fell in love with the Catskills.
From there it was a natural transition to create Homestedt — a business that could help others on the same journey we were on. To make sure those precious times when you can escape into nature are filled with adventure, beautiful places, authentic experiences, and like-minded people. And for those that take the leap and buy their dream home or business in the Catskills, we’re there to help transform it inside and out using natural materials, local craftsmen, and character filled features.
You mentioned your latest project, Homestedt. Can you describe it in 50 words or less?
TR: We’re part nature experience company, part home design company; born out of a passion for creating magical experiences in the wild and combining them with the comforts of home. So whether you’re planning your next escape from the city or renovating an old farmhouse in the Catskills, we’re here to make the transition seamless. Some of our talented friends helped us create this video about it!
Homestedt | An Ode To The Land Of Little Rivers from Homestedt on Vimeo.
Let’s back up a bit: you began by building the Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club, but then bought and renovated what is now the Lady Pomona. Tell me about the expansion.
TR: The Lady Pomona was a natural extension of our portfolio. The experience weekends at LMFFC are fully immersive and we give our guests a taste of some of our favourite things to do in the Catskills, and upon leaving many feel inspired to return and explore on their own. The Lady Pomona is a perfect spot for this. Perched on Shandelee just a few minutes outside of Livingston Manor, right on the edge of the Catskills Park, we offer individual rooms for stays of one night or more with breakfast served in baskets outside the rooms, allowing you to tackle the days adventures at as fast or slow a pace as you like.
Now we’re adding in the Brewery cottages as well and developing self-guided weekend itineraries all in the hope of bringing more people to this amazing part of the world and ensuring everyone who stays with us gets a slice of the true Catskills.
Whoa, brewery cottages? Tell me more!
TR: When you get to a small town, you should get to know your local farmer, baker, banker and brewer…. We wasted no time on all four, and developed a particular appreciation for the Catskill Brewery Floodwatch IPA — which Anna insists on trying to order anywhere in the world when traveling, haha. From there we got to talking with the owners, and discovered these amazing houses at the back of the Catskill Brewery property that had been sitting in a state of semi-use for some time. We both shared an excitement for bringing them back to life, and so we did it. The renovations took 4-5 months, and the results have been really amazing.
The property consists of two houses designed and operated by Homestedt, and run in collaboration with the Catskill Brewery. The Brewmasters Cottage is the larger of the two, a bright airy space with three bedrooms, a livingroom, and farmhouse kitchen featuring an original 1960s stove and refrigerator, wood accents throughout and décor that creates a sense of country calm. While the Microbrew Cabin is a cosy hideaway, with one bedroom, bathroom and living room kitchen with a built in seating that converts in to an additional full bed if required. Stained wood walls, butcher block counter tops, and wood trim throughout makes you feel like you’re in a cabin in the woods — but with all the conveniences of being right on the edge of town.
So let me get this straight: now that you’ve designed all these beautiful spaces, Homestedt is kind of the parent of all these projects. But you’re opening a store too, right? Tell me more about that: any new challenges, or do you guys just have a formula at this point for buildouts?
TR: When we renovated our first few properties we discovered three things. First, the properties in this part of New York state are affordable, but few places are turn-key. They often require a vision and decent amount of work to build their value and restore them to their former glory. Second, finding the people to help with renovations in the Catskills is challenging and even when you do find the right people, it’s important to manage projects closely to ensure the vision you saw at the beginning becomes a reality. Finally, we discovered a passion for restoring properties and uncovering the character of country homes.
Speaking of design, what’s your design background? Any formal training?
TR: Although we had no formal training, growing up in Sweden and England gave us an appreciation for older architectural details, unique and authentic furnishings, and a natural European design sensibility.
AR: We also have been lucky to build a team that share our aesthetic and vision. As we’re growing, we’re on a constant look out for talented people who would like to come and help us do so. Unlimited wood-fired sauna time is one of the Homestedt teams’ favorite perks!
How would you describe your aesthetic? What’s your design process like?
TR: I wouldn’t say that Homestedt has a single design aesthetic or style. All the properties we’ve renovated have a very unique look. From the rustic river lodge of the Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club, to the classic country home styling of the Lady Pomona, and the clean airy interiors of the Catskill Brewery cottages, they all have a distinct personality. But perhaps that is more testament to our style, not covering over the character of a building with a standard style but rather working with the bones of a space to uncover and accentuate the personality that already exists there. For example the kitchen at the Lady Pomona was covered in peachy pink tile, walls and ceiling. Rather than spending money ripping it out, we worked with it to create a colour palette, appliances and fittings that complemented and refreshed what was already there rather than glossing over it.
AR: We know how it feels to spend almost all your money on buying a house. When you then get to the phase of renovating it, it’s important to make smart design choices. According to the Homestedt team, this doesn’t mean costing all your last dollars. Reusing and reinventing are words that are being used a lot in the Homestedt showroom.
We’ve always enjoyed well designed spaces, as well as the unpretentious beauty of nature. There is nothing more remarkable then nature’s own color palettes and patterns! Through growing up in England and Sweden, traveling to many places around the world, living in New York City and now in the Catskills Mountains, so many of these spaces have stuck in our mind; kind of like an offline Pinterest board. That offline board is not only based on what you see, but also how you felt when interacting with the space. Design has so much to do with feelings and the aim with Homestedt’s design is to create warm and welcoming feelings where the explorer can rest and feel like home. And of course — the online Pinterest and Instagram are always great sources of inspiration too.
The other important piece of the design process is to spend time in the space, as well as in the area surrounding, to find the most unique characteristics and then highlight them in the design.
What inspires you the most?
AR: Nature and humans — and the combination of the two! We always aim to connect the two, whether in our design work or during our nature experience retreats. Seeing how people interact and flow through a space is fascinating.
TR: The dinner table on the river where communal dining experiences are taking place is a good example of this. So are the shared living room spaces, the4-person wood fired sauna, and even the shared bathrooms, ha! When we started hosting guests at Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club, we realized that we had designed a space that encourage people not only to slow down and connect with nature, but also with each other on a deeper level. To us, that is incredibly inspiring! The ambition with Homestedt experiences is to keep on creating these strong bonds between humans and nature.
Let’s talk more about your guided experiences/weekends. How do you meet the partners you work with (farmers, foragers, etc.)?
TR: I think we’re both naturally inquisitive, so when we came to this area we started exploring, meeting people, and asking questions. We always wanted to go a layer deeper, to understand the people behind the places, as well as discover the places with no people. For example, when we saw trout from the Beaverkill Trout Hatchery listed on the menu of a local restaurant, we asked them about it. The next day we were up in the mountains feeding the trout with Sherri Shaver, the fourth generation operator of the hatchery that just happens to be nestled in one of the most beautiful parts of the Beaverkill valley. After a few years of that we’ve discovered an amazing community of mountain people running amazing operations and looking to share them with others as well as secret spots and magical places. From foragers to fly fishing guides, homesteads to hikes, and hidden local stores to antiques barns, we’ve developed a good lay of the land by exploring ourselves.
Let’s say I’m a group of 10 women looking for the most memorable bachelorette party ever. What would you recommend?
TR: We love hosting bachelorette parties for groups looking for a different kind of experience. It’s a special time to connect with friends, and a suspicious smelling party bus is not necessarily the best vehicle for this… Instead we would suggest a weekend that started with a little pampering – a cedarwood sauna with home-made spa products and river alongside for cold plunges — a little adventure; a trip to a local farm to meet some of the worlds friendliest sheep, or the cutest alpacas — some fun; a rose tasting with our friends at Upstream Wines or a beer tasting at the Catskill Brewery –some magic; a private dinner served on a long table in the woods with only the sound of the river and the cicadas in the background — and of course some mischief; a trip to one of the local bars or a simply a huddle in the tipi for late night drinks and music. For this we would recommend staying with us at either the Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club (sleeps up to 18), or the two cottages at the Catskill Brewery (sleeps up to 10).
Now pretend I’m now a couple from the city, looking for a quiet countryside getaway together. What do you recommend?
TR: Depending on your level of adventure, we would suggest either a stay the Lady Pomona or a glamping experience in one of our heavy canvas Bell Tents. Sitting on the hill above Livingston Manor, we designed the Pomona and the experience there as an homage to the elegance of country living of old. Surrounded by six acres of woodland, lawn and fruit trees with plenty of places to relax and notice the sound of the birds, build a fire, or kick back and simply watch the fireflies instead. The Blue Room there is one of our favourites, covered in dark matt floral wallpaper, velvety curtains, a bed comfortable enough to spend the whole day in, and breakfast served in bed to help you do it… Alternatively, this summer we are launching weekend rental of a full glamping set including heavy canvas bell tent, camp stools, air mattress, and sleeping bags, and torch. We have a few suggestions of quiet spots to camp in the area that would make for a most memorable escape. All you need to bring is the wine and cheese…
Last one: I’ve never fly fished but I’m really drawn to the vibe of the LMFFC. Can I still come?
TR: Absolutely! We were inspired by the philosophy and principles of fly fishing, just as much as we were by the act of fishing itself. Slowing down, immersing yourself in the natural world, and taking a moment appreciate and understand it a little better. You can achieve that just as effectively by taking a sauna on the river as you can by getting into it with a fishing rod. In fact, most of our guests for Homestedt experiences at LMFFC have never fished before, but many are interested in trying it out. As a result most of or private and public weekend experiences involve an one to two hour introduction to fly fishing with a local guide, and then free use of equipment for the rest of your stay. So you can fish as much, or as little, as you like.
Book a Homestedt property or experience at Homestedt.com. Escape Brooklyn thanks the immensely talented Peter Crosby for contributing photos. Photos from the Lady Pomona by Anna Roberts.
