This content originally appeared on our Weekend Inspiration newsletter, mailed on 7/19/24.
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Howdy all, happy Friday!
Hope you had a great week despite the oppressive heat. A gentle reminder that the Catskill Mountains where EB calls home are consistently ~10º cooler than the city – so if it’s refuge from the heat you seek, it may be time for a vacation. (We can help with that.)
In case you needed any extra convincing, consider the FOMO. Upstate summer vacations away are basically a rite of passage for New Yorkers. Yes, it has always been beautiful up here and that’s reason to visit alone, but the cooler climate is why the Catskills became a vacation destination in the first place. The tradition of escaping the city dates back to the late 1800s when people fled the city heat to the Catskills and Adirondacks for respite; history lesson here!
For Sale | Heute Haus: Midcentury-Inspired New Build in Glen Spey, NY
This midcentury-inspired kitchen and color palette had the entire internet swooning this week. Photos of Heute Haus by Catskill Image.
This week’s undeniable favorite was Heute Haus, whose listing comes from Erica Keberle at Anatole House. Newly dreamed up and constructed by local design-build team (@majorjackscatskills & @wishbonedesignbuild), Heute Haus offers a forward-thinking, balanced home for discerning dwellers.
Located in Black Forest, Heute Haus’ exterior gives a reverent nod to the community’s Bavarian heritage, while its bespoke interiors blend mid-century European modernism with designer Major Jacks’ signature style.
Set on 5 wooded acres with hand-laid bluestone patios, a low-slung back deck, Zen garden, fire pit, barrel sauna and outdoor shower, this 3Br/2.5BA new build was imagined as a low-maintenance refuge in a natural environment.
Heute Haus is located within the gates of Black Forest, a sought after private community offering residents exclusive access to 1,100 acres of wild preserve, mapped hiking trails, swimming holes, fishing and stunning ravines that serve as an extension of the home’s backyard. View the full listing here.
Travel Guide + Free 3rd Night Deal | Glamping in a Dome or Tiny Home at Sowilo Retreat
Wake up in this magical geodesic dome, one of many glamping accommodations at Sowilo Retreat. Photo by Escape Brooklyn.
Did you know we recap every single trip we do on EscapeBrooklyn.com, with guides for each? Our “Recent Stays” section is complete with filters to make trip planning a breeze; check out that section here.
This week on Instagram, we shared our experience at Sowilo Retreat, where guests choose accommodations in one of four tiny homes, or one of two geodesic domes. This glamping getaway offers an all-inclusive experience with incredible meals (no exaggeration, the food is so amazing!), yoga, sound baths and more.
Here’s the Instagram post for your bookmarking/saving/forwarding-to-a-friend convenience:
A post shared by @escape_brooklyn
Our guide features the nearby swim spot Lake Lauderdale, tube/kayak rentals for a day on the river, and a visit to Merck Forest & Farmland Center.
Ready to book a trip? Paid Escape Club Members enjoy an additional night free at Sowilo Retreat with all-inclusive services (breakfast, dinner, wellness activities) excluding holidays, now through the end of July. Get on it!
Get the Discount Code | View the Escape Brooklyn Guide | Link to Book
For Sale | Mountainside Modern at the Base of the Shawangunk Ridge in Gardiner, NY
This newly built modern home sits at the base of Shawangunk Ridge, with a back-door/private entrance into the Mohonk Preserve. Photos by Laszlo Andacs.
Experience captivating views of the Shawangunk Ridge from this hilltop home on a secluded 16+ acres. The stunning 3BR/3BA new build comes with direct access to Mohonk Preserve, with thousands of acres of hiking and biking trails, swimming holes and waterfalls.
An open layout with white oak floors, soaring ceilings, and large windows creates a warm and airy atmosphere, while the brand new kitchen exudes luxury with Brazilian quartzite counters, custom walnut cabinets, and high-end Wolf, Subzero, and Thermador appliances. A screened porch located off the kitchen has cathedral ceilings, an outdoor kitchen with a pellet grill/smoker, its own fireplace, and plenty of lounging room, blending the outdoors and indoors.
Outside, trek well-worn trails beyond the house to a perennial creek and seasonal waterfall, then continue to a lookout with views over the Hudson Valley. The home has a private entrance to the neighboring Mohonk Preserve, where adventurous types can climb the face of the Shawangunk Ridge that sits on the grounds. View the full listing here.
Real Estate | Calling All Dreamers Collab with Upstate Curious
The third commercial property in the series is this former horse farm turned wedding venue in Jefferson, NY. Charming farmhouse residence included! Photos by Phil Mansfield.
Have you been following our Calling All Dreamers series? In collaboration with Upstate Curious, we’ve chosen four dreamy commercial spaces for sale. Each is paired with nearby residential listings – so you can get to planning your Upstate dream life, work, home and all.
Check out short versions of all four listings here, or check out the individual listings on Escape Brooklyn. Above, a preview of a former horse farm turned wedding venue, with barns, meadow, pond, and a charming farmhouse to boot. Thanks again to the Upstate Curious team for this fun collab.
Wassaic Commons in Wassaic, NY | Former Horse Farm Turned Wedding Venue in Jefferson, NY | Converted Church and Yurt in Stone Ridge, NY | Classic Country Retail Space in Staatsburg, NY
That’s all for this week. Next Friday, I’ll be at an off-grid cabin in Maine on my first real ~vacation~ of the year and hoping to totally unplug, so you may or may not hear from us. Catch you on the other side!
