Phil Godenschwager's sketches from my wish-lists. Try to picture this in color (I will add some photos of the colors). This is the wall you will see directly ahead (just beyond the island) as you enter the dining room from the south porch. This is similar to the old kitchen except the stove/oven was not on this wall. To the left of this wall will be the hallway/bathroom entry. The kitchen sink is to the right...see 2nd elevation drawing below. The stain on the cabinet bas

As I move through my house daily here in Massachusetts, I am also already living in the Vermont house.  I have studied the plans so thoroughly that I know where everything will be.  I am pleasantly surprised at how many similarities there are between the house we have now and the house we will be living in by 2028.  The house design in Vermont was mostly determined by what was there in the past, in the old house.  I can’t claim that the design was created simply by copying th

A desk with secret drawers A cellar is what I grew up with. My childhood home had an old oak roll-top desk in the cellar where the neighborhood kids could gather for a club. There was also a root cellar- a room with a dirt floor where my Mom stored canned goods on a shelf and potatoes, things like that. It has a good smell. The earth, coolness, dark. There was one finished room that my Dad had created for his photography business (in his early days) and my oldest sister

A day of intense feelings…all good ones.  My first visit to Vermont in a while what with winter weather and holidays.  My sister who lives in Vermont had driven by recently and told me all of the windows are in and that it looks so good- like the old house is rising back up.  I was excited to see it. The windows are beautiful, real wooden grills that divide the glass. They are energy-efficient and are the type you can flip inwards to clean. Seeing the inside of the house wi

The old house on Ridge Road had Greek Revival components. The front door with the sidelights and an overhang plus side trim and was classic. A gable on the front of the house is also typical of this style. Grampa Cooley's Vermont house also had the classic Greek Revival returns on the trim of the gable ends (the trim rather than continuing downward from the slope of the roof, turns back in on itself pointing towards the center of the building). During the 1820-1860 period

There is nothing easy about contractors having to work in the winter.  Today the wind is howling and there is a ½” of ice coating every surface.  I’m not sure what they will actually get done but just to show up and sand the driveway is admirable.

Does this millstone look familiar? Yes it's the very same one that is still at the housebuilding site in Vermont. But see that extensive stone wall system in the background? Taken down by someone other than me, gone. Now the circular driveway exits there. Interesting to see the evolution of a property. These two adorable munchkins are both Cooleys, my husband's younger brothers. Photo courtesy of P.A. Cooley collection. Estimated 1968 Just as winter might create a slo

Charles H. Cooley with his horse Lexa (Fern Hill Alexandra) which became my horse later in life. What a great horse. I'm sure it wasn't as if she was used every day. Here she was going out on the road, Ridge Road, with traffic, then down Skyview Road, giving several rides to family members. She was so good. A Lippitt Morgan. Here you can see the barn which is still there. I love getting to see the exact fencing Charles was using. Here is his special horse Suzanne Royal

Upon seeing the East Wing of the White House get demolished, I understood how family members felt who had a hard time seeing Grampa Cooley’s house go up in flames and dissolve before their eyes. White House East Wing Demolition One family member told me how angry he was, others couldn’t watch or be there on the day of the controlled burn, others were there and sad.  I understood.  Ridge Road House Demolition It’s actually not fun to have that much power. The memories, the old

As I drove down the Ridge Road, I told myself, "don't expect too much...maybe one new wall or so." But I was actually hoping that I...

It sounds like stating the obvious. Of course a house changes...builders are hammering on new parts on a daily basis. But it is more than...

First floor framing...when the house is done, the driveway will shrink to the right. There will be a little backyard lawn next to the...

My materials list is 28 pages long Making decisions, trying to stay organized, maintaining clear communications, keeping everyone...

photo courtesy of Jane Howe August 7, 2025 I had a great talk with my builder.  I got to ask about a clearer timeline of the whole build,...

I met with Phil Godenschwager in his studio on Wednesday, July 30 th , for design discussion.  I can’t stress enough how helpful he has...

We have a basement floor!  Concrete trucks arrive, contractors depend on them The floor in process, who knew cement could be beautiful?!...

Mostly I want a space to park our two vehicles out of the snow. We have never had a 2-car garage...this will be a first. But I don't want...

I delivered a very large check $ today...it can't be ALL fun and games. Foundations are basically ready.  Backfill in.  Pouring of...