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This is the Cooley House in Central Vermont
My name is Sylvia Shepard Cooley.
I am the self-assigned project coordinator... an old family house
that has to come down but will be rebuilt
as closely as possible to the original.
Check out the blog posts to see the process.
Add your ideas. Please comment!
For more information: "About"

Blog Categories:


A good fit
Today I got to meet with Matthew Greene a builder from Topsham, Vermont. I am very encouraged that he would be an excellent fit with me...
Aug 13, 20242 min read


Elevations of the Ridge Road house
Thank you Phillip Godenschwager for these drawings. The only changes in the front of the house are- A view of the south side covered...
Aug 2, 20243 min read


Floor plans! Downstairs & up
I am excited to preserve the basic original floor plan of the Ridge Road house with a few changes. Guests, instead of just entering the...
Jul 30, 20244 min read


Coming soon...
Completed floor plans and elevations almost ready to share. Stay tuned! Sara Tucker recommended Phil Godenschwager for architectural...
Jul 27, 20241 min read


My philosophy on interior design
OK, so I am just a regular person who shouldn't HAVE a philosophy on interior design (and those who know me could have a good laugh with...
Jun 30, 20242 min read


Ridge Road House Materials list
This is my initial list...possibly boring to read (but exciting to me). It is only preliminary, will take suggestions (especially to...
Jun 22, 20243 min read


Another great builder
I talked with another builder! Recommended by my niece Emily Howe who has seen his work in Tunbridge for her husband John’s family (and...
Jun 20, 20241 min read


Meeting with a builder
Today I got to meet Joseph Bertrand from Central Vermont Building & Design, LLC. Thank you to Phil Godenschwager for suggesting Joe. Our...
Jun 7, 20242 min read


Wild Chervil problems
One of the projects that needs to be undertaken at the Ridge Road House is tackling the Wild Chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris, called Cow...
May 15, 20243 min read


Screened-in porch
Phil Godenschwager suggested a screen-in porch for the design of the Ridge Road house. I decided it would be a great idea (we loved one...
May 4, 20241 min read


Progress report, up next- the barn
Progress in the rebuilding of the Cooley house on Ridge Road- I have started to touch base with some excellent builders (but since they...
Apr 30, 20242 min read


Our Cooley history
The first Cooleys started a farm on Ridge Road, Randolph Center. Anna (Hale) & Augustus Cooley, their son Harry Cooley center. Augustus's...
Apr 17, 20241 min read


1950s view of Ridge Road
Supplied by Tim Cooley from his father John Cooley's slide collection
Apr 6, 20241 min read


Replicating the 1960s kitchen in the 2020s
I can't decide if I am just obsessed with recreating a similar house or if I am truly inspired by the old house to get new ideas. At any...
Apr 3, 20242 min read


Upstairs and downstairs
The upstairs will be very similar to the old house except for no walls around the '3rd bedroom,' (keeping it open for light into the...
Mar 29, 20241 min read


Changing the north and east sides a bit
A reader/family member suggested changing the north side less (from the original house design) and to do that have the mudroom entrance...
Mar 28, 20241 min read


Initial elevations of house plans
These are very basic. I don't have all details on them yet. If you see the trim I drew on the front of the house (west side) imagine...
Mar 25, 20242 min read


Initial plans
I got inspired to play my with house plan ideas after visiting Phil Godenschwager who does architectural drawings. I want to have some...
Mar 24, 20242 min read


Moving forward with plans
On the first day of spring, March 21, 2024, I visited with Phil Godenschwager at his studio in Randolph, Vermont on Weston Street (in the...
Mar 22, 20241 min read


Visit to the house site today
As this video pans to the left, remember the 2nd house was located there, pushed out to the south a bit, connected to the far 'left'...
Mar 21, 20241 min read
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