Tucked into the wood’s edge, adjacent a retired apple orchard, this new home has the benefits of both field views and woodland intimacy. Bedrock breaches the forest floor amongst a mixed hardwood stand of Sugar Maple, Hop Hornbeam, and White Birch. Hammered bedrock from the construction process supplied all the stone for the traditional walls which create a sharp delineation of lawns and gardens around this Federal style, center-hall house. The understated perennial plantings, which emphasize texture and foliage over color, relate to the surrounding woods. An informal stepping stone path flanked by perennial plantings leads to the porch entry before blending outwards to adjacent lawns and traditional perennial gardens. Existing shade trees and a White Birch grove were protected during construction and later incorporated into a meandering lawn for the family’s young children. Weathered granite stones lead to and from the house in both formal and stepping stone patterns – inviting guests, family and friends to arrive at the front door, or more informally at the kitchen porch.
