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Collection by Tom Givone

floating farmhouse

Sited at the edge of a pristine creek, with a waterfall cascading over an ancient dam of hand-laid stone, the Floating Farmhouse was a sinking ship when first discovered. After a design and rebuild process spanning four years, the 1820 manor home is now a study in contrasts: fully restored to its period grandeur while featuring purely modernist elements, including a curtain wall of skyscraper glass in the kitchen, polished concrete and steel finishes, minimalist interiors, and a cantilevered porch "floating" on the surface of the water.

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The Floating Farmhouse before, Winter 2007.
The Floating Farmhouse before, Winter 2007.
Summertime at the Floating Farmhouse.
Summertime at the Floating Farmhouse.
Three sets of French doors open onto an expansive covered porch and the creek, dam and waterfall beyond.
Three sets of French doors open onto an expansive covered porch and the creek, dam and waterfall beyond.
The covered porch, cantilevered over the creek, dam, and waterfall. All custom millwork throughout the home, including the bead board covered porch ceiling, was created from towering pines felled and milled on the property.
The covered porch, cantilevered over the creek, dam, and waterfall. All custom millwork throughout the home, including the bead board covered porch ceiling, was created from towering pines felled and milled on the property.
Curtain wall of skyscraper glass in kitchen, 22 feet tall, frames views of the water, gazebo, apple trees, and barns.
Curtain wall of skyscraper glass in kitchen, 22 feet tall, frames views of the water, gazebo, apple trees, and barns.
Opposites attract: a vintage concrete sink, oxidized steel elements, and ancient ceiling beams mix with modern lacquered cabinetry, minimalist chrome fixtures, commercial glass panels, and polished concrete floors.
Opposites attract: a vintage concrete sink, oxidized steel elements, and ancient ceiling beams mix with modern lacquered cabinetry, minimalist chrome fixtures, commercial glass panels, and polished concrete floors.
Cor-Ten steel panel tower, acid-oxodized and weathered over three years, houses a wood-burning pizza oven at its base.
Cor-Ten steel panel tower, acid-oxodized and weathered over three years, houses a wood-burning pizza oven at its base.
View from Great Room to kitchen and waterfront views beyond, framed by vast expanses of skyscraper glass.
View from Great Room to kitchen and waterfront views beyond, framed by vast expanses of skyscraper glass.
In the master bedroom, a vaulted ceiling is anchored by a pair of centuries-old hand hewn beams. An oversized wood burning fireplace, faced with a panel of oxidized Cor-Ten steel, warms the space.
In the master bedroom, a vaulted ceiling is anchored by a pair of centuries-old hand hewn beams. An oversized wood burning fireplace, faced with a panel of oxidized Cor-Ten steel, warms the space.
A serene mix of ancient and modern in the spare, sprawling guest bath.
A serene mix of ancient and modern in the spare, sprawling guest bath.
An ancient hand-chiseled Italian sink, previously buried in the hillsides of Rome, adorns the guest bath. Angle irons concealed in the wall make the hefty sink appear weightless, floating effortlessly above the floor.
An ancient hand-chiseled Italian sink, previously buried in the hillsides of Rome, adorns the guest bath. Angle irons concealed in the wall make the hefty sink appear weightless, floating effortlessly above the floor.
1800's wood and zinc soaking tub, salvaged from an old tenement building on Manhattan's Lower East Side and wrapped in stainless steel.
1800's wood and zinc soaking tub, salvaged from an old tenement building on Manhattan's Lower East Side and wrapped in stainless steel.
The original cedar roof shingles, discovered during demolition and exposed in the newly vaulted master bedroom.
The original cedar roof shingles, discovered during demolition and exposed in the newly vaulted master bedroom.
Double vessel sinks, jacuzzi tub, and wall-to-wall shower stall in master bathroom. Tub wrapped in salvaged planks. Counter top made from pine trees cut and milled on the property.
Double vessel sinks, jacuzzi tub, and wall-to-wall shower stall in master bathroom. Tub wrapped in salvaged planks. Counter top made from pine trees cut and milled on the property.
The Great Room features a 48" wood burning fireplace faced in oxidized Corten steel, restored coffered ceilings, and the waterfall's cascading rhythm as it fills the grand space.
The Great Room features a 48" wood burning fireplace faced in oxidized Corten steel, restored coffered ceilings, and the waterfall's cascading rhythm as it fills the grand space.
A classic Catskills gazebo beckons drinks and conversation at the water's edge.
A classic Catskills gazebo beckons drinks and conversation at the water's edge.
Sweeping lawns and serene country views offer many options for friends and family to gather.
Sweeping lawns and serene country views offer many options for friends and family to gather.
An old barn, smokehouse, and apple trees dot the iconic farmhouse landscape. The original chicken barn will soon be undergoing a modernist reinterpretation.
An old barn, smokehouse, and apple trees dot the iconic farmhouse landscape. The original chicken barn will soon be undergoing a modernist reinterpretation.
Fully restored to its period grandeur while featuring purely modernist elements, including a curtain wall of skyscraper glass in the kitchen, polished concrete and steel finishes, and a cantilevered porch "floating" on the surface of the water.
Fully restored to its period grandeur while featuring purely modernist elements, including a curtain wall of skyscraper glass in the kitchen, polished concrete and steel finishes, and a cantilevered porch "floating" on the surface of the water.

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