The Art Colony Cottage

Across the street from the Art Colony’s main lodge and at the base of the hill sits a two-bedroom cottage, a retreat for summer guests when the lodge is filled with family. In 2018, the homeowners hired Knickerbocker Group to return to redo the cottage bathroom and make it more accessible for elderly guests.

Knickerbocker Group transformed the very narrow bathroom by cleverly repositioning the components within the space. The clawfoot tub was replaced with a curved shower, creating a place for the sink out of the walkway.

The window in the bathroom was originally side-swinging, taking up space and creating another challenge. Knickerbocker Group moved the hinges to the bottom, allowing the authentic window to tip inward, gaining additional clearance. This is yet another way Knickerbocker Group maintained the home’s historical integrity. Similar to the lodge, corrugated metal roofing panels were used for the ceiling material.

The kitchen and living room are host to original furniture left by the previous owner. It was important to the clients to keep the history alive inside each property; so, Knickerbocker Group found ways to modernize the space while retaining the cottage’s traditional furniture.

In the living room are two hanging basket lights. The electricians could not rewire the original fixtures; so, Knickerbocker Group found nearly identical basket lights to take their place and meet current safety standards. The open ceiling and stud walls are original to the home, although they created a challenge for integrating attractive wiring. Knickerbocker Group added stained beams to mirror the originals while hiding the overhead electrical wiring. Special exposed electrical boxes were used on the stud walls.

Centered in the kitchen hangs a whimsical stained glass light made by a local artist. The “ice block” glass is held by repurposed antique ice tongs, painted red. The same artist created the pendant over the dining table, bathroom sconces and mirror, and the decorative exterior lighting.

Knickerbocker Group reused a wonderful old double basin sink and gently renovated the small kitchen with modern touches by building new cabinetry and innovative storage space, installing a new refrigerator, and refinishing the floors.

During initial design discussions, it was brought to Knickerbocker Group’s attention that the homeowner encountered issues where snow and rain damaged the original siding; particularly on the cottage side where snow would build up and sit. Knickerbocker Group provided a few solutions, and metal, mil-finish, galvalume vertical panels were used for the first 42” of the wall height.

Above, the homeowner wanted to utilize warm, rustic material to offset the metal below and to provide a visual connection to the history of the cottage and lodge. Thermally treated white ash tongue and groove wall cladding was thoughtfully selected. This sustainable product is rot and termite resistant in addition to being incredibly stable.

Finally, to address any standing water or snow up against the building at the deck, a galvanized floor grate was integrated into the decking just below the drip line of the roof. For privacy, a lattice wall was built on the road-side of the deck to allow the homeowners’ guests to enjoy their own haven on the hill.