South Coast Artists' Farmhouse

Enjoy a private and beautifully renovated artists' farmhouse in the heart of the farmcoast region, across from the Slocum River Reserve. Close to beaches, restaurants, museums, wineries, galleries, bicycling, water sports, state parks and reserves.

This vintage two story 1920's farmhouse was completely renovated in 2014/15 by ceramist Chris Gustin and his wife, painter and sculptor Nancy Train Smith. It is a showcase for the 'handmade'. The tile, ceramics and artwork in the house weremade by both local and national artists. My tile studio made all of the ceramic tile in the house, with floors, kitchen, laundry, wood stove area and bathrooms outfitted in beautiful handmade tile. The stoneware dinnerware is from Guadalajara, Mexico. All in all, the house welcomes you to enjoy the beauty of living with handmade objects.

The house is located on three acres of land, which is next door/adjacent to my ceramics studio, gallery and wood burning kiln. It has four bedrooms, three with queen beds and one with a double bed. Three bedrooms are upstairs, one is downstairs. There are two full baths with beautiful walk-in handmade tiled shower stalls, one upstairs and one downstairs.

The downstairs is very open, with kitchen, living room and dining area all open to each other. A large outdoor deck area with grill is off of the back entrance and kitchen, and will have a fire pit in 2016. Landscaping and a new garden are being completed in the spring of 2016, so fresh vegetables and herbs will be available for guests in the summer of 2016.

The kitchen has all new appliances, with stone countertops and beautiful tile backsplash and cabinetry. It is fully equipped, with pots, pans and a full assortment of dishes and glassware. We provide a small pantry of the staples needed for cooking. There is an expresso coffee maker, as well as the traditional drip maker and Keurig. Enjoy your meals on handmade stoneware dinnerware from Mexico in the dining area that sits eight. With a new Jotul wood stove, fall, winter and spring visits have the extra warmth of a wood fire on cold days and nights.

Interaction with Guests

My ceramics studio is located next door to the farmhouse, along with my gallery and wood kiln. I'm usually there most days, and guests are welcome to visit and tour the studios and gallery. I'm available if interested, and will support your privacy if desired!

The Neighborhood

Our neighborhood is located in a rural area on the west bank of the Slocum's River. The house is next door to a 100 acre farm that grows the shrub and tree stock for Sylvan Nurseries, a horticulturalist's dream, located a couple of miles down the road. The house is across the road from the Slocum's River Reserve, a 100 acres nature preserve on the banks of the Slocum's River, sporting walking trails and views that are stunning. The house is a short 7 mile drive to New Bedford, with the Whaling Museum, Art Museum, National Park and restaurants. We are 3 miles from Padanarum Village to the east, and 4 miles to the Westport and Horseneck Beach area. A short drive will get you to beaches, restaurants, museums, wineries, galleries, water sports, fishing, state parks and nature reserves.

With miles of country roads bordering farmlands, vineyards and the ocean, the house is perfectly suited for those interested in bicycling.

Local favorite restaurants include the Bayside Restaurant and the Back Eddy, located in Westport, and the Little Moss and Black Bass in Padanarum Village. Both Cork and the Spicy Lime are great eats in New Bedford.