Chalet
Villino Tomtemsin (Totem Villa) | Steam sauna • Hot Tub
Fairlee, Vermont, United States
An architectural gem, hidden in the VT woods, Villino Totemsin, "cabin of totems”, is a mid-century modern, timber frame, partially designed by famed Chicago architect A. Richard Williams. Built of whole trees (totems). Magical, funky, rustic, quirky, comfortable. The setting: private, woods (full of songbirds in warm weather, sheer beauty in winter). A view of the river valley, 2 stone fireplaces, huge windows and a wood-fired hot tub. Near lakes, rivers & mountains. 15 minutes to Hanover, NH.brbrTHE SPACEbrThis timber frame home was constructed using entire trees, harvested from the property, they stand, like totem poles, visually joining the surrounding woods. The south-facing, wall of glass window blurs the boundary between inside and out. It's like living inside the Nature Channel, in a reverse snow globe, surrounded by weather, but cozy, inside.brTwo stone fireplaces flank the main space, (though, I don't allow guests to use them, or open flame, in the house, when I'm not there.). Wide pine and oak floors made from timber from the property and milled just up the road. There is a separate food prep space contained in the upper "Sky Room" and on the main floor, a large full "cooks" kitchen, with a double oven, warming drawer, etc., available for guest use. (Please let me know, if you're interested in using the main kitchen. FYI: I live in the house, most of the time, so the refrigerator may be full-ish and the look and feel of an "in use" frig.) brbrBedrooms:br• The Sky Suite is the upper floor of the house, a private room (10' x 30' with 14' ceiling (at its highest point.) with it's own bath, loft and deck (with view: open in winter, leafy in full spring/summer)br• The Sky Suite has an additional Full-size bed on the loft, not within the room, itself.br• The Red Room is on the main floor with its own claw-foot tub, sink and toilet in room. It boasts a very comfy queen-size 4-poster bed, leather armchair and small closet.br• Additional Bed: The Fireplace Bed.brThis is a full-size bed in the main area on the main floor, yet sequestered off in the SouthEast corner, bedside the Fireplace, surrounded on two sides by floor to ceiling windows. While it somewhat open to the main floor, it is a fantastic space for sleeping, in full view of the dawn.br• The hot tub is available for an additional fee of $50.br • Finnish style, steam sauna available. Seats 2 people. Ladle water onto hot rocks to bathe in invigorating steam. Great after skiing, hiking, or just because! ($35 fee to include it in your stay.) Please be careful when using the sauna, the stove unit, rocks and steam will be very hot and can be dangerous. Rules for safe use will be posted and must be followed. brbrbrPrivacybrNote: The Sky Room itself is private, with bed, table and chairs, lounge area, etc.. The loft area is semi-private, open to the main body of the house. There are folding screens to create privacy, but it is open to the ambiance, sounds, etc. of the main floor, below. Again, the loft is open to the house, semi-private , which really needs to work for you. Please consider this, before renting. Thanks!brbrbrGUEST ACCESSbrGuests can come and go, as they wish.brCheck in time: 3pm or later, unless arranged.brCheck out time: Noon, unless arranged.brbrSome personal rooms will be closed off, in the house. Please do not enter spaces not listed here, the are for rental use: entry/mud room, open part of the main floor, main floor bathroom, Red Room, Fireside space, kitchen, Sky Suite.brbrbrGUEST INTERACTIONbrI may or may not be on the property (There is a small room below the house I may use.), but will not be in the house, at all, unless requested, or may be on the deck, working on heating the hot tub for you, etc.brbrTHINGS TO NOTEbr• The loft is "semi-private", please, look at the pictures to see how the space sits above the "great room" of the home.br• The Sky Suite (room and loft) are accessed by a spiral staircase (2' wide). Be aware that you may need to duck your head to avoid banging it! (Watch your head!)br• The loft does not have a railing. I've taken measures to protect you, but you'll need to be aware and keep yourself safe!br• Claw Foot Tub for Rental Space on LoftbrThe Sky Suite includes a dynamite, two-sided, 6 ft claw foot tub. The tub is on rental suite loft, not in an enclosed room, in view of the huge picture window face of the house, but tucked behind surrounding folding screens to create the level of privacy that you desire.br• Small Food Prep Room in Sky SuitebrA microwave, coffee maker and refrigerator are in the Sky Suite, for your use. br• The entry (mud room), and downstairs bathroom and a couple other minor bits of the house are still in construction. This doesn't affect the rental suite, but you may notice it when you are here.br• We do not lock the door.brbrThe neighborhood is very rural. This house is in the woods and other homes are only visible from the edge of the deck, or through the woods. None the less, we have a variety of great restaurants in the area and Hanover, NH is right down the road (15 minutes) where concerts, movies, dance performances, etc. are usually available.brbrWINTER SPORTbrA ski slope (the Dartmouth Skiway, visible out the front window) is about 15 minutes away and has two chair lifts, and bunny slope, lodge, rental center and very reasonable rates. Two larger ski areas are each 60 miles from the house: Okemo and Stowe, both outstanding options.brCross country skiing is readily available near the house. The Lake Morey Resort golf course (1 mile away) is an excellent choice.brbrWARM WEATHER SPORTbrLake Morey is a large (600 acre) lake, a mile away and is great for swimming, boating, and maintains an fantastic ice skating track in winter. The Lake Morey Resort (at Lake Morey) has an 18 hole golf course (par 70), club house, bar, spa and special events. brRiver swimming holes abound, nearby, I'll leave a listing in the house. They are perfection. Really.brThere are many local farms in the area that produce local foods, cheeses, meats, maple syrup and more. A listing of great visits will be available to guests.brHiking trails are available all around the local area. For a bigger climb, the White Mountains are about an hour and a half away, providing excellent mountain hiking / climbing and more.brbrTRANSPORTATIONbrThere is no public transportation in the area, but, über and lyft are in the area.br
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