Carolyn Bates

In A Quiet Hamlet, A New Old by Patricia PoorePhotographs by Carolyn Bates Early Homes, Winter 2009 LONG-TIME OLD-HOUSE INTERIORS reader Randall DiStefano tells us that he and his wife fell in love with the quiet hamlet of Grafton, Vermont, when they came here to put an addition on a client's house. For two decades, Randy's done 18th-century historical reproduction and restoration work all over New England. … When the family decided to stay and build a house for themselves, they referred to Stanley Schuler's Old New England Homes [Schiffer, 1999J. Randall's wife loved the bowed-roof … [Read more...]

Mark and Verlaine, owners, started shop 10 years ago. She went home to Paris to renew passport and see her mom. US Embassy said her business was marginal and would not let her back into US! The people of Colebrook wrote lots of letter, tel calls, etc. and got her back in saying  "She belongs here."Read more about this in the NY Times story. Sandra Riendeau, sitting on far left inside, was a leader in the group to get owner back. She is with her husband, Jack,  and Ms. Sally, outside. Carrying apple tart from Le Rendez Vous to the corn roast party. Photo by Sarah Cummings … [Read more...]

Green Living!Architect: Daniel Johnson, Watershed Studio architecture, LLC Challenges, goals and solutions:Design a small (970 sq.ft.) energy efficient, low maintenance, low life cycle cost house that has a low impact upon and integration with the landscape. The site is a small, predetermined development envelope, within conserved acreage. The challenge was to take advantage of the view and natural day lighting provided by the open space of the field, yet not occupy fertile agricultural soils. The solution was to nestle into ledge and forest edge which also provide protection from wind and … [Read more...]

A traditional-style home showcases the ups and downs of a modern construction methodby Debra Judge Silber Though its appearance is in every way traditional—from the deeply overhanging eaves outside to the 200-year-old beams inside—David and Kathy Gage’s Vermont home isn’t nearly as old-school as it seems.It’s modular. The walls and roof that make up this cottage-style house were assembled in a factory more than 100 miles away. And that’s a good thing, because it’s tighter and more energy efficient and was built with less environmental disturbance than most other houses.Traditional in form, … [Read more...]

Located in Burlington's New North End, Leddy Park is largest park in this city. With countless activities that this park offers, you will be sure to find the right one for you. This park offers its visitors a relaxing place to have a picnic or an afternoon of outdoor grilling complete with a view of Lake Champlain. For those who are interested in other activities, Leddy Park has facilities for softball, soccer, tennis, basketball, biking, swimming, reading, woodland walking trails, running, ice hockey, skating, and broom ball. The Burlington bike path that goes into Colchester, VT, right … [Read more...]

Rumford Hospital • Renovation and Expansion, Phases 1 and 2 Rumford Hospital is the quintessential early 20th Century hospital and the anchor of a hilltop neighborhood of healthcare businesses. FFF’s master plan has allowed the hospital to stay on its current site, while consolidating all 24-hour functions into one level for maximum staffing efficiency.Read more by downloading the full article.   {backbutton}   … [Read more...]

  Within the recent years, there has been a growing trend within the architectural world for creating more eco-friendly homes. Both commercial and residential buildings are being built to help enhance and protect our ecosystem while improving the air and water quality around us, reducing solid waste and conserving natural resources. As this social consciousness has been growing, Carolyn has been there photographing these homes and buildings. To see some of these green buildings, visit her portfolio. “I applaud the process of discovering new ways to do things. In architecture and … [Read more...]

Green Living! Hard to believe that this house is not only Green, but it is also a Pre Fab house!  John Connell, architect, of 2Morrow Studio, and Gio, worked with me for three days to get just the right camera angles and styling to tell the story of what it really is like to live here.  … [Read more...]

Sharon and Steve Sisler of Sisler Builders, Stowe, Vt. just used a wonderful porch photo that I had the great pleasure to photograph for them.  And of course, George and Lady Dickens plopped themselves almost center front, so they would be included!!  Look for the ad in Vermont publications. … [Read more...]

 Avenue Bistro really put together just the best afternoon the mayoral candidates have had together. Laughing, testing 16 different chilis, huge crowd.  They voted hands down that they would much rather do this again than have a debate.  Here are a couple of photos from this event. Andy Montroll and family are with Lea Terhune and Chuck Seleen. And thank you Susan Luce, owner, for having this event. Complete with beer tasting and music.   … [Read more...]

Former Governor and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean officially endorses Andy Montroll for Mayor of Burlington, Vt.  "...I am giving my full support to Andy Montroll to be the next Mayor of Burlington. Andy's proven leadership, extraordinary commitment to the citizens of our community and vision of a better Burlington is exactly what we need in these trying times...."  … [Read more...]

Ben and Forrest took over my camera and studio for a few days, Beth, Ms Sally and I got out the LED lights, and I, in photoshop, added a bit of color.  … [Read more...]

Lucky me! I had the privilege to photograph this fabulous, colorful, great design of FFF, inc. of the addition to the Rumford Hospital.  Everyone found something to contribute to the new addition, which was "sans" furniture except for 2 hospital beds when I arrived.  John Welch, nurses, staff, doctors, pharmacists, PT, and especially Jane Bubar at the hospital, worked with Steve Mosman, Jesse Beck and Tonya West at FFF to follow my instructions for images. The icu really shown with its new monitors, red cart, and patient's room, so the nurses brought everyone down to see it. They just loved … [Read more...]

Here is the first of many family portraits I donate to clients, friends and neighbors every year. … [Read more...]

Ms. Sally flashed in hot pink ski goggles from the Optical Center, zipping and zagging down the street, she snagged a Swiss Army Watch at Lippa's Jewelry shop. What a great pleasure it is to be in a dog friendly world on Church St. … [Read more...]