Carolyn Bates

A 1920s bungalow stands the test of time. Story by Marisa Crumb • Photos by Carolyn BatesMarch/April 2018 • VERMONT MAGAZINE For those not familiar with the style and process of a popular system of house design and construction during the first half of the twentieth century, a “kit home” was a practical and economic, albeit customizable and attractive, alternative to traditional residential building. Interestingly, the pre-cut lumber and supplementary building materials—along with assembly instructions—were loaded on a railroad boxcar or two at the company’s mill and shipped by railroad. The … [Read more...]

Last year, we visited gardens in Burlington (seen above, designed by Cynthia Knauf Landscape Design). Join us for this year's Flynn Garden Tour featuring Gardens in Charlotte, VT. Sunday, July 15, 2018, 9:00 AMTour: 9 am - 3 pm Tea: 3 - 4 pmGardens located in CharlotteTicket Price: $40 (www.flynntix.org) Children 14 and under may attend for free and do not need a ticket. The 22nd annual Flynn Garden Tour returns to its roots—Charlotte, Vermont, as it convenes its one-day only, self-guided stroll of gardens large and small in this village on the shores of Lake Champlain. This year’s tour … [Read more...]

Preservation Burlington Homes TourSelf-guided tour at various locations in BurlingtonSaturday, June 2, 2018, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PMAll Tickets $20.00 (www.flynntix.org) Free Admission for Children Under 16 This year’s tour features an eclectic mix of Burlington’s historic homes and out-buildings. Included is the recently completed “cupola unit” of Liberty House, formerly St. Joseph’s Orphanage. You will tour this penthouse unit, enjoy spectacular views of Lake Champlain from the building’s rooftop deck, and see other areas of the newly renovated structure. Also on the tour are two homes recently … [Read more...]

The Gift of a Beautiful Spot Lakeside Home in Charlotte Is Well Suited for Stellar Sunsets Story by Marisa Crumb • Photos by Carolyn BatesMAY / JUNE 2018 • VERMONT MAGAZINE THE 6,500-SQUARE-FOOT HOUSE THAT SHARES the same view as The Inn at Shelburne Farms has a somewhat mosaic past and an equally enchanting present. Three separate entities that are actually attached comprise a preserved barn built in the early 1800s (with its own intriguing history); the older farmhouse guest wing, which is the connector between the barn and the newer main house; and the main residence, constructed in … [Read more...]

A former “Butler Building,” Mike Davidson considers this converted dry cleaners building on South Main Street his greatest achievement. It now contains 36 units of “industrial chic” studio apartments, half of which are permanently on lease to nearby Northern Stage, to house its constantly changing roster of actors and support staff. Photo by Carolyn Bates. Rendering (right) by Studio Nexus. White River Junction, Then And Now by Dick Nelson There was a time, not so long ago, when White River Junction was not cool. In fact, it was more like the poor step sister to the larger and more … [Read more...]

This January photo shows the ceremonial front entrance to Liberty House on North Avenue in Burlington. Developer Eric Farrell and his team retained as much of the building’s historic nature as possible, while also adding a new copper roof, energy efficient windows and numerous amenities. Liberty House is part of a larger development, Cambrian Rise, to be built on the waterfront site (see following article). Sierra Pacific windows supplied and installed by Acme Glass. Photo by Carolyn Bates. ‘Liberty House Is Special’ by Dick Nelson “We were lucky to have the opportunity to work on this … [Read more...]

Over the years, back alleyways, sidewalls of gas stations, brick walls on abandoned warehouses have become stages for wonderful lyrical “graffitti”. Scavenger Hunt Time! More Information About The Murals Wall That: More New Murals Pop Up in Vermont by Sadie Williams Earlier this month we told you about five new murals around the state. It didn't take long for even more to pop out of the woodwork — or, often, brickwork. For this iteration of the mural roundup, we've got a high school mascot painted by students, a massive botanical creation in Milton and a fresh new look on a popular … [Read more...]

Lincoln Peak Gate House, Sugarbush Resort, WarrenDecember 7, 2017Photos  • by Carolyn Bates Longtime Vermont architects Bill Maclay, founder of Maclay Architects, and David Sellers, founder of Sellers & Co., were recognized at the AIA-VT annual meeting for having been named to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. The College of Fellows is the AIA’s highest membership honor, given for exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. ‘Excellence in Architecture’ Winners LARGE PROJECTS…Honor: CBT Architects, Boston Champlain College QuadMerit: … [Read more...]

A Mirrored Mexican Home Hides Among a Lush Forest By Michele Koh Morollo – March 7, 2018 Covered in mirrored glass that’s transparent when viewed from within, the façade of this Mexican forest retreat reflects the color, light, and movements of its natural surroundings. Located on a lush woodland hillside of Monterrey, Mexico, this reflective retreat—also known as Los Terrenos, meaning The Terrains—has been designed by Mexico City–based architect Tatiana Bilbao, using rammed earth, terracotta clay bricks, and mirrored glass.  Read the complete article on dwell.com. … [Read more...]

Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's Spectacular Desert Retreat and School in Arizona Anna Jones / Published by Dwell – March 7, 2018 A masterful extension of the desert landscape in Scottsdale, Taliesin West is a living memorial to the inspiring life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Built in 1937, Taliesin West was an experiment in desert living that evolved at the hands of master architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices until he passed in 1959. Conceptualized as a refuge from the harsh winters of the Midwest, the complex—which grew to include a drafting studio, dining facilities, three … [Read more...]

Do you want 39 of our remaining 56 trees taken down with the new City Hall Park redesign plan? And 1/3 of the park to be impermeable hardscape? Do you want this historic fountain to be replaced with a concrete FLAT splash pad, that could be used as a shower with a potential huge liability? Do you want over $3MIL of tax payer money to be spent doing this? Wouldn't it be great to leave our trees, aerate and nourish them? Now the City has revealed its final plan to “improve” the Park—and they plan to chop down OVER HALF of these trees! They plan put in just 12 small saplings in their … [Read more...]

Marie Louise Gartside BatesMay 1, 1918-2016 When I look back at my time spent with my mom, one of my favorite memories is the day we spent holding hands, laughing and jumping the waves in Maui, Hawaii in 1992. Last week I started to look through old photos, looking for one to use on Facebook for my mom’s May 1st birthday.  Voila, there was one from Maui! The color was ghastly, so I made it black and white. And to my surprise the photo was a perfect memory of that day.  Every time I look at the newly framed photo, I think of how very fortunate I am to have … [Read more...]

     Take a look at the cabins About the Architect: Kane Architecture explores the integration of architecture and place. Kane Architecture provides a full range of architectural design services including programming, space planning, interior design and landscape architecture. The firm provides complete design, construction and bidding documentation and contract administration services. Kane Architecture has experience with commercial, residential and institutional projects in Vermont, Arizona, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, New York, … [Read more...]

Wheel Pad, winner of World Architecture News 2016 Small Spaces Award, is a 200 sq.ft. accessible bedroom and bathroom that can be attached to an existing home. It is an affordable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, immediately available living space offering privacy, and supporting the independence of individuals with mobility issues. Our goal is to respectfully and supportively provide transitional housing for Veterans and others, newly needing accessible living accommodations in a socially conscious and environmentally friendly way as economically as possible. We are passionate about our product and … [Read more...]

Christo in his studio with a preparatory collage for Over The River 2011 Photo: Wolfgang Volz © 2011 Christo Statement by Christo, January 25, 2017 “After pursuing Over The River, Project for the Arkansas River, State of Colorado, for 20 years and going through five years of legal arguments, I no longer wish to wait on the outcome. I have decided to devote all of my energy, time and resources into the realization of The Mastaba, Project for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which Jeanne-Claude and I conceived 40 years ago. I have been fortunate to work with many dedicated Colorado … [Read more...]