A couple of empty nesters commissioned Cushman Design Group to create their forever house, situated on a 12-acre, wooded hillside property boasting endless views near Waterbury, Vermont. This dwelling was designed with traditional New England gabled architectural elements mixed with mid-century modern anchored by the stunning views from its mountainside perch.

Spread out over two levels, this home offers 5,000 square feet of living space and was designed to take full advantage of its expansive southerly views, which includes Camels Hump and the ridgeline of the Green Mountains. A bridge provides a unique entryway into the home, offering guests a sense of arrival, transition, and even journey. Continue below to see the rest of this beautiful home tour…

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Cushman Design Group GENERAL CONTRACTOR Steel Construction CUSTOM CABINETS Simpson Cabinetry CIVIL ENGINEER Grenier Engineering STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Sellers Treybal Structural Engineers LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR Ambler Design

The goal for the main living space was to create an open room encompassing the living room, dining area, and kitchen. With long-term living in mind, the design is centered around the concept of one-floor living; the main living space, primary bedroom, bathroom, studio, mudroom/laundry, and three garage bays are located on the main floor. The lower level includes an exercise space, three guest bedrooms (two en-suites), a guest laundry, a work-at-home office, and a sauna.

The architects assisted the owners with curating selected design elements such as custom cabinets, tile, wood flooring, ceiling wood, stain and paint colors, light fixtures, stairway details, and furniture, all thoughtfully chosen to create a cohesive and distinctive ambiance.

Neutral tones, including grays and blacks, allowed for the view of the changing colors of the Vermont landscape to be celebrated as part of the interior design. By incorporating the breathtaking view as an architectural element, we enhanced the overall character of this remarkable home.

Above: In the great room, soaring 22-foot high ceilings feature structural timber trusses with metal tie rods. Natural light floods this space, courtesy of triple-pane windows.

Above: The open-plan great room features a living, dining, and kitchen area. Expansive windows celebrate views of nature. The project team selected low-rise furnishings so as not to detract from these views. The flooring is oak.

Above: The kitchen features dual islands, one for prep and the other for entertaining in style. The custom cabinets are by Simpson Cabinetry. The light fixtures are from Hubbardton Forge.

What We Love: This house in Vermont provides a pair of empty nesters with a beautifully designed residence to celebrate their creativity, artistry, and passions. There are so many wonderful features in this home from the expansive windows highlighting unforgettable views to the sophisticated styling throughout that is warm and welcoming to host guests.

Tell Us: What are your thoughts, would you change any of the details if this were your ‘forever’ dream home? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other wonderful home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of Vermont: Step into a restored modern barn style house in the Vermont countryside and A Scandinavian-inspired home in Vermont beautifully connects to nature.

Above: The oak and metal staircase was supplied by Custom Metal Fabricators of Vermont.

Above: The main bedroom features a built-in window seat and enjoys breathtaking views of the majestic mountains of Vermont. There is also a guest bedroom in this home, located on the main level.

Above: The bathrooms throughout the home feature simple lines and natural finishes such as wood and marble.

Above: This screened-in porch is situated just off the great room, providing a three-season retreat.

Above: The vegetable garden is located on a plateau below the screened porch, making it easily accessible.

Above: A large deck off the main floor enables the owners and their guests to soak in the beauty of the nearby and distant views.

Above: A steel and wood spiral staircase links the second level deck to the garden and patio below.

Above: To break up the mass of the home, the architects employed a mix of shed and gabled roofs to give both a contemporary and traditional design aesthetic.

Above: The landscaping team of Ambler Design created welcoming outdoor living spaces that include a fire pit, hot tub, and comfortable seating areas — all linked by stone pathways.

PHOTOGRAPHER Ryan Bent