Blog

Happy Camper

Posted on November 7, 2013July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

I recently received the note below from a satisfied client:

Hi Wags, Joan, and Katie,

What a joy it was for us to be at the cottage this past summer with the new bunkhouse and renovated cottage! Each day, we appreciated the expanded space and observed the special touches and thoughtful details you all incorporated in your work. We again realized how fortunate we were to have the expertise, creativity, and vision of architect, builder, and landscaper who worked together to create such a delightful spot.

The two separate buildings worked so well and the beautiful stonework and landscaping brought them all together. (What good exercise it was to climb those steps several times a day!) We understand the fall has brought changing colors to many of the landscape plants.

The location has always been special to our family but now the renovated cottage and new bunkhouse will make it a comfortable and pleasant place to enjoy with family and friends for years to come.

Many thanks to you all – it was wonderful working with you.

Fondly,
Lynn & Bob

Summmer in Stowe

Posted on July 20, 2013July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

Cottage on the Lake – before and after

Posted on June 23, 2013July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

Once a seasonal rental property, this charming lakeside cottage now serves as a vacation home for a family of five. The property was in need of extensive renovation but its proximity to Lake Champlain made it worth the effort.

Cody’s Pub Completed

Posted on May 8, 2013July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

Recently completed, Cody’s Pub, located in a residence in Warren, Vermont, has all the charm of an olde world bar. See 2012 posts entitled Fine Woodworking to read about creating the hand-carved, curved, mahogany bar.

Big Balcony

Posted on April 21, 2013July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

The big steel balcony below was fabricated in East Middlebury, Vermont by Nop’s Metalworks. Delivered to the building site in one piece, the balcony required an oversize permit and an escort due to its size. Stainless steel cable railings and wood decking will complete the balcony.

Remote Cabin featured in Cabin Life Magazine

Posted on December 23, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

According to Cabin Life magazine the Remote Cabin designed by Joan Heaton “is a green gem”.

Cabin Life magazine asked me for some tips on designing a cabin. My tips and a link to the article appear below:

Take advantage of light from all sides. Often in a small cabin, light from windows placed on the north, south, east and west sides can reach the main space because there are few interior partitions.
Plan for storage and a mechanical room. Closets and built in storage can help keep clutter at bay so main spaces look neat and clean.
Include outdoor living spaces. Covered porches, decks and patios help a small footprint live large.
Use the roof shape to add character. Cathedral ceilings feel spacious while dormers create cozy nooks.

Read the full story PDF >>

Cody’s Pub

Posted on November 30, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

Coby’s Pub located in a ski house at Sugarbush could not have been completed without the efforts of talented local craftsman. The hand-carved, curved, mahogany bar, crafted by Dan Ober of Ober Woodworking, dominates the space. See September blog posts entitled Fine Woodworking for concept sketch and work in progress. Concealed within the the bar is a beer keg refrigerator, ice maker, beverage cooler and microwave oven. Stained glass artist, Barry Friedman of Luminosity Studios, created the leaded glass mirror and diamond light inserts for the windows using specialty glass and mirror. The general contractor, Brothers Building, Inc, installed antique oak flooring, salvaged timbers, custom milled trim, rough plaster, plumbing and lighting to complete the pub.

Joan Heaton featured in Green Building and Design Magazine

Posted on October 30, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

No Artificial Ingredients: Architect Joan Heaton honors the Adirondack region with wood-based designs that are rooted in nature and history

Green Building and Design Magazine
April/May/June 2012
By Matt Alderton
Photography by Susan Teare and Barrie Fisher

Joan Heaton grew up in the Green Mountains of Vermont, which are bordered on the west by Lake Champlain and Lake George, beyond which are the Adirondack Mountains of New York. In this region, the maple syrup is especially sweet, and so are the trees, which cover the landscape like coniferous carpeting.

read the full story here >>

fine woodworking

Posted on September 24, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

I am pleased to work with Dan Ober of Ober Woodworking on an English pub style renovation. Dan is building the hand carved, curved, Mahogany bar. This is not your average basement bar. Antique oak flooring and timbers, leaded glass windows and plaster walls complete the look. The in-home bar will serve as a gathering place for a large family.

fine woodworking

Posted on September 23, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

On a recent visit to Ober Woodworking I learned about three ways to make curves in wood: coopering, laminating and band sawing. Dan used a technique called coopering to make curved panels for the base of the bar. He laminated 1/4″ thick layers of mahogany to create the the frames for the curved panels and used a band saw to cut the bar rail from solid mahogany stock. The bar also includes hand carved details at the column capitals and panels.

New Vermont Farmhouse Interiors – before and after

Posted on June 13, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

Interiors of the New Vermont Farmhouse appear below.

New Vermont Farmhouse Exteriors – before and after

Posted on June 1, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

The New Vermont Farmhouse sits on a previously developed site and an existing foundation. The existing cabin was dismantled and materials were salvaged for reuse in the new house. Before and After photos of the exterior appear below.

Remote Cabin featured on Houzz

Posted on May 18, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

I am delighted to have another one of my projects featured on the design website Houzz.

Blogger, Editor and Stylist Joanne Palmisano showcased my Remote Cabin in her ideabook entitled, Houzz Tour: Cozy Vermont Cabin Blanketed in Charm This carefully crafted, ecofriendly cabin in the woods makes coming in from the cold a truly memorable occasion.

Read the Full Story >>

Cornwall, Vermont Renovation and Addition – before and after

Posted on April 18, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

Below are photos of the kitchen, siting room, living room, dining room and sun room in a recently completed renovation and addition project in Cornwall, Vermont. Details abound in this home and include a stone fireplace, extensive woodwork and built-in furniture. New windows and french doors take advantage of abundant natural light and stunning Adirondack views. The connected spaces contain the Owners collection of antique furniture, rugs and Asian art acquired while living abroad. The smaller images are the before photos.

Modern Cabin featured on Houzz

Posted on March 19, 2012July 22, 2016 by Joan Heaton

I am delighted to have one of my projects featured this week on the design website Houzz. Houzz is a leading destination for home design enthusiasts, professionals and home owners from around the world. With over 50,000 photos and 100,000 ideabooks, Houzz has the largest database of home design ideas on the net; it is the online version of cutting pages out of magazines and stuffing them in a folder.

Writer, Editor and Dreamer Lawrence Karol showcased my Modern Cabin in his ideabook entitled, Houzz Tour: Bright, Polished Vermont Cabin Using local woods, plentiful windows and a keen eye for design, an architect builds a sleek cabin in the mountains of Vermont.

“I don’t know much about playing poker, but I’ve been told that a pair of aces is the best starting hand in Texas Hold ‘Em. Architect Joan Heaton was holding the equivalent of this lucky pair — a keen eye for clean, modern design and a husband who’s a builder — when she began construction on this 800-square-foot cabin in the Green Mountains of Vermont.”

Read the full story here >>