A stylish sylvan homestead set within an age-old landscape defined by pine-scented forests, meandering streams and brooding hills, the mission statement ofcFarmhouse Catskills is as simple as it is powerful: “to bring the glory of the Catskills to a new generation”. Opening June, the meticulously renovated 75-room, 3-suite hotel emerges as an achingly chic gateway to both the organic, old-world attractions of its extraordinary natural setting and the inspiring cultural movements sowing seeds in Upstate New York.
Embodying the values of a traditional country inn, Farmhouse Catskills has been designed to serve as a hub for socializing and a gathering spot for the community: from the farm-to-table inspired restaurant and sumptuous black-limestone, speakeasy-inspired bar, to the inviting terrace and garden complete with firepits. Throw in a 150-year-old barn turned multi-faceted creative studio and exhibition space, and it quickly becomes apparent that the glory days are well and truly back.
The restoration of the heritage-marked farmhouse was informed by the desire to pay homage to the building’s history yet contemporize it in a way that gives it its own unique visual identity and emotional presence. An inclusive, open-plan concept dotted with oversized windows floods the guest areas with natural sunlight and ensures that the hotel’s spectacular surroundings are a centerpoint to the design.
The use of organic, natural materials such as ipe wood and reclaimed shiplap further encourages the blurring between inside and out, while the inclusion of glass, tile, and polished concrete adds a chic contemporary aspect to the structure. Neighboring the farmhouse, the estate’s architectural pinnacle lies in the hand-hewn British haypress barn dating back to 1869. Originally found in Indiana, the barn was transported to Sullivan County and painstakingly reconstructed piece-by-piece to create the hotel’s social space for events, exhibitions, collaborations, and retreats.
By combining large public spaces with cozy rooms, Farmhouse Catskills brings to mind the functional duality of a ski resort, where camaraderie and intimacy go hand-in-hand. The design concept is defined by the majestic beauty of the encircling countryside and the tone of the original structure. A richly pigmented color palette of grays and greens frame interiors filled with predominantly natural materials: wood casework, white oak floorboard, oil-rubbed bronze light fixtures, as well as textured jute rugs and Egyptian cotton linens.
An eclectic collection of modern-style furniture harks back to the 1950s “golden years” of the Catskills, when the region became an intrinsic part of mid-century Americana thanks to its popularity as a vacation resort. And the area’s long association with game hunting is referenced by a stunning rose gold, handblown glass deer’s head positioned above the hotel’s main fireplace.
Ranging from 65 to 165 square feet, the hotel’s 75 guestrooms mirror the open flow and forms found in the public spaces. Bookended by oak floors and reclaimed timber accents, the rooms showcase mid-century furniture alongside custom-made artisan pieces. Signature lighting by Bower Studio and Jamie Harris illuminate the spaces, which include a desk, day chair, cocktail table, and a king or queen bed complete with exquisitely comfortable Simmons mattress. The luxurious bathrooms feature bronze hardware and bathtubs by Jaime Hayon, a double version of which is available in the Tree House suite.