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This is the Cooley House in Central Vermont
My name is Sylvia Shepard Cooley.
I am the self-assigned project coordinator... an old family house
that has to come down but will be rebuilt
as closely as possible to the original.
Check out the blog posts to see the process.
Add your ideas. Please comment!
For more information: "About"
Blog Categories:
Timeline for building the house (note...edited & updated August 24, 2025)
photo courtesy of Jane Howe August 7, 2025 I had a great talk with my builder. I got to ask about a clearer timeline of the whole build,...
Aug 86 min read
Details and Architectural Drawing
I met with Phil Godenschwager in his studio on Wednesday, July 30 th , for design discussion. I can’t stress enough how helpful he has...
Aug 13 min read
Cellars vs. Basements
We have a basement floor! Concrete trucks arrive, contractors depend on them The floor in process, who knew cement could be beautiful?!...
Jul 243 min read
The Vermont garage
Mostly I want a space to park our two vehicles out of the snow. We have never had a 2-car garage...this will be a first. But I don't want...
Jul 92 min read
Ready, set, GO
I delivered a very large check $ today...it can't be ALL fun and games. Foundations are basically ready. Backfill in. Pouring of...
Jul 71 min read
The needs of a house…septic, water, a solid foundation
Yesterday the 2 nd test pit digs for the septic system were successful. I was a happy house builder! The four holes showed a drier...
Jul 33 min read
Dump runs, barn clean out, ready to backfill foundations
Backfilling will begin Friday, after applying tar to the outside of the foundation The concrete foundations are in. Tomorrow the builder...
Jun 252 min read
Progress
Garage from the 'front'...looking straight north Garage: The footings and foundation wall for the garage is all up, the floor will be...
Jun 172 min read
The end of May, the beginning of a house
Eric Henderson working his magic to pull out and save the old stones from the foundation I want to be in Randolph Center to watch all of...
May 291 min read
Drumroll please (or maybe a Revolutionary War snare drum)
View from the house site of the Green Mountains May 2, 2025 How appropriate that spring has just arrived, opening buds creating a...
May 32 min read
The boundary between winter/spring
The wind is blowing outside and a few flakes of snow flutter down but the sun is beginning to have some warmth. The mud is appearing. ...
Mar 83 min read
Nobel laureate economists, anxiety, diminishing dollars, building a house
February 14, 2025 Not the happiest of days, though I do still love my husband dearly. It is Valentine’s Day. Have I gone through the...
Feb 143 min read
Dear Contractors, Builders, Jack-of-all Trades, Artisans, Fixers, Repairpeople,
Thank you. You are the unsung angels of the middle class. You are there for us when we need you. This past year I have often thought...
Jan 203 min read
Death, Chaos, Million Dollar House...
My AI image should not have neatly placed backpacks, or tidy pencil cups. Instead imagine many adult-sized High School students...
Jan 43 min read
Using old things in the new house (or at least reminders of old things), mid-winter, rainy day, pre-build imaginations
I will definitely put this old light exactly where it was, at the foot of the stairs near the front door. Question...Should I use the...
Dec 11, 20242 min read
Will MAGA Abort my House Project?
I want to write this as a place marker in November 2024. I want to remember how I am feeling and see what comes true and what doesn’t by...
Nov 21, 20243 min read
Starting work on the barn
I want to make sure Charles Cooley's barn that he built in the 80s is taken care of. I plan on using it for my equines when I move there...
Oct 27, 20242 min read
Autumn in Vermont
The date is set for test holes for the septic system... Halloween! October 31st! We went up today to check on the site, empty the well...
Oct 11, 20241 min read
Estimates don't exist
Being a homeowner who has worked with contractors on smaller projects within an existing home, I have always gotten estimates. Kitchen...
Sep 29, 20246 min read
Choosing a builder soon
I have narrowed it down to two great builders...waiting for their estimates which I will get any day now which will help my final...
Sep 4, 20241 min read
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