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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:
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
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
Elevations of the Ridge Road house
Thank you Phillip Godenschwager for these drawings. The only changes in the front of the house are- A view of the south side covered...
Aug 2, 20243 min read
My philosophy on interior design
OK, so I am just a regular person who shouldn't HAVE a philosophy on interior design (and those who know me could have a good laugh with...
Jun 30, 20242 min read
Ridge Road House Materials list
This is my initial list...possibly boring to read (but exciting to me). It is only preliminary, will take suggestions (especially to...
Jun 22, 20243 min read
Another great builder
I talked with another builder! Recommended by my niece Emily Howe who has seen his work in Tunbridge for her husband John’s family (and...
Jun 20, 20241 min read
Meeting with a builder
Today I got to meet Joseph Bertrand from Central Vermont Building & Design, LLC. Thank you to Phil Godenschwager for suggesting Joe. Our...
Jun 7, 20242 min read
Upstairs and downstairs
The upstairs will be very similar to the old house except for no walls around the '3rd bedroom,' (keeping it open for light into the...
Mar 29, 20241 min read
Changing the north and east sides a bit
A reader/family member suggested changing the north side less (from the original house design) and to do that have the mudroom entrance...
Mar 28, 20241 min read
Initial elevations of house plans
These are very basic. I don't have all details on them yet. If you see the trim I drew on the front of the house (west side) imagine...
Mar 25, 20242 min read
Initial plans
I got inspired to play my with house plan ideas after visiting Phil Godenschwager who does architectural drawings. I want to have some...
Mar 24, 20242 min read
Ridge Road House maps
So if you come up from the village of Randolph, driving up the hill on Rt 66 until you get to Randolph Center, take a left at the main...
Mar 1, 20241 min read
Huntington Home Help?
Please give your input. (Comment in area below the post.) It’s quite a while in the future before we have to decide this but…do we go...
Dec 10, 20232 min read
The Updated Kitchen (in the 1950s/60s)
It's a lovely kitchen, really. In the 1960s it was brand new. Large, partially open to the dining room so the person in the kitchen is...
Nov 21, 20231 min read
The upstairs windows
I love those upstairs windows in the front of the house. Two simple windows surrounded by an upside down V (I guess it would officially...
Nov 10, 20232 min read
The upstairs will be Guest Quarters
First of all, let me make sure for the record to let you know that the room on the south side will be The PA Cooley Room. Others may use...
Nov 10, 20231 min read
Keeping it mostly the same
When it's new, I'd like people who drive by to see it as the same house as the old one. I'd like people who visit to feel like they came...
Nov 10, 20231 min read
Dreaming...
Start with measuring the old house. Take as many photos as possible. Then play with the layout, but not too much...retain the old house...
Nov 2, 20231 min read
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