The Country Rental: A Floating Farmhouse in Upstate New York

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New York architectural designer and builder Tom Givone is on a mission to explore “the contrast between historic and modern and play these extreme elements against one another.” Case in point: Givone’s four-year renovation of a dilapidated 1820 farmhouse in the Catskills that he describes as “a study in contrasts–fully restored to its period grandeur while featuring purely modernist elements.”

The Floating Farmhouse is situated at the edge of a waterfall, two hours from New York City, near the hamlet of Narrowsburg, and the good news is, it’s available for rent.

the road to the farmhouse. 17 — Above: The road to the farmhouse.

new (steel framed skyscraper windows) and old (traditional rockers on the 18 — Above: New (steel-framed skyscraper windows) and old (traditional rockers on the cantilevered front porch).

the kitchen resides in a modern addition that echoes the roofline of the origin 19 — Above: The kitchen resides in a modern addition that echoes the roofline of the original house. The 22-foot-high glazed curtain wall is skyscraper glass in a steel framework; it overlooks a brook and a gazebo.

the kitchen&#8\2\17;s hand hewn beams were salvaged from a \200 year old pe 20 — Above: The kitchen’s hand-hewn beams were salvaged from a 200-year-old Pennsylvania dairy barn. Above: The kitchen is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Super White.

bluestone countertops and lacquered cabinetry contrast with a vintage concrete 21 — Above: Bluestone countertops and lacquered cabinetry contrast with a vintage concrete sink. The floor is polished concrete.

the kitchen has a wood fired pizza oven faced with oxidized corten steel. for m 22 — Above: The kitchen has a wood-fired pizza oven faced with oxidized Corten steel. For more on the details of the kitchen see our post Steal This Look: The Ultimate Farmhouse Kitchen.

the kitchen and dining room open out onto the floating porch. 23 — Above: The kitchen and dining room open out onto the floating porch.

a row of lounge chairs face the water. 24 — Above: A row of lounge chairs face the water.

a vintage table and folding chairs for dining on the porch. 25 — Above: A vintage table and folding chairs for dining on the porch.

the open plan living room/family room/dining room has its own steel front firep 26 — Above: The open-plan living room/family room/dining room has its own steel-front fireplace and original wide-plank floors. The wainscoting and ceiling coffers were built from pine trees felled and milled on the property. The living room is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White. “My trifecta is White Dove, Decorator’s White, and Super White,” says Givone about his favorite Benjamin Moore paints.

in the master suite–one of five bedrooms–the bed is floated in fr 27 — Above: In the master suite–one of five bedrooms–the bed is floated in front of an antique mirror and alongside a wood-burning fireplace.

a shingled eave (featuring the house&#8\2\17;s original cedar roof shingles 28 — Above: A shingled eave (featuring the house’s original cedar roof shingles) adds an outdoor touch in the master bedroom.

an \18th century italian marble sink seems to hover, thanks to angled supports 29 — Above: An 18th-century Italian marble sink seems to hover, thanks to angled supports concealed in the wall. The house has 2.5 baths.

an austere bathroom combines old and new elements. faucets from hudson ree 30 — Above: An austere bathroom combines old and new elements. Faucets from Hudson Reed contrast with a 19th-century wood and zinc bathtub, salvaged from a Lower East Side tenement and encased in stainless steel.

another bedroom is well suited for children or a pair of single travelers. 31 — Above: Another bedroom is well-suited for children or a pair of single travelers.

an old cast iron bed frame and a minimalist layout in a farmhouse bedroom. the 32 — Above: An old cast-iron bed frame and a minimalist layout in a farmhouse bedroom. The windows have their original wavy glass.

The Country Rental A Floating Farmhouse in Upstate New York portrait 6 — Above: A simple outdoor shower.

the farmhouse in winter. the house is available to rent at the floating fa 34 — Above: The farmhouse in winter. The house is available to rent at The Floating Farmhouse; it’s $125 per guest per night with a seven guest minimum. To see more of Givone’s work, including dramatic Before shots of the Floating Farm, go to Givone Home.

Looking for more rustic-modern inspiration? Browse our Farmhouse Style posts and have a look at Barn-Like Living (Only Better).

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on November 12, 2012 as part of our Harvest issue.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the floating farmhouse in Upstate New York?

The floating farmhouse is a renovated 200-year-old house that appears to float on a small pond in the Hudson Valley region of Upstate New York.

Who designed the floating farmhouse?

The floating farmhouse was designed and renovated by Tom Givone, the principal of the Manhattan-based design and architecture firm Givonehome.

When was the floating farmhouse renovated?

The floating farmhouse was renovated in 2015.

What was the inspiration behind the design of the floating farmhouse?

The design of the floating farmhouse was inspired by the traditional architecture of the Hudson Valley region as well as the idea of creating a retreat that blends seamlessly with nature.

What makes the floating farmhouse unique?

The floating farmhouse is unique for its location on a pond, which gives the illusion that the house is floating. Additionally, the house incorporates many eco-friendly and sustainable features.

Can you rent the floating farmhouse?

At the moment, the floating farmhouse is not available for rent.

Is the floating farmhouse open to the public for tours?

No, the floating farmhouse is not open to the public for tours as it is a private residence.

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