This renovated waterfront home offers incredible views. Big Pond is surrounded by dense forests and abuts state park land. In the off-season, the location is incredibly quiet, with few residents and little activity on the water; ideal if you are seeking utter peace and quiet. This 3 level house offers plenty of space for up to 8 people. Enjoy the whimsical decor and mid-century style furnishings. Close to hiking or ski areas, snow mobile trails, and a short drive to many Berkshire attractions.
We acquired our lake house a few ago. My husband grew up spending his summers in the Berkshires – his father was a violinist in the Boston Symphony and they have a summer season at Tanglewood. We agreed that it would be amazing to offer our children that sort of rich experience, creating memories around summers at the lake and exploring all that the magical Berkshire area has to offer. Our young children absolutely adore this spot and our whole family is in love with the house and everything Big Pond has to offer.
During the summers, the lake is ideal for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, pedal boating, and fishing. At our private sandy beach and dock, the water is very shallow and has a silky, sandy bottom. The kids can play carefree all day.
During the off-season, the house is a real get-away from the grind of our regular city life in the Boston area. It’s the perfect retreat, quiet and remote. The lake is a spectacle of natural beauty. In the early mornings, we have been in awe of the sunrise over the mirror-like surface of the water. At other times, we have admired the rough, powerful force of the winds whipping over the water. Fall foliage is a true marvel as you have panoramic views of the lake right from our back porch. On the opposite side of the lake is a state forest, boasting undeveloped woodlands and offering public hiking trails and even camping. Under the right conditions during the winter season, the lake freezes over and you can ice skate or snow mobile over its surface. No matter what time of year, the varied natural beauty of this setting is stunning.
We take pride in the home itself, as it was an overwhelming renovation project. A lot of thought was put into spatial layout, as well as eclectic furnishings to make it a cozy, family-friendly gathering place. It truly is ideal for two families, or larger groups of people. The home features three full floors of living. The open-format living/dining/kitchen area of the main floor features incredible views of the lake, while the open floor plan is perfect for gatherings. You can lounge on the comfy couches and armchairs, while others can socialize around the kitchen island, prepare and cook a meal, or play games on the dining table.
We offer WiFi and DirectTV live TV access with lots of channels. We also provide some family DVDs.
Cooks will enjoy the fully-equipped kitchen, stocked with quality pots and pans, tea, coffee, oils and spices. Feel free to use what you need. You'll have a glass-top stove, stainless refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, drip coffee maker, electric tea kettle, a toaster, a panini press, and all the dishes or utensils you'll possibly need. You can fit 6 people around the dining table, 8-10 with the extension leaf.
Step onto our wrap-around porch to breathe in the fresh air and take in spectacular views of the lake. In the off-season, there is virtually no activity on the lake. Perhaps the only spotting might be of the nesting pair of bald eagles from the island across the way - they often take flight overhead, and have been known to land in the tall trees near our property.
A bath with shower and a cozy bedroom complete this floor. The bedroom has an extra-long twin bed, a genuine sheep-skin rug, and a built-in dresser which is original to the house.
The upstairs is ideal for a family to spread out over two bedrooms. It offers an open format which is very family friendly, but perhaps not ideal for strangers! The master bedroom has a real ‘wow’ factor extending the full width of the house with an A-frame ceiling lined with knotty pine. This is loft-style in that there’s an opening to the downstairs dining room, which is of course secured by a high railing. You can admire the lake through three bay windows, take a soak in the free-standing tub, situated right in the master bedroom, or escape to our private outdoor balcony. The master bedroom has a small hallway and does not have a door. However, as you can see in the pictures, the room itself has a generous yet cozy feel and both the bed and tub are positioned in such a way to offer full privacy. A half-bath is in the hallway separating the two bedrooms. The second bedroom was furnished with our kids in mind. It has a low ceiling, but is extra wide handling two twin beds which are very comfortable for adults.
The downstairs is a walkout at lake level, featuring a very spacious living/family room with a colorful and comfortable sitting area (original Chicklet chairs from the 1970s) and plenty of space for playing. Here, you can again enjoy viewing the lake and socializing. The bedroom on this level has a queen bed and large closet. The full bath with shower is modern and a generous size. The lower level is perfect for a family as well, and we have at your disposal additional queen or twin air mattress for extra sleeping arrangements.
Our cast iron fire pit, which is situated right on our private beach, is a year-around indulgence. Sit on the benches, break out some marshmallows and enjoy a camp fire any time of year.
For families visiting with small children we can offer access to some toys appropriate for ages 2-6 (wooden train set, Match Box cars, wooden fire house, blocks, puzzles, board games etc.
Our tap water comes from a private well, and passes through a sophisticated filtration system that purifies it for safe drinkability. Nevertheless, there’s a large filtered pitcher in the fridge for those who prefer even greater purity.
The property has an advanced septic system, but we encourage guests to please use water sparingly and to please be mindful about what you put down the drain. Sanitary items and chemicals are harmful to the system. We only use mild cleaning products and we ask you to dispose of food scraps in the trash. Since we are in the middle of a wooded area, there is wildlife. We ask that you do not leave any trash outside as it may attract animals. We have a barrel in the garage that you may use.
Please enjoy our DVDs or bring your own. Our collection is mainly geared toward children and family movies.
Distances to some popular Berkshire attractions:
Hiking:
Tolland State Forest: 3 miles
Appalachian Trail: 10 miles
October Mountain: 24 miles
Museums:
Norman Rockwell Museum: 22 miles
Hancock Shaker Village: 28 miles
MassMoca: 41 miles
Clark Arts Institute: 43 miles
The Mount, Edith Wharton Estate: 19 miles
Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio: 20 miles
Music and Dance:
Jacobs Pillow Dance: 8 miles
Tanglewood: 20 miles
Skiing:
Otis Ridge: 3 miles
Canterbury Farm (cross-country skiing): 10 miles
Butternut: 16 miles
Bousquet Ski area: 24 miles
Berkshire East Mountain Resort: 48 miles
Jiminy Peak Resort: 45 miles
