The Floating Farmhouse sits at the edge of a pristine creek in a small town in upstate New York. The serenity of the waterfall cascading over a hand-laid dam, combined with the raw beauty of timeless exposed wooden beams and ancient Italian marble are reminiscent of the powerful simplicity described in Thoreau’s Walden. The glass-fronted extension with an exposed veranda that hovers over the bubbling creek create a unity with nature that is not often found in modern renovations.
Self-taught designer Tom Givone has once again shown that with a bit of ingenuity something old and dilapidated can transform into something that is worthy of a story. The 1820’s manor home has become a study of architectural contrasts that simultaneously create a feeling of peace and modern grandeur. From the skyscraper glass in the kitchen to the polished steel finishes and the double-height fireplace, the Floating Farmhouse features eye-seeking marvels around every corner.
The reconfigured first floor and the remastered second floor represent an experiment in making opposites attract. Speaking of opposites, perhaps the best in-home example can be found in the various bathrooms where one features a modern layout that is worthy of a celebrity’s LA home, and another encourages Will Smith bathing references from Wild Wild West with a wood and copper bathtub that dates to the late 1800’s. No matter the room, one thing is certain: the Floating Farmhouse redefines the architectural balance between old, new, and the beauty of nature.