Two Citiots.

Two Manhattanites. A surly dog. And a 150 year-old farmhouse. What could go wrong?

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The thing about renovating is that it takes time. And if you’re not enjoying that time, renovating is a job. And we already have jobs.

So this weekend we took time off to enjoy life. Not so coincidentally, this weekend also featured Pig Mountain in Narrowsburg, NY. The annual Pig Mountain event is a giant pig roast feauturing chefs from all across the US.

Pork has a way of making everything better.

In addition to The Heron in Narrowsburg, this year’s roast fetured chefs from Savannah, Charleston, and Colorado. And dishes ranged from smoked pork sausages, to pork terrine, to Kenyan BBQ with collard greens.

The way I figure it, the house has been standing tall for 150 years. One more weekend isn't gonna make a difference.

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So why Milanville? Why not Hudson? Beacon? Woodstock? Wyndham?

For one, Milanville is on the pristine Delaware River. And not just anywhere on the Delaware River, it's on Skinner's Falls. 

For another, it's perfectly situated in between Callicoon and Narrowsburg, NY. And unlike Hudson, Beacon, or Woodstock, Callicoon and Narrowsburg are still unspoiled oases from the City. Not yet a hipster ghetto. Not yet over-hyped and overrun.

Though with restaurants like The Heron, BaAndMe, shops like the Callicoon Wine Merchant, and The Nest, and perfectly curated antique stores like Lee Hartwell Antiques, that will likely change. 

But, at least for now, they feel the way a country town should feel. Different. Refreshing. Peaceful. 

"Narrowsburg not Williamsburg."

Photo Credits: Steve Schuetz, VVCarpio, fuguf1sh

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Meet our new corner bodega. The Milanville General Store. Purveyors of live bait, batteries, a totally passable egg&cheese bagel, and a surprisingly good pizza. It's worth noting that this building serves as the local Post Office and the entirety of the Milanville downtown commercial district. 

I hope that never changes.

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If, after reading the title of this blog, you guessed that we have no idea how to renovate a farmhouse, you would be correct. The only two things we have going for us are 1.) child-like optimism and 2.) good taste.

Case in point: this 1930s Art Deco-style ceiling light in our living room.

After covering the horrific paint scheme deviously (and maniacally in certain areas) applied by the former owners, it was time to take down their equally appalling Home Depot Manager’s Special light fixtures.

With new fixtures from Schoolhouse Electric in hand, I resisted the impulse to call an electrician, and, instead, opted to build up some earnest, sweat equity.

It took me two and a half hours and every effing swear word I know to install this mother-effing light.

I’m not proud of that. But I do like the end result.

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So after an odd three month escrow, we finally closed on August 1st. And before the ink was completely dry, a painter was contracted and dispatched with haste to replace the blow-my-brains-out-mauve, toe-fungus-green, and life-sucks-grey interior paint scheme.

Having the interior painted was a little too easy and a little too gratifying. And before that euphoric high wore off, we were planning our next hit off the renovation pipe.

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Fast forward almost three years later. After viewing hundreds of houses online and taking about 30 trips up and down the Hudson, we finally settled on this house. Built in 1860 and set on 16 acres between Callicoon and Narrowsburg, NY. 

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When we first started talking about buying a weekend house in the country, this was the first thing that came to mind. Still a classic, cautionary tale.