This year we decided that it was time to take on yet another Sterling Ridge project. Enter: Our Pond House Renovation! Guests at Sterling Ridge Resort have always loved the Pond House and so have we, but after serving its earliest years as a family home for local Vermont farmers and after decades of hosting countless Sterling Ridge guests, this iconic Vermont farmhouse had begun to show its age, and it was time for an update!
Now, if you’ve seen the results of our most recent project, A Frame on the Ridge, you know that when we decide to renovate, we go all in. And with the Pond House, a popular family-favorite farmhouse rental, we had a hard deadline and our work cut out for us!
The History of the Pond House at Sterling Ridge
A longtime guest favorite, the Sterling Ridge Pond House is a one-of-a-kind, authentic, Vermont farmhouse, built many years ago by a local Vermont family. The Pond House was later added to Sterling Ridge Resort as one of our rentals, along with our log cabins and Mansfield House. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom Pond House has always been packed with character, from the wooden beams that line the ceilings to the cozy traditional wood stove.
For years, guests at Sterling Ridge Resort have enjoyed the Pond House’s charm and the beautiful, private piece of land it rests on that is tucked away from the rest of our log cabins. From the living area and pond-facing windows within Pond House are some of the most stunning mountain views at Sterling Ridge Resort. In fact, just in front of the pond’s edge is our most popular wedding ceremony site where countless couples have exchanged wedding vows with a backdrop of Mt. Mansfield’s rolling peaks. The home sleeps up to ten guests, making it a favorite for family vacations and group lodging.
The Vision for the Pond House Remodel
My first thought as the interior designer for this project was: How do we keep the old farmhouse charm, but make it fresh and modern? It was extremely important to our family to preserve what already made the Pond House so special, but also to improve upon what is most important to our guests: fully equipped kitchens, cozy living spaces, modern bathrooms, and comfortable bedrooms. These are staples in all of our cozy cabins, and this home is no exception. With these priorities at the forefront, our plan for remodel began to quickly take shape.
My inspiration for the home’s style quickly (and rather naturally) became “modern Vermont farmhouse,” so I did what any totally professional interior designer would do and headed to Pinterest (wink, wink). I spent countless hours researching, pinning, and drawing inspiration from farmhouse designs. Taking bits and pieces from my inspiration boards, I drew up a design for each unique room in the Pond House and worked with my family and our contractors on a plan to bring that design to life.
Then began the fun part: sampling paint colors, picking out wood flooring, tile, browsing for decor, and more. I chose rather neutral, inviting colors like deep blues and greens, tans, whites and grays that would compliment the original wood accents and brick in the home. I went with wood flooring with some visible grain and rustic character to match the farmhouse feel. Once our renovation plan was in place and these interior design details were picked out, it was time for the real work to begin – the construction!
The Total Renovation
We started the Pond House renovation with a total revamp of the most important space in any home – the kitchen. New custom cabinets, granite countertops, and brand new appliances were added to the Pond House. Next up, the living area. We leveled the floors and put in the beautiful wood flooring that we continued throughout the entire home, updated the couches, and painted the walls a deep blue that allowed the original wooden beams and farmhouse windows to pop.
Then onto the bathrooms. We shiplapped the walls and put in new floor and shower tile. We installed a walk-in shower downstairs, and a new tub with a sleek, modern design upstairs. The bedrooms were a simple update: we continued the wood flooring, added fun new paint colors, and cozy bedding that brought new life to the spaces and complimented the existing antique bedroom furniture. Lastly, we updated the home’s laundry room with shiplap and a fun pop of color.
Once the bare bones of the Pond House were ready to go, we got to work on the final touches, placing area rugs, accents, and wall decor. Just to drive the farmhouse vibe home, I chose fun highland cow themed photos to hang throughout the space. As our interior designer, there is nothing I love more than a cohesive theme (In fact, you may have noticed my bear decor theme in our A Frame on the Ridge!).
And with that, we sealed the deal. Operation Pond House Renovation: Success! Our beloved Pond House now has a new, fresh, clean look with the same cozy, farmhouse feel. It is ready to host many more families and fond memories!
What The Future Holds for Sterling Ridge
Since we finished the Pond House renovation in May 2022, a number of return guests and first time guests have enjoyed the space, making new memories in a home that had already hosted so many special moments. While seeing the final product was rewarding, it’s seeing the peaceful retreat that our Pond House provides for our guests that truly warms our hearts!
So, what’s the next project on our list you ask? Answer: Updates to our iconic log cabins! We have plans to give our cozy studio cabins, romantic one-bedroom cabins, and family-friendly two-bedroom cabins a little extra love! So, stay tuned and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with our next big project.
And don’t forget: If you’re looking for a family vacation or a getaway with a group of friends, be sure to check out the newly renovated Pond House at Sterling Ridge Resort. We can’t wait for you to see what we do next!
Kirstin