Mad Brook Garden: New England Homestead Retreat with Private Office

Description

Mad Brook is a working New England homestead set among gardens, fields and rolling countryside in Central Massachusetts. It offers an unusual combination: the peace and character of rural life, a comfortable and well-equipped home, and a dedicated professional workspace for guests who need to work while they are here. Your private space includes a large second-floor bedroom with hardwood floors, ample storage and a private en suite bathroom with walk-in shower and heated towel rack. Across the hall is a separate room dedicated entirely to your office—not simply a desk tucked into the bedroom. The office includes an ergonomic chair, large curved monitor and printer. Guests also have a second private full bathroom with shower on the main floor. The shared living spaces include a large gourmet kitchen designed for real cooking, a separate dining room and a comfortable living room with wood-burning fireplace. The kitchen has generous prep space, a large island, gas range and full-size appliances. In cooler weather, the wood stove beside the kitchen breakfast table becomes one of the coziest places in the house. I live at Mad Brook and spend much of my day elsewhere on the property tending the gardens, animals and other homestead work, so guests generally have the main living areas to themselves. I am happy to answer questions, help when needed or share some of homestead life with guests who are interested. Otherwise, you are free to work, relax and enjoy your stay independently. If I am somewhere out on the property, I am always just a call or text away. Outside, there is a wraparound porch, mature gardens, open fields and views across the surrounding hills. A year-round hot tub and fire pit provide a particularly nice place to unwind after work or on cold New England evenings. During the warmer months, guests can also enjoy the heated saltwater pool surrounded by established landscaping and outdoor seating. Mad Brook is genuinely a working homestead rather than a house decorated to look like one. Chickens live on the property, food is grown in the gardens, a seasonal farm stand is on site, and the seasons determine much of what is happening outside. Interested guests are welcome to experience some of that life with me when appropriate, but there is never any expectation that guests help with chores or care for the property. Two French Bulldogs live in the house with me, so guests should be comfortable sharing a home with dogs. The setting changes dramatically through the year. Summer brings gardens, long evenings on the porch and the pool; autumn brings harvest season and brilliant foliage across the surrounding hills; winter is quiet and beautiful, with snow-covered fields, wood fires, the hot tub, and tapping maples; and spring brings the gardens and homestead back to life. Despite the rural setting, Mad Brook is not isolated. Groceries, everyday shopping and casual restaurants are nearby, and the property is well positioned for exploring Central Massachusetts and the Pioneer Valley. Worcester, Amherst and Northampton are within reasonable driving distance, along with universities, hiking, orchards, historic New England towns and seasonal recreation. Boston is approximately 1½ hours away. Mad Brook is especially well suited to a visiting academic, researcher, remote professional or anyone looking for a peaceful place to concentrate for a few days, several weeks or longer. Utilities are included, and periodic cleaning is included for longer stays. Rates may be adjusted for season and length of stay. Come here to get work done, certainly—but also to live somewhere a little unusual while you're doing it.

Private Space Offered