**Update: We are sorry, this fine home has been purchased by a new owner, but we have others!

We are pleased to present a feature to our blog, a chat with the homeowner of 77 Oak Ridge in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Karyn, one of the  owners of this custom home, is an Interior/Renovation Designer and member of the American Society of Interior Design. As we spoke to Karyn about this home, we learned of so many nuances, that we thought this would be a most appropriate forum to share the details, and from Karyn's perspective, as a designer. Karyn has shown us that as a designer, she not only worked to make the interior flow aesthetically pleasing, but she also considered the design of extensive gardens, yard and woodsy spaces. In addition, while considering all the design details of the property, Karyn worked to make sure all the supportive features were designed as well. Karyn's husband Tom, was also an active participant in the renovation of this home, as well as the design process. So in this interview, we'll also hear from him! P&S: As we toured the home, we have had a number of comments from folks about the beautiful spaces in the home. You have a lovely library, a sort of space away from the hubbub of the home. Tell us, what was your vision when you created the library. Karyn:  We wanted a light-filled space that is a pleasure to work in, with great views, while still allowing a large bookcase and large desk. I adore creating art there, very inspirational. Tom: I wanted to be out of the way, but feel apart of all the action.  I also need a large desk and love books. P&S: While this is a rather large house in terms of square footage, we understand that it's very energy efficient. What are some of the energy efficient features of your home? Can you control the heat in particular areas and shut off heat in some areas? Karyn:  Thomas worked with the heating engineers and knows more about it.  I love the fact that it is quiet, invisible, no noise when the heat comes on, my throat does not dry up and my feet always feel warm Tom: The heating design is derived from European standards where the cost of fuel is greater than here.  The key design feature is that there are temperature sensors outside the house that determine how hot the water needs to be to heat the house.  In the US our hot water systems keep the water at 180-degrees at all times, whether it is 60-degrees, or 20-degrees outside.  In this system the water is only heated to what is needed.  In fact the water is not heated to 180-degrees until it drops to 20-degrees outside.  Also in most European countries you are required to have a thermostat in each room.  We have a similar design in our supplemental heating system, so each bedroom can be at a different temperature. We have the heating design schematics from the heating engineers, which show in detail how it all works.  But suffice it to say it cost a lot to engineer and build, but has a very low ongoing cost. (We burned 1056 gallons of oil in 2013 in a home that is nearly 5,000 square feet.) P&S: It's not everyday that we are able to see a home with slate floors. What are some common misconceptions that folks have about slate? What do you love about the floors in your home?  Karyn:  People confuse slate with tile, which can be slippery; no one has slipped on this slate!  The slate has all the earth tones we wanted, it is great for heating the house and keeps the house cool in the summer.  We put down a few rugs in special places for additional color, or a change in feel for your feet. Tom: The slate is "bullet proof".  You can have any kind of mess and it cleans up easily.  No stains, no rips, and of course it is perfect for the heat – toasty feet! P&S: There are a number of nooks and spaces throughout the house, yet the home is still very open and spacious. Tom, what do you enjoy about the open-ness of the home? How does it work for entertaining? Tom:  From one perspective, you can look from the kitchen through to living room, a distance of over 75' through 2 double doors in 2 different planes.  On the other hand, in that same 75' there are 6 separate spaces.  It is great when you have big parties to see how the spaces fill up, once ones fills, it spills into an adjacent space.  You have to experience it to believe it.  Karyn has done this before in other houses, it is one of her special talents. P&S: There is obvious such pride of ownership in your home, and in the home you two worked so hard to design and create. What is your favorite feature of the home? Can you name only one?  Karyn: Impossible to name only one! My favorites: kitchen, best master bath, the private deck, incredible great room, I love it all. Tom:  Inside and outside there are so many special spaces, views and features.   For example you have views below the trees in one place, you feel like you are in the trees in another, or you have views above the trees to the presidential range, which is best? You enter a wine cellar through a 3" oak door and go under the house with a brick and sand floor, or sit and watch the moon come up from the Bain Ultra airbath! Each of the three floors has special places and views, and when you are outside the walking path winds through the woods, the fields.  I love it all. P&S: Now in terms of the grounds of this home, there are perennials growing up and lovely paths that walk through the gardens. How did you envision your outdoor retreat when you begin creating this space?  Karyn: We were totally enclosed with Oak trees, so we had 150 trees logged out, then shaped the terrain, discovering many natural granite patios. We then worked with the NH Forestry department and added low growing naturalizing trees and shrubs to benefit wildlife. The grassy paths were shaped and pounds of wild flowers planted. The result is a low-upkeep environment that is beautiful. The grassy paths need mowing and then some cutting back the flowers in the fall. Tom: I knew there were at least 270-degrees of mount views and the loggers wanted all the big trees, taking them at their expense.  But I learned from Karyn's exposure to Japanese garden design that it is more effective to have short, medium and long views.  I wanted to walk in the dark of the forest and the light of the fields. We had created several fields of perennials at prior houses, so I wanted to enjoy fields of flowers and all the bees, dragonflies and butterflies, which would then bring birds.  The forest ranger gave me great ideas on how to attract small animals as well.  Also I wanted a walking path I could go on barefoot, so I laid down topsoil were the paths went, and seeded them with grass.  Last of all I wanted to control some of the vernal water and see if I could get some frogs.  After months of logging, then leveling and sculpting with many machines big and small, and just hard labor we finished in 2011.  It all worked out better than hoped, with one exception we had an overabundance of yellow, orange and white flowers, so we planted blue/purple flowers like lupine in 2013.  Now I wake up listening to the birds, watch all the small animals scurrying about and walk the paths every day except when the snow is too high. In fact, just last evening, we were watching the hundreds of fire flies around the yard, paths, and flying over the deck – it was like when I was a kid – they were plentiful back then and with all the work we did to create the outdoor oasis, they are back and delighting us with their summertime light show – it's quite a site to watch from the deck at night.  I could spend a day on each walk, my senses gobbling up all the colors, textures and shapes, smells and sounds.  The large animals like deer and bear like the paths as well, as it is not uncommon to see their spore and tracks. And of course the views from the house are unbelievable in every season. P&S: In terms of the outdoor space, how did the space flow for entertaining? What did your friends and family enjoy about being outside?  With the fire pit area, we're imaging times spent making s'mores and more! Karyn: There are 3 fire pit areas and 3 different table/dining areas, the grill is on the back patio so that is a main gathering area. Everyone enjoys walking the paths through the flowers and woods. Games on the lawn are another favorite. In winter snowshoeing on the paths is glorious. Tom:  The outside is like the inside, contiguous, varying, functional and special spaces. When we are all outside there are so many different cozy places to congregate.  I designed and built a sledding, snowboarding and skiing hill for the winter. P&S: At this time, you feel it's time to leave the community of Plymouth. What led you to this decision?  Karyn: Our son's attended Plymouth State University and we had such wonderful times. The boys are now far from here. Then we decided to buy a house in Florida to be close to my Mom. Tom:  It was a difficult decision for us.  Karyn's mom is almost 90 and we moved to share her last few years together.  We had hoped to be able to afford a southern and northern house but, we like many others we were affected by the big recession. P&S: What do you like about living in Plymouth, NH? What activities have you enjoyed in the Plymouth area? Karyn: We enjoy events at The Flying Monkey. There are the lakes, both Squam  and Newfound  are close. We go to the "Sculptured Rocks", the Polar Caves and picnic by the river. Mt Washington, Conway, there is so much to do. Tom:  Plymouth is awesome.  It has the youth and vitality of a college town.  It is a typical New England village; yet it has the Flying Monkey Theatre, which brings in first-rate movies, top named bands and plays.  Plus we are 20 minutes from the ski areas, and the lakes where you can rent a boat and spend a day or a week exploring.  Or you can go hiking just about everywhere around.  Summer theatre is big in New Hampshire, and you can see tons of talented young actors and actresses from around the country, some times directed by famous folks from Broadway in NYC who come here to get away. P&S:  Where do you shop and dine in the Plymouth community and why do you enjoy those places?  Karyn: I love the antique and consignment shopping, town is very fun and artsy. We like many restaurants but especially the 6 Burner Bistro. Tom:  My two favorite places to dine are the 6 Burner Bistro which is total gourmet dining, and the Thai Smile which serves Asian Food.  We enjoy shopping in the many consignment and craftsmen/art stores.  All of this is a mile from the house, and the supermarket, Hannaford's, is 3 miles away. P&S: What cultural events and other types of events can you recommend to people coming into the community? Karyn: There are many theaters; I worked for a couple of them doing costume design. There is always live music at the Woodstock  Inn, Station & Brewery. Concerts and events at the Silver Center for the Arts are terrific. Tom: The Flying Monkey is great for everything from silent movies to big name blues bands like Johnny Winter, J. Giles and James Montgomery.  This is an area of Outdoors activities:  You can go river rafting a mile away, or skiing on several slopes is 20 miles away, hiking is everywhere, boating on Squam Lake is 5 miles away.  And of course Plymouth State University has many lecture series, a great theatre, art shows etc, it is a mile away. And just recently we attended the Annual Plymouth Music Festival – this is a "must attend" event!  Hundreds of musicians descend upon downtown Plymouth and play all types of music, classic to country bluegrass on the sidewalk in front of the stores! P&S:  What events brought you the most pleasure? Karyn: Time with the family, whatever the event. Tom: I skied at first up here, then learned to snowboard.  I like to go river rafting on either the Pemigewasset or Baker rivers.  I enjoy driving sports cars, so the Kancamagus highway over the White Mountains is fabulous.  I got to watch Johnny Winter at the Flying Monkey.  Plymouth prides itself on its parades, which are very country and lots of fun.   And of course I love just being at home, enjoying all the views, wildlife and hiking. P&S:  What tips would you give to new people coming into the community? Karyn: Get out and get involved. Plymouth has much to offer and then come home and enjoy the privacy the property provides. Tom:  We live on a dead end street with just a few homes with large acreage.  However, if you walk down the street and take a minute to stop at the neighbors and introduce yourself you will find yourself invited to many parties- this is an amazing street! Also get involved with the University, call the president's office and say you want to get involved and what skills you have and they will connect you.  Go to the Chase Street Market on the weekends for coffee and you will meet all sorts of people. And if you prepare for winter it will be great fun.  Make sure you have enough firewood (the garage shed will store 3 cords, and the nearly 14 acres creates enough wood for 7 cords a year).  Get a spare set of wheels for your car and mount snowtires, put them on before Thanksgiving and take them off at the end of March.  I also really enjoy the Universalist Church.