Home Description

Our eco-friendly, artistic home began its transformation seven years ago when we purchased a neglected, but structurally sound rural property. We have done ninety-five percent of the work during these seven years. One of us is a contract sheetrocker/builder, the other an Art teacher, both of us are artists/artisans.

The house was built in 1945 and its size was 950 square feet. Also on the property sat the original homestead, which was built in the early 1900’s and completely in shambles. The house structure however was solid, built with old growth Douglas fir and much of the wiring in conduit. The foundation, built of solid concrete with access underneath, was, and still is, in excellent condition.

We now have the original 1945 home with new construction connecting it and the historical homestead cabin, totaling 2150 square feet. The original home and cabin have been completely refurbished and restored. A new addition joins the two structures. The addition was built and designed to architecturally tie with the existing structures. Every room has been redesigned to blend with the next. All materials, wood, paints and oils purchased are of the highest quality and environmentally safe.

Renovations started with scraping and removal of old paints, linoleum, glued down carpeting and paneling on the original fireplace bricks. The restoration process began by resurfacing or rebuilding walls and ceilings. Arches were created throughout the house to create open spaces and utilize heating/cooling circulation. Each room was then resurfaced with Spanish/adobe style sand textures on the ceilings and the walls. Existing doors made of Douglas fir were stripped with soy-based solvents and restored or partially painted with eco-friendly paints. Other doors needed for our home were located, salvaged and refurbished. The new addition and bathroom also contain salvaged windows, repaired and restored. Two older Anderson windows were found and purchased and used in the historic cabin and the new addition. New Anderson, Low E, dual glazed windows were added to our southern, eastern and western areas of the home.

The homestead cabin renovation began in 2002. The building was lifted and a new concrete foundation was poured. New floor joists were put in, floor areas were salvaged and restored and tile was decoratively added to create a unique space and replace wood areas that were not salvageable. The walls were shored up and plumbed. All split logs were reconditioned and mortar totally replaced. Green oils and Safecoat Polyseal were added to the logs this year. The low ceiling was removed and a new cathedral ceiling was built, following the original pitch line. An additional structural beam made of rough-cut pine was added. A custom built cedar swinging door from the addition to the cabin was constructed. Other doors were salvaged and restored.

The original kitchen and bathroom were completely gutted in 2007 and both doubled in size. Although we have one bath only, it is impressively large and contains a reclaimed vintage, 1930’s porcelain, pedestal sink and matching 6’ long tub. A new Mansfield, energy efficient bathroom commode, in a separate area of the bathroom, was added recently.

In the kitchen, hand-hewn planks were created with mortar seams on two walls to mimic the historical homestead cabin wall in the next room. The other two walls were painted with low VOC paints, clay paints and glazes. Custom built cedar and redwood cabinets were built and topped with 1½ “ bamboo countertops and backsplash. We built a cedar wall hutch (with arch at the top), shallow cedar shelves with doors and other numerous shelves for books and decorative items. New Jenn-Air Energy Star appliances were added last September. These include a French door, bottom-freezer, interior waterspout refrigerator, a Dual-fuel, convection/conventional oven with all cartridges, and a stainless steel interior dishwasher. Danze’ oil bronze faucet and pot filler and Franke’ 36” Fireclay Double Farm sink create a wonderful gourmet kitchen. Seven GFI wall outlets, track lighting, a large bamboo covered island and completely refinished floors complete a beautiful and very functional area.

Other custom features include blue stained pine and aromatic cedar lined closets in one bedroom and a large custom-built cedar closet in the cabin bedroom. Tile and pine hand built bathroom cabinets are another feature. Custom cedar trim, crown molding and baseboard have been added throughout the house. And just completed, cedar shake exterior and interior/exterior cedar trim design in all rooms. A Canadian made, Beachcomer hot tub for two located on our private, tree covered 685 sq. foot redwood deck is another nice addition.

The home is quite unique. As one real estate agent put it, “Take a pinch of southwestern flair, a dash of rustic charm, a touch of classic beauty, and what have you got? The makings of what could be one of the most inspiring homes in all of Fremont County.” And another, “Absolute integration of the original homestead and existing home. The house has a Southwestern-Western “Zen” flow from room to room. We think their descriptions are perfect.

A brief summary of our acreage is necessary. We have numerous mature Yellow Willows, ranging 6 to 17 feet in circumference that cover our home and yard area. In the summer, our home is barely visible from the road offering a very secluded and private setting. These trees provide tremendous shade throughout the summer months, cooling our home. An array of flowering bushes and trees surround the house and back area. including Pine, Ash and Crab Apple. The irrigation canal provides not only water for our yard and pasture, but creates a wetland environment for birds and wildlife. Mallards, Ring Neck Pheasants, and Killdeer nest here frequently. A buck rail fence surrounds two-thirds of our acreage. We have mature, pesticide/chemical free landscaping and rich pasture land. Although we have a few neighbors, our property has the essence of a remote and private environment. Spring Valley Drive ends at the Popo Agie riverfront, approximately 100 yards away from our home, thus only neighbors utilize this road. To the south and west, we have wonderful views of the Wind River Mountain range. We are located three miles north of Lander, Wyoming that has a population of 7,000. Our elevation is approximately 5,500 feet.

What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?

Our home description above explains many aspects of why our home is green. This list points out a few more specifics.
· Passive Solar
· All hardwood and tile floors
· Original, elaborate stone fireplace converted to propane fireplace insert
· Infrared radiant heat in bathroom
· Two woodstoves, one energy-efficient Waterford, heating capacity-2200 square feet
· New energy efficient, quality appliances and fixtures
· Paints, stains and oils are green products
· Recycled, reconditioned, and reclaimed materials
· Two year old energy efficient water heater and pressure pump
· Seven year old septic system
· Shallow well
· Low E Anderson Windows, Dual glazed, wood and vinyl
· Ten year old metal roof
· All outside watering from irrigation canal
· New irrigation pump
· Mature, pesticide and chemical free landscaping
· Using existing structures and transforming them into healthy environments
· Preserving historical buildings through renovation and reclamation

Neighborhood Description

We are one of six homes on a rural cul-de-sac that ends at the river edge. Route 287 is a short distance from our home, less than one mile. The neighborhood has lots of old growth trees and lush, fertile land due to the irrigation canal and river flowing through many properties. Wildlife, wildflowers and birds abound. Lander Wyoming is three miles south of here. Lander is the head of NOLS, Nature Conservancy, WOC, USFS, BLM and Sinks Canyon State Park. The Wind River mountain range is south of us and quite visible from our home.

Market Area

Lander is the closest town. Teton National Park is approximately 120 miles northwest, Jackson is another 50 miles from there. Yellowstone National Park is 155 miles from Lander.

*NOTE: If interested in our property, please contact us via the telephone number listed. If interested, please call to insure communication.DO NOT EMAIL as we are having problems with spam on this site. Thank you.

School District

Fremont

Home Type or Land

Single Family - Single Level

Location of Home or Land

Rural

Elevation of Home

Mountain