Beautifully done. A church conversion that doesn't look too churchy in the end (lack of stained glass probably helps), at least from inside.
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Matthew- I love you. This is a unique work of art and I wish I could stay there for at least a week. I love your mix of original and modern. The one way mirror is divine. The curves from floor to ceiling in the bathroom are lovely. I want to see more of your work! Margaret in San Diego.
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Stunning and beautiful! What a great building to live in!
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Such respect for their woodstove. Fabulous.
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Bravo. God is everywhere, in theory, and would not care if a beautiful pile of wood from 1823 was made into a house. I suspect God’s bigger than that. No one is hankering to build new churches anymore. Seventy percent of millennials are spiritual and not religious, so the religion ship has sailed. Thanks to NYT for this story.
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Random thoughts:
- That bathroom looks dank. Maybe it's part of the "unfinished work"?
- Churches can be decommissioned and deconsecrated. When the buildings are no longer needed to serve a congregation, why shouldn't they be repurposed? The space and light would be amazing, although I'd probably want a private,well-lit and above-ground bedroom and bathroom!
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"Who needs bathrooms, anyway?"
How silly. The new owners put in bathrooms galore.
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I don't know, it bothers me to see churches turned into houses. It never feels right.
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I bow to the majority of the commentators, who admire the renovation, but some have reservations about the bathrrom and/or toilet. The latter two would be of primary importance to me, with a walk-in shower stall and efficient air-drying system.
But, as a whole, conversion of a house of prayer into a residence looks to me a sacrilege and blasphemy.
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@Tuvw Xyz
There are numerous churches, synagogues and other places of worship that have been converted into individual residences and co-ops throughout NYC and other areas. There are two such a few blocks from where I live.
Or they can be simply torn down, and replaced by modern high-rise drek.
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Why do the Sotheby ads always cover. and thus make unreadable, the captions in these "slide shows" online? It is quite frustrating.
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@Morghean McPhail I've wondered the same. So amateur. Come on, NYT, get your web guru on it!
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Nice reno. But they are at 600K in costs… can they sell the house for that much?
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@Ann Sounds like they plan to be there for a long time. Though it can be both, sounds like this house is a home.
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@Ann In that area of upstate NY? Absolutely no way.
@Ann Hopefully they're very much in love and never want to leave -- including for their funerals! Handy.
Beautiful inside and out. Makes me want to go to church!
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Well done and fun , does the organ work?
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Beautifully done. I love the mix of styles, the fact that the place isn't minimalistic yet still pared down, tidy, and full of light and air.
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WOW! Bravo! Gorgeous & Cheeky--all in one.
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Absolutely gorgeous and stunning! Full of light, yet warm, elegant, and whimsical. I can imagine how delightful it must be to live there.
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@Elin Minkoff Might get scary in a thunderstorm when the power goes out -- the earthly power, that is.
So beautiful, charming and warm. So many things today are too stark.
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The juxtaposition of this article with one about NYC’s churches being lost to mega development is quite striking. Bathroom looks awful.
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Matthew is the epitome of brilliance and creativity!
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Absolutely lovely!
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inspiring! so many of these hidden upstate spots. Or so it seems from here in Hove.
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Some of those upstate spots only seem hidden. Places like Montecello, near enough to this property, are booming. And you wouldn't like the so-called architecture, I fear.
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Monticello.
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What Beatrix said. Cool, fun, totally not-cookie-cutter home. A delight.
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open and bright, but cozy at the same time.
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Some people have too much money.
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@Bonnie This is modest compared to real estate usually featured in the NYT. Not saying 600K is nothing but what is your point?
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Some people chose careers in which they are able to make money. And many of those actually study and do well in school so that they can succeed in their chosen fields.
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@Bonnie Back in the day we used to call couples like this DINKs: double income no kids. Good for them.
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Love the repurposed church pews. Nice touch.
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beautiful. i liked how they used the pews to make the bed. practical and pretty.
but i won't ask how much it costs to heat in the winter!
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Ok, I'm warming up to the boom sconces but both a subterranean shower illuminated by a ground-level skylight and an outdoor shower seems a bit too daring for me.
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Very cool! I have always wanted to convert a little church into a cozy bohemian home! Congratulations on a wonderful find! I hope you fill it with many new and old friends and great memories!
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@Michelle If you call your own place bohemian -- if you strive for bohemian -- forget about it.
it would be a welcome change to see some conversions/renovations by ordinary folks who have no access to hundreds of thousands of dollars and high end solutions.
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Agreed!!! Follow me on Instagram. I’m renovating a hunting cabin in the Catskills area and my budget is 40k. Paid 54k for the cabin. @catskillshacks
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@Longtime Reader Agreed! This is all just a dose too precious. And those wall hangings, the tea towels -- come on guys, what's up with that?
Absolutely wonderful! It feels like a home built with not only with charm but love.
Wish I knew you well enough to be invited.
Enjoy many happy days and years therein!
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Very cool project. What fun for this couple. And a beautiful, inviting home in the end.
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