Upstate River Retreat

A Wellness-Focused Riverfront Retreat in Upstate New York

A little bit Dutch Colonial Revival, a little bit country barn in style, this riverfront home with its shingled gambrel roof and classic lines is one in the For the Love of Upstate portfolio of designer historic homes in rural New York by Madi Johnson and Skyler Vaught. Showcasing Upstate architectural vernacular enhanced by modern design and a wealth of wellness amenities, the three-bedroom house has a queen room with river views, a king bedroom and a king suite, with its bathroom housing a clawfoot tub. Interiors are traditional and homey, with restored woodwork and wood floors, a brick fireplace in the living area, a remodeled kitchen with an island and a combination of antique and crisp modern furnishings and fixtures.

The home’s massage room includes state-of-the-art spa equipment, such as a redlight mask, Therabody devices and natural self-care products.

A back deck has wellness-focused amenities such as a hot tub, cedar sauna, a pair of soaking tubs for warm soaks or cold plunges, an outdoor shower, and the outdoor entertainment area for cooking, dining, and unwinding. A sunroom extends off the ground floor common area, a cozy space for reading or napping.

Layout

Ground floor: Entry foyer, sunroom, open-concept kitchen with island, dining area off kitchen, living room, half bath

Upstairs: Queen bedroom with river view, king bedroom, king suite with with clawfoot tub, full bathroom with double shower, dedicated wellness/massage room

Outside: Wood deck space with Adirondack chairs, hot tub, cedar-lined sauna with glass view façade, pair of bathtubs for soaking, outdoor shower, barbecue grill, picnic table, fire pit with stump seating, direct river access

Around

Secluded in a remote area of Upstate New York’s Herkimer County, the house is located in Newport, in the foothills of the Adirondacks on the shore of West Canada Creek. The village has a small, historic downtown area that’s home to a handful of shops, restaurants, cafes, and fresh produce and egg markets, with a bank, post office and various municipal services. A golf course is located about a mile from downtown, and the neighboring villages of Poland and Middleville are 10-12 miles away, while Utica is about 16 miles.

The West Canada Creek is one of Upstate New York’s most renowned trout streams, offering anglers the chance to catch both brown and brook trout. With its headwaters in the southeastern Adirondacks, the creek flows for 76 miles east and south, emptying into the Mohawk River near the community of Herkimer. Tubing the gentle currents of West Canada Creek (rentals available in Poland), and other classic creekside adventures like campfire marshmallow-roasting, starry sky-gazing, wading, and rock skipping are encouraged in the river. And roaming the country roads past farms and villages into the Adirondacks and along scenic byways comes highly recommended.