Building the Bluegrass Barn
Building the Bluegrass Barn
the roots music trio Hank Wonder , who have performed at the Bluegrass Barn , and the bold , Boston-based classicalfusion quartet , Rosin . “ I have many friends who are touring and professional musicians who live in urban areas ,” shares Annie Bartlett . “ When the pandemic hit , it became apparent that there was a lack of accessible , rural spaces where musicians could reconnect with nature .”
Taking that in mind , the Bartletts worked hand in hand with Volansky to create a structure that seamlessly connected the outdoor performance and gathering space with an inviting interior living space in the barn . The porch is connected to the indoor area by a unique , architecturallyinnovative foldable door system . “ It stacks like an accordion in the warmer months , creating a 12-foot-wide opening , and effectively more than doubling the usable space in the warm months ,” says Volansky .
“ There are also retractable screens on the porch that can drop down to create a screened-in space . It ’ s very adaptable .”
The interior areas of the barn are outfitted with attractive custom furnishings , which make efficient use of its flexible and aesthetic spaces . Notable examples include a pull-down Murphy bed , which fits perfectly over the custom-designed red oak coffee table and couch in the main “ Studio ” room on the downstairs floor . “ This was done because its compact footprint did not allow for moving furniture out of the way of the Murphy bed ,” notes Volansky . The sleeping area in the studio is complemented by a wellappointed bathroom , as well as a smartly-designed kitchen with zinc countertops and a space-efficient induction cooktop . Down the hallway from the Studio room , a ladder leads to an additional loft area upstairs . It is furnished with red oak beds , which are located in a comfortable guest room . The guestroom stands adjacent to a sturdy and strong cargo net , which hangs over the downstairs studio area . “ The cargo net is a fun place where the children of visiting friends and artists can play ,” says Volansky . “ There ’ s something for everyone to enjoy .” At the front of the barn , a separate garage structure houses the Bartletts ’ bike and ski gear . It is also equipped with a Tesla Powerwall , which stores the energy harnessed by the solar panels on the barn ’ s roof . “ We estimate that the barn is completely self-sufficient from a heating and cooling perspective ,” says Volansky . “ We haven ’ t had it formally When the travel restrictions opened up in 2021 , the Bartletts began holding concerts for their friends and local community members , which continued during the 2022 summer season . “ It ’ s been great to see people enjoying the space and the
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