A River Runs Near It: In Narrowsburg A Uniquely American Home

By Brenda Safer
For the Times Herald-Record
Advertising Department

Click on the image to see more pictures of this beautiful home.

Ever since we learned about Honest Abe’s birthplace, Americans have been in love with log cabins. These special homes speak to us of ourselves as no other style can. The subject of today’s house tour is a modern interpretation of this classic. Our guides today are Anthony Ritter of Preferred Homes and Properties and our homeowner, Georgia Campfield.
As we approach the front of this property Anthony talks about its proximity to one of the finest features of western Sullivan County, the Delaware River valley. Literally minutes away from our home, this magnificent river runs down to the picturesque village of Narrowsburg, where an assortment of shops and restaurants wait to be enjoyed.
But the house calls to us. Set on the crest of a hill, amidst eight acres of woodland, its front porch runs the length of the front façade. We can already imagine a summer evening here, rocking and talking as the forest settles down for the night. Of course, the home’s pine log exterior blends perfectly with this setting. Beyond this comfortable porch, a wide lawn sweeps gently downhill, and beyond this are acres of woodland. Like the house itself, the setting suggests an earlier America, a place of pristine and unspoiled wilderness.
We stroll around to the rear of the house where Georgia welcomes us into her spacious kitchen and dining area. This kitchen, while traditionally styled, is a perfect example of modern convenience. Sleek cabinets blend perfectly with gleaming white appliances. A comfortable breakfast bar helps to define and separate the kitchen work area from the living space beyond.
This area offers a vista very frontier-like in feeling. A large great room, rising up two stories, is framed on one side of the upper level by twin dormer windows. Bright sunlight floods the entire area, both from the dormers and eight windows on the lower level. The ceiling, walls and floors are all finished in pine with exposed sturdy cross beams adding to the rustic atmosphere. To the right, a stairway carries our eyes to an upper level balcony and, beyond this, a corridor leads to the two ground-level bedroom suites.
This private wing contains two bedrooms, which provide a secure sleeping area for children and/or guests. The bedrooms continue the rich pine theme of this home, and the exposed crossbeams reinforce the sense of the outdoors found throughout. Nearby, a full bath includes a convenient washer and dryer laundry facility.
With Georgia guiding us, we retrace our steps to the main staircase and go up to the balcony overlook. This is an expansive space with almost limitless possibilities. Because it looks down on and is open to the space below, it could be the setting for additional entertainment at a social function. It could be space for a family member’s special interest or hobby, or even an informal den or family theater area.
Beyond and to the left is the master suite. It’s private and filled with light. The cozy dormer window seat speaks to us of quiet mornings over coffee, enjoying the view of nature’s best just outside. An oversized closet and additional storage space built into the eaves ensure that the room’s spacious and clean lines are easy to maintain.
The suite includes a complete and comfortable bath nearby.
Before we leave, Georgia leads us down the two flights of stairs to the basement. Except for the furnace and utility requirements, this lower level is available for development as a den or family exercise space.
The frontier may be gone but its impact on our American spirit and imagination is alive and well in this home.
For further information, please contact Tony Ritter of Preferred Homes and Properties at 845-482-4300, ext. 12 or e-mail him at tony.ritter@gmail.com.

— Brenda Safer is a freelance writer and historian living in White Lake.