403 County Road 2, Accord, NY 12404

A long, winding driveway leads through the trees to a small gathering of Catskills cottages on more than 38 private acres. The oldest dates to 1790, and it feels as though life here has kept a gentle pace since then. The original cottage has held onto every bit of its character: beadboard, lovely wallpaper, and a turning staircase that's both adorable and romantic. It's perfectly suited to collections, cozy furniture and books. The main floor is wide open beneath exposed beams with a large open kitchen at one end and a fireplace at the other. It feels like a place where generations have gathered before this one. It's a kitchen made for simmering chili on a cold afternoon and baking brownies on a whim. The three-season porch has the spirit of a summer camp, with wood walls, a wood ceiling, and cool stone floors that seem to hold the memory of long Monopoly games played late into the night. Outdoors, life centers on a huge, fenced deck with a pool, a gazebo, and room for cooking, lounging, and games. A second cottage awaits its revamp, perhaps as a guest house or studio. A giant two-story 26 x 50 garage/barn with loft offers space for vehicles and projects, and several sweet outbuildings are scattered about - it's like a small hidden village. Accord is one of the prettiest corners of Upstate, NY. It sits in the heart of the Rondout Valley, surrounded by farmland in the shadow of the Shawangunk Ridge. Minnewaska State Park, with its lakes, waterfalls, and cliffside trails, is just minutes away, and the Mohonk Preserve is close by too. Farm-to-table favorites like Westwind Orchard, Arrowood Farms brewery, Inness, and the new Accord Social are a short, pretty drive down country roads - they'll become regular haunts. New Paltz and Kingston are about 25 minutes away, and New York City is roughly 2 hours.