Nest — Winter 2023
Home Sauna Builders Share Their Do’s and Dont’s; ‘Chair-Chic’ Universal Design in South Burlington; Advice and Poetry from Richmond’s Oriental Rug Expert; Survival Skills Honed During a Home Renovation
Cover Story
Heat Wave: Vermonters Find Warmth and Wellness in Home Saunas
Saunas were a Friday night tradition in Karen Larsen’s Scandinavian community in northern Ontario. Heating in a fragrant wooden room, then plunging into the cold lake just outside, was a way to soothe the stresses of a busy week and connect with family members who shared the ritual. Decades later, Larsen has found the same…
Last Quarter: Winter 2023 Vermont Housing News
Humanitarian Homes The global nonprofit Habitat for Humanity has “affiliates” in different regions of Vermont, most of which have begun to add multifamily housing to their portfolios. Habitat, which uses community volunteers to help build affordable homes around the world, has focused on single-family housing for decades. But due to the rising costs of land,…
An 18th-Century Barn in Richmond Is a Hidden Gem for Oriental Rug Enthusiasts
When Amanda Gustin of Barre inherited three antique Oriental rugs, she knew that the family heirlooms required special care. As director of collections and access at the Vermont Historical Society, Gustin knows a lot about local history and artifacts, “but these rugs are completely outside my area of expertise,” she said. So when she needed…
Don’t Try This at Home: Staying in a House During Renovation Tests Survival Skills
Initially, we thought we’d move out. We’re a family of six. Living in our house during its partial renovation seemed impossible — how would we manage without two bedrooms and the kitchen? But most people stay, our contractor assured us. The idea of saving thousands of dollars, watching our home’s transformation, being on-site as questions…
In South Burlington, a Collaboratively Built House Marries Accessibility With Style
On a snowy winter evening, a large pot of water boiled away on a Bertazzoni range — the Steinway of stoves — in Edie Perkins’ kitchen. A saucier pan heated on another burner, prepped with ingredients for a classic linguine con vongole. The extra-low soapstone countertops gleamed; appliances were carefully spaced and also lowered. Perkins…
Nest — Winter 2023
Staying warm, and ideally cozy, is crucial for getting through a Vermont winter. This issue of Nest explores ways to conquer the cold — from home saunas that draw on Finnish traditions to Oriental rugs that can transport your living room to faraway lands. Providing a home to someone in need imparts a warm feeling,…
