An innovative home builder in the Catskill Mountains in New York State brings new meaning to the adage “everything old is new again” by reusing salvaged building materials from old barns and homes in the area in his “brand new 100 year old farm houses.”

Charles Petersheim left the island of Manhattan shortly after the September 11^th disaster to relocate to a remote mountain region far off the beaten track in Sullivan County, New York. There, he began his new career by restoring old barns in the area. This is where the idea to use salvageable materials from barns and homes that were destined for razing in custom made new houses.

It’s the best of both worlds, as these houses echo the character and beauty of wide plank floors, cast iron radiators and old fireplace mantels while eliminating the constant need for sometimes extremely expensive repairs and maintenance associated with an original century old farm house.

The houses are being snapped up by city-dwelling New Yorkers weary of the cramped, dirty, and noisy city for vacation and weekend destinations.

It’s an interesting and innovative way to promote sustainable construction and the rustic beauty of older materials – some of which are prohibitively expensive and difficult to obtain – simply can’t be matched today. Hard woods such as mahogany, black cherry, or black walnut, were common building materials a hundred years ago, but have become a precious commodity in this day and age. Reusing old hardwoods not only protects today’s trees, but has the added bonus of a worn and polished beauty that newer materials can’t compete with. What an ideal design for any rural community.