Matson/Colgan Kitchen

In the early 1970’s Peter Matson and Susan Colgan set out to build their dream home. They purchased a piece of land off a dirt road in Becket, Ma. and began clearing the property. "I thought to find a place removed from the influences of the city, a simple place to be with my children on weekends, where vegetables would grow and water would come out of a well.” (Peter Matson, A Place in the Country 1977) Over the ensuing forty-four years, they created a property unlike any other.

Using a reclaimed barn, the Matson’s built their home by hand, often camping on the property while building the house. The home they created is filled with organic, unique spaces. Over time, they added a guest house and workshop to accommodate their friends and family who wanted to come to enjoy their utopia. In 2018 they approached Uncarved Block to expand their kitchen and mudroom. They wanted something that had the same character that extended throughout the house.  Brad and the team worked closely with the Matson’s and their architect to design and build something that felt original to the home. The new roof uses half-round exposed rafters with a rustic plaster and wood paneled finish. The team worked hard to match the existing woodwork in the house, we were even able to reuse some of the trim and doors that were originally built by Peter.

Part of the challenge of the project was to try and duplicate the style and feel of the original home. As builders, we are often creating new spaces that have their own personalities. We are rarely asked to duplicate something so personal. Our team approached this challenge with reverence for the home and its’ original builders. We worked hard to reproduce those qualities that give the home its personality while incorporating the new amenities.

Sitting in the new kitchen overlooking the property with Peter and Susan, enjoying a cup of tea, is one of those places you don't want to leave. It was our pleasure to play a small role in that.  If you want to read more about their journey building their home, you can read Peter’s book “A Place in the Country”. The home and Uncarved Block’s work was recently featured in Berkshire Magazine.