286 Maple Avenue

The little book house Some houses feel like they belong in a movie. This one feels like the opening scene of a Nancy Meyers film. Tucked into the storybook village of Hobart--better known as the Book Village of the Catskills--this impossibly charming 1840s cottage is equal parts historic character, jewel-box design, and romantic country escape. Behind the white picket fence and flower-filled cutting garden, nearly every inch has been thoughtfully reimagined, creating a home that feels collected and timeless while offering the ease of a complete renovation. Originally built in the 1840s and renovated down to the studs in 2002, the cottage pairs its old-house soul with seriously good design. The vaulted-ceiling kitchen is the centerpiece, with a four-burner Wolf gas range, Plain & Fancy cabinetry, a Kohler farmhouse sink, marble countertops, Sub-Zero refrigeration, Ann Sacks slate flooring, and a custom cement island. In the living room, exposed ceiling beams and tailored Hunter Douglas shutters add warmth and character, while the beautifully finished bath features Kallista fixtures and Ann Sacks tile. Upstairs, the primary suite feels like its own cozy hideaway, complete with custom built-in storage, a private half bath, TV nook, and an additional sleeping alcove tucked beneath the eaves. It's intimate, unexpected, and exactly the kind of space that makes a small house feel special. Outside, the cottage becomes even more enchanting. A covered side porch with a custom Dutch door creates a picture-perfect arrival, while the gardens, picket fence, and surrounding greenery make the entire property feel plucked from the pages of a storybook. In the back lies ''The Little Cottage'', an 18-by-12-foot detached summer cottage, complete with electricity and WiFi--use it as an art or writing studio, entertaining space, work-from-home retreat, or dreamy seasonal guest room. And then there's Hobart itself. Known as the Book Village, this tiny Catskills hamlet is beloved for its independent bookstores, historic Main Street, and wonderfully offbeat small-town character. Here, life can be morning coffee in the garden, afternoons wandering the bookshops, and dinner at home with the Dutch door open to the summer air. A little historic, a little eccentric, and completely charming, this is the kind of house you imagine escaping to for the weekend--and then quietly deciding never to leave.