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On Golden Pond

Former fishing cabin transformed in luxury cottage

When Melanie Brandman, owner and CEO of a luxury travel PR business wants to take a break or weekend escape she heads out of New York city on a 2 hour drive up-state to the Catskills. In 2007 she was introduced to the peace and beauty of the many lakes in the area by her partner Sims Foster who grew up Livingstone Manor nearby. She bought a rundown former fishing cabin the following year, did a major refurbishment to create a year-round cottage and took up residence in early 2009. Melanie was brought up in Australia and spent many years living in London as global PR for the Inter Continental Hotel group. She was transferred to Atlanta but in 2001 decided to set up her own business in downtown New York. There is little sign of the old cabin left. There are 2 bedrooms with a shower room in between and a lovely big open living, dining and cooking space with all the rooms opening out onto newly created decked terraces facing the Amber Lake. There is Aboriginal art, vintage glass and chairs, a formidable cooker (Foster is a chef director and Melanie a great cook) and comfortable no-fuss furniture.' A hotel in Bora Bora was my inspiration'