For anyone who has ever dreamed of a family compound, this bevy of barns will take you places you never thought possible when it comes to barn living.

The owners of these picturesque barns situated on the rolling hills of this 40-acre estate (formerly owned by the composer Marvin Hamlisch), had a vision. Their dream: creating a wonderful retreat for their family and that included an entire community of local artisans in the upstate New York glory of historic Dutchess County.

It was no easy task, with one of the barns having to be literally lifted off its foundation and gently set back down again.

The barns surround a common courtyard, complimented by stone walls, a duck pond, a country farmhouse, and a small potting shed. All four barns and environs have been sensitively renovated and equipped with modern amenities, but in keeping with their historic character. Local artisans were employed to create needed metal works, stone walls, fireplaces, and historic wood windows. Antique hand hewn timber framing members and oak and pine plank flooring were reworked for the new uses. The barns now house a guesthouse, screening room, artist studio, garage, and bunk barn for teens and young adults. Naturalistic landscaping completes the picture with new stone fences, a circular fire pit, and bucolic meadows.