📍Quick Look
- Location: Tillson, NY
- Year Built: 1995
- Square Feet: 1,800 sq. ft.
- Listed At: $995,000
- Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 4 bed / 4 bath
- Lot Size: 7.47 acres
In the Hudson Valley, just outside the vibrant town of Rosendale, sits a home unlike anything else in the Catskills. It’s not just that it’s stunning (it is) or secluded (7.5 private acres will do that). It’s that the home feels intentional, as though every beam, every stone, every shimmering reflection from the spring-fed pond was placed to bring a deeper kind of peace.
Welcome to 36 Nature’s Drive in Tillson, New York, affectionately known as The Bali House. A one-of-a-kind architectural retreat that blends global craftsmanship with Hudson Valley soul, it’s a property that quietly redefines what it means to feel at home.
A Home That Was Built Across Oceans 🌊
Before it ever stood in the Catskills, this home was brought to life in the mountains of Bali. Commissioned by celebrated sculptor Hans Van de Bovenkamp, the residence was handcrafted by Indonesian artisans using time-honored materials—Balinese teak, Bangkirai wood, Merbau hardwood, and woven bamboo. Every inch of the structure was thoughtfully built, then deconstructed, shipped halfway across the world, and lovingly reconstructed on this carefully selected patch of New York woodland.
But despite its international origins, the home feels remarkably at ease in the Hudson Valley landscape. The fusion of Eastern and Western sensibilities—tropical minimalism meets rustic modernity—creates a space that feels timeless and transportive.
The Main Residence: Warmth, Stillness, and Spa-Like Serenity 🛁
Stepping inside the main home feels like entering a meditation. Soaring ceilings and tall windows flood the space with natural light, while the warm, organic materials create a deep sense of calm. It’s the kind of house where you instinctively lower your voice—not out of reverence, but out of alignment with its energy.
The home features two bedrooms and two full bathrooms, thoughtfully laid out to balance privacy with flow. In the primary suite, a bathtub sits beside a fireplace—a detail so luxurious and so cozy it feels like something out of a dream. Radiant heated floors, rich natural textures, and an open-concept kitchen ensure the home is not only beautiful but entirely livable, even through chilly Hudson Valley winters.
This is a space designed for rest, creativity, and connection.
A Natural Pond at the Center of It All 💧🌳
At the literal and emotional heart of the property is a swimmable, spring-fed pond, framed by mature trees, tall grasses, and native plantings. It’s not ornamental; it’s elemental. Whether you’re taking a morning dip, practicing yoga by the shore, or simply staring into the reflections as the sun sets, the pond brings a grounding rhythm to daily life.
And because the pond is spring-fed, it stays clear, fresh, and inviting in all seasons. Few homes offer a feature this rare, this beautiful, and this alive.
The Guest House: Privacy with Purpose 🛏️🎨
Just a short stroll from the main home, you’ll find a charming two-bedroom, one-bath guest house—equally considered in its design. With its own kitchen, living space, and separate entrance, the structure offers flexibility for visiting friends, extended family, or even short-term rental potential (pending local regulations).
It could also easily become an art studio, a remote office, or a wellness space. With the main residence already offering such peace, the possibilities here feel especially rich.
An Artist’s Compound with Room to Expand 🎨🧘
In addition to the main house and guest quarters, there’s also a large detached garage that’s currently used for storage—but could just as easily become an expansive art studio, gym, or creative workshop.
Given the home’s legacy as the vision of a world-renowned sculptor, it feels only right that the space continues to support artistry and imagination.
A Location That Balances Privacy with Community 🚙☕
While 36 Nature’s Drive feels deeply remote, it’s conveniently located just minutes from downtown Rosendale—a town known for its offbeat charm and warm community energy. Local gems like Well Nice Wine Bar, Le Chat Barbu, and the iconic Rosendale Theatre make it easy to stay connected without ever having to travel far.
From here, you’re also just a short drive to New Paltz, Kingston, and the trailheads of the Shawangunk Ridge and Mohonk Preserve. Nature lovers, weekend warriors, and culture seekers alike will find plenty to explore.
And when the city calls? You’re roughly 90 minutes from Manhattan by car, or you can hop on the Trailways bus to NYC from town. That means true solitude—without total disconnection.
What Makes It Special 💫
This isn’t just a beautiful house—it’s a home that tells a story. Every detail, from the materials to the layout to the setting, has been chosen with care and intention. It’s for the person who wants to live artfully, to slow down, and to feel held by the land they’re on.
It’s also rare. Homes like this—homes that were built with an artist’s eye and a global heart—don’t come along often. Especially not in places like Rosendale, where culture, community, and wild beauty coexist.
Final Thoughts
36 Nature’s Drive is the kind of property that shifts your perspective. It offers more than luxury—it offers lifestyle. It’s a place to retreat, to create, and to fully arrive in your life.
Whether you’re an artist seeking solitude, a city dweller craving nature, or simply someone in search of a space that feels alive, this home might be exactly what you didn’t know you were looking for.
📎 Listing Info & Credit
Listed by: Bree Chambers
Agency: Upstate Curious Team | Compass
📧 Email: bree@upstatecurious.com
📞 Phone: (917) 660-5710
Listing: 36 Natures Drive, Tillson, NY 12486
📸 All listing images are shared for editorial and appreciation purposes. Please contact us for image credit updates or removal requests.
I’m Mariah, and this is Hidden Holms. Thanks for exploring with me. 💛
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Disclaimer: Hidden Holms is a curated design blog sharing inspiring homes and architectural finds. We do not sell homes or claim ownership of listing media. All listings are shared for editorial and discovery purposes with credit to the original sourc
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