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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Lincoln Log Haven

The house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and was built in 1989.

BECKET, Mass — Looking for a lincoln log home where you can feel cozy and private? Then this house is for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are discussing a log house at 236 Surriner Road.

The house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and was built in 1989. The asking price is $735,000.

The property is 2,820 square feet with 4 acres. It comes with a dishwasher, washer, dryer, gas oven, refrigerator, range, and range hood.

The property has a river rock fireplace, and two sunrooms to relax in. A spiral staircase will take you to the primary suite and bathroom with a walk and shower and claw foot tub.

We spoke to Leslie Claus Van Hise with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Barnbrook Realty.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market? 

Claus Van Hise: True log homes are a rarity in the Berkshires, and this one stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship. From the moment you step inside, you can see the care and pride of ownership from the original builders. It’s a home that was thoughtfully created and lovingly maintained.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history? 

Claus Van Hise: "For a millennia, it was a forest," so begins a short story written by one of the owners. He chose the lot because, as he put it, "Each time I visited my son in this wooded mountain hamlet, a special calm and tranquility would overcome me..." With his daughter, they cleared much of the homesite and path into the woods themselves and built an 800 sq/ft Lincoln log cabin as a summer retreat. A decade later, they expanded it with a 2,000 sq/ft addition. 'Little by little, the house was complemented with things of beauty and convenience that brought pleasure, peace, and happiness" —earning its beloved name, the 'Log Mahal'.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for? 

Claus Van Hise: Whether a buyer is looking for a full-time or part-time living or even as a part time rental to offset costs, this home is ideal for the buyer with discerning taste—someone who values exceptional craftsmanship, craves the serenity of nature, and appreciates the warmth and timeless character unique to a true log home.

What was your first impression when walking into this home? 

Claus Van Hise: From the moment I stepped onto the front porch and through the double doors, I felt an immediate sense of welcome. The warmth, character, and exceptional craftsmanship of the home were instantly apparent—it truly felt like home.

Are there any standout design features and/or recent renovations? 

Claus Van Hise: Standout features include the striking natural river rock fireplace with integrated log storage, a charming loft on the main floor, and a spacious second-floor primary suite. The suite is crowned by a cupola designed as a private sanctuary, offering tranquil 360-degree views—a truly unique retreat

Have you heard any memorable reactions or feedback from visitors? 

Claus Van Hise: Visitors often respond with an immediate 'Wow,' especially when they see the stunning river rock fireplace. Despite the open floor plan, many remark on how the home seems to 'hug' you with its warmth and cozy, inviting atmosphere.

What kind of neighborhood is it? 

Claus Van Hise: The town of Becket is a rural, arts-centered community celebrated for its natural beauty and cultural gems like Jacob’s Pillow. The neighborhood reflects this charm, with wooded hills, abundant wildlife, and close proximity to hiking trails and year-round outdoor recreation.

You can find out more about this house on its listing.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice or an offer to sell. If you're interested in having your property featured, please contact our sales department at sales@boxcarmedia.com.

Pryor & Peacock's Whimsical Furniture Environmentally Friendly

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Friday, August 21, 2026

 

The company uses digital printing to create the upholstery fabric, saving water and saving vintage furniture from ending up in landfills.

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — A unique furniture store has popped up on Elm Street this month.

Mom-and-daughter store Pryor & Peacock is hosting the pop-up storefront from Aug. 13 to Aug. 25 at 6 Elm. The New Marlborough business is co-founded by Rosalina Wright and Luca Shapiro, who is also the creative director. 

Their online shop was created in 2024 but they wanted people to see the pieces in person, so they're renting the space for a limited time before a long-term tenant moves in.

The store sources prints to create unique fabrics and reimagines vintage and antique furniture acquired at auctions, local shops, and online.

"We source prints from all over the world that date from the late 1600s up through mid-20th century, and Luca turns those prints into fabric by manipulating them, scanning them, oftentimes has to add or subtract things, and then we manufacture the fabric using only digital printing, which is very environmentally friendly, unlike traditional textile printing," Wright said.

Upholstering the furniture can take weeks of work. Shapiro looks for the perfect design for each piece and, if need be, uses Adobe Photoshop to extend the art work to fit or enhance the print.

"One of the most difficult parts comes in marrying the fabric to a piece of furniture because we only use antique and vintage frames also to be earth friendly, and they're also more beautiful and durable than new furniture," Wright said. "So the image has to go with the furniture, so that takes a lot of work."

One of Pryor & Peacock's missions is to be environmentally friendly. Digital printing doesn't use the same amount of water as traditional textile productions do nor does it contaminate water with ink according to their website.

Not only are they saving water, but they are saving furniture from going into the landfill while also using more durable furniture that doesn't break as easily as current pieces. They started their business to create something unique and to help the environment together.

"It's creating something nobody else is doing. People can't continue to buy throwaway furniture. Six percent of American landfills is furniture, and digital printing not only opens up the possibility of being able to put unique images on a piece of furniture, but it also is, as I said, environmentally friendly. So, for us, the excitement is to take an old East Lake settee that somebody's going to store in their barn and forget about, and make it something completely new and surprising," Wright said.

They hope their furniture helps bring a pop of fun to someone's home.

"We think our furniture is very whimsical and surprising, and most furniture today is oatmeal colored couches and gray neutral chairs, and it's boring," she said.

The two named their business after their mothers' maiden names to honor them and believe the name reflects their pieces.

Shapiro works in interior design outside of the business and the two liked working together and thought it would be great to start a business together. Shapiro says they can work well together and that her and her mother, Wright, has flipped houses before and have the same eye for design.

"So it's very easy for us to work together. When we see something, generally we agree on whether it works or doesn't work on a piece. We agree on the color schemes and that sort of thing. So it's very fun and fulfilling to work together," Shapiro said.