Uncovering the Hidden Stories and Charm of 3 Big Lake Road | The Suburban Collective

Uncovering the Hidden Stories and Charm of 3 Big Lake Road

It was the perfect autumn morning, with crisp air that practically demanded a scenic drive. Preparing a property for photography and drone footage is equal parts art, planning, and pure experience, and today’s assignment was no exception. First stop—fresh flowers, because nothing makes a space feel more alive. I headed straight to Stone Hedge Farm Market in Bullville, a charming red building tucked at the corner of the road, dressed in vibrant fall décor. Pumpkins, squash blossoms, and sprawling garlands of autumn leaves greeted me as I walked in. Inside, fresh produce lined the shelves, and at the center of it all—my favorite: a build-your-own bouquet stand. I pieced together a rustic arrangement, perfect for a lakeside cottage, and jumped back in the car.

The next half-hour was spent with the windows rolled down, cruising through winding backroads under a canopy of fiery oranges and reds. It felt like driving through a painting, every twist and turn revealing another postcard-perfect view of fall. Just as the forest thinned, the cozy cottage at 3 Big Lake Road appeared on the horizon, perched gracefully above a serene spring-fed pond.

The owner, the photographer, and I sat down to map out our shot list. There was a quick debate over two real zebra rugs—perhaps too rustic for some tastes and may not translate in photos—and a small session of decluttering the common areas. With everything set, the timing couldn't have been more perfect—the afternoon sunlight flooded the space, casting golden beams across the warm wooden interiors.

We explored the house, finding touches of the past at every corner: artwork, quirky taxidermy, and a seemingly random assortment of cutlery with the same design as that used at the iconic Pierre Hotel. In the garage, we came across a covered taxidermied fox—only to find out, it’s because his  front paws had been reattached backwards. It was strange and slightly unsettling, yet undeniably intriguing—just one of many quirky details that make this home so special.

Among the stories shared, one stood out: framed on the wall, a 1880 New York Times article chronicling the obituary of ‘Old Mag,’ a fortune-teller once regarded as the queen of a savage family who lived in the area and caused ruckus wherever they went. She had lived here, right by the lake, and her legend still lingers. Old Mag was said to possess both knowledge and mystery, embodying the wild nature of the area.

And then there was the story of the seamstress, an immigrant woman who arrived with little more than a single pair of scissors. When the current owners began clearing the house and making updates, they discovered scissors hidden throughout the property—in walls, behind cabinets, and tucked into corners. It felt as though she had left behind fragments of her journey, turning a simple tool into a legacy.

With each story, the house felt more alive, as though the walls held the memories of everyone who had ever lived here.

We captured the perfect interior shots and then moved outside, taking advantage of the golden afternoon light. The firepit overlooking the pond provided a stunning composition—its warmth inviting anyone to sit, relax, and listen to the stories carried by the breeze. Then came my favorite part of the day. Two resident chipmunks, who clearly know how to make an entrance, scampered into view. One of them, Knotch, is known for her love of hazelnuts, and with a handful of them, I managed to coax her close enough to pet. It was one of those rare, unexpected moments that felt like pure magic—a tiny encounter that captured the essence of this place.

The day wasn’t over yet. The owner and I ventured deeper into the property’s expansive woodland—over six miles of trails, each one digitally marked for easy navigation. Stepping onto the path, we were instantly enveloped by towering hardwoods, their branches reaching like cathedral arches overhead. Streams meandered quietly beneath rustic bridges, handcrafted from the property's own trees. We passed a beaver dam, fields of late-season blueberries, and, tucked deeper into the forest, a rare treasure—native American Chestnut Trees, on the edge of extinction but thriving here.

By the time we returned to the cottage, the sun had dipped behind the trees, casting the pond in twilight hues. The day's work was done, but this wasn’t just a photo shoot—it had been a journey through time, where each object, trail, and story told a piece of the property’s soul.

From Old Mag’s eerie tales to the seamstress’s hidden scissors, from taxidermied foxes to gangster Halloween costumes, every inch of 3 Big Lake Road held a story waiting to be uncovered. It’s not just a home—it’s a living, breathing memory, layered with history, humor, and heart.

And just like that, I packed up my things and hit the road,  knowing that the photographs would capture the property’s beauty, but the stories would truly make it unforgettable.