Founders of Living Stone
We’re Django and Heather, Partners and Creators at Living Stone! Our story began long ago, when we were just 14 years old, with an epic adventure rock-hopping through the streams in our hometown of Palenville, NY, a small hamlet in the Catskill Mountains. Although we were just friends at the time, we shared a special connection forged by a love of the natural world- its beauty, tranquility, and sacredness.
Our lives took us in different directions, but we reconnected 9 years ago and have been together ever since- traveling, creating, and looking for the next adventure. Together, we make up the Living Stone team! We feel so lucky to have found each other once again and to call this beautiful place our home. We know first-hand how Nature heals, inspires, and restores, tapping into the sacred place within us all, and we are excited to share this land with you.
Django Houston
is a master stonemason with over 20 years in the business, and his work can be seen all over the Hudson Valley. Django's innate relationship with the natural world, place, and stone has inspired a lifelong connection with co-creation. As a child, Django spent years exploring and noticing, developing an aesthetic that expresses a deep respect for harmony between human kind and this amazing medium. His talent lies in creating beautiful and functional design using natural materials which look as if they have been here forever. Django is an avid hiker and outdoorsman, a man of few words who expresses himself through his art and the way he cares for those in his life.
Heather Williams
is the owner of Pippy’s Food Truck, a popular food truck and catering business that has been bringing delicious food and happiness to thousands of people all over the Hudson Valley for the past decade. Before her food truck adventures began, Heather worked for over 20 years in the hospitality and events industry mainly in the NYC area, but her love of her home brought her back to where her roots grew deep. Heather was raised a “creek baby” in Palenville, swimming by the age of 3, and developing a profound and abiding love of the woods of the Catskills. She has the soul of a poet and a love of all that is wild and free.
“As soon as you enter the property, you can feel the magic. It is all around you, in the trees, in the water, in the air itself. You feel welcomed, calmed, and held. And although you are our guests, we are all guests of Mother Nature. We are in her house, and she is a loving host, indeed.”
The Land We Steward
Living Stone is located on 38 acres of pristine woodland forest, tucked away in the hamlet of Round Top, NY in the town of Cairo. These lands were first inhabited by the Mohawk tribe of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), the original stewards of the land, and you can still feel their presence in these woods. We feel honored to be able to live here, and a great responsibility to respect this land and tend to it for future generations.
The Trees
Trees have a presence. A life force and a personality. They stand as guardians in the forest. We have been very mindful when clearing them, removing only the bare minimum and leaving the forest intact. They provide a loving canopy overhead.
The Waterfall
We feel so fortunate to have a waterfall on the property! We believe that water heals. It is Life. While you are here you will always hear the soft sound of the falling water, calming your Mind and your Spirit.
Diamond Falls and the Stream
Living Stone has a gentle stream that runs through the property, and there is nothing quite like walking along it and sitting on it’s banks and dipping your feet in the water. Along one bend you encounter “Diamond Falls,” a natural rock formation in the creek bed in a perfect diamond shape.
The Mossy Path
We love our mossy path that runs alongside the creek. This luxurious verdant green carpet is here in all seasons. Take your shoes off and walk barefoot on it, moss enjoys being walked on. Just don’t disturb it, it is a living being.
The Stone
Stone is a running theme through the property- from the “Mother Stone” marking the entrance, to the bluestone work around the Pavilion, to the rocky outcroppings all throughout.
The Light
The light in this forest is pure Magic. The shadows, the way it dances through the leaves of the trees. The way it kisses your face.
The Trails
Living Stone has its own trail system throughout the property, perfect for meandering and exploring. We are also connected to the extensive trail system of our neighbors in Round Top, hundreds of acres open for hiking, mountain biking, and adventuring.
“ When we first landed here, we knew we had to create something special, and the Pavilion is just that. Every detail has been lovingly handcrafted using local artisans from the area, a real labor of love built with intention.”
The Pavilion
The Pavilion is a 1200-square-foot open-air timber frame structure, crafted using the Shou Sugi Ban method, an ancient Japanese practice of hand burning that blackens the wood while preserving it. Our friends from Hudson Valley Timberworks and Restoration built the frame using the mortise and tenon method, a precise and difficult practice of woodworking in which the pieces are measured and cut to lock into place, creating a stunning and strong structure. There are no nails holding it together, just steel bars and superior craftsmanship. The roof is burgundy standing steel, one long piece of metal fitted and cut and placed overhead. The open-air Pavilion creates the effect of being outside while protected from the elements, and with all of the amenities you may need. If it rains, we can close the curtains and you are warm and cozy. Within the Pavilion, we have built a second-story lounge, commercial kitchen, and 2 handicapped-accessible bathrooms.
Open Air Timber-frame Pavilion with 2 Bathrooms, Service Kitchen, and Loft/Lounge
Outside of the Pavilion Django has used his amazing stone working talents to create a true opus- we have a 1000 sq foot bluestone patio extending out front to the stream, with a handcrafted stone walkway and bench along the sides. The altar space was crafted using locally harvested and hand-burned cedar posts, and he has created a bottle brick wall installation, using repurposed cans and bottles that he has been collecting for years. Walk across the stone bridge and to the other side of the stream and he’s built a Spiral firepit with a bluestone bench, as well as a bluestone patio and a second firepit perched beside the waterfall.
“Behind the Scenes” of the building of Living Stone
We have made every effort to create this space in harmony with Mother Nature, while still providing everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. This is what we have termed, “Forest Chic,” and everywhere you turn you will be amazed by the beauty of the natural world.