Marcia Gay Harden's Catskills Getaway

Nestled in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, the 300 acres (including the aptly named Gossamer Lake) are now sprinkled with a slew of structures that Thaddaeus designed and helped build, including the lofty studio shown above.

"There's freedom here," says Marcia. "The kids talk about eagles, heron, catching frogs. It gives them a sense of play. Not to mention the adults."

Life at the lake consists of a multitude of chores peppered with downtime -- pedicures creekside courtesy of Julitta, homework with Eulala, post-dinner marshmallow roasting at the fire pit, and salamander wrangling with Hudson.