This home was located on 400 acres of indigenous flora and fauna with its kaleidoscope skies and storied forests. From the soft pale heathers to the infinite shades of celadons and deep evergreens the sky’s reflections were always present.

In designing a modern day home that offered the experience of entering into an earlier time required instilling a few key architectural elements. We began by lining the floors with 100-year-old beautifully patina’d hemlock planks. We imported each of the (3) 1860 fireplace surrounds from Philadelphia. Multiples of period lamps, lighting fixtures, pewter artifacts curated within each room. Custom pieces interspersed among the periods of high and low antiques; vintage bath fixtures (from the newly renovated Mohonk Mountain House), circa 1869-1910, all evoked the experience of entering into a simpler time.  

In creating our ‘Client’s Story’ we imagined that in coming to America they would have brought many of their precious artifacts along with them. The living room sconces began their lives on a Venetian Gondola, as poled hurricane lamps protected gentle candle flames. Perforated tin and turned wood were the vernacular of the times. Even the fireplace screen had a story. It features the Niña, the Pinta & the Santa Maria. Making this piece actually “Pre-American”.

The secret to creating authentic environments is to not impede on what had already been masterfully thought through. While many of the lamps, sconces and chandeliers were designed to be gas lit; the magnificent rod iron and cranberry glass goblets were intended to illuminate only by candlelight. We did not impede, merely added water to each goblet to enjoy the ruby glow that only floating candles can emanate.

All internal passages were bathed in the softest of custom coloured lavender, allowing for the sun rays to continuously dance along the walls and tray ceilings. European chandeliers, opalescent sandwich glass drapery pulls, and Early American and Amish Hook Rugs created a level of intimacy in the family’s more private spaces.

Each room not only had its own personalized colour palette but featured unique vintage rope beds, quilted story-time armchairs, and hand-selected sheers matching the little souls who slept there. .