The bathrooms were reconfigured with more rational layouts and a heightened sense of drama. Terracotta-colored quarry tiles with matching grout wrap floors, walls, and ceilings, paired with marble countertops supported by substantial white oak column legs. Oversized mirrors with half-round tops rise to the ceiling, punctuated by sculptural RBW sconces that add a moody counterpoint. Bead-chain–hung shower curtains, reminiscent of stage drapery, underscore the theatrical sensibility.

Furnishings and art throughout the house were sourced from auction houses across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Hudson Valley, layered with pieces from Studio 8’s own collection to create a lived-in, quietly eclectic atmosphere.

Outdoors, the architects extended the project’s ethos of reuse and conviviality. Off the dining room, a new glass door opens onto a patio that once housed a makeshift garage. Wood salvaged from the demolition was repurposed into low planter walls, now filled with wildflowers that bloom in rotation throughout the year. A large square dining table and teak lounge chairs set the stage for long, communal meals. Nearby, a former driveway has been transformed into a gravel gathering space anchored by a rusted steel fire pit fabricated by longtime collaborators Gunnar Design, with ash tree stumps serving as seats. String lights unify the outdoor rooms, lending them a festive, yet restrained, glow.

Beyond, the landscape unfolds with intention. What was once uneven, marshy ground has been reshaped into a broad lawn suitable for small weddings or casual lawn games. A seasonal pond edged with ferns and wildflowers transitions into the surrounding woods. On the lower plateau, a former vegetable field has been left to grow wild, with spring-through-fall blooms attracting bees and birds. A meandering path cuts through the field, offering moments of pause and reflection.

The exterior of the house was simply refreshed and painted black, allowing it to recede into the landscape. The result is a project that feels both understated and deeply considered—a house that honors its past, embraces its setting, and offers an inviting, communal retreat from city life, rendered with Studio 8 Architecture’s signature clarity and restraint.

AN UPSTATE ESCAPE