When the owners of this five-acre property in Chappaqua enlisted architect Scott Hirshson and interior designer Dorynne Brock of Hirshson Architecture + Design to envision a new home for their family, it was clear they were in it for the long haul. “The couple wanted to create something that will be enjoyed for generations to come,” says Hirshson. As such, one of the primary goals was that the residence have a timeless appeal. “We looked at several architectural precedents of Shingle Style homes with stone detailing,” he continues. “The intention is that the house look as though it has evolved over time. Because many of the surrounding homes are from the 1950s, we also wanted to be sensitive to the scale. From the street, you don’t actually see the full height of the house. We placed a smaller structure housing the garage and screened porch nearest the street, and the symmetrical front façade reveals itself once you drive into the oval motor court.”
Inside, the main floor is divided into public and private spaces, with the primary suite and husband’s office on one side, and the dining, kitchen, and great room on the other. “The heart of the home is definitely the great room and adjacent kitchen,” notes Hirshson, who collaborated with the husband and his family’s Italian millwork company on the kitchen cabinetry profiles. “The clients love to cook and have their kids be part of the process. There are two large islands, plenty of storage, and a nearby pantry as well. Multiple people can work comfortably without bumping into each other.” A banquette paired with an oversize table for informal dining rounds out the kitchen, which flows into the great room—a soaring light-filled space where the couple and their three daughters spend the majority of their time. (There are also play areas on the lower level and second floor as well.) “The barrel-vaulted ceiling prevents the room from feeling too cavernous,” notes the architect. Oak built-ins lend warmth and tie in with the oak accents in the kitchen.
In the dining area, chairs from Design Within Reach surround a custom table by Dimensional Fabricators.
In the kitchen, the cabinet and islands are custom by Spectrum Fine Cabinetry.
In the powder room, the wall covering is from Cole & Son, the mirror is from CB2, and the sconces are custom from The Urban Electric Company.
Custom dining chairs from The Tailored Home surround a table from RH in the dining room.
In the primary bedroom, a custom bed from The Tailored Home features a bed covering from Matouk. The rug is by Karastan Rugs.
Pendants from Vakkerlight Lighting hang above the islands in the kitchen. The countertops are from Dimensional Fabricators, and the range is from Wolf.
In the primary bath, the tub is by Bain Ultra and the stool is from 2 Modern. The walls and floors are covered in a Mia marble tile and slab from Ann Sacks.
This bedroom’s wall covering is by Drop It Modern. The ceiling fixture is from RH.
Custom armchairs by The Tailored Home are covered in fabrics by Nobilis and Pierre Frey in the living room. Custom oak cabinetry is by Spectrum Fine Cabinetry. A custom sectional and coffee table are by The Tailored Home.
Throughout, the architectural elements and furnishings are classic yet clean to satisfy both of the homeowners’ preferences. “The wife is drawn to minimal, mostly neutral spaces, while the husband favors more color and traditional features,” explains Brock. “The project was about balancing those two aesthetics.” The designer worked with the couple to furnish the home with mainly custom furnishings in durable, family-friendly fabrics. “It feels special, but it’s also comfortable, inviting, and functional. We brought in some color in the form of a salmon pantry, two-toned swivel chairs in the living room, a blue lacquered office, blue mudroom cabinetry, and blue patterned wallpaper in the powder room.”
Other spaces, like the primary bedroom, are more quiet and serene. However, the soft tones in the bedroom are offset by the bold veining of the stone in the adjoining bath. “We used that Ann Sacks tile in every size and format they offer to create this beautiful wet room with a large double shower and soaking tub,” says Hirshson. “Because the window is so large, you almost get the sense of an outdoor shower overlooking the forest. Where we begin and end the day heavily impacts the way we feel, which is why the primary bath design is so important.”
In the end, a great attention to detail and the merging of two design sensibilities had lead to a home that feels perfectly tailored to this family. “None of the features—from the cabinetry to the plumbing fixtures to the lighting—look timestamped,” says the architect. “For example, we paired different styles of lighting in a variety of finishes, including mixed metals, smoked glass, and Lucite. The result is what I like to call traditional modern.”
