the esd journal

Throwback: A Chat with New York Spaces

Today I’m reminiscing about a special chat I had with New York Spaces all the way back in 2016. New York Spaces covers a variety of New York City legends, from people to architecture and beyond. It was a pleasure to talk with them about a fabulous upstate project I completed while at BarlisWedlick Architects. It was completed in a little under two months, which is just the sort of challenge that makes for a great story.

New York Spaces Asked:

How did the history of the home affect the design?

This home dated back to 1709, so the age was a major factor in every design decision. We didn’t want to lose any of it, but we also didn’t want a delicate museum where the owners felt they had to tread lightly in their own spaces. The design, the whole interior, had to be approachable and functional while still recognizable as an historical landmark.

“We loved that the surfaces-like the undulating plaster walls and exposed beams-showed their age. So all we did was freshen them up with paint to keep the feeling of the house light and bright. In some areas, we peeled away materials that had been added over the years (centuries in fact!) to better appreciate the honesty that a stone home of that era embodies. It can be lived in just as it is for centuries to come.”

New York Spaces Asked:

How did you create an interior with a sustainable focus?

From the start the clients expressed their desire to source furnishings and other elements from local artisans. Automatically, this cut out less sustainable, mass-produced items and focused on pieces we could pick up in person, thereby reducing energy use. When it comes to sustainable interiors, even the little things make all the difference. In design, sustainability runs deeper than architectural changes for energy efficiency; you can achieve sustainability in almost every facet of the design process.

“For this project, we procured mostly vintage furniture and lighting-everything from upholstery to case goods to rugs is in essence recycled. All the textiles are natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, hemp and jute, all of which are considered rapidly renewable. Where we needed new pieces, we turned to local artisans to create timeless pieces intended to be handed down, not disposed of in a few years.”

New York Spaces Asked:

How did you approach the living room design?

Always a primary focus of homes, the living room is often a space that requires careful thought and planning. This is where clients gather, it’s a hub of the home that requires specific elements to ensure functionality as well as aesthetic appeal so everyone falls in love with the space. To add even more of a challenge, a living room needs to be comfortable. All of these things play off of each other.

“We found the Hans Wegner Papa bear chair at Wyeth and chose a yellow ochre upholstery fabric from Maharam to be consistent with the period of the piece. After this selection. the rest of the palette flowed. To counterbalance that mid-century feel, we went with rich jewel tones like the aubergine. The rest of the furniture and lighting is antique and vintage, sourced locally in the Hudson Valley (Balsamo) and New York (Demiurge and Flessas). We tried to choose silhouettes that would work together playfully.”

New York Spaces Asked:

Tell us about the black and white room.

Black and white are a classic pairing. At once chic and minimalist, elegant, but versatile. The best part? Nearly every material imaginable is available in a black and white color scheme, meaning you can mix and match textures, textiles, and surfaces while keeping to the basic black and white color scheme. The two are a match made in heaven and I’m always delighted with the result. For this particular project, I utilized the iconic black and white duo on the second floor landing.

“We wanted to define the space, and give it purpose–now it's another lounge area, as well as an extra space for overnight guests.
The slatted daybeds are Danish, from the 1940's. We had them refinished in a black wash by Arenskjold Antiques in Hudson, and we had all-natural mattresses made up of wool, cotton, natural latex, and coconut. We chose a simple black and cream palette, which freed us up to have a lot of fun with texture.”