Upstate

Looking for a place to live happily ever after? We couldn't have dreamt up a more picturesque home than this little beauty located in Ghent, New York. Described by its listing as "pure magic in a storybook setting," this charmer comes with streams and ponds right at its doorstep and a wooden bridge to welcome guests home, and it's surrounded by miles and miles of pristine woodlands to get lost in. Really, the only things missing here are Golidlocks and three bears!
Have a look inside the fairy tale home

June 25, 2015

$2M Gefter-Press House Was Designed as an Homage to Philip Johnson’s Glass House

This must be the week of glass houses: Yesterday we took a look at Philip Johnson's Wiley House–built as a successor to his world-famous Glass House–which is on the market for $14 million; today we're checking out the $1,950,000 Gefter-Press House, inspired by Johnson's Glass House as well as Mies van der Rohe's Farnswoth House in Plano, IL. The U-shaped, single-story, all-glass-and-steel home was designed in 2007 by Columbia University professor and architect Michael Bell, "as an essay in transparency," according to the listing. He had previously displayed a model of the home at a 1999 MoMA exhibit titled "The Un-Private House." Philip Gefter, the former culture pictures editor at the New York Times, and his partner, filmmaker Richard Press, had seen the model, and called Bell when they were ready to build their own version of the modernist masterpiece on their 12-acre property in Ghent, NY.
Check out the entire home here

June 25, 2015

Workshop/APD’s ‘Crafted Modern’ Hudson Views Home Grows out of an Old Ranch

anchCan you believe this grand contemporary home was once a ranch? The architects in charge of the surprising renovation, NY-based Workshop/APD, updated a traditional '60s ranch building, retaining much of its original shape. Situated in Briarcliff Manor, the aptly named Hudson Views home boasts sweeping river views and its original gabled roof, and it still sits atop the ranch's original foundation dating back to its agricultural days.
Learn more about the home

June 15, 2015

Westchester Colonial from the Early Days of ‘Mad Men’ Lists for $1.1M

Take a trip down memory lane to the good old days when Betty and Don Draper were still married and living the upstate life. Their home, which was supposed to be in Ossining, is actually located at 90 Forest Avenue in the Forest Heights neighborhood of New Rochelle, and it's on the market for $1.1 million, affording you the chance to make some (hopefully happier) memories in the original "Mad Men" residence. The 3,544-square-foot, six-bedroom, center-hall Colonial was built in 1914 and offers original details like pocket doors, crown moldings, hardwood floors, nine-foot ceilings, and four fireplaces. It also has "black shutters and a fire engine-red front door, just waiting for a briefcase-toting Don Draper to park his Plymouth and come inside to greet his wife and kids, after a steamy rendezvous with his mistress," writes lohud. Well, maybe we'll scratch that last part.
See more of the house here

June 14, 2015

The Millbrook House Is a Striking Combo of a Glass Pavilion and Wood Cabins

Thomas Phifer's Millbrook House stands within a 200-acre site overlooking a clearing with the majestic Hudson River just behind. Situated in the village that gives it its name, its sculptural design is formed by a cluster of buildings that includes a modern glazed pavilion and four boxy wooden cabins. Each of the contrasting structures have their own function and style and are interconnected by a large stepped garden and hidden paths underground.
Learn more about this geometrical cluster of buildings

June 12, 2015

Thomas Phifer’s Ethereal Woodland Retreat Hides Behind a Rippled Silver Curtain

Standing on an idyllic clearing within a nine-acre woodland parcel in the Hudson Valley, the Salt Point House boasts an ethereal beauty that is still strikingly contemporary. Designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners for a New York City couple, this stunningly simple weekend retreat consists of a glass and wood box sandwiched between two rippled silver curtains. Made from perforated stainless steel, the shades not only keep the interiors private but also filter the excess brilliance mediating the home with its luscious surroundings.
Learn more about this ethereal home in the woods

June 10, 2015

J.P. Morgan’s 120-Year-Old ‘Great Camp Uncas’ in the Adirondacks Can Be Yours for $3.25M

By Shiloh Frederick

You can now own a piece of the Adirondacks that has provided serenity for so many others for over a century. The secluded Camp Uncas was built in 1895 by Brooklynite William West Durant, who is credited with perfecting the Adirondack "Great Camp" style. While the compound is unquestionably a spectacular work, its claim to fame is that it was once owned by financier J.P. Morgan. Morgan purchased the 1,500 acre property from Durant in 1897, and for the fifty years that followed, his family used it as a vacation home. Though the property has traded hands several times since the Morgans graced its grounds, its roster of owners is no less interesting—nor is its rustic architecture.
Explore the forest hideaway

June 8, 2015

Own a Charming Wood Frame Church in the Catskills for $99,000

We're all keen on the trend of buying religious institutions for use as residential buildings. But in Manhattan, living on hallowed ground often means shelling out millions to nab just a room or two in one of these holy structures. Well, if you're on a budget and have designs on living in something a little more divine than a church attic studio (and don't mind giving up the city life), then feast your eyes on this amazing wood frame church located 90 minutes from Manhattan in the town of Harris in the Catskills. Priced at a mere $99,000, this 2,500-square-foot cutie was constructed in 1920, comes with half an acre, and according to its Craigslist listing, is in "excellent shape!"
Have a look inside

June 4, 2015

Ai Weiwei and HHF’s Artfarm Displays Contemporary Chinese Art Inside an Agricultural Building

HHF Architects and Ai Weiwei have come up with a super cool, ready-made and affordable solution for an art gallery in a rural environment. They blended art and a farm, resulting in Artfarm. Using a pre-engineered agricultural structure commonly used in the area, they created a versatile and expansive display for the public exhibition of Chinese art from private collections worldwide.
Learn more about this rural art gallery in upstate NY

Wife Builds Her Own ‘She Shed’ in the Catskills Mountains

Image by Todd Foster via TODAY

May 29, 2015

Wife Builds Her Own ‘She Shed’ in the Catskills Mountains

Men have their man caves, but when it comes to where a woman can find a place for respite, most are quick to point to the kitchen. Well that's all changing TODAY reports, as there seems to be an emergence of a new trend: she sheds. These tiny homes are offering wives, mothers and girlfriends an on-site escape away from the stresses of daily life. And at the forefront of this movement? Meet Sandra Foster, a lovely lady who built herself an equally lovely she shed in the heart of the Catskills mountains.
FInd out more here

Architecture And Design

May 27, 2015

For Under $1M You Can Buy a Dome Home in New Paltz That Rotates 360 Degrees

Long Island may be home to the the world’s largest geodesic dome house, but just two hours north of NYC in New Paltz is an eco-friendly wooden dome home that can rotate 360 degrees with the push of a button. And, as Curbed reports, it's now up for grabs for $950,000. Built in 1999, the 2,300-square-foot, three-bedroom, UFO-looking residence sits in the middle of a 28-acre forest at the base of the Mohonk Preserve. It spins in order to utilize passive solar energy and to take advantage of the picturesque views.
See what else this geodesic dome home has in store

May 25, 2015

$700K Dutchess County Farmhouse Welcomed Four Presidents and Marie Curie

At first glance, you'll be drawn to this farmhouse's classic colonial facade and beautiful surrounding landscape. Once inside, you'll love the original architecture and old-time decor. But there's much more than meets the eye at this Dutchess County beauty. Located atop the historic Quaker Hill and built circa 1700, this home reportedly welcomed four Presidents–Washington, Coolidge, Hoover, and Roosevelt–and Marie Curie was a frequent house guest whose gifted backyard tree still stands today. And this amazing piece of history in Pawling, New York can be yours for $699,000.
Take a tour around the sprawling premises here

May 17, 2015

Be the Third Family Ever to Own This 18th Century Dutch House in the Hudson Valley

When the current owners of this 18th century Dutch saltbox bought the home in 1986 they were only the second family ever to own it after the original builders and their ancestors. But they did make one little change–they moved it to a nearby piece of property. At the current location, they completely restored the 1747 Dutch vernacular-style main house, known as the Hall Christy House, and rebuilt the existing ca. 1750 Dutch gambrel home, called the Skidmore House, turning it into a garage and guest house. In addition to restoring and preserving the two beautiful historic structures, the owners also added to the 5.3-acre property impeccable landscaping, a lily pond, herb and vegetable gardens, a brick courtyard, a charming gazebo and a free-form pool resembling a natural lagoon. And now that they've completed all this hard work, you can own the stunning Hudson Valley property for $1,495,000.
READ MORE

May 10, 2015

$13M Tudor Revival Mansion on Lake George Has Historic Connection to Brooklyn

Lake George, New York is about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Brooklyn, but this stunning upstate mansion has an interesting connection to the borough. Known as Wikiosco, which means "home on beautiful waters" in Algonquin, the Tudor Revival-style residence was built in 1895 for Royal C. Peabody, founder of Brooklyn Con Edison. It was designed by Brooklyn-based architecture firm Ludlow and Peabody; architect Charles S. Peabody was Royal's son. Our friends at Find Everything Historic noticed that Wikiosco is on the market, asking $12.9 million. And considering that a 25-foot-wide Brooklyn brownstone often goes for far more than that, we think this seven-bedroom, 20,000-square-foot mansion is the perfect getaway home for one lucky New Yorker. Not only is it one of the last intact 20th century mansions along Lake George's western shore (which is known as Millionaire's Row), but it boasts a 4,000 bottle wine cellar, 12-car garage, two covered boathouses, and a heated outdoor pool.
Find out more about this storied home

May 5, 2015

The Cliff House Is an Eco Treehouse Wrapped Around a Maple Tree

German design company Baumraum has mastered the art of building treehouses like no one else. They've crafted many stunning treetop shelters around the world, but this modern example is right in our backyard. Perched high in a maple tree overlooking the majestic Hudson River, the fabulous Cliff House was designed for a (very lucky) family. It features minimal interiors, a killer balcony/deck and some amazing views to make the clients feel a bit like birds.
Learn more about this fantastic tree house

May 4, 2015

Architect Sharon Davis Builds Herself an Eco-Retreat Next to an Historic Upstate Road

The Old Albany Post Road is a 6.6-mile historic supply route in Philipstown, New York and one of the oldest unpaved roads still in use. One of the most charming places through which it winds is a hamlet called Garrison, where NYC-based architect Sharon Davis has had a house for more than 20 years. The visionary first bought the 70-acre plot to protect its land from developers, but ended up building herself a new home that is both cozy and modern, as well as an homage to the historic nature of the old road.
Learn more about this eco-friendly humble home

April 29, 2015

18th Century Cottage in Columbia County Is Turned into a Modern Dutch-Style Family Home

Today's dose of simplicity comes via a house extension upstate in Columbia County. This striking copper home was designed by architects Messana O’Rorke, who reimagined an eighteenth century wood cottage and integrated it into their modern design. Although the original property was neglected for a couple of years, the firm managed to turn the shelter, now dubbed Ten Broeck Cottage, into a stunning place to live, work, and play.
Learn more about this modernized 1734 cottage

March 30, 2015

10-Foot-Wide ‘Skinny House’ in Mamaroneck Is an Historic Work with a Heart-Warming Story

This red-shingled home may not look like much, but it's steeped in history dating back to the early 20th century—and of course, there's the fact that it's no wider than most NYC bedrooms. Affectionately–and aptly–called the Skinny House, this tiny structure is the slimmest house in Mamaroneck and measures only 10 feet wide, 39 feet long, and rests on a 12.5 foot wide parcel of land. It's also three (yes, three) stories tall. But in addition to a demure size, it also comes with a heart-warming story of neighborly love and generosity that have allowed it to endure for the better part of a century.
More history and photos here

March 5, 2015

Gluck+’s Adirondacks Lake House Is Partially Buried Under a Luscious Rooftop Garden

Simply called the Lake House, this unique, hidden getaway by NYC-based Gluck+ is completely immersed in the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. Designed for leaving the stress of urban life behind, it consists of a collection of buildings, each with its own purpose and style. Right at the top of the hill there is the Gatehouse Garage with its wooden skin, there are two smaller prefab Guesthouses within the woods, a big modern Family House and a wooden Boathouse on the lake's shore. But the most striking building of all is quite difficult to spot; the Recreation Building is concealed under its grassy green roof, sheltering an indoor swimming pool and art gallery.
Learn more about this green-roofed collection of guesthouses

March 3, 2015

RES4’s Beautiful Mountain Retreat Sits on Stilts for Privileged Views of the Catskills

The owners of this beautiful woodland dwelling have swapped the hustle and bustle of NYC for the sweeping views of the Catskill Mountains. Designed by Resolution: 4 Architecture, the Mountain Retreat was carefully crafted into its unique surroundings, partially resting on high concrete stilts to get the best views of the landscape. Combining warm cedar siding with cool gray concrete panels and glass, the stylish property takes full advantage of its picturesque mountain setting.
Learn more about this Catskill retreat on stilts

March 2, 2015

Upstate Greek Revival Beauty Dating to the 1700s Can Be Yours for under $500K

Want an historic home to call your own, but don't feel like paying $17 million for a West Village townhouse or $5 million for a Hamptons estate? Take your dreams a bit north to Queensbury, New York, where there's a completely charming Greek Revival home on the market for $479,000. Known as the Nehemiah Wing House, the five-bedroom residence can trace it roots to the 1700s, when the clapboard rear of the current house was built. The brick addition was constructed in 1852 after then owner Nehemiah Wing, whose grandfather founded the town, was successful in the Gold Rush. The current owners purchased the property in 1978 for a mere $49,000, and since then they have restored it to a picture-perfect Early American dream home.
Find out more about this historic charmer

February 23, 2015

RES4’s Modern Prefab Home Beautifully Combines Wood and Stone in the Catskills

With a monolithic entrance wall sandwiched between two contrasting wooden volumes, this home makes a bold statement in the Catskills region of New York. Designed by Resolution: 4 Architecture and called Catskills Suburban, the dwelling is one of more than 30 prefab "Modern Modular" homes under the studio's belt. A contemporary factory-built house, its design and building method minimize costs while maximizing time and money.
Learn more about this striking prefab design

February 22, 2015

The Bovina Residence: A 19th-Century Wooden Barn Gets a 21st-Century Upgrade

Brooklyn-based Kimberly Peck gave a 19th-century barn a stylish 21st-century upgrade. To make the stunning Bovina Residence, the architect restored and relocated the old farm building to its new location in Bovina, the town that gives the home its oxen-like name. Due to the extremely cold winters in the Catskills, insulation was a primary concern, but once that was out of the way, the architect designed some stunning, eclectic interiors using plenty of reclaimed wood, which provides the house with an undeniable warmth.
Learn more about this renovated barn

February 20, 2015

Gluck+’s Inverted Outbuilding Features Corrugated Copper Hangar Doors

Nestled among Douglas fir trees in Lake George, New York, sits an ultra-modern building with a corrugated copper facade. Designed as a guesthouse for a summer family retreat, the Inverted Outbuilding by Gluck+ beautifully combines wood, glass and rusty copper. The unusual use of the industrial material gives this home a totally unique look, emitting a warm maroon glow when the sun hits it.
Learn more about this copper-skin guesthouse

Architecture And Design

February 11, 2015

CWB Architects’ Bug Acres Uses a Screened Porch to Bring the Outdoors In