Upstate

The Bovina Residence: A 19th-Century Wooden Barn Gets a 21st-Century Upgrade
February 22, 2015

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

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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
Gluck+’s Inverted Outbuilding Features Corrugated Copper Hangar Doors
February 20, 2015

Gluck+’s Inverted Outbuilding Features Corrugated Copper Hangar Doors

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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
CWB Architects’ Bug Acres Uses a Screened Porch to Bring the Outdoors In
February 11, 2015

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

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Standing among an idyllic garden with centenarian trees, a stream and granite rocks, this beautiful Woodstock retreat is perfect for a relaxing weekend away. Dubbed "Bug Acres," it was built to replace an old property that used to stand on the same site, and it was exclusively designed for "amplifying the owner’s visual and auditory experience of the landscape from the interior spaces," according to CWB Architects. Our favorite part of the house is the screened cedar porch, which comes complete with minimal decoration and a sweet wood-burning stove, letting you be one with nature from the comfort of a warm home.
Learn more about this woodland retreat with a stream
A 1960s Woodland Residence Gets a Modern Extension Set on Stilts
February 2, 2015

A 1960s Woodland Residence Gets a Modern Extension Set on Stilts

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Updating an old home comes with its challenges, but when you're faced with an unconventional site like the one seen above, adding a room isn't as easy as pouring some foundation. When approaching this project in Pound Ridge, Method Design wasn't afraid of thinking outside the box, and they applied a clever, eco-friendly design solution to the challenging renovation: a new room set on stilts. This beautiful addition is not only functional, but it also perfectly mirrors and melds with its sloped and wooded locale.
Learn more about this striking eco-extension
Altius Architecture’s Wooden Boathouse Puts a Contemporary Twist on Traditional Canadian Design
February 1, 2015

Altius Architecture’s Wooden Boathouse Puts a Contemporary Twist on Traditional Canadian Design

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Toronto-based Altius Architecture took inspiration from traditional Canadian Muskoka Lake boathouses to build this stunning, tranquil retreat in upstate New York. Dubbed Lake Joseph Boathouse, the contemporary wooden home features a stark black pitched roof and is connected to the land by a wooden platform and a wooden bridge on the upper level. Although the overall design was driven by strict local guidelines, the architects have managed to create a magical weekend home designed to enjoy the beautiful mirrored waters.
Learn more about this lake retreat
Cedar-Clad House on Mt. Merino Boasts Breathtaking Views of the Hudson River and Mountains
January 30, 2015

Cedar-Clad House on Mt. Merino Boasts Breathtaking Views of the Hudson River and Mountains

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Award-winning firm Joel Sanders Architect specializes in designing residential spaces with an approach that merges architecture, interiors and landscape. One expertly-executed example is the design of a house on Mt. Merino. The contemporary home located in Hudson is perched at the peak of a mountain and features a distinctive butterfly roof and beautiful cedar and bamboo cladding. Being so well-sited, this lovely retreat takes full advantage of iconic views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.
Learn more about this stunning modern home
18th Century Colonial Farmhouse in Claverack Sits on Ten Acres with Its Own Pond
January 28, 2015

18th Century Colonial Farmhouse in Claverack Sits on Ten Acres with Its Own Pond

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Today we’re going to venture to the idyllic town of Claverack, New York, where a four-bedroom side-hall Colonial farmhouse awaits, asking $695,000. The 2,900-square-foot home sits on an expansive 10-acre lot with rolling hills and beautiful trees, but the prime selling point is having your own one-acre, spring fed, aerated pond.
There’s even more after the jump
Enchanting Upstate Stone House Is a Year-Round Weekend Getaway
January 27, 2015

Enchanting Upstate Stone House Is a Year-Round Weekend Getaway

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Just a stone's throw away from NYC in Brewster, NY, this charming Tudor-style home sits atop a rock bluff on four private acres of lush grass, Japanese maple trees, enchanting woods and seasonal streams. Built in 1940 by architect Manus Imber, and featuring three bedrooms and 1,273 square feet of space, this is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Stone House is chock full of original details like the stone fireplace and hearth, wide pine floors, Dutch doors, built-ins, and decorative wood trims.
The magic continues here
Stay at the Dreamy White Pine Camp President Calvin Coolidge Once Called His Secret Retreat
January 25, 2015

Stay at the Dreamy White Pine Camp President Calvin Coolidge Once Called His Secret Retreat

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If you need a few days out of the city to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature, we can recommend a gorgeous spot in the most magical of pine-scented locales. Situated right in the heart of the Adirondacks and immersed in a forest of majestic trees, the White Pine Camp is a lovingly restored, historic accommodation built by the rich and powerful of the Gilded Age. Featuring a number of cozy cabins and cottages for rent, this rustically grandiose retreat also once served as the secret summer house of President Calvin Coolidge.
Learn more about this pine-scented spot in the Adirondacks
Aviator’s Villa by Urban Office Architecture Was Built for a Pilot Using Salvaged Airplane Parts
January 22, 2015

Aviator’s Villa by Urban Office Architecture Was Built for a Pilot Using Salvaged Airplane Parts

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This house is about as close as one can get to living among the clouds, so it makes perfect sense that it was built for a retired pilot. Designed by Urban Office Architecture, the geometric Aviator's Villa in Dutchess County, New York "explores the thought of flight as a strong motivator for architectural darings." Through the use of salvaged airplane parts and minimal, glass-encased structures, the firm was able to create the feeling of flying through the sky. And like a plane, the home is exposed to the elements on all sides and appears to be soaring above water, as it's suspended on stilts, straddling a pool and a small lake.
READ MORE
Lovely Eco-Friendly Yurt in Newfield Offers a Unique Camping Spot in Nature
January 18, 2015

Lovely Eco-Friendly Yurt in Newfield Offers a Unique Camping Spot in Nature

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If living simpler is on your 2015 to-do list, a few days away in this delightful yurt might show you the way. Located just 12 miles south of Ithaca in Newfield, New York in a luxury glamping spot surrounded by greenery, this yurt-for-rent comes with a garden full of goldfinches and sunflowers visible from every window. Perfect for getting away from the busy city life, this Mongolian-inspired retreat offers the perfect spot for unwinding upstate.
Learn more about this yurt
Traditional Westchester Estate Gets a Glassy Modernist Addition and Green Roof
January 14, 2015

Traditional Westchester Estate Gets a Glassy Modernist Addition and Green Roof

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AbelowSherman Architects have given an historic mansion in Westchester a unique facelift, covering both ends of the architectural spectrum by adding a traditional conservatory and a modern glassy addition. The 16,000-square-foot gut renovation also added a flashy Corten steel staircase and concrete pool cabana to the sumptuous property. From the front, the home is stately and elegant, but a surprising modern twist awaits in the rear.
Tour the property here
Once Vibrant Graffitied Boyce Thompson Institute in Yonkers Will Get a New Lease on Life
January 9, 2015

Once Vibrant Graffitied Boyce Thompson Institute in Yonkers Will Get a New Lease on Life

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While not officially landmarked, the Federal-style masonry building that formerly housed the Boyce Thompson Plant Institute has been part of the Yonkers landscape for nearly a century. After the institute relocated to the Cornell University campus in the late '70s, the original location fell into disrepair, becoming an eyesore the city was anxious to remedy. Enter Simone Development, who welcomed the opportunity to purchase the property and conclude the city's decades-long quest to find the right owner.
Find out about the Institute's new life and the architects behind it
The Beaverbrook Cottage Is a Charming Quonset Hut Retreat in the Country
January 9, 2015

The Beaverbrook Cottage Is a Charming Quonset Hut Retreat in the Country

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If you daydream about spending a few days in a wooden cottage surrounded by an old-growth forest, bush blueberries and native wildlife, don’t worry, paradise is just around the corner. We found this charming two-bedroom, curved-roof retreat in Catskills which looks like the perfect place to unwind without having to leave your beloved modern amenities behind. Sweet and spacious, the Beaverbrook Cottage features spacious bright interiors, a modest country-style decor, a wood-stove, a piano, and a romantic garden complete with a gazebo.
Learn more about this charming curved-roof cottage
The Twins: Otherworldly Upstate Vacation Homes Designed for Two Brothers
January 5, 2015

The Twins: Otherworldly Upstate Vacation Homes Designed for Two Brothers

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Architect William O'Brien Jr. was approached by twin brothers to create two vacation homes that neighbor each other. Designed to be built on the same plot of land upstate, the homes, like the twins, are fraternal but not identical. Both of the structures are based on the polygon, and the black, futuristic dwellings are separated yet joined by a seasonal food garden.
Learn more about these futuristic twin homes
The Olnick Spanu House Is a Minimal, Modern Glazed Home on the Hudson River
January 4, 2015

The Olnick Spanu House Is a Minimal, Modern Glazed Home on the Hudson River

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The Olnick Spanu House is a modernist beauty on the banks of the Hudson River in Garrison, New York. Its simple design consists of a glazed box built on an extended platform and topped by a light cantilevered roof supported by an array of cylindrical pillars. The project is by Spanish architect and lecturer Alberto Campo Baeza, who sought to create a modest but modern home peacefully immersed in nature.
Learn more about this modern glazed home
A House in the Woods by William Reue Uses Locally-Sourced Materials and Bold Geometry
January 2, 2015

A House in the Woods by William Reue Uses Locally-Sourced Materials and Bold Geometry

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Just one look at A House in the Woods by William Reue and you know this is not your average piece of architecture. Located in the Hudson Valley on a densely forested 8.5-acre lot at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains, the 4,800-square-foot, LEED-certified home was realized through the owner's request for "an artful home that responded to her values of order, beauty, and environmental stewardship." Reue arrived at this goal by using bold, locally-sourced materials to create a seamless transition between the built structure and its surrounding landscape.
Much more on A House in the Woods ahead
Upstate Adirondack-Style Cabin by James Thomas Is a Cheerful Winter Retreat
December 29, 2014

Upstate Adirondack-Style Cabin by James Thomas Is a Cheerful Winter Retreat

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Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays is nearing an end, we're daydreaming about winding down in a cozy winter cabin, complete with snowy views and warm, crackling fires. And this upstate Adirondack-style cabin by James Thomas is exactly what we've been envisioning. Though the family retreat can't produce snow on the spot, it can offer a tranquil getaway with two fireplaces, comfortable furniture, and an organic mix of natural wood and stone.
Take a look around
A 1960s Upstate Log Cabin Transformed into a One-Room Family Home
December 24, 2014

A 1960s Upstate Log Cabin Transformed into a One-Room Family Home

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Takaaki Kawabata (Taka), a senior associate at architecture firm Janson Goldstein, and his wife, designer Christina Kawabata, wanted to move their family from Williamsburg, where their rent had quadrupled, to a rural home still within commuting distance to the city. After first seeing a 1960s log cabin in Garrison, New York, Taka wasn't impressed. But, having grown up in a one-room farmhouse in Japan, when he looked over the plans he knew this was his family's new home. The couple bought the cabin for $335,000, embarked on a year-long $50,000 remodel, and transformed the outdated structure into an 1,100-square-foot family home with a completely open-plan layout and an excess-free living model.
Take a look at the result here
Tiffany Stained Glass Window Found in a Salvage Yard Reveals a Piece of Upstate History

Images from Find Everything Historic

December 23, 2014

Tiffany Stained Glass Window Found in a Salvage Yard Reveals a Piece of Upstate History

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Imagine waking up one morning and getting pulled into a whirlwind of adventure, art, history, and preservation. That’s exactly what happened to Doris Cultraro of DC Studios in upstate New York when she was called in to clean and restore a 60-square-foot stained glass panel with over 6,000 pieces in 2007. “Although the original studio […]

Incorporated Architecture & Design’s Texas Hill House Was Inspired by Traditional Cow Barns
December 17, 2014

Incorporated Architecture & Design’s Texas Hill House Was Inspired by Traditional Cow Barns

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Like their Sixteen Doors House, Incorporated Architecture & Design’s Texas Hill House was inspired by traditional loft-like cow barns. Located on 25 acres in rural upstate New York in Craryville, a town at the base of the Berkshires, the three-bedroom home is strikingly modern while still blending in with its wooded farmland surroundings. It was developed for a young New York City-based couple–one born and bred in NYC and the other from Costa Rica and of Asian descent–who sought a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday urban life. The home blends both of their decorative traditions as well as reminders of their travels through Europe, China, Japan, and South America.
Tour the rest of the home
The Glowing Hudson Passive Project Is a Dreamy Upstate Eco-Retreat
December 7, 2014

The Glowing Hudson Passive Project Is a Dreamy Upstate Eco-Retreat

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BarlisWedlick Architects LLC joined forces with Bill Stratton Building Company to create this sweet, high-performance and very quick-to-build home. The stunning glazed dwelling sits within the Hudson Valley just two hours north of the city. Dubbed the Hudson Passive Project, this cutting-edge dream home is not only beautiful, it's proudly New York State's first-ever certified passive house.
Learn more about the stunning Hudson Passive Project
Anmahian Winton Architects’ Red Rock House Is a Minimalist Berkshires Retreat
December 4, 2014

Anmahian Winton Architects’ Red Rock House Is a Minimalist Berkshires Retreat

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Plenty of New Yorkers have already begun weekend trips up to their second homes in the Berkshires, but once the snow starts falling all the winter-loving urbanites will really start making an exodus. And this estate in Red Rock, New York couldn't be any more perfect for a festive getaway. The work of Anmahian Winton Architects, the Red Rock House is a property made up of the main one-bedroom house and a combined guest house/garage. It's situated on a densely wooded, 16-acre site and was designed to work with the existing topography, taking advantage of the landscape, views, and daylight.
Tour the entire property
Westchester County’s First Certified Passive House is a Modern Renovation with Harbor Views
November 25, 2014

Westchester County’s First Certified Passive House is a Modern Renovation with Harbor Views

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Andreas M. Benzing, LEED-certified vice president of the New York Passive House, was the architect in charge of Westchester County's first-ever passive home. Located in a close-knit community in Mamaroneck Harbor, this ultra energy-efficient split-level is actually a re-do of a gutted 1960s home. A modern temple of natural wood and glass, the dwelling features bright modern interiors and takes passive energy from the sun.
Learn more about this stunning Passive Home
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Sell Their Charming Bedford Farmhouse for $7.5M
November 24, 2014

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Sell Their Charming Bedford Farmhouse for $7.5M

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It looks like Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are bidding adieu to their "tiny" six-bedroom, six-bath brick Colonial up in Bedford. According to the LA Times, the couple have just sold the home for $7.5 million—a bit under their $8.1M August asking price, but well above the $5.1 million they originally paid for it. Bedford residents, however, shouldn't say their goodbyes just yet; Michael and Catherine will still be staying in the area. In October, after ending their separation, the pair snagged a $11.25 million, 15,458-square-foot stunner boasting eight bedrooms, 13.5 baths and 13 acres (Talk about a fresh start!). While the recently-sold home is quite demure when compared to their new estate, the updated 1930s farmhouse has plenty of charm and comes complete with 5.7 bucolic acres of its own, surrounded by a horse farm on three sides.
More inside here
Stamberg Aferiat Update a 200-Year-Old Farmhouse Using Japanese Palace Architecture
November 11, 2014

Stamberg Aferiat Update a 200-Year-Old Farmhouse Using Japanese Palace Architecture

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Stamberg Aferiat + Associates was given quite the challenge–to bring together their client's love of Japanese palace architecture, their large-scale modern art collection and the existing architecture of a 200-year-old farmhouse, all while respecting and enhancing the property's 32 acres with two ponds and wooded islands. The resulting Sycamore Creek house maintains the feel and scale of the farmhouse from its primary vantage point, but incorporates Japanese palace architecture to create dynamic spaces among the original structure and a new addition.
More details on the house ahead
Artist Transforms Decrepit Woodstock Property into a Psychedelic Playground and Home
November 6, 2014

Artist Transforms Decrepit Woodstock Property into a Psychedelic Playground and Home

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We know Woodstock, New York is an upstate haven for creative types, but we still had to look twice when we saw this rainbow-colored house gracing its woodsy landscape. Artist Kat O'Sulllivan, also know as Katwise, is the mastermind behind the psychedelic transformation of this barn-home. When she first purchased the property it was a decrepit looking house from the 1840s, far from the graphic masterpiece that it is today. The exterior of her home boasts a vibrant spectrum of colors and patterns, and the interior is equally spectacular and whimsical.
Take a look around the colorful abode
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