The Landing

Looking over the Hudson River Valley, the site of this house offered a natural view that defined its linear layout. JLF utilized the tree canopy for natural cooling in the summer, yet they recognized that those areas would be exposed to sunlight in the winter. So they responded with fluid spaces that connect indoor and outdoor living through the seasons. The threebedroom house features a contemporary open living and dining space, a screened three-season porch, an outdoor pool, and a two-car garage. A reclaimed palette of materials was used in the design. While the siding and timbers largely came from Montana and throughout the West, the proportion of the roofline and volume of building were in keeping with the vernacular language of traditional structures throughout the rural Northeast. Blue stone harvested from upstate New York was incorporated in structural walls that allude to the stacked walls that thread across the landscape of the region. JLF pulled the essential forms of the building apart with the use of a glass connector, stone walls as accents, and varying rooflines to allay the effect of a large looming house that would appear out of context.

ABOVE: The approach to the house gently curves through an old growth forest and arrives with the inviting span of a low-profile roofline and the promise of comfort inside.

RIGHT: The classic form of a pitched roof and cedar shake shingles that are frequently applied in other structures throughout the area was utilized in combination with vertical recycled siding to elongate the presence of the entryway. Outdoor lighting was used to give a nod to the Early American style.

PAGES 230-231: The central living area is constructed of regional fieldstone with remnant walls that allude to the original residence on the property which was a stone cottage inhabited by author John Steinbeck and actor Orson Welles. New and reclaimed materials replaced the old cottage, but the spirit of bucolic serenity remains.

PAGES 232-233: The natural palette of taupe applied to the kitchen cabinets echoes the earthy tones in the native blue stone used throughout the open floorplan.

The cozy dining nook overlooks the Hudson River and provides a private corner for morning coffee. ABOVE: Drawing upon nature as inspiration, interior designer Alan Tanksley maintained a subtle approach with the color scheme through upholstery and window dressings while adding pops of interest with tasteful patterns. RIGHT: The main living area is functionally comfortable and elegant with an eclectic blend of casual fabrics and patterns. The scissored trusses add a sculptural element that highlights the traditional architectural details.