Randall Perry Photography
The cork flooring has a soft, almost buoyant feel to it, which dampens the noise of heavy feet overhead. Its mottled pattern also hides a multitude of “sins” that are bound to happen with a teenage boy in the house. The railings – also African mahogany – are a combination of wood, wire and glass, which repeats the open theme of the space. The staircase and railings were made by Dave Bennett of Bennett Stair Co. on Route 50 in Ballston Lake. The kitchen area is a spacious galley, with counters for kids to perch up on for snacks or quick meals. Sasha has a special “cut-out” space in the counter where she can tuck herself into the little nook as she prepares and doles out food “If I didn’t have this cut-out, I wouldn’t be able to reach across to the counter because I’m so short,” Sasha explains with a good-natured shrug. The cabinets that line the opposite wall of the kitchen were designed and built by Paul Perry of Scotia. Sasha especially loves the pull-out drawer that houses a plethora of spatulas, whisks and other utensils that would otherwise clutter the gleaming white quartz counter. The appliances are all Wolff and are accented by a white, three-dimensional “cube” backsplash. It resembles a cubist painting and I find myself entranced by it the way one is by a Rorschach test. Looking at it from one angle, it appears like a series of blocks; from another, it looks like diamond shapes. Very retro. Very cool.
170 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | JULY/AUGUST 2018
And speaking of cool, the main attraction in the huge pantry adjacent to the kitchen is the aquamarine 1950’s-style fridge, courtesy of the “Big Chill,” an online retail outlet that specializes in retro and vintage-looking appliances. The other “wing” of the house, which is perpendicular to the “barn” living area, is home to bedrooms, baths and laundry. Most of the rooms have furniture and decorative accessories from Sasha’s aunt, who lived in a “mid-century modern” house in Palo Alto. When her aunt passed away, she left everything in the house to Sasha. The ‘50s and ‘60s modern streamlined desks, chairs and couches evoke images of the 1960’s World’s Fair “Home of the Future,” with a little George Jetson thrown in. One of my favorites is the Styrofoam mannequin head that sits perched along a shelf. The master bath has a large oval free-standing tub that you can tell is great for soaking and bubbles. It sits in front of a wall of shimmering pale slate blue subway tiles. The blue is reprised in the shower, which is accented with smooth rounded pebbles that travel up the walls. At one end of the 50-foot long hallway is a cleverly-designed door that, on one side, is a shelf for photos and art. A simple lever opens the shelf to reveal the hidden stairway to the attic above. What could have been an awkwardly-placed and unimaginative door is instead a nook for family photos and artsy knick-knacks.
saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com