Best Use of New Trend • Apartment • Best Use of Small Space • Best Use of Color • Children’s Room • Dining Room • Library/ Home Office • Living Space • Powder Room • Bedroom • Modern Bath • Modern Kitchen • Outdoor Living Space • Specialty Room • Traditional Bath • Traditional Kitchen • Closet/ Organizational Space • Mudroom • Whole Home Design
-Best Use of New Trend-
Curated Nest
Bronxville
Erin Coren and Lina Glavão
Contributors: DFT Rosemount
This project shows off modern grandmillennial style, which modernizes and streamlines traditional design for a more approachable, but still tailored and elegant look.
This new-build home is owned by a retired British couple: she, an Italian-British jazz composer, and he, a British diplomat honored by the former Queen Elizabeth as an officer of the Order of the British Empire for his lifetime contributions and achievements in the U.K. As with many new builds, this one lacked substantive character and the homeowners wanted to infuse their Tudor roots into the décor and interior architecture. The design team worked from start to finish with the developer and general contractor to modify the original plans. Together, they set off to create a British-inspired, new traditional, grandmillennial, William Morris/Arts and Crafts-style home.
The team enjoyed creating character throughout the space with both the interior architecture and finishes: black lines on the windows to mimic the iron window grids typical of a Tudor house, an arched reading nook in the entryway (which was originally meant to be a closet), finishing with Arts and Crafts-style hardware throughout, and adding details like wainscoting and a custom-built “library,” situated around pocket French doors leading from the living room to the den. In certain areas, wallpaper was added for visual interest and depth: in the primary bedroom, a shimmering British marbled-paper style from The Vale London, and in the powder bath, a traditional William Morris pattern. Handmade tiles were chosen for the primary bath, which boasts a beautiful cement tile on the floor with a Moroccan star pattern. Finally, instead of the typical darker floors seen in Tudor homes, the team chose a beautiful white-oak wide plank to keep the space bright. Handmade and unique pieces prevail throughout, creating a beautiful mix of modern and traditional with plenty of character.
-Apartment-
Elizabeth Strianese Interiors
Beacon
Elizabeth Strainese
Contributors: Rexhill Studio
This loft was created as an entertainment space for a NYC businessman looking to enjoy all Beacon has to offer. The design team created this space from scratch in an abandoned mill building and injected color and natural materials to layer in soul to a unique, but rustic space. A “wing” was set up for the homeowner, which included the primary bedroom with a built-in closet, and a very large bathroom with a tub made for two, and a walk-in shower. The bathrooms were placed in the interior parts of the apartment to maximize the large windows, making them part of the “public” spaces. The kitchen includes tons of storage with a library ladder to access all the cabinets. The cabinets were painted Benjamin Moore’s Black Pepper with marble back counters and backsplash. There is also a centrally located TV with a very comfortable L-shaped sofa from Roche Bobois.
The design aesthetic balances the rustic, modern exposed brick with higher-end luxurious materials like wool, silk, leather, marble, and handmade pottery. The palette was kept subdued with blues, browns, and beiges leaning more masculine with a soft quality. The focus was then put on textures and material mixes to create warmth in the otherwise modern space.
-Best Use of Small Space-
Jennifer Husch Design and Brooke Katz, Brooke Katz Interiors
New Rochelle
Jennifer Husch and Brooke Katz
The clients purchased a Tudor-style home and wanted to modernize and expand the kitchen. One of the designers’ tasks was to transform the existing butler pantry into a sleek wet bar. Nestled between the dining room and kitchen, this compact wet bar serves as a stylish link between the two spaces, with the formal design visible from the dining room. Glass upper cabinets were chosen to showcase the clients’ fine dinnerware and decorative items. The fridge and bar sink are centrally located in the entertaining spaces for easier access when hosting. The design team kept the original leaded glass windows to preserve the charm of the 1920s Tudor, while embracing more modern touches within the design. One standout feature of this bar is the crackled emerald tile backsplash. Its rich tone adds a burst of color, framing the window and making it a focal point.
-Best Use of Color-
Curated Nest
Westchester
Erin Coren and Lina Galvão
Other Contributor: DTF Rosemount
This powder room evokes a youthful and lively aesthetic. The couple has four children and wanted to create a home that exuded joy and happiness, fostering an environment where every room embraced the energy of their growing family. This half bath near the craft room is small but mighty. Everything in it has color. The Kast concrete sink from the U.K. provides an unexpected floating vanity, and the wallpaper from Hygge & West carries through the wildcat theme. It’s whimsical, playful, youthful, and is the best use of color.
-Children’s Room-
Decorating Den Interiors Larchmont
Marin Sugarman
Contributors: Maria Lindstrom, Better Home Design
The client selected a gorgeous floral wallpaper with lots of color and pattern as the jumping-off point. The design team members decided to warm it up with rattan furniture, but they custom-painted all the pieces to play off the other design elements. The team also designed simple color-blocked valances to calm the space but added a pop of color with decorative tape. For the bedding, the designer selected a bold but small-scale print for the shams to bridge the colors down to the bed. A large white mirror was added along with a simple rug, flush-mounted light fixtures, and lamps. Adorable throw pillows were added to finish off the room with a touch of whimsy.
-Dining Room-
Home for Zen Interiors
Rye
Ania Dunlop
This dining room, set apart from the rest of the house, called for a departure from neutrality. Embracing this challenge, the design team sourced a graphic wallpaper with captivating patterns — bold enough to spark conversation, yet neutral enough to harmonize with the room’s other elements. To amplify the drama, the team painted the wainscoting the same color as the background of the wallpaper, creating a seamless flow of boldness throughout the space. Anchoring the room is a large charcoal table, providing ample space for gathering. Curved chairs invite guests to linger after meals, offering comfort and style in equal measure. However, the true showstopper is the light fixture — a whimsical creation resembling fluffy clouds. Casting a soft, ethereal glow, it bathes the room in a dreamy ambiance, elevating every dining experience to a celestial level.
-Entry-
Emily Shron Interiors
Scarsdale
Emily Shron
This Mediterranean stucco built in the 1920s needed an entryway update. The floors were travertine tile, the space had heavy and ornate corbels, and the banister was wrapped in red velvet. The design team wanted to stay true to the architecture of the space while streamlining the look and incorporating a black-and-white palette. The foyer sets the tone for the space and is the glue for the overall design. The team also worked on the home’s living spaces and kept the edgy black-and-white theme to underscore the drama and keep the design cohesive throughout the residence.
-Library/Home Office-
Melissa London Interiors Croton-on-Hudson
Melissa London
Designed for a man originally from Texas, this home office design started with the dramatic 6-foot-wide photograph of an Icelandic horse by Guadalupe Laiz. The photograph’s white background pops off the dark charcoal wall painted with Benjamin Moore’s Deep Space.
The designer included lounge seating, so the owner wasn’t confined to his desk all day. The caramel velvet sofa and leather swivel chairs are the perfect escape. The desk is custom-made from a solid piece of black walnut and includes outlets to plug in devices. The coffee table is made from one piece of reclaimed wood, and the light is custom-sized for the room with black steel, brass, and white glass globes. “It reminded me of a modern version of something you’d see in a saloon in the Old West,” says designer Melissa London. Throughout the design, she used masculine finishes like leather, steel, brass, and wood to keep with the theme.
-Living Space-
Manor + Woods
Rye
Kerry Jacobs
Other Contributors: JWH Designs & Cabinetry and Amanda Soropoulos
This complete remodel was a dream project for the designer. Every inch of this beautiful home, including this living space, was updated thoughtfully and carefully. The homeowners are lovers of high-contrast and transitional design, so the team crafted this space to not only reflect the clients’ aesthetic preferences but to cater to the evolving needs of their growing family. The clients were inspired by their world travel but wanted this space to be a serene, formal sitting room for the family to gather. The photograph above the mantle of the birds flying across the water reminded them of their trip to Africa. The patterns on the window treatments and on the ottomans brought them back to their time in the Middle East. The result is a quiet elegance with family-friendly fabrics and a beautiful first impression when entering their home.
-Powder Room-
Garrison Foundry Architecture + Design Westchester
Annie Mennes
They say the best things come in small packages and nothing is truer than with this tiny powder room. This powder room is in a historic home built in 1906. The shingle-style colonial was filled with classic details and had been lovingly cared for by the owner for years. While staying sensitive to the feeling of the home, the design team had the powder room demolished and built a custom vanity to accommodate the tiny space. The designer chose faux soapstone for the counter, mitering it to look like a very thick top, with a simple walnut cabinet underneath. The subtle cloud pattern in the Nuvolette wallpaper from Cole & Son gives the tiny room some texture and overall airiness. For lighting, the designer used RBW dimple sconces on either side, giving the room an ambient hue.
-Bedroom-
Home for Zen Interiors
Scarsdale
Ania Dunlop
A family from NYC seeking solace and community for their young daughter found a haven in Scarsdale. For the primary bedroom, the homeowners requested vibrant hues and colors as a departure from traditional neutral aesthetics. The walls, adorned with textured wallpaper, exude warmth and sophistication, embracing the lofty ceilings with grace. This sumptuous backdrop provides the perfect canvas for the meticulously selected furnishings to shine. A green dresser and nightstands inject a lively pop of color, seamlessly blending with the textured wallpaper to create a harmonious visual narrative.
Adding to the ambiance, architectural sconces were strategically placed-mtomcast a soft, ambient glow that envelops the room in a soothing aura and coordinates beautifully with the ceiling fixture.
Above the bed, a breathtaking landscape photograph graces the wall, infusing the space with a sense of serenity and connection to nature. It serves as a reminder of the family’s journey from the bustling streets of New York City to the tranquil embrace of Scarsdale, anchoring the room in a narrative of homecoming and belonging.
-Modern Bath-
Indigo Z Home
Katonah
Mary Brendler
Contributors: Terra Tile and Marble and New England Antique Lumber
The design team members were tasked with fully renovating this modern bath. They created a retreat that’s bright, yet warm and sleek, but still complementary to the curated style seen throughout the rest of the home. The unique shape of this modern bath allowed them to reconfigure the space and create unique vignette moments — a freestanding tub placed in front of a mosaic-tile accent wall with a reclaimed white-oak ledge and shiplap vaulted ceiling, an extensive white-oak fluted vanity with aged brass accents, and a water closet with beautiful and unexpected wallpaper.
-Modern Kitchen-
JWH Designs
Rye
Jennifer Howard
Contributor: Angela Kosinski
The design team transformed a tired, dark, traditional kitchen into a stunning, bright, modern space and opened the wall to the dining room, flooding the space with light. The layout was completely revamped with white- and natural-wood cabinetry, and a unique island, paired with beautiful white, bright countertops. The designers added fresh, modern touches to keep the space airy, yet functional.
-Outdoor Living Space-
Sean Jancski Landscape Architects
Rye
Sean Jancski
The main scope of the project was to construct a pool cabana, pool, and spa. An overhead shade structure extending from the house was added as well. The pool cabana features a kitchenette with storage cabinets and an island with bar seating. The pool patio, with a cliff as the backdrop, includes space for lounge seating and gathering. There is also a niche between the pool cabana and the cliff wall that is more shielded from the sun and was designed to be a quieter corner with a daybed.
The outdoor living space is more modern in style, with clean and simple lines extending to the finishes in the pool cabana. The planting design is minimal but lush and surrounds the pool area with greenery.
An additional element is the woodland walkway to the overlook seating area at the top of the cliff. The gravel path winds through the woods and over a dry-stone riverbed to the overlook seating area with Adirondack chairs and a view of the entire backyard.
-Specialty Room-
Curated Nest
Westchester
Erin Coren and Lina Galvão
Contributors: DTF Rosemount
This specialty play space in the basement was created for a growing family with four children. The homeowners wanted a living space that was not just aesthetically pleasing but also family-friendly. They sought to repurpose conventional rooms, exchanging a traditional dining room for a versatile homework-and-crafts room, and transforming a standard living room into a cozy library and board game area. Their primary aim was to create a home that exudes joy and happiness, with every room embracing the energy of their young family and using performance materials for durability.
The clients prioritized a functional flow through the home, a dedicated homework room, the incorporation of high-contrast geometric patterns, and warm wood elements. Their vision was rooted in the Montessori approach, emphasizing child-friendly and accessible elements that nurture their children’s independence and curiosity.
Arched built-ins are complemented by the ceiling wallpaper in the room, which was originally a formal dining room. The client appreciated pops of whimsy and wanted to bring in a lot of patterns and textures — the ceiling isn’t distracting for kids when doing homework but still adds a whimsical air.
-Traditional Bath-
Emily Shron Interiors Scarsdale
Emily Shron
This bathroom was part of a remodel project in a very outdated home with a built-in shower and soaker jacuzzi tub entirely clad in pink and beige tiles.
The homeowners wanted to create an oasis with a calm and serene design for this primary bath. The design team kept the general plumbing footprint but was able to increase the shower size, decrease the tub size, and optimize the vanity space. “My favorite part of the bathroom is the slab we selected,” says designer Emily Shron. “It’s a beautiful Calacatta Gold that I selected with the client — after going to five stone yards — so it has a very near-and-dear spot in my heart.” The slab relates to the oak vanity, complementing the gold hue in the stone and bringing all the design details together.
-Traditional Kitchen-
Madison Hudson Design
Harrison
Michelle Barone
Contributors: Beat Mazur and Rocco Matra, Estate Cabinetry
What was once an outdated, dark, galley kitchen is now a functional, bright, and serene space where family and friends can gather — thanks to Madison Hudson Design.
The client requested a large island, which required knocking down two walls and bringing in a structural engineer. To achieve a brighter space, an east-facing window was removed, and a double south-facing window was added over the sink.
With two small children in the home, the kitchen needed to be colorful, yet resilient. Bottom cabinets were painted Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon, and upper cabinets Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, reflecting more light and giving the illusion of a brighter space. The designer opted for quartz countertops and performance fabrics to stand up to the daily wear and tear of life with young kids.
Storage in the home is at a premium, so every square inch was used in the kitchen, including double-sided storage in the island, and storage under the banquette seating.
-Closet/ Organizational Space-
California Closets
Rye
Brenda Macleish
What was a raw, empty space is now a fabulous walk-in closet for the stylish homeowner. Featuring touches of lighting, brushed chrome hardware, Soho Warm White high gloss drawer faces, a shoe wall, and the exclusive Everystyle drawer from California Closets, this space makes a bold statement with plenty of style and function to keep everything neatly tucked away or beautifully on display. The designer’s favorite part is the mix of materials used throughout the design. The homeowner especially loves how coordinated the millwork is in the island for a seamless, cohesive, and well-blended look.
-Mudroom-
KAM Design Larchmont
Kim A. Mitchell
Contributors: Keller/ Eaton Architects, Noonan Construction, and Hanley Group Custom Builders
The mudroom design of this 1920s Tudor matches the charm of this grand historic home. The functional space for shedding shoes, coats, and backpacks, as well as for storing household cleaning supplies and recycling, is elevated to another living space with character.
This active space features charcoal porcelain floor tile installed in an overscale chevron pattern. The inside backs of the custom cubbies are paneled with stained wood, matching the kitchen island, so the view from the kitchen has a more sophisticated and coordinated look.
The tops of the coat closet doors are customized with perforated antique-brass metal inset panels that allow coat fabrics to breathe, while adding a bespoke design element. A combination of adjustable hooks and wood with brass pulls punctuates doors and cubbies. The bench seat with decorative pillows allows for putting on shoes comfortably, making this space the perfect mix of style and function.
-Whole Home Design-
Curated Nest
Westchester
Erin Coren and Lina Galvão
Contributors: DTF Rosemount
This 3,200-square-foot modern farmhouse was designed for a family with four children. The design team aimed to infuse the property, initially a fairly builder-grade home, with personality and warmth through the introduction of unique architectural details, such as board and batten, making each space more inviting and engaging. The designers drew from concepts that promoted comfort, togetherness, and kid-friendly interactions. You can see this in the library with all the cozy, oversized furniture, perfect for Mom or Dad to curl up with the kids and dogs for reading or relaxing.
The kitchen was completely renovated along with the basement, powder room, and mudroom, and all the other spaces were designed with architectural detail and cohesion in mind. Arched cubbies were added to the homework room, and the kitchen got a new beverage/ coffee bar. The library got wall-to-wall built-ins with storage to display the homeowners’ book collection. Overall, the design didn’t take itself too seriously, offering many moments of joyous expression of personality while reflecting the fun and vibrant energy of this family through color, pattern, and warm textures to offset modern lines.
Related: Meet the Winners of the Westchester Home Design Awards in 2023
