When the owners of this modern pool house first envisioned their idyllic Gallatin, New York property as a family escape, they were thinking family in the broadest sense of the term. During the pandemic, four generations lived together under one roof in the main house, designed and built by Carol Kurth Architecture in 2017. Over the years, they were always inviting people to join the fun. Enter the idea for a separate, expansive pool house that would also serve as a guest house for extended family and friends.
“Part of the reason we wanted to build a pool house was because four generations had different needs,” says Gabby, one of the homeowners’ daughters who has three kids of her own. Gabby helped oversee the construction of the project, working with Bedford-based designers Carol Kurth, AIA and Hilary Matt, and builder David Penny of East Mountain Construction Management in Beacon. “We love hosting, we love bringing community together and this has been the central hub for us,” says Gabby, who is continuing a long-standing family tradition. “My dad grew up in South Africa with cousins [who were] like siblings, and they all used to go to a lake house,” she says. Her father bought the Columbia County property nearly 30 years ago to carry on the family bonding. Gabby grew up spending summers and weekends in Gallatin with her parents, brother and sister, and many other relatives, all staying in a century-old farmhouse which is still on the property.
For the new pool house design, which complements the main house and takes advantage of the beautiful, natural surroundings, the team planned each room intentionally to accommodate large groups and the flow of guests going to and from the pool with wet feet. “It’s a more casual approach,” says Kurth, who was joined by Christine Lent, AIA from her team, for the project. “With a second home or accessory structure, you get more adventurous about the things you’re willing to incorporate, or take a chance on, or have fun with.” That playfulness is evident throughout these spaces.
When decorating a second home or accessory structure, you can be a lot more adventurous.
Together Time
Designed with a sense of ease in mind, the pool house does not have a front door. Instead, friends and family enter along “wet-dry footpaths” that lead into a mudroom or through the pool bathroom. That mudroom opens into the entertaining space with its vaulted ceilings and awesome views, with glass doors that open onto a covered outdoor seating area. “If you come in through the mudroom, there are cubbies for storage and the laundry is right there, so you just throw all the wet towels in,” Gabby explains. “The living room spills out onto the pool area, so it really feels like one continuous space.”
Beyond the mudroom there’s a rock-climbing wall that extends around to the living room—a unique feature kids love. “There’s something really great about the idea that you can let loose and let them have fun,” says Kurth. The floors are a high-quality vinyl that looks exactly like wood, yet can get wet and stand up to a lot of wear and tear.
As with most of the pool house furniture, the Verellen living room sofas are covered in an outdoor fabric. “Any spills can be wiped off, it can get dirty, the kids can be in there with their bathing suits,” says designer Hilary Matt. “From the beginning, the homeowners wanted this to be very kidfriendly, a fun space for the kids to go.” A pocket door covered in chalkboard—another fun element—separates the bedroom area from the main living space.
Play Hard, Sleep Well
Behind the chalkboard door is a wing of bedrooms, including a bunk room that any child would adore. Here, Kurth designed the bunks and built-ins, working closely with Matt, who selected the paint finishes, sconces, and accessories. “It came together beautifully,” says Kurth. “We had a like-minded vision.”
The bunk room design is meant to grow along with the kids, with its timeless navy hues and full-size beds that are comfortable for guests of any age. But for the little ones, the play features take center stage. “My favorite part of the bunk room is the monkey bars… and the little lamps,” says one of Gabby’s children, referring to the individual Sazerac Stitches sconces by each bed. The climbing rungs span up one wall and across the ceiling over a day bed, a popular spot for the children to hang out.
For adult guests, the primary bedroom is a luxurious oasis with a plush bed from Muskoka Living, pale blue side tables by Kelly Wearstler, alabaster sconces by Allied Maker, a Katy Skelton bench, and Matouk linens. “The primary bedroom is all glass and it feels like you’re nestled in the woods over the lake,” says Gabby. “It’s like your own little tree house, but with all the modern comforts.” The views continue into the primary bath, which has a floor-to-ceiling slot window in the shower.
Fine Arts
Throughout the house are eyecatching pieces of art—unusual but delightful for decorating a pool house. Gabby’s mother is a former curator at the Guggenheim and she selected most of the works. She brought in some pieces from her collection as well as newer art. In the primary bedroom, the tree painting mirrors the outdoors. The abstract work in the bunk room was created by a notable Australian artist (and family friend) and was painted in collaboration with Gabby’s brother when he was a young boy. “There’s a lot of history and specialness in the bunk room,” Gabby says.
Swimming With Style
The outdoors spaces and the pool itself play a major role in the family’s entertaining during the warmer months. “When we have guests, we shift the center of gravity to the pool, and last summer we added an outdoor kitchen,” Gabby says. “We’re cooking and eating poolside.” Installed by Wagner Pools, the pool features a sun shelf where people can perch lounge chairs and look out at the lake, or where the kids can play. The surrounding landscape, by Biasin Landscape in Sheffield, Massachusetts, matches the modernity of the house with bluestone pavers and wood planks that echo the Thermory cladding on the house. Even when the gang finally heads back inside, the sense of being in the great outdoors lingers. For the pool bathroom, Matt selected a lively swimming-theme wallpaper from Walls Need Love; she also sourced the trio of water-inspired images for the living room.
Kids love the play features in the bunk room. The climbing rungs go up one wall and across the ceiling over a day bed, a popular hangout spot.
A favorite area of the house for everyone is the dining room encased in Weathershield windows. “I love that room, surrounded by nothing but amazing views, and I love the fixture (rope pendants) and the table (Kettal in light oak) too. It’s like the perfect marriage of my work and Carol’s work,” Matt says. Kurth agrees. “It’s a wonderful connection with nature, like you’re outside when you’re inside,” adds Kurth. “Even on a cloudy day, it’s still very bright in there.”
The Team
Architect / Carol Kurth, AlA
Interior Designer / Hilary Matt
Builder / David Penny of East Mountain Construction Management
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