As you stroll down a meandering, grassy woodland path from the main house, which is a classic shingle-style manor with a stone base, you come across a circular clearing surrounded by tall trees and natural landscaping and a pool house that mimics the main house’s style, at least from the outside.
Set on 3 acres in a wooded area in Westchester, the pool house was built five years after the main house and has a modern and serene interior.
Designed by architect Rosamund Young, this sprawling property is “a destination pool, integral spa, automatic cover, ample patios for lounging and entertaining, a barbecue area, and a self-sufficient pool house to provide all of the associated amenities for entertaining and relaxing.”
The pool is large — 22 feet by 60 feet. The pool house sits right next to it. The 800 sq. ft. building includes a central living room with a fireplace and TV, a bathroom and changing area, laundry, and a full indoor kitchen and bar, plus a partial basement for utilities.
The Team
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“For the interior, the homeowners wanted tough but beautiful surfaces and materials; — elegant but kid friendly and maintenance free,” says Young.
To create this look, Young combined natural materials and a modern aesthetic for a warm and tactile interior.
Twenty-foot glass folding doors provide tons of sunlight and a flexible living space for the homeowners.
“The family can enjoy the space on a chilly, windy day with a football game or a movie and a fire going,” says Young, “or they can fling open the doors on a glorious sunny day, allowing the outside and inside spaces to flow seamlessly together.”
Impervious large-scale porcelain tile resembling the bluestone outside, even in the curbless shower stall.
In the bathroom, white glass tile runs floor to ceiling.
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On the ceiling, rift-sawn fir boards give a “warm, organic contrast to the crisp white horizontal paneled walls below” explains Young.
In the kitchen, Young used wood-laminate cabinetry mixed with stainless steel in high-traffic areas. Countertops are white engineered stone, which is also found in the laundry. The backsplash is glass mirror.
And what does every pool house need to be, no matter its style?
“A festive, resort-type oasis for relaxing and entertaining,” says Young. “Designed with every amenity to support that end, [plus] providing a fully conditioned space for year-round enjoyment.”
Before embarking on a huge project like adding a pool and pool house, Young suggests assembling the right team and having them work together from the beginning.
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“The entire team had to coordinate for the design, construction, and detail of the site, the building, and the pool together,” says Young. “There are so many components that depend on the other, not only utilities but also the material selections, long-term operation/function, and maintenance. Everything has to work together.”
What is Young’s favorite part now that the project is complete?
“I love the woodland setting and how the pool house relates to the main house up the hill in the distance,” she says. “I also love the juxtaposition of the traditional exterior and the modern interior.”
