When a young family, longtime clients of Washington, D.C., designer Nicole Lanteri, found this 2017 vacation home in Hillsdale, on the New York side of the Berkshire Mountains, they loved that the house was move-in ready with no structural changes needed, but they were less enamored of its generic “modern farmhouse” envelope. “It had the right bones but it needed that layer of nooks and crannies to get lost in,” says Lanteri. “They brought us in to add character and make it moodier, cozier, more intimate and inviting with layers, textures, and colors.”
The sunroom is fitted with a large sectional to maximize the space; its low profile and neutral fabric keep the focus on the views to the pool and the woods beyond. An Arthur Umanoff bar adds mid-century flair to a corner, along with a Maurizio Tempestini table and Woodard chairs from Regan & Smith Antiques. Montauk Sofa’s Lewis sectional in Glant outdoor chenille fabric.
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The design star in the living room is the fluted walnut fireplace designed by Trey Jones Studio; its rich finish stands out against dark charcoal Haruki Sisal grasscloth from Schumacher. Coffee table by Withers Studio; custom rug from Armadillo.
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A striking 12-foot-long table custom-designed by Trey Jones is generously sized for a family that loves to entertain, but with curved ends that make it feel less imposing. Lanteri opted for modern light fixtures throughout the house, including the Clark Suspension pendant from Lambert & Fils. Chairs, Roman and Williams.
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“Our first move was to partner with Trey Jones Studio, a custom furniture designer in Washington, D.C., to design the dining table, which set the tone for the whole house,” says Lanteri. Jones also crafted the showstopping mantel in the living room: “Trey designed this walnut fireplace with repeating cylinders in various sizes that were inspired by the view of tall trees behind the house,” says Lanteri.
At the top of the stairs, a custom-designed daybed by Trey Jones Studio features a base with arched cubbies—and takes advantage of the best views in the house. “The organic feel of the Hayfield wallpaper from Marthe Armitage creates a cozy and enveloping atmosphere, as does the built-in daybed,” says Lanteri. Antique Spanish rug from The Modern Exchange; Arbor pendant, Roll & Hill.
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Lanteri turned a former office into a multipurpose hangout room for the clients’ young boys. “We painted the walls and ceiling the same sage green (Gray Wisp by Benjamin Moore) to impart a cocooning nature.” Reid sleeper sofa, DWR; starburst mirror and vintage coffee table from The Modern Exchange.
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“The wallpaper in the powder room is bold and colorful; it welcomes you in and takes you on a journey,” says Lanteri. “We paired it with a rich minky brown.” Alladale wallpaper by Newton Paisley; Harlow sconce, Schoolhouse; Black Bean Soup paint, Benjamin Moore.
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As the family celebrates holidays and enjoys ski weekends here, the design choices needed to make sense for bright summer days as well as dark winter ones. “In the living room, the original all-white walls could feel too bright and sterile during the day, while at night the contrast against the pitch-black sky could read antiseptic and exposed,” notes Lanteri. She focused on creating a more even flow from day to night and season to season by introducing richer colors and patterns, including a black grasscloth wallcovering in the living room, an enveloping sage hue for the den, and a saturated botanical print for the powder room, and by melding mid-century furnishings with English antiques and other vintage pieces. Lanteri layered in dynamic modern lighting and tactile rugs along with locally sourced pottery; every detail speaks to a bespoke experience which beckons throughout the seasons.
The primary bedroom was quite large, so Lanteri used furniture groupings to create more intimate spaces, and brought it down to scale with Soane’s Scrolling Fern Silhouette wallpaper—used on a single wall, it doesn’t overwhelm the room. With a fireplace and TV opposite the bed, a sofa, and an Eames Lounge Chair, “it offers a private retreat for the couple.” Trey Jones created the green nightstands using wood offcuts in a technique akin to Nerikomi pottery. Thos. Moser bed; Montauk Sofa.
Jared KuziaA perfect example of Lanteri’s ability to conjure comfort and mood is the upstairs landing, which previously held just a desk. Trey Jones designed a custom upholstered daybed with a clever base whose cubbies reference arched bridges nearby. Wrapped in black-and-white botanical wallpaper with a coordinating Roman shade, this is now everyone’s favorite escape hatch.
In this guest bedroom, the angles on the ceiling provided an opportunity to create an airy loft-like feel. Instead of white walls that might read too harsh, Lanteri opted for a flattering pink (Backdrop’s Modern Love) and used it on both the walls and ceiling to soften the angles.
Jared Kuzia“We created a specific mood for each space that could then be threaded through the rooms to add personality,” explains Lanteri. “The house needed to be flexible for a quiet week working from home, or for hosting a crowd, which greatly guided our design process. With a vacation home, you can have more fun—which sometimes gets lost in the practicality of a house in daily use.”
“By the pool, we created a streamlined retro style with 1950s-inspired furniture,” says Lanteri, who selected cabana lounge chairs from CB2 and French green metal chairs from The Modern Exchange.
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