Tour an American Farmhouse That’s a Design Travelogue

Bigger isn’t always better. In fact, when a Tribeca couple purchased a historic Hudson Valley farmhouse and embarked on a 1,500-square-foot addition, they were concerned that they were going too big—that the scale might overwhelm the 1830s house, or encroach on their neighbors, or obscure the picturesque views.

The farmhouse had undergone several renovations since its original construction almost two centuries ago, but it lacked the sleeping and entertaining space the homeowners needed for their two grown children and large circle of family and friends. They enlisted architect Amy Lopez Cepero of Ampersand Architecture to add two guest suites, enlarge the den, and reconfigure interior walls to improve the flow. Although they upgraded the structure and updated most of the fixtures and fittings, the homeowners were also careful to preserve many of the original architectural elements, like the working fireplaces and solid wood doors outfitted with hardware from the early 1900s, hand-forged by the blacksmith who had once lived there.

The hardwood floors—a hodgepodge of white pine, white oak, and red oak in various widths and stains—were also preserved. While most homeowners would have replaced them for a uniform look, these are not most homeowners. The husband, born and raised in Greece, and the wife, a Brooklyn native of Greek descent, are strong proponents of honoring tradition and history and consider quirkiness a signature of their own unique aesthetic. “We all agreed that the floors told a special story,” says New York City-based designer Sara Bengur, who oversaw the three-year project. “Matching the boards would have changed that story and erased a lot of charm and history, so instead, we stained them the same natural hue to make them look authentic yet cohesive.”

The homeowners’ love of storytelling is also reflected in the furnishings and decor. Over the years, they have traveled extensively throughout Italy, Spain, Morocco, India, Indonesia, and, of course, Greece. Every exotic locale yielded textiles, furniture, art, and objects scored in souks, antique shops, galleries, and open-air stalls. The decision to incorporate these pieces into the design was an easy one for Bengur, who draws inspiration from her own travels and her own Turkish heritage.

While the homeowners’ collections set the tone for the eclectic inspired spaces, Bengur also sourced unique finds throughout the Hudson Valley area, New York City, and from her close friend Tucker Robbins. The artisan and furniture designer helped her procure pieces like a late 19th-century painted teak cabinet from the Philippines, a pair of blacknut tables from Cameroon, and artifacts from Africa and Eastern Asia.

“Like a puzzle, all of these diverse elements fit perfectly together if combined in the right way,” says Bengur. “However, the ‘right way’ is different for everyone. It is highly individual and reflects the personalities of those who make a house a home.”