Monday, April 28, 2014

Classical Invention on the Hudson River by John Murray

Architect John Murray is no stranger to most style-minded classicists after his monograph,' Classical Invention', flew off shelves and onto design bookshelves everywhere. I recently heard him speak through our local chapter of the ICAA and his intelligence and beautiful work go hand in hand.
While flipping through the most recent issue of New Old House magazine I came across a renovated country house Murray completed on the Hudson River that made me feel instantly at home. Murray enhanced the existing house in such a way that one doesn't know what is old and what is new, one only knows that it is RIGHT.
 The floorplan is a dream come true for most of us I would imagine; The only thing missing is the river view!
 French casements open completely to bring in the river views and air. The century old beams are the only decoration needed architecturally, interior designer Sam Blount provided the rest.
 The kitchen has all of the modern amenities of a new house and the charm of the old house.  Again I love the french casements!
The screened porch can be used year round. And what is a screened porch without ceiling fan and sky-blue beadboard ceiling?  This definitely ranks among my country house dreams -how about yours?
All photographs by Durston Saylor from New Old House magazine, Spring/Summer 2014

13 comments:

Woodside Park said...

How beautiful and gracious!! I love what you said: not knowing what is old or new, only what's right. Brilliant, Stefan!

Blue said...

Comfortable and unpretentious – I like it a lot, especially the screened porch. I have just looked at the book on Amazon and I'll buy it.

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Stefan,
Classical beauty on the Hudson River ... I too loved your choice of words about not knowing what is old or new, only what's right. Everything about this home is right. I too am enchanted by the French casement windows and the river view. The last photo left me wanting to spend a long weekend at this delightful home.
Vera

Daniel Shigo said...

Lovely. lovely symmetry, wood, and water. What is not to like? Thanks for this. Love it.

Terry said...

Bravo!!! This one hits my pleasure centers. We call those ceilings "haint blue" down here, I used to know what haint meant.

designchic said...

John Murray always gets it right and this home is no exception. There is such charm and character to each room. Adore the porch!

pve design said...

I love it. The Hudson River is magical as it is majestic.
pve

John J. Tackett said...

Sam Blount, formerly with Irvine & Fleming before going on his own years ago, is a great decorator whose work is too seldom published. J.M. and I were co-workers at Parish-Hadley.
___ The Devoted Classicist

Mark D. Ruffner said...

Hi, Stefan,

Looking at these photographs, I imagine that I could move in without changing a single thing. Well, I would need to bring my own books . . .

Katy Byrne said...

SO pretty! Love the beams and enclosed patio.

www.designsbykaty.com

Unknown said...

I could live there! I adore the kitchen.

http://www.decordesireforbeauty.com/blog.html

Windlost said...

Oh what a heavenly home! I need a screened-in year-round porch. I love that...not knowing what is old or new. Well put.

I used to love studying floor plans as a teenager. I'd buy those house plan books at the local drugstore (instead of smoking cigarettes behind the drugstore. Haha). I was an aesthete even then. Missed my calling, I think. Still love to look at them..! Thanks for sharing. xo Terri

Glamour Drops said...

So many elements here which work beautifully both on their own and as a whole: the (almost) corridor-less floor plan (natty design instead), the original beams being retained in a natural state yet allowed to float against the simplicity of white walls and ceilings, the abundance of natural daylight and most importantly….the generosity of the screened porch.

Too often a space far too narrow for any real use, this is a great example of how to add enough width to make the porch into a place that becomes a destination in its own right.

The more I look, the more I see to admire.