Loading... A sight to behold: The wonder walls in this New York home do all the talking

A sight to behold: The wonder walls in this New York home do all the talking

This article highlights a mid-19th-century home in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, designed by interior decorator Billy Cotton. The design approach emphasizes a captivating interplay between architectural simplicity and decorative richness, a concept Cotton attributes to his Vermont upbringing. The house, with its Greek Revival façade and largely untouched original layout, allowed Cotton to enhance its inherent simplicity while introducing layers of history and personal narrative. The homeowner, a hotelier seeking a quieter life away from Manhattan, desired a space that reflected a relaxed, old-world collecting sensibility. Cotton's design philosophy involved stripping back existing elements before adding new ones. An example of this is seen in the living room, where an awkwardly placed chimney breast, previously adorned with a marble surround, was restored to its raw brick state and topped with an antique Venetian mirror. This decision was part of a broader narrative to evoke a sense of collected treasures, reminiscent of items found in a 'grandmother's steamer trunk.' The design intentionally combines diverse cultural references, reflecting the immigrant heritage of the USA. The home is a melting pot of antique fabrics, European furniture, Delft tiles, and English wallpapers. This eclectic mix creates a texturally detailed interior that feels both simple and rich. Throughout the house, a "magpie sensibility" is evident, where disparate items are brought together harmoniously. For instance, the kitchen features Delft tiles alongside a mahogany table, while the main bedroom pairs a 1960s Italian wicker chair with a Georgian cabinet. The guest bedroom showcases a French chair, deliberately weathered from its journey, upholstered in faded ticking. Pattern plays a crucial role in the design, incorporated through antique rugs, Robert Kime papers, African coverlets, and Indian block-printed fabrics on the walls. Cotton's deep appreciation for English decoration is evident, stemming from his experiences with Tetbury dealers and his admiration for British history, craft, and reverence for objects. This influence is seen in the naturalness and inherited quality of the schemes. The aesthetic extends to details such as plaster pink walls, exposed rafters, vintage silks, and tapestry wall hangings, all contributing to a visually delightful and well-being-inducing environment. Resting nooks are strategically placed throughout the home, inviting appreciation of the space. A window seat in the kitchen has been converted into a sleeping quarter, and a built-in bed in one of the bedrooms is nestled behind linen curtains, reinforcing a theme of rest and relaxation. The overall design serves as a meditation on beauty, achieved through a thoughtful blend of the grand and the humble.

35 months ago

Read Full Article

No comments yet