Project
 Originally built around 1810 with two
stories and an attic, then modified in the 1830’s in the Greek Revival
style. In the 1840’s given an Italianate entrance. By the mid-20th
century it had been divided into two duplex apartments and painted a
dreary beige and brown. Nevertheless, its proud heritage was still
clearly visible.
The current owners, Brooke and Malcolm Travelstead, purchased the house
in the fall of 2004 with the idea of restoring it for themselves. They
had previously renovated four brick town houses in Cobble Hill,
Brooklyn, as well as two Colonial Revival houses in New York and
Westchester, and lastly, a Fifth Avenue apartment in Manhattan.
With the help of their architect, and Hudson contractor, Evan Pace and
his able team, the
house was restored to its original beauty, but with added modern
conveniences.
The perfect proportions; 16’ x 16’ rooms with high ceilings and
gracious wide halls were preserved with kitchens and bathrooms
carefully fitted in. Fireplaces were re-opened and chimneys cleaned,
wide-board floors gently re-finished, arches and mouldings scraped and
re-painted, new wood windows fit to the original openings, banisters
and railings restored. All new wiring, heating, plumbing, and air
conditioning was hidden behind plaster walls and original beams.
Brooke, who is an interior designer and expert in Oriental carpets and
textiles, wanted the house to reflect her taste, but to still be true
to its history. The walls are filled with color and the rooms are
decorated with antiques and rugs, as well as the Travelstead’s
collection of contemporary art.
The Kitchen is
small, but has every chef’s appliance, and the master bath has a
luxurious walk-in shower.
The large rear garden was completely redone with perennial borders, a
stone terrace and a pergola.
|
|
