Astor Revival
When we approached the first centennial of our nation’s founding, the accumulating memories of ancestral homes gave rise to the Colonial Revival movement. This 1881 residence lavishly intertwines principles from America’s pilgrim century with architectural ornament from our colonial era, inspired by drawings of John Hancock’s home. While an educated eye understands that ornamentation is generally used consistently throughout an interior to create a unified design, this home tells a different, pioneering story.
Our challenge with this interior architectural project initially revolved around expanding the 8,440 square foot home. Architectural demolition included the elimination of all mechanical systems; interior window shutters; plaster from walls & ceilings; floors and original bookshelves.
Architectural additions included raising the back roof to create a large workout room; allotting space for six full bathrooms; an elevator with access to all four floors; an outdoor kitchen; three new balconies and two new stairways. The basement was excavated to accommodate an indoor swimming pool; spa; bath; lounge with kitchen; entertainment room and three-car garage. Mechanical systems were updated. The entry foyer now has limestone floors. Elsewhere narrow rift-cut, oak floors were installed throughout the original portions of the home. Walls & ceilings were replastered.
Classical alterations to the first floor include enlarging the footprints of the kitchen and dining rooms, along with expanding their two adjacent decks; creating a new pantry and stairway down to the poolside; and constructing a new library. The second-floor interior was re-worked to accommodate a large master bedroom suite, laundry room and an elaborate staircase to the third floor.
Historic renovations include replicating the original exterior, rebuilding all the original window frames while preserving the original glass panes; restoring all exterior and interior doors; stripping the woodwork throughout and fabricating dozens of custom molding knifes as needed for replicating interior woodwork.
Our furnishing, textile & finish selections are layered in combinations echoing the home’s past & present. The rooms flow easily one to the next by alternating color palettes and balancing light. In honoring the home’s architecture and coordinating the client’s objectives for a space enlarged to 11,250 square feet, we have created a hybrid interior for clients living in the 21st century.
Our challenge with this interior architectural project initially revolved around expanding the 8,440 square foot home. Architectural demolition included the elimination of all mechanical systems; interior window shutters; plaster from walls & ceilings; floors and original bookshelves.
Architectural additions included raising the back roof to create a large workout room; allotting space for six full bathrooms; an elevator with access to all four floors; an outdoor kitchen; three new balconies and two new stairways. The basement was excavated to accommodate an indoor swimming pool; spa; bath; lounge with kitchen; entertainment room and three-car garage. Mechanical systems were updated. The entry foyer now has limestone floors. Elsewhere narrow rift-cut, oak floors were installed throughout the original portions of the home. Walls & ceilings were replastered.
Classical alterations to the first floor include enlarging the footprints of the kitchen and dining rooms, along with expanding their two adjacent decks; creating a new pantry and stairway down to the poolside; and constructing a new library. The second-floor interior was re-worked to accommodate a large master bedroom suite, laundry room and an elaborate staircase to the third floor.
Historic renovations include replicating the original exterior, rebuilding all the original window frames while preserving the original glass panes; restoring all exterior and interior doors; stripping the woodwork throughout and fabricating dozens of custom molding knifes as needed for replicating interior woodwork.
Our furnishing, textile & finish selections are layered in combinations echoing the home’s past & present. The rooms flow easily one to the next by alternating color palettes and balancing light. In honoring the home’s architecture and coordinating the client’s objectives for a space enlarged to 11,250 square feet, we have created a hybrid interior for clients living in the 21st century.
