This Country Lodge May Appear Rustic, But It Has All the Trappings of a Five-Star Resort
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Directly north of Manhattan as the crow flies—and a relatively short two-hour drive—Dutchess County in upstate New York serves as an idyllic country retreat from the hectic pace of city life, particularly for those lucky enough to escape its grasp any given weekend.
And for interior designer Vicky Charles, cofounder of the New York City–based design firm Charles & Co., the region, where she keeps a second home, has become her preferred home base. So it was somewhat fortuitous that one of her latest projects was a nearby retreat for another busy urban family. “In hindsight, I’d never take a job where the project is next to my own weekend house,” she laughs, “because you end up working every weekend!” As it happens, her client’s property is just 15 minutes from her own, but, truth be told, there was no designer more qualified for the job.
“The brief really was to create the feeling of a lodge,” she says of the 20,000-square-foot, five-bedroom, four-bathroom Adirondack Great Camp–style home designed by the firms Working Group 1 and Allee Architecture + Design. “It’s somewhere they can entertain, and where their three teenagers can feel a sense of privacy and never have to leave the compound—and that’s exactly how I set the house up.”
In contrast to the family’s more contemporary full-time residence, Charles took her design cues from the sweeping views toward the Connecticut countryside and the changing colors that she’s happily experienced for years. “I really understood the lifestyle, the landscape, and the seasons,” she explains. “Upstate New York really shows off colors, especially in the fall—it’s really amazing.”
See how this comfortable country lodge combines an appreciation for the great outdoors with all the trappings of a five-star resort.
Kitchen
“It’s the ultimate kitchen,” Charles says of the favorite gathering spot. “I think if you can get a sofa and a fireplace in your kitchen, you’ve nailed life!”
Here, the tile backsplash is by FLM Ceramics, the barstools were sourced from Blu Dot and reupholstered in a Moore & Giles leather, the Chiltern chandelier is from Urban Electric, and the sideboard was a find from Montage Antiques in Millerton, New York. The flooring throughout the home is an antiqued limestone with eased edges.
Dining Room
“The sweeping views of the landscape where Connecticut borders New York are just stunning,” says the designer whose own nearby weekend home shares the same countryside as its backdrop.
The exquisitely long custom dining table made from two-inch reclaimed pine is by Zelonky Studios, the Croft dining chairs are by Rupert Bevan, and the vintage rug is from Woven. A leather wrapped credenza by Cider Press Woodworks offers additional service space.
Den
“The whole room was designed around this Zak+Fox monkey fabric,” Charles says of the decorative pillow on the built-in sofa. “I love when clients come into my office, because when you let them loose in the sample room, they always gravitate to something you’d never expect. Design should be about things you fall in love with.”
The custom sofa by R&E Interiors is upholstered in a sapphire velvet from Lee Jofa. Above the artwork is a Cabinet Maker’s bronze picture light by Circa Lighting.
Family Bathroom
The epitome of rustic charm, this powder room off the home’s main entertaining space is grounded by a glazed terra-cotta tile floor by Tabarka Studio and reclaimed wood–clad walls. The antique limestone sink is from Ancient Surfaces, the Belvedere mirror is by Vaughan Designs, and the antique Orrefors sconces were a find at Remains Lighting.
Guest Bedroom
Every room in the home, including this guest bedroom has unparalleled views of the valley.
Family Bathroom
This generously sized powder room on the more private side of the house is outfitted with a zellige tile backsplash from Mosaic House, an antique limestone sink from Ancient Surfaces, bronze Aperture sconces by Allied Maker, and a Berrington mirror by Vaughan Designs.
Bathroom
The focal point of the client’s primary bathroom is a marble and wood inlay tile wall by Tabarka Studio. The freestanding Palazzo white marble tub is from Hurlingham Baths, and the natural urban brass faucet is by Samuel Heath. Softer elements include a vintage rug from Woven and a tufted Soho Baby Buttoned Drum stool in velvet mohair by George Smith.
Loft
“It’s like a crow’s nest,” Charles says of the space that serves as both an office and a nighttime gathering spot for the family. Central in the space, on top of a silk shag rug from Woven, is a custom-designed sofa upholstered in a vintage velvet from Lee Jofa, a pair of authentic Lady Chairs by Marco Zanuso that were sourced from 1stDibs and reupholstered in a John Rosselli fabric, and a custom cocktail table. The vintage hemp ottoman is from Hammertown Barn.
Loft
On the opposite side of the room is a vintage games table and chairs from Montage Antiques, and a fully stocked custom cocktail bar by Cider Press Woodworks.
Kids’ Bedroom
The kids’ bedrooms offer privacy but are connected through a shared living space a level below. Pendleton throws dress each of the custom built-in beds.
Corridor
Connecting the kids’ bedrooms, the floor of this corridor is lined with a Pendleton runner constructed from several smaller rugs. At the far end is a vintage console table from Montage Antiques in Millerton.
Cellar Pub and Game Room
“It’s like Vegas down there—you never know what time it is!” Another fully stocked custom-made bar includes the client’s favorite beer on tap. The bar table was an antique piece sourced from the Parma Antiques Fair that the designer raised by adding matching tooled-wood legs. The Barolo swivel bar stools are by Brass and Burl, and the oxidized iron globe pendant lights are from Obsolete.
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