Featured Photo By Shannon Greer
If you have the urge to spruce up your home this spring, let these inspiring room designs by local talents be your guide.
We asked five Hudson Valley designers to share spaces they absolutely love. From unusual color combos to striking accessories, these stunning rooms are sure to spark inspiration.
Francis Rick Gillette
FRG Objects & Design/Art
My client’s living room in Hudson
What makes this room so special is my relationship with the homeowner—we designed her NYC apartment and art gallery together, and 10 years ago we both moved to Hudson. I became familiar with the house (a circa-1785 Federal) and since the owner has an amazing art collection—we decided the focus of the room would be the art.
The carpet is by German artist Rosemarie Trockel, the painting over the sofa is “Kristallnacht” by Margaret Evangeline, and the colorful piece to the right is by Karl Klingbiel. The marble coffee table is from Galerie Gris in Hudson and the pale salmon chairs are from Colonia Antiques in Hudson. The room is anchored by a contemporary sofa and a vintage library table. The beaded pillows on the sofa are my favorite accessories in the room. We found them in the Hamptons and I’m thrilled to see how perfectly they work.
Simone Eisold
Simone Eisold Design
My library in Rock Tavern
I chose a rich dark blue for our library. The wall pattern was inspired by Frank Stella’s “Black Paintings,” and by painter Mark Rothko’s use of color. The vibe of the monochromatic wall complements the collection of sculptures and art objects. The goal for this space was for it to be a relaxing retreat. I achieved the look by selecting vintage classic pieces to add old-world charm, like the LC4 lounge chair by Le Corbusier and an antique French coffee table with a black marble top. The 8-foot-long vintage designer couch with its perfect leather patina was a great find—the ideal size and proportion for the large room and incredibly comfortable. The lovely amber color echoes the original faux bois on the doors and is a beautiful contrast to the dark blue.
Maryline Damour
Damour Drake
My kitchen in Saugerties
Before becoming an interior designer, I owned a catering company—I love to cook! The kitchen was the first space in the house we completed. It’s a mix of traditional and modern elements. The goal was to create an elegant space that didn’t scream kitchen with a neutral backdrop to showcase art, including the modern paintings by Woodstock-based artist Petra Nimtz. I used the same paint color on walls and cabinets (Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore), soapstone slabs for the backsplash instead of smaller format tile, and cabinet hardware from Anthropologie. I especially love the island. I designed it with both deep recesses and shallow shelves for a ton of custom storage. The cantilever shelves add a modern moment that balance out the traditional cabinets. The custom walnut island counter is from M&E Manufacturing in Kingston.
Ashley Darryl
Ashley Darryl Interiors
My client’s living room in Clinton Corners
I create spaces that are timeless, comfortable, and unique and I achieve this through layering contemporary pieces with American, Italian, and French vintage and antique finds. My client wanted a room that would be comfortable and cozy for family movie nights, yet elegant enough for entertaining. The home is from the 1840s; I wanted to respect the architecture and history, but also make it feel fresh for a young family. This living room combines the clean lines of mid-century chairs and a cocktail ottoman (Sedgwick & Brattle) with pieces that lean more traditional. I made a conscious effort to incorporate colors (Philipsburg Blue and Blue Springs, both by Benjamin Moore) which were commonly used on moldings in historic homes. I loved adding blue to the heavy moldings in the room. It really made everything pop.
Ferol Barton Blake
Fdesign
My living room in Catskill
This is my decompression tank at the end of the day where I sip a perfect Manhattan, lounge with my dogs, and binge watch “The White Lotus.” The custom sofa by Moniker Home is upholstered in Coraggio Textiles’ “Capri Carbonite Graphite” linen with custom velvet taping, plus citron and shale custom pillows. The gallery wall behind it is filled with pieces I love—paintings from Carrie Haddad and Ornis galleries in Hudson, a mid-century stag head, and a sculpture by Tristan Fitch. The white walls (Simply White by Benjamin Moore) are a perfect backdrop for a bold mix of textures and colors. I get a lot of inspiration from fashion designers, as well as English interior designer David Nightingale Hicks and his use of bold color, texture, and typography. I found the indoor/outdoor rug on Overstock.com—which is easy to clean with three dogs. It’s an ode to Hicks’ Fiorentina geometric pattern.
