Urban amenities and excitement made sense for a Manhattan doctor and his wife when it was just the two of them. But when they were blessed with a baby girl and started settling into parenthood, they couldn’t resist the siren call of Scarsdale, moving with their toddler in 2020.
Thanks to oversize windows, expansive views of the large, leafy backyard seamlessly play off natural design accents that include stone, wood, and textured wool.
Their quest to become first-time homeowners ended with the purchase of a modern house that checked the boxes on their wish list in terms of location, size, and community vibe. What it sorely lacked was character—a sense of warmth, some interesting architectural details, or even a charming idiosyncrasy or two. That’s when interior design pro Ania Dunlop entered the chat.
Dunlop’s Westchester firm, Home for Zen Interiors, specializes in modern aesthetics that still manage to feel welcoming. This house had what Dunlop recalls as a “spec build atmosphere,” and so that was her jumping off point. The first step was a strategic, thoughtful cosmetic renovation, focused on a few key moves. According to Dunlop, a coat of fresh bright-white paint, Alabaster by Benjamin Moore, combined with revamped floors and new built-ins, set the stage for the next-phase aesthetic overhaul.
The design mandate for the living room was to create a luxurious sanctuary where the family could unwind. Deciding to replace the traditional fireplace with a modern one, wrapped in porcelain tiles that resemble burnished brass, was a genius way to infuse the space with state-of-the-art elegance and create an ideal backdrop for the nubbly textured white sofa, chaise, and swivel chairs. Dunlop added a knockout light fixture by Gabriel Scott to bathe the room in a soft glow and complement the laser-cut iridescent artwork by South African contemporary artist Lindi Sales. “To me, light fixtures are like statement jewelry for the home,” says Dunlop—so much so that she chose another showstopper for the primary bedroom.
Thoughtfully placed greenery—large potted trees, small-scale plants, even fresh-cut arrangements in vases—brings nature indoors and breathes life into spaces.
In the dining room, the challenge was to embrace the drama in a space with soaring 22-foot ceilings but still remain grounded. It came down to a bespoke, organic-shaped rug (Fayette Studio) and a round custom-made table perfectly suited for hosting parties. Above it, yet another mesmerizing light fixture by Lindsey Adelman casts a warm, ambient glow. This space also holds the homeowners’ favorite piece: an exquisite sideboard from Egg Collective that offers storage and a showcase for cherished dinnerware.
When it came to designing the primary bedroom, eye-catching color was put into play. Textured wallpaper helps create a sense of coziness, despite the high ceilings, while the green dresser and nightstands (De La Espada) loop in nature-inspired color. Architectural sconces from Apparatus provide the perfect finishing touch.
All in all, the house turned out to be just what the doctor ordered.
Follow designer Ania Dunlop @homeforzen on Instagram.
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