The couple’s intent was to create things that were beautiful but also functional and practical. “We are modernists at heart but really love history, so we wanted to find objects and details that layer different design philosophies together,” notes Jonathan. In a bid to bring in color through decor, they pared down the walls, opting for a mix of veneer plaster in the main spaces and a troweled, texturized skim coat in the bedrooms. The treatment of the floors was similarly restrained, with the original pine wood flooring sanded down and finished to reveal its natural grain. As far as decor went, the architects composed a thoughtful tapestry of old and new, layering custom lighting and furniture with characterful vintage novelties.
The gardens are modest yet expressive, wild yet organized, and there is always something to eat, pick, or prune. “This home is full of cut flowers, branches, drying herbs, and little arrangements the children put together. We also collect a lot. We have small wicker bowls throughout the house filled with shells and stones—some from our beach and garden and many from family and friends’ homes in the Catskills, Long Island, California, Canada, and abroad. We keep adding to our baskets to remember our journeys and time spent with the people we love,” says Alexandria.