Moving to townhome from a single-family Westchester residence did not mean sacrificing style or funcationality. The client engaged Hirshson Architecture + Design to oversee the complete transformation of a standard townhouse into a modern dwelling for entertaining.

All interior finishes were removed. A compact kitchen at the front of the home was replaced with a multi-purpose mudroom and a laundry. The shift opened the entire rear of the home for the great room, an open kitchen, and dining space. A warm, modern aesthetic runs throughout the completed living space. The new kitchen centers on a center island with a marble waterfall top. The same stone creates the backdrop to the wood hood and custom wall sconces. A sub-kitchen provides ample storage for all of the cooking and organizational needs of the owner.

On the second floor, a reconfigured primary suite features two sizable dressing rooms, a space dedicated for make-up, and a serene bath with a bleached walnut vanity.

Photography: Jason Muhlberger

Interior Design + Styling: Hirshson Architecture + Design

Two years of planning and approvals cleared the way for a return client to relocate a septic system, raise the grading in the backyard for a pool, an outdoor entertaining experience, and an expansion to the home’s footprint.

Inside, structural steel across the rear and side of the home greatly enlarged the family room, the kitchen, and a new pool bath. Highlights of the family room include a two-stone limestone gas fireplace, custom millwork, and views to the adjacent outdoor veranda. In the kitchen, custom cabinetry paired with slabs of marble on the counters and the walls create a modern aesthetic befitting the architecture of the home. A lacquered butler’s pantry separates the kitchen and the dining room. This new entertaining feature is just one of the many thoughtful pieces provided for the client to entertain year round both indoors and out by the pool.

Photography: Stefan Radtke

Styling: Hirshson Architecture + Design

Some of the biggest changes to a home come from careful planning of architecture and interior design. This project reflects a thoughtful approach to maximizing the utility of each room for use by a family of six and their two rescue dogs.

Reversing the orientation of the kitchen created a pivot point between the center island, an oversized breakfast room, and a family room with a vaulted ceiling. Further enhancements include a dedicated drinks station near the kitchen table, and an enlarged powder room that doubles as a pool changing room in the Summer.

The enjoyment of music and entertaining runs through every room. A grand piano anchors one corner of the living room, while a large sectional sofa enjoys the fireplace with flanking cabinets. A home office showcases a small portion of the owner’s guitar collection. The dining room features an over-sized round table for family gatherings. In the kitchen, slabs of marble with hues of blue and cream add character to the center island as well as lining the wall behind the range.

A tranquil primary suite continues the theme of sophisticated comfort with a palette of warm neutrals enveloping the space. The primary bath uses dolomite marble in varying sizes and patterns throughout. Further upgrades include one bath shared by two boys with a deep soaking tub, rich blue wall tiles, and a classic marble mosaic on the floor. A second bath for two girls features a large shower, warm whites, and a private water closet.

A new laundry room was created on the second floor to keep up with the demands of the family and the dogs. Ample space for air-drying clothing is easily done with several rolling racks integrated with the floor-to-ceiling millwork.

Photography: Jason Muhlberger

Styling: Dorynne Brock Interiors

Originally an outbuilding on a larger Westchester estate, the 1800’s home had been renovated in segments by previous owners. Hirshson Architecture was engaged to blend all of the living spaces together for the requirements of a young, active family.

Removing a small, covered porch, facilitated squaring and expanding the footprint for a large kitchen. A steel beam was set into the framing facilitating a clear expanse across the dining table and oversized island. Custom cabinetry in painted and stained walnut pairs with marble counters and handmade tile on the walls. The full project included the dining room, the living room, a new entry foyer, a cozy den, and a guest powder room.

The completed renovation embraces the juxtaposition of traditional and modern resulting a carefully curated eclectic home.

The client desired to infuse personality and large-scale space for entertaining into their existing residence. The project included the complete removal of the rear of the building creating a large family room, a true chef’s kitchen, a mudroom, an elevated deck, and a covered indoor/outdoor entertaining space.

A juxtaposition in color and texture flows between the architecture and the interior design. The open kitchen circle a substantial center island with seating for five. A custom pendant anchors the island, while comfortable seating in dark hues juxtapose the crisp white of the quartz counters and Leicht cabinetry.

Outside, the extended great room created a true indoor/outdoor space for poolside entertaining. A full kitchen with seating resides at one end with a wood-burning fireplace placed on the opposite side.

This is a home designed for family and friends to enjoy in all seasons.

Photography: Stefan Radtke

Styling: Hirshson Design Group

This whole home renovation touched each room of this Normandy-style home in Westchester, NY. At the front entry, the existing recessed door was replaced with a prominent lead-coated copper portico and glass door. Inside, a new staircase design opened the entry foyer and provides the perfect backdrop for the curated interior finishes. In the kitchen, a dramatic black center island set beneath a coffered ceiling separates the breakfast nook and the family room. A reconfigured primary suite includes dressing rooms and a spa-like bath covered in dolomite stone.

Photography: Brittany Amrbidge

Stylist: Martin Bourne

The clients, originally from New Zealand, sought to create a central gathering location for family and friends. Therefore, the first design meetings focused on understanding what the average weekend looks like including number of guests, friends and pets, where they could gather as large groups, and then to create more intimate spaces to simply relax.  Attention to how sound travels through the home led to a single-story entry foyer.  The staircase then moved to a quieter end of the home so family sleeping on the second floor would not be affected by guests in the large, first floor rooms.
Nearly every room in the home has direct access to the outdoors.  Either going through the opening created by the Nanawall or stepping through a french door onto the terrace, the home's design emphasizes connectivity between interior and exterior. In the rear yard, the owner created a pool designed for people to lounge on the sun deck, swim laps, and enjoy the spa. Run on a separate set of equipment, the owner may elect to keep the hot tub open during the winter as well.  

Interior Design: Edda Elias + Alicia Kinloch

Photography: Stefan Radtke

A young family purchased this 1800’s townhouse with a singular vision to renovate the once grand residence into a modern home. Years of modifications as a single room occupancy (SRO) resulted in a maze of rooms with small glimpses of the original plaster moulding and intricate wood paneling. The family did not identify the project as a historic restoration. Instead, anything that could be salvaged was cataloged and protected for repurposing. A careful restoration of the brownstone on the street façade satisfied New York’s Landmark’s Preservation Committee, while the rear of the building received large, new windows set in repurposed brick.

Inside, old blends seamlessly with new on five floors of finished living space. A large kitchen and breakfast room on the garden level connect directly to the private rear yard. On the parlor floor, the dining room resides at the front of the townhouse, and a butler’s pantry in a striking blue lacquer finish resides at the back of the home. A formal living room and library complete the entertaining space. Throughout, original mahogany columns and wainscot compliment new plaster coves and new custom wood flooring. One level up, a rooftop addition floods the landing with natural light. The primary suite shifted to the rear of the townhouse allowing for a window to be set in the double-sided marble shower.

Interior Design: Bella Mancini Design

Photography: © Brittany Ambridge/OTTO

Stylist: Frances Bailey

Editorial: National Cover Story Luxe Magazine

The project took the existing 4,000sf penthouse back to the shell of the 1990's structure.  A new layout was put in place with the public and private spaces all collected off of a new central gallery. Herringbone floors and custom plaster mouldings blend together with paneled openings adding detail and character to a formerly outdated residence.  In addition, terrace doors were all reconfigured to provide full access to the renovated 1,000sf outdoor living space.  Divided into three zones, each area has a distinct feel for group conversation, dining, or relaxing while taking in the views of lower and upper Manhattan.  

Interior Design: Heather Moore/Jed Johnson

Photography: Darryl Estrine

This Dutch Colonial in Larchmont received a complete renovation blending interior architecture and interior design. A bold marble floor at the entry sets the tone for a broad palette of colors reflecting the family’s roots the South Pacific and Cuba. In the living room, a new marble surround anchors the fireplace with flexible seating on benches, side chairs, and a large sofa. A deep sectional sofa runs the length of an adjacent family room. In the dining room, custom millwork and silk wallcovering are color blocked providing the backdrop for the rich wood tones of the table, seating, and stone serving counters. In the kitchen, a herringbone stone floor blends together the soft blue and white tone of the custom cabinetry. A zellige backsplash adds texture and character to the kitchen, and a custom channel-back banquette comfortably seats the entire family.

Photography: Stefan Radtke

Styling: Hirshson Design Group

The client approached Hirshson Architecture to resolve a divided floor plan resulting from a series of additions to a modern, 1950’s ranch. The resulting plan expanded the kitchen footprint creating a breakfast room with vaulted ceilings. The kitchen includes a picture window overlooking a new bluestone patio and adjacent elevated deck. The kitchen features a wall of dark cabinetry juxtaposed with light millwork at the perimeter of the space. A center island with waterfall quartz tops provides seating for three. A double-sided peninsula allows for serving food and drinks to guests in the dining and family rooms. A relocated powder room features a marble mosaic on the floor, floating stone sink, and a dramatic wallcovering. Throughout, mixed metals, wood finishes, and stones pay homage to the sophistication of the original 1950’s design.

Interior Design: Tara Kantor + Hirshson Design Group

Photography: Stefan Radtke

The homeowner approached the firm to oversee the complete overhaul of the existing interior architecture and interiors design, expansion of the existing kitchen, and the creation of a new outdoor entertaining space. The multi-story great room and adjacent kitchen serve as the heart of the home. A custom section, new stone surround fireplace, and a walnut wine cellar offer something for everyone in the great room. In the kitchen, a large center island with waterfall quartzite countertop separates casual seating from the working triangle. A vaulted ceiling and shiplap paneling frame the windows of the addition and afford postcard views of the surrounding tree line. Throughout the residence, en-suite bathrooms and decor were tailored to reflect the individual personalities of the owner, their children, as well as the beloved family dog.

Set atop a secluded piece of a property, the existing 6,000 square foot residence had been customized by the original owner to enjoy distant views of the changing landscape.  Hirshson Architecture sought to improve the relationship of interior and exterior design through the complete renovation of the home for its second owners.  The new front facade features a stone porch with a copper metal roofing, a custom walnut entry door,  and a feature arch-topped window.  Immediately inside, the existing staircase was removed and replaced to maximize the footprint of the entry foyer.  The surrounding wainscot panels balance the height of the space as well as showcasing the owner's art collection.  At the rear, all windows were reconfigured to maximize the view and the connection to a new pool, fire pit, and pergola.  All interior rooms received design features including a chef's kitchen, double-height living room with marble fireplace, a bar, and a new cabana bath.  On the second floor, a multi-room master suite includes separate dressing rooms and a tranquil bath with a soaking tub surrounded by glass.  

The client purchased a set of plans from a local Hamptons builder to replace their 1960's beach retreat.  Immediately, window selections and roof details were revised to distinguish the exterior from similar residences.  Inside, the plan was modified to maximize views to the pool, to improve circulation between the entertaining spaces, and to create more intimate rooms for the family to enjoy together.   Hirshson Architecture + Design also provided the concept for the landscape design including the custom gates and lighting layout.  

Old meets new in a three-story addition to an existing 1920's Westchester home.  The residence occupies a corner lot with three exposures.  The street facade presents more formal details consistent with traditional colonial architecture.  The rear draws from farm-house elements including an exposed stacked stone foundation walls and covered porches for seating.  The 1,000 square feet addition enabled a new orientation for the first floor starting with a gracious entry foyer spanning from the front to the back of the home.  A new eat-in kitchen features two-tone painted custom cabinets, quartzite counter surfaces, and v-groove panels on the ceiling.  On the second floor, an existing bedroom was removed creating a new entry sequence to the master suite.  The bedroom features a vaulted ceiling with a seating group overlooking the rear yard and open northern views.  Centered to the south, the master bath blends v-groove panels on the walls with custom cabinets and marble herringbone floor.    

Hirshson Architecture worked closely with the client and interior design team to update the layout and all finishes throughout a 1990's center hall colonial.  The project improved flow between all rooms of the first floor, replaced the kitchen, introduced a gas fireplace with custom millwork in the family room, and created an entirely new mudroom.  The second floor included a new master suite, the conversion of a laundry into a child's bath, and updates to finishes in all rooms.

The existing residence lacked continuity and architectural detail in the primary living spaces. Hirshson Architecture + Design removed an existing fireplace and replaced it with a new design and mechanical systems to allow for a series of pocket doors aligning the family room, living room and kitchen.  A double-height living room separates the kitchen and the family room.  Large windows are balanced by an illuminated art niche above a marble firebox and floor-to-ceiling panels.  The kitchen was expanded and filled with custom cabinetry blending shaker door fronts, with texture panels, high-gloss wood veneers, and a custom polished metal hood.  In the family room, a custom cabinet anchors the room providing ample storage for books, media components, and personal objects.

Located in Manhattan's Meatpacking District at the intersection of the Highline and Chelsea Market, Sons & Daughters presented Hirshson Architecture + Design the challenge to create a unique atmosphere to match the surroundings while offering a comfortable environment for a weekend brunch.  In turn, the existing space was stripped to the shell allowing for a new modular seating blending wood, leather, and metal with distinct cement tile patterns for accent.  Elevated by two steps, the private dining room was reimagined with custom wall panels, wallcovering, and a central chandelier to anchor the space.  Throughout, various light sources define the more casual gathering spots from the intimate dining areas.  All share a view of the open bar and kitchen.