Installation In Focus: The Carriage House By Workstead, Charleston, SC

The Carriage House, interior design by Workstead, Reclaimed Heart Pine, Vertical Grain flooring by The Hudson Company.

Reclaimed Heart Pine Heads South

Originally from The Hudson Valley, the talented team of designers at Workstead also have a strong presence in the American South—particularly in South Carolina (their work inside Charleston’s Dewberry Hotel is a must see).

For a recent residential project in Charleston known as The Carriage House, The Hudson Company had the pleasure of working alongside Workstead co-founders Stefanie and Robert to select and custom mill some Reclaimed Heart Pine, Vertical Grain flooring. Since the initiation of The Carriage House project, Robert and Stefanie have moved the bulk of Workstead operations back home to New York and we certainly look forward to working together with their team on more projects in the future (including the interiors of their new luxury, multi-unit renovation project in Brooklyn, opening in 2019).

But, until then, enjoy this peek inside the stunning Carriage House project, designed by our friends at Workstead.

Notes on The Carriage House

Detailed project notes from the design team:

“The Carriage House contains 2,000 square feet of livable space distributed over two floors, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms.  The first floor living room features two gas fireplaces, originally used for cooking and laundering.  A brand new kitchen serves as literal and figurative hearth of the home, with cabinetry tucked under the stairs and a grand island providing the counter around which life revolves.  A cozy window seat situated within cypress and caned cabinets compliments the dining room along the south-facing facade.

The second floor features an anteroom for use as an office or library with an adjoining bathroom.  A south-facing bedroom with windows on three sides includes a cypress-clad closet, while the large master suite is complete with two closets, laundry, and master bathroom.  A balcony overlooks the brick courtyard below with green hedges for added privacy.

At the heart of the Carriage House is connection—with time and place as with collaborators.”

Learn More

Explore More Hudson Company Flooring Installations

Learn More About Reclaimed Heart Pine, Vertical Grain Flooring

See The New York Times Feature Story on Workstead in South Carolina.

Check Out Workstead Full Portfolio and Bespoke Webshop

All Photos below taken from www.workstead.com unless otherwise noted.

Designers and Workstead co-founders Robert Highsmith and Stefanie Brechbuehler. Photo by Kathleen Robbins for The New York Times

“At the heart of the Carriage House is connection—with time
and place as with collaborators.”

Inspired By: Selina van der Geest of NL-GB

The designer's home in Milan, NY with exteriors featuring Hudson Company Reclaimed Brown Board Paneling.  Photography by Andreas von Einsiedel for  House & Garden UK.

The home's interior, with Reclaimed Hand Hewn Beams by The Hudson Company.

“The Reclaimed Brown Board Paneling we used on the outside of our house immediately adds a sense of history and character. ”

— Selina van der Geest

Selina van der Geest of NL-GB, photo by Venetia Dearden

Introducing Selina van der Geest

Interior designer Selina van der Geest moved to New York from London in 2000. Since coming to America, Selina has worked in the art and decorating business and has now opened her own eclectic showroom near Millbrook, NY, 90 miles north of New York City.

After building her own house in Milan, New York, Selina was inundated with requests to add her unique style and organizational skills to projects for private clients. It has been a natural progression to continue the decorating business she started back in England, bringing a relaxed European feeling to her clients’ houses. She believes in working organically, reflecting in her designs and colors, the natural surroundings of the property she is transforming.

Earlier this year, we sat down with Selina to discuss her work.

Tell us a bit about how your time training in Europe prepared you for the work you do today?

Well, I studied history and art history which gave me a great background for my work in interior design.  I was lucky to combine both fields working for Colnaghi, the old master art gallery in London, designing stands and galleries as well as working with important art works. It was there that I learned woodworking and curtain making, thus giving me a very hands on approach to my work. The European aesthetic is different and has certainly continues to influence my work here in the States.

How did you choose Upstate, New York as the base for your home and business?  

My husband, who is Dutch, bought a house Upstate in 1983, when he first came to America.  I moved to New York from London in 2000 and since I share his love for the area, we purchased land in 2002 and decided to build a house. As soon as we finished the house, I was asked to help with other projects and so my work Upstate evolved.

what is the red thread that connects all of your design interests?

I am very inspired by nature and the environment around me, whether Upstate or on my travels. I often  incorporate natural elements into my designs.  Bottom line, I strive to create original homes and furniture for my clients and that's what drives me creatively.

What can you tell us about the design process for your own home in Milan, NY?

Before even buying the land, we bought an early 17th Century Louis XIII mantle in Bordeaux, France when we were there for a wedding.  Then, we designed the house around this and a pair of antique Chinese doors.  Coming from homes built of stone in England, I wanted to achieve the same sense of history and character in our new home Milan.

The Reclaimed Brown Board Paneling we used on the outside of our house, immediately adds a sense of history and character.  I stained the cut edge of all the batons, so we didn’t have fresh cuts showing.  It also has the advantage of requiring less maintenance.

Inside we have a large open room featuring Reclaimed Hudson Company Beams, which, along with the Bordeaux mantlepiece, give a very European character to the house.  On the floors we used wide white oak boards, which we left untreated so they could develop a patina over time.  The result is a home which feels very settled, relaxed and natural.

What were some of the key design goals for your new home?

We love cooking so wanted to have a big open space that would allow us to cook while also enjoying the fire and the living area.  You enter through a mudroom with the large Chinese doors creating a welcoming opening into the great room and a view through the French doors to the pool beyond. We often have our family and guests staying and having separate bedroom wings and a guest apartment help to give us all space, but a wonderful place to congregate.

We built the house in seven months and it was certainly an advantage to be on site daily. I spent many days shoveling snow or helping the framer when someone didn’t show up and nothing was delayed waiting for decisions.  I also insist on a clean and tidy job site, believing that a messy environment encourages sloppy work.

What's next for Selina van der Geest?

I am working on a new house being built in Sharon, CT for a client whose apartment I designed in the city. We’re combining a traditional stone farmhouse with painted barn buildings, a stone potting shed and an English green house. The goal is for the house to feel as if it’s been there for hundreds of years and has evolved over time.  Likewise, my goal is for the interior is to feel as if it’s been collected over the years, with interesting accents, textures and natural colors.

Lastly, how would you describe your experience working with The Hudson Company?

The Hudson Company have a wonderful selection of materials and a great aesthetic. From the sampling process to selection, they have listened and understood what we are after. Whether its a small order of individual planks and beams or a bigger order of  pre-finished wood floors, The Hudson Company has  always provided us with quality, professional services.

Visit NLGB.com to learn more about Selina's work.

Learn more about Reclaimed Hand Hewn Beams here and Reclaimed Brown Board Paneling here.

Below is a sampling of more interiors by Selina, with photos by Jane Beiles for The New York Times.

Jane Beiles for The New York Times (here and below).

“The Hudson Company have a wonderful selection of materials and a great aesthetic. From the sampling process to selection, they have listened and understood what we are after. ”

— selina van der geest

The Hudson Company + FAIR for Collective Design 2017

For the 2017 Collective Design Fair, The Hudson Company was proud to collaborate with designer Brad Ford and FAIR.

For FAIR's Collective Design installation, we provided a custom milled floor made from unfinished 2 5/8" Reclaimed Oak, New Face. The flooring material was reclaimed by The Hudson Company from a Pennsylvania dairy barn and re-milled at our Pine Plains, NY mill.

About FAIR: In October 2014, Interior Designer Brad Ford organized a modern makers craft fair in upstate New York called Field + Supply. The focus was on modern, elevated craftsmanship showcasing artisans from the Hudson Valley area as well as makers who work in New York City and Brooklyn. FAIR is an extension of that concept and is now a permanent showroom at the New York Design Center.

About Collective Design: Collective Design brings together creative voices from around the world in a lively, essential discourse on modern and contemporary design and art. Based in New York City and active in the arts community throughout the year, Collective Design presents engaging conversations and educational programs to foster dialogue, encourage the exchange of ideas, and build a growing audience for collectible design and art. 

Learn more about Hudson Company Reclaimed Oak, New Face flooring.

The Hudson Company + Brad Ford & FAIR for DIFFA

This month, The Hudson Company was proud to support the  20th annual  DIFFA Dining by Design event, which, 'raises awareness and grants funds to organizations that provide treatment, direct care services, preventive education programs and advocacy for individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS.'

For designer Brad Ford's Dining by Design installation, The Hudson Company's Reclaimed Oak, Original Face was used to create a warm, natural and minimalist space.

All photos by Michael Paniccia, courtesy of DIFFA.

To learn more about DIFFA, visit their website www.diffa.org.

The Hudson Company + rag & bone Tribeca

rag & bone's new men's store at 228 West Broadway in Tribeca. Photo via tribecacitizen.com.

A Custom Floor for a custom men's shop

This year, The Hudson Company had the privilege to partner once again with the good folks at rag & bone New York to help them curate the interior design of their tenth New York City retail location.

From its origins in New York in 2002, rag & bone instantaneously distinguished itself by combining British heritage with directional, modern design. Today, the brand has become synonymous with innately wearable clothing that melds classic tailoring with an edgy yet understated New York aesthetic.

For their new 'men's only' store in Tribeca, rag & bone's design team had a specific vision for how to create a luxury shopping experience catered specifically to men - a vision that included custom graffiti in the dressing rooms, an authentic Stormtrooper costume, and a one of a kind Hudson Company parquet floor.

Original flooring design concept by The Hudson Company.

A Truly Collaborative Design solution

From the outset of the project, the designers knew that they wanted to create a custom parquet floor with a 'graphic' feel to it. From here, The Hudson Company team suggested a direction for a White Oak flooring design (see sketch at left). 

The boutique's finished floor was constructed of a combination of straight flooring planks and 24" x 24" parquet panels. The color and finish of the floor was custom selected by the design team to complement the overall interior design of the boutique. 

As with all of our creative partnerships, it is a pleasure to help innovative brands and their design teams reach their project goals.

See our White Oak Herringbone floor for the rag & bone at Bloomingdales location.

Visit the rag & bone men's shop and see this unique floor in person: rag & bone Men's Shop is at 228 West Broadway, New York, New York 10013. Phone: 646 277 836. Store Hours: Monday - Saturday: 11am - 8pm, Sunday: 12pm - 6pm.

Detail of the store's custom White Oak parquet flooring design.

Detail of rag & bone Tribeca flooring installation.

The Hudson Company + Atelier AM in The Wall Street Journal Magazine

conjuring the effects of age

This past weekend, The Wall Street Journal Magazine published a lifestyle profile highlighting the exquisite SoHo residence of Michael and Alexandra Miszynski. The Miszynskis are the team behind Atelier AM, a bespoke Los Angeles interior design shop, much in demand by a wide range of elite clients - including Tom Cruise and other Hollywood notables. 

In the profile, WSJ editor Sarah Medford offers readers a thoughtful insight into how Atelier AM has grown such a strong reputation in the design field: 

Over the past 14 years, Atelier AM has become known for rooms that meld eye-catching antiques in settings that are both austere and deeply comfortable in a traditional sense. From the couple’s earliest days in business, when referrals to philanthropist Eli Broad and then–Disney CEO Michael Eisner jump-started their career, the Misczynskis have found clients who appreciate a bold approach, whether that translates into pristine cubes of concrete for the Greys or a raft of commanding Russian antiques like the ones they sourced a decade ago for Tom Cruise for a home in L.A...Atelier AM specializes in conjuring the effects of age in otherwise contemporary settings.

The Hudson Company + Atelier AM in SoHo

Having long been admirers of Atelier AM's work, we were thrilled to collaborate with Michael and Alexandra on their new New York residence and to provide the couple with the 2,000 square feet of ultra-rugged Reclaimed Oak Threshing Floor [Original Face] flooring for their renovated SoHO apartment.

Although similar to the Hudson Company's Reclaimed Mixed Oak floors, the Misczynskis wide plank, Reclaimed Oak flooring was a custom solution, developed especially to meet the client's unique specifications. Custom milled to a thickness of 1.25" and with a natural, unmilled plank edge (to give the flooring an extra raw aesthetic), each of these flooring planks were milled to a length of 8' 3" and installed in a contemporary single-length layout. 

The end result is a floor that is at once an historic object as well as a functional part of a beautiful and modern urban home. It's a powerful contrast that works especially well to illustrate just what can happen when curated pieces of the past intersect with the best of today's design aesthetics. 

Read the full story behind this inspiring couple and their extraordinary New York residence here. All photos by François Halard for The Wall Street Journal.
 

“That influence is fully in evidence in their SoHo loft, where rather aggressively ordinary walls and ceilings deflect attention onto floors of wide-plank reclaimed barn wood. “Rough floors take the preciousness out of antiques,” says Alex of the choice, a signature of Atelier AM’s work. “They make everything more approachable.”

— Wall Street Journal Magazine

Installation in Focus: 1 Hotel Central Park, NYC

All photos courtesy of 1 Hotel Central Park. Photos by Eric Laignel.

“Sustainability aside, the 1 Hotel Central Park appeals aesthetically: an inadvertent conservatory, a place to dive into nature right in the heart of the city.
”

— Forbes Magazine

The power of design to affect change

The development team behind the new family of award-winning 1 Hotels (Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Miami) is driven by a passion for design and a commitment to authenticity and sustainability. At the heart of their vision for a new kind of hotel experience, is the intentional and creative use of 'natural materials.' 

At 1 Hotels, it’s our intention to reconnect people with nature through good design and to do it sustainably. We’re constantly inspired by what we find in our environment and seek to bring the outside in...

One of the deeper intentions driving our design ethos is an idea that if you can create empathy or appreciation in things derived from nature, people are more likely to place more value on those objects. So by using natural materials, we hope to affect a change in the way people value nature.

Whether it be beetle kill pine in the halls of 1 Hotel South Beach, Reclaimed Redwood from nearby water towers for 1 Hotel Central Park, or living plants in each room, all have been placed there deliberately to engage the senses and bring our guests closer to the natural world.

Throughout the development of 1 Hotel Central Park, The Hudson Company worked closely with both the project designers AvroKO and the client to kit out 1 Hotel Central Park with a wide range of high-quality, high-character reclaimed wood flooring, paneling, and beams products, as well as several one-of-a-kind wood installation pieces (see photos above and below).

Bringing The Outside In: A wide range of Reclaimed Wood at 1 Hotel Central Park

Included at the extraordinary new 1 Hotel Central Park is 50,000 square feet of 8" wide Select Harvest Oak [Silt Finish] flooring, 30,000 square feet of Reclaimed Barn Siding [Grey Board], 50 Reclaimed Hand Hewn Beams, 1,500 square feet of Reclaimed Redwood [NYC Water Tanks], 2,000 feet of Reclaimed Mixed Softwoods [Threshing Floor, Old Face], Reclaimed Travaux Maple [New Face, Chevron] flooring, and a custom finished, debarked Spalted Elm Stump.

To learn more about 1 Hotel Central Park, visit their official website. To learn more about how you can elevate your next design project with any of the Reclaimed wood products mentioned or show here, please contact us today. 

All photos courtesy of 1 Hotel Central Park. Photos by Eric Laignel.

“We’ve designed our hotel and products to highlight the startling beauty of nature, fusing luxury with responsibility to create refreshing experiences. At 1, you’ll find open spaces bathed in natural light, food made with the freshest organic ingredients, and recycled and reclaimed wood and materials. By focusing on simple things that make life better, we’re introducing a new way to experience luxury living.”

— Barry Sternlicht CEO & Chairman, 1 Hotels

All photos courtesy of 1 Hotel Central Park. Photos by Eric Laignel.

The Hudson Company + FAIR at Collective Design Fair 2016

FAIR Showroom, NYC.

The FAIR exhibit space at Collective Design Fair 2016.

the right balance of artistry and thoughtfulness

The designer behind FAIR is New Yorker Brad Ford. 

Back in October, 2014, Ford organized a modern makers craft fair in upstate New York called Field + Supply. The focus of that fair was on modern, elevated craftsmanship showcasing artisans from the Hudson Valley area as well as makers who work in New York City and Brooklyn. FAIR is an extension of that concept and is now a permanent showroom at the New York Design Center. It is more edited and elevated than the original event upstate, but the focus remains on high-end, handcrafted design and craft. Many of the same designers who showed their work at Field + Supply are represented at FAIR and several of them are craftspeople that Ford has worked with over the years on his own high-end design projects.

With FAIR, Ford's emphasis is on the people behind the products, “I have established relationships with a lot of these artists and know how beautifully executed their workmanship is. They have the right balance of artistry and thoughtfulness so there’s a timelessness to their work which I think has a lot of value. For me, their work should be considered future heirlooms that will last for generations.”

THE HUDSON COMPANY & FAIR

Whether he is collecting bespoke furniture, lighting, textiles, or ceramic objects for the FAIR showroom, Ford's has established an aesthetic that fits well with The Hudson Company's own design values.

So, we were proud to collaborate with Brad for this year's Collective Design Fair in NYC. As a part of FAIR's exhibit space at CDF, Ford incorporated Hudson Company Select Harvest White Oak [French Cut, Bare Finish] flooring, as a contrast to the glossy white concrete of the event space flooring.The end result was an exhibit space that felt warm, clean, welcoming, and modern - all adjectives that clearly describe what FAIR is all about. 

Click here to learn more about Hudson Company Select Harvest White Oak [French Cut, Bare Finish] or contact us for a quote for your next design project. 

Hudson Company Select Harvest White Oak [French Cut, Bare Finish] floors used by designer Brad Ford at Collective Design Fair 2016.

Interior design by Brad Ford.

Designer Brad Ford.

Installation in Focus: 'Stonewood Farm' private residence, New York

The Pleasures of Country Living

‘Only by letting nature in can we create a sense of coherence and kinship among house, landscape and environs. Only with that connection can a home be nurturing and invigorating.’ -Designer Ken Holzberg

When designer Ken Holzberg was ready to build his dream home at Stonewood Farm, near Millbrook, New York, the goal of his project was to create something new, while still retaining a sense of continuity with the past.

Describing his inspiration for the project, Ken writes, ‘Farmhouses and their outbuildings have always been thoughtfully tied to the land...they are made of honest, natural materials – typically what is locally available – further connecting them to their surroundings.’

When Ken approached The Hudson Company in search of the perfect materials for his project (reclaimed wood flooring, exposed beams, and vintage doors), we knew we were collaborating with an accomplished designer with an eye for detail. From hand picked cabinet hardware to custom-made light fixtures, Ken curated the perfect palette of materials and textures. ‘If I had to describe my style in one word, I would call it eclectic,’ writes Holzberg, ‘I love to take old, beautiful materials and objects from different eras and places – pieces that would never have otherwise known each other – and put them together to give them new life against the backdrop of an understatedly elegant room.’

perfectly imperfect: The Right Materials for home

Upon visiting The Hudson Company Mill, Ken was able to find flooring materials, exposed beams, and antique lumber that fit his precise vision. Choosing to incorporate 1,000 square feet of Reclaimed Hemlock floors, Reclaimed Softwood Beams [Original Face]. and an additional 3,000 square feet of Reclaimed Mixed Softwood [Threshing Floor] flooring - both sourced from historic farm buildings in the area - Ken was able to achieve the desired effect of a modern, informal home that is rich in historical character.

‘When all is said and done,’ writes Holzberg, ‘I think Stonewood’s interior spaces work so well for me because they are infinitely approachable...everything is perfectly imperfect...nothing is too precious to touch, eat at, or sit on. Everyone can feel welcome and comfortable in our home.’

This installation profile originally appeared in The Hudson Company Journal, Volume 1. To request a print copy of The Hudson Company Journal, please contact us at info@thehudsonco.com.

RECLAIMED MIXED SOFTWOODS [THRESHING FLOOR, BARLEY FINISH]

RECLAIMED HEMLOCK [MUSHROOM WOOD] FLOORING

RECLAIMED SOFTWOOD BEAMS [ORIGINAL FACE]

Installation in Focus: West 29th Street Loft, New York

A Whimsical New York Loft, A Durable Pre-Finished Flooring Solution

This 4,000 square foot West 29th Street Loft, designed by the talented team at Studio DB was completed in the summer of 2013 and features Hudson Company Select Harvest White Oak [Cascade Finish] flooring. Because the client in this project was a family with four kids, the architects incorporated a lot of creative and durable elements into their design solutions - not least of which was their choice to use The Hudson Company's pre-finished Select Harvest White Oak flooring. 

On their website, Studio DB outlines the the design program for the loft's design: "The kitchen anchors a large, open living and dining room with window exposures on three sides. Access to the kids' bedrooms is off a custom wallpapered hallway with a zip-line down the middle.  The kids' rooms each connect to a shared loft space, with unique access from each bedroom including a colorful rock wall, monkey bars, and a concealed ladder.  The interconnected loft ends at a slide which filters down into a corner playroom. The master suite is a more sophisticated space. A light filled study is tucked behind the master bedroom, which is separated by steel and glass doors."

To learn how The Hudson Company can help you reach your goals for your next design project, contact us today at info@thehudsonco.com.

Photos by Mike Garten for Studio DB, Copyright of Studio DB.