---
title: "Kate Johns Designs — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kate-johns-designs-pfvwus-pf~1636126331
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1636126331.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Kate Johns Designs"
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/ab63f0d500e759b2_9058-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "Rockport, Massachusetts 01966, United States"
phone: "(518) 369-9043"
website: http://www.katejohnsaia.com
rating: 5
review_count: 6
best_of_houzz_awards: 4
followers: 637
last_updated: 2026-09-05
---

# Kate Johns Designs

Original Houzz profile: [Kate Johns Designs](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kate-johns-designs-pfvwus-pf~1636126331)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** Rockport, MA
- **Serves:** Hudson, Chatham, Alford, All Of United States, Austerlitz, Berkshires, Canaan, Claverack, Claverack-Red Mills, Columbiaville, Connecticut, East Chatham, Ghent, Hollowville, Hudson Valley, Kinderhook, Malden Bridge, Mellenville, Niverville, North Chatham, Old Chatham, Philmont, Schodack Landing, Spencertown, Stottville, Stuyvesant, Stuyvesant Falls, Valatie, West Copake, West Lebanon
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (6 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2023), for Design.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- Houzz Influencer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 100,000 Ideabook Saves
- Best of Houzz winner
- Online consultation
- 34 years in business

Kate Johns, AIA, is a design firm specializing in new traditional design and historic preservation. Established in 1986 in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State, we concentrate on classic country house architecture, whether formal or informal.  Circulation, the experience of moving through interior spaces and from interior to exterior spaces, as well as light and the framing of views are our primary design concerns.  Attention to the rules of proportion and classical detailing are also important as is the building's relationship to the site and to its architectural context.

Featured in Houzz Article "Kitchen of the Week: Resurrecting History on a New York Farm." See link below or click on the blog icon to the right. 

 http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14134654/list/kitchen-of-the-week-resurrecting-history-on-a-new-york-

### Services Provided

- Building Design
- Home Remodeling
- House Plans
- New Home Construction
- Home Additions
- Home Extensions
- Kitchen Design
- Sustainable Design
- Kitchen Remodeling
- Energy-Efficient Homes
- Floor Plans
- Bathroom Design
- Space Planning
- Universal Design
- Drafting
- Historic Building Conservation
- Barn Design & Construction
- Laundry Room Design
- Landscape Plans
- Custom Homes

### Areas Served

- Hudson
- Chatham
- Alford
- All Of United States
- Austerlitz
- Berkshires
- Canaan
- Claverack
- Claverack-Red Mills
- Columbiaville
- Connecticut
- East Chatham
- Ghent
- Hollowville
- Hudson Valley
- Kinderhook
- Malden Bridge
- Mellenville
- Niverville
- North Chatham
- Old Chatham
- Philmont
- Schodack Landing
- Spencertown
- Stottville
- Stuyvesant
- Stuyvesant Falls
- Valatie
- West Copake
- West Lebanon

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Kate Johns Designs |
| Address | Rockport, Massachusetts 01966, United States |
| Phone | (518) 369-9043 |
| Website | http://www.katejohnsaia.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 637 |

**Social profiles:**
- Blog — http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14134654/list/kitchen-of-the-week-resurrecting-history-on-a-new-york-

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Kate Johns Designs](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kate-johns-designs-pfvwus-pf~1636126331)
- **Website:** http://www.katejohnsaia.com
- **Phone:** (518) 369-9043

## Credentials

- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2023), for Design.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 6 reviews**

### All 6 reviews

**★★★★★ — Quatrefoil Inc., Dec. 2018**

> We were chosen to be the builder on a project Kate Johns designed, a sensitive, period addition to an already charming Victorian.  Kate's design, as well as the project plans were as good as they get, and the few times there were any questions, or changes were desired by the client, Kate and her staff were available, immediate and thorough.    It was a pleasure working with Kate and her staff.

**★★★★★ — cmvjones, Nov. 2014**

> I hired Kate Johns as my architect for a house that I was building in the central Hudson Valley. The inspiration for the house was a Greek revival Grange and Kate both embraced the project and delivered a design that was more beautiful and well proportioned than any nineteenth century original. The interior of the house from the kitchen to the bead board in every bathroom was tasteful and simple - and consistent with the spirit of a colonial home. I was very pleased with the result and have hired Kate for two other projects.

**★★★★★ — Greenworld Pictures Inc, Feb. 2014**

> Kate Johns architecture is always a pleasure to be in. From the large overall design to the smallest details, it is very well thought out and fits her client's lifestyle like a glove. Her sensitivity to daylight within a residence and it's placement within the landscape gives her architecture a seamless balance with nature. She is very professional, a good communicator and excellent to work with.

**★★★★★ — craigdillon, Dec. 2013**

> My wife and I engaged Kate to design what was then a weekend house. She came up with a very original floor plan which met our needs while preserving the look of an old side hall colonial on the outside. We are often asked when we renovated the house. Twenty five years later we live here full time and still love the house.
>
> We have also used Kate over the years for the design of outbuildings and some interior upgrades.

**★★★★★ — ejacksscott, Dec. 2013**

> Kate Johns, AIA, was the architect we chose to take our 1980's ranch style house on a lovely piece of property in the Hudson Valley and turn it into a very beautiful country home.  She added three wings and redesigned all the windows, siding, and interior spaces.  The result is stunning and we could not be happier with the result as well as with the experience of working with her.  She is an extremely talented architect who is also very nice to work with.  She listened carefully to all of our wishes and designed a house that incorporated all that we had wanted and more.  She has a fine tuned sense of proportion and scale and is classically trained.  We love our 'new house'.

**★★★★★ — koethi, Nov. 2013**

> Kate Johns is a brilliant architect and a lovely person. My husband and I have engaged Kate to renovate two historic homes for us over the course of about eight years and we are working with her now on an addition and outbuildings. She is extremely knowledgeable about the preservation of historic buildings, but also understands the way a modern family lives; her designs seamlessly bring together the past and the present. Kate also has a rare talent for listening to the clients' needs and then translating them into original and thoughtful design solutions. She is thorough, professional and responsive, and also a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend her.

## Selected projects

- [Italianate Revival - Columbia County, NY](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/italianate-revival-columbia-county-ny-pj-vj~1760745)
  - Location: Ancram, NY
  - Photos: 19
- [Vintage Barn Frame Addition to Dutch Stone House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vintage-barn-frame-addition-to-dutch-stone-house-pj-vj~744049)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 21
- [Artist's Guesthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/artist-s-guesthouse-pj-vj~2260653)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 15
  - Description: Design based on Fire Look Out Towers built in the US National Parks. Providing maximum glass window walls in a loft like space.
- [Classical Pavilion in Columbia County, New York](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/classical-pavilion-in-columbia-county-new-york-pj-vj~418223)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
- [19th Century Farmhouse Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/19th-century-farmhouse-renovation-pj-vj~244480)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 26
  - Description: This series of photos shows a wonderful 19th Century house which we almost doubled in size, opening up small dark cramped rooms and creating large open spaces which flowed into each other and out to the beautiful surrounding views. The aesthetic is stripped down traditional. It is simple but warm. A house for a family of writers and readers.
- [Belgian/Dutch Inspired Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/belgian-dutch-inspired-farmhouse-pj-vj~1160531)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 13
- [19th Century Farmhouse Renovation - Interior](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/19th-century-farmhouse-renovation-interior-pj-vj~151845)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 14

[See all 7 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kate-johns-designs-pfvwus-pf~1636126331)

## Community Q&A

**Q: porch flooring?** *(in Photo Questions)*

What type of wood was used for porch flooring. Thank you

A: I usually specify T&G mahogany painted 4 sides before installation.

**Q: did you use wood for exterior or hardy plank siding?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: I used cedar clapboards.

**Q: What is the color of the metal roof?** *(in Photo Questions)*

I'm doing a similar exterior color combination on a barn great room addition. Is the metal roof a shiny silver, does it have any color texture, or is it a more matte silver?

A: The roof is standing seam galvanized steel. It has a matte silver finish which is natural to the galvanized process.  Good luck with your project!

**Q: What is the brand of the pendant light?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: It is a salvaged, antique industrial lamp from a lighting shop in Great Barrington, Ma.

**Q: Ceiling floor cabinets** *(in Photo Questions)*

Can you tell me is poplar wood used on ceiling ?
What finish? Was Rubio oil used on floor and kitchen cabinets? This is my favorite thank you for your ideas

A: The ceiling is Oak. The floors are also oak but antique salvaged oak from Carlisle Wood Floors. We did not use Rubio finishes on this job but I have used them on other, more recent jobs and have found it to be a great finish. The cabinets are painted.

**Q: Counter top** *(in Photo Questions)*

What is the white counter top material? Beautiful kitchen

A: Thank you so much! The counter top is 2" thick Vermont Danby marble, honed and sealed.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-05.*