It was apparent by the existing condition of this pre-war Upper West Side apartment that Morpurgo Architects would need to “gut” it to make a home for our clients, a young family with two children. The homeowners requested that we convert this two-bedroom coop into a three-bedroom unit that would include two distinct living areas, one for the adults and one for the children. We took this blank slate, reconfigured the rooms, and developed a floor plan with an easy flow throughout the apartment. As a bonus, we creatively carved out a space for a small office. Our firm expanded the entry, making it a significant focal point of this home. The striking, marble foyer acts as a unifying element between the living and dining rooms and also provides a transition to the bedroom wing. From the window wall of the living room, there is a view of the entire apartment through the entry and dining room/den to the kitchen. Yet, when privacy is preferred, the dining area can be closed with beautiful pocket-glazed French Doors that enhance the entry as well. The apartment is painted with a cohesive color palette that gives it a warm golden glow.

Douglas VanderHorn Architects From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Douglas VanderHorn Architects From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

It was apparent by the existing condition of this pre-war Upper West Side apartment that Morpurgo Architects would need to “gut” it to make a home for our clients, a young family with two children. The homeowners requested that we convert this two-bedroom coop into a three-bedroom unit that would include two distinct living areas, one for the adults and one for the children. We took this blank slate, reconfigured the rooms, and developed a floor plan with an easy flow throughout the apartment. As a bonus, we creatively carved out a space for a small office. Our firm expanded the entry, making it a significant focal point of this home. The striking, marble foyer acts as a unifying element between the living and dining rooms and also provides a transition to the bedroom wing. From the window wall of the living room, there is a view of the entire apartment through the entry and dining room/den to the kitchen. Yet, when privacy is preferred, the dining area can be closed with beautiful pocket-glazed French Doors that enhance the entry as well. The apartment is painted with a cohesive color palette that gives it a warm golden glow.

Photo: Travis Rathbone Stretching from 62nd to 158th Street along Manhattan’s West Side, Riverside Park is a vast expanse of green space on the edge of the Hudson River. The park is home to beautiful gardens, landscaped paths, sports facilities, public art, and some of the most stunning river views. For that reason it is widely regarded as Manhattan’s most spectacular waterfront park. No wonder it is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the city. This interior project set along the scenic section of the Hudson came with only one criteria….make it cool. As a second home and city escape the client wanted a hip retreat for family and guests with a turn key interior. DL happily accepted the challenge creating unique and beautiful custom pieces and selecting everything from the wall-coverings to the kitchen appliances. As this was a secondary residence we had the freedom and flexibility to create an even more artful environment. These elements are apparent with the strong use of metal, concrete and the sculptural details of the furniture.

Photo: Travis Rathbone from 62nd to 158th Street along Manhattan’s West Side, Riverside Park is a vast expanse of green space on the edge of the Hudson River. The park is home to beautiful gardens, landscaped paths, sports facilities, public art, and some of the most stunning river views. For that reason it is widely regarded as Manhattan’s most spectacular waterfront park. No wonder it is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the city. This interior project set along the scenic section of the Hudson came with only one criteria….make it cool. As a second home and city escape the client wanted a hip retreat for family and guests with a turn key interior. DL happily accepted the challenge creating unique and beautiful custom pieces and selecting everything from the wall-coverings to the kitchen appliances. As this was a secondary residence we had the freedom and flexibility to create an even more artful environment. These elements are apparent with the strong use of metal, concrete and the sculptural details of the furniture.

The kitchen features a hand-hammered, copper, range hood, and hand-made ceramic tile. A closer look at the refrigerator panels highlights the ‘butterfly’ dovetails employed to join individual boards. In the hands of Jaeger & Ernst’s master cabinetmakers, such functional, woodworking details become captivating decorative elements. This celebration of traditional skills is a hallmark of the Arts & Crafts movement’s emphasis on the highest standards of craftsmanship. Trees with great age produce boards both lighter and stronger; nowhere is this more apparent than with American quarter sawn white oak. The quality of a board may determine the end uses effectiveness and durability. A good cabinet maker chooses wisely. Project: 6232.1

Located on a private ranch on the Central Coast of California, The North Coast Ranch is a contemporary agrarian compound with a rich family heritage. The compound includes a main house, guest house, and detached garage/workshop situated on what was once a hog farm. The agrarian setting and history of the property inspired much of the design and detailing. The agrarian influences are apparent in the exposed framing, cedar siding, barn form roof lines, and a tower element inspired by the existing concrete silos located on the property. To celebrate the family’s Swiss heritage, the exposed rafter tails are individually branded with the Swiss flag insignia. On the interior, a large open floor plan and 10’ sliding glass doors provide plenty of space for family gatherings and opportunities for indoor/outdoor living. Adding to the grandeur of the spaces, the kitchen and living room boast vaulted cathedral ceilings. The agrarian detailing continues throughout the house with the incorporation of warm materials and exposed structure. Concrete slats, originally a part of the old hog pen infrastructure, were reutilized to create a feature wall in the dining room.

Photo: Travis Rathbone from 62nd to 158th Street along Manhattan’s West Side, Riverside Park is a vast expanse of green space on the edge of the Hudson River. The park is home to beautiful gardens, landscaped paths, sports facilities, public art, and some of the most stunning river views. For that reason it is widely regarded as Manhattan’s most spectacular waterfront park. No wonder it is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the city. This interior project set along the scenic section of the Hudson came with only one criteria….make it cool. As a second home and city escape the client wanted a hip retreat for family and guests with a turn key interior. DL happily accepted the challenge creating unique and beautiful custom pieces and selecting everything from the wall-coverings to the kitchen appliances. As this was a secondary residence we had the freedom and flexibility to create an even more artful environment. These elements are apparent with the strong use of metal, concrete and the sculptural details of the furniture.

Casa A137 is harmoniously nestled on a property that borders the spring forest to the south and west, with a gentle 14m drop from its highest point. This natural topography was not a challenge but an inspiration for our architecture, guiding us to open the views towards the forest and blend seamlessly with the terrain. The project gracefully ascends from street level, ensuring the ground floor merges with the rear garden level while the upper floor offers unobstructed views of the natural landscape. We used stone materials and steel to create a sober and simple appearance for the residence. Apparent concrete has an important role in all exterior and interior areas; in the same way, the green areas visually accompany each space. The house’s gardens go hand in hand with the architecture. Several interior areas were designed to integrate vegetation, which accompanies the exterior, where the landscaped spaces that complement the facade and the side corridors are projected. For our clients, social areas were very important, especially the terrace. An important project area is destined for an outdoor terrace overlooking the forest. It comprises a kitchen area with a bar and a space for living and dining. The warmth of a fire pit accompanies it.

Casa A137 is harmoniously nestled on a property that borders the spring forest to the south and west, with a gentle 14m drop from its highest point. This natural topography was not a challenge but an inspiration for our architecture, guiding us to open the views towards the forest and blend seamlessly with the terrain. The project gracefully ascends from street level, ensuring the ground floor merges with the rear garden level while the upper floor offers unobstructed views of the natural landscape. We used stone materials and steel to create a sober and simple appearance for the residence. Apparent concrete has an important role in all exterior and interior areas; in the same way, the green areas visually accompany each space. The house’s gardens go hand in hand with the architecture. Several interior areas were designed to integrate vegetation, which accompanies the exterior, where the landscaped spaces that complement the facade and the side corridors are projected. For our clients, social areas were very important, especially the terrace. An important project area is destined for an outdoor terrace overlooking the forest. It comprises a kitchen area with a bar and a space for living and dining. The warmth of a fire pit accompanies it.

Casa A137 is harmoniously nestled on a property that borders the spring forest to the south and west, with a gentle 14m drop from its highest point. This natural topography was not a challenge but an inspiration for our architecture, guiding us to open the views towards the forest and blend seamlessly with the terrain. The project gracefully ascends from street level, ensuring the ground floor merges with the rear garden level while the upper floor offers unobstructed views of the natural landscape. We used stone materials and steel to create a sober and simple appearance for the residence. Apparent concrete has an important role in all exterior and interior areas; in the same way, the green areas visually accompany each space. The house’s gardens go hand in hand with the architecture. Several interior areas were designed to integrate vegetation, which accompanies the exterior, where the landscaped spaces that complement the facade and the side corridors are projected. For our clients, social areas were very important, especially the terrace. An important project area is destined for an outdoor terrace overlooking the forest. It comprises a kitchen area with a bar and a space for living and dining. The warmth of a fire pit accompanies it.

He wanted a lake house, she wanted a pool. Tucked away on a small cul-de-sac in North Reading is a backyard oasis like no other. “During our initial meeting with the homeowners, it became apparent that they wanted a unique pool, so we suggested a free-form gunite pool surrounded by an indigenous Goshen Stone patio, custom cut to create ultra-tight joints. The stone arrived in huge slabs — most over 5’ x 5’ in size — and varied significantly in thickness. Countless hours were spent cutting, chiseling, and even sandblasting this life-sized jigsaw puzzle. The final look was exactly what we were shooting for.” Russell The pool itself has a dark, pebble finish with a long, custom bench and a simple, spillway stone creating a perfect respite with a calming sound. Surrounding the pool and patio is a lush lawn with large swatches of summertime perennials. The homeowner is an active gardener, so providing him with areas to hone his skills was paramount to our success as a design firm. Large, architectural boulders were carefully arranged throughout the rear yard as both design elements and as functional furniture. A custom-built, wood, wire, and split granite fence meets pool-enclosure requirements and adds that farmhouse-feel to the overall look. Carefully arranged Goshen step stone set flush in the lawn orchestrates movement throughout the garden while connecting the house and pool in a thoughtful, artistic way. No need to travel north to the lake when you’ve got this to enjoy daily — right in your own backyard!

Casa A137 is harmoniously nestled on a property that borders the spring forest to the south and west, with a gentle 14m drop from its highest point. This natural topography was not a challenge but an inspiration for our architecture, guiding us to open the views towards the forest and blend seamlessly with the terrain. The project gracefully ascends from street level, ensuring the ground floor merges with the rear garden level while the upper floor offers unobstructed views of the natural landscape. We used stone materials and steel to create a sober and simple appearance for the residence. Apparent concrete has an important role in all exterior and interior areas; in the same way, the green areas visually accompany each space. The house’s gardens go hand in hand with the architecture. Several interior areas were designed to integrate vegetation, which accompanies the exterior, where the landscaped spaces that complement the facade and the side corridors are projected. For our clients, social areas were very important, especially the terrace. An important project area is destined for an outdoor terrace overlooking the forest. It comprises a kitchen area with a bar and a space for living and dining. The warmth of a fire pit accompanies it.

He wanted a lake house, she wanted a pool. Tucked away on a small cul-de-sac in North Reading is a backyard oasis like no other. “During our initial meeting with the homeowners, it became apparent that they wanted a unique pool, so we suggested a free-form gunite pool surrounded by an indigenous Goshen Stone patio, custom cut to create ultra-tight joints. The stone arrived in huge slabs — most over 5’ x 5’ in size — and varied significantly in thickness. Countless hours were spent cutting, chiseling, and even sandblasting this life-sized jigsaw puzzle. The final look was exactly what we were shooting for.” Russell The pool itself has a dark, pebble finish with a long, custom bench and a simple, spillway stone creating a perfect respite with a calming sound. Surrounding the pool and patio is a lush lawn with large swatches of summertime perennials. The homeowner is an active gardener, so providing him with areas to hone his skills was paramount to our success as a design firm. Large, architectural boulders were carefully arranged throughout the rear yard as both design elements and as functional furniture. A custom-built, wood, wire, and split granite fence meets pool-enclosure requirements and adds that farmhouse-feel to the overall look. Carefully arranged Goshen step stone set flush in the lawn orchestrates movement throughout the garden while connecting the house and pool in a thoughtful, artistic way. No need to travel north to the lake when you’ve got this to enjoy daily — right in your own backyard!

Set on a narrow lakefront parcel defined by tight setbacks and limited hardscape allowance, this modern cabin demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform restriction into possibility. Carefully composed to preserve privacy while opening fully toward the water, the home feels both expansive and intimate—an elevated retreat grounded in its landscape. Though modest in footprint, the residence lives generously. Four bedrooms are tucked efficiently within the plan, including a light-filled quilting studio that reflects the homeowners’ creative life. Each bedroom opens onto its own private balcony, offering moments of pause and perspective with views stretching across lake and countryside. The upper level also includes a family room, providing a quiet gathering space removed from the activity below. From here, the home’s vertical volume becomes apparent, as daylight pours down through a dramatic two-story space framed by glass facing the lake. At the center of the home, a custom steel-and-wood plank stair acts as both circulation and sculpture. Rising through the double-height volume, it leads the eye upward to a tall Nelson cigar lamp suspended above—an intentional moment of drama and delight. The main floor is designed around connection and flow. Kitchen, dining, and living areas exist as one continuous space, unified by light, views, and material warmth. A 12-foot-long island anchors the kitchen, serving as the natural gathering place for morning coffee, family meals, and summertime buffet-style entertaining. When fully opened, large folding accordion glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, allowing the screened porch to become a true extension of the living space. Function is carefully layered throughout the plan. A mudroom entry from the tucked-under two-car garage includes a powder room and utility closet, while a generous entry closet provides essential storage and has been dimensioned to accommodate a future elevator. Designed intentionally for aging in place, the home incorporates zero-threshold access from the garage, wide halls and doorways, reinforced wall blocking for future grab bars, and infrastructure for a future elevator—ensuring long-term comfort without compromising design. Clad in dark painted board-and-batten siding, the exterior minimizes visual scale and allows the home to recede quietly into the landscape. Recessed balconies and façade elements are wrapped in warm wood-look siding, adding depth and contrast while bringing warmth into the interior. At night, light spills softly from within, and the cabin glows along the shoreline—welcoming, calm, and enduring.

Located on a private ranch on the Central Coast of California, The North Coast Ranch is a contemporary agrarian compound with a rich family heritage. The compound includes a main house, guest house, and detached garage/workshop situated on what was once a hog farm. The agrarian setting and history of the property inspired much of the design and detailing. The agrarian influences are apparent in the exposed framing, cedar siding, barn form roof lines, and a tower element inspired by the existing concrete silos located on the property. To celebrate the family’s Swiss heritage, the exposed rafter tails are individually branded with the Swiss flag insignia. On the interior, a large open floor plan and 10’ sliding glass doors provide plenty of space for family gatherings and opportunities for indoor/outdoor living. Adding to the grandeur of the spaces, the kitchen and living room boast vaulted cathedral ceilings. The agrarian detailing continues throughout the house with the incorporation of warm materials and exposed structure. Concrete slats, originally a part of the old hog pen infrastructure, were reutilized to create a feature wall in the dining room.

Douglas VanderHorn Architects From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Set on a narrow lakefront parcel defined by tight setbacks and limited hardscape allowance, this modern cabin demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform restriction into possibility. Carefully composed to preserve privacy while opening fully toward the water, the home feels both expansive and intimate—an elevated retreat grounded in its landscape. Though modest in footprint, the residence lives generously. Four bedrooms are tucked efficiently within the plan, including a light-filled quilting studio that reflects the homeowners’ creative life. Each bedroom opens onto its own private balcony, offering moments of pause and perspective with views stretching across lake and countryside. The upper level also includes a family room, providing a quiet gathering space removed from the activity below. From here, the home’s vertical volume becomes apparent, as daylight pours down through a dramatic two-story space framed by glass facing the lake. At the center of the home, a custom steel-and-wood plank stair acts as both circulation and sculpture. Rising through the double-height volume, it leads the eye upward to a tall Nelson cigar lamp suspended above—an intentional moment of drama and delight. The main floor is designed around connection and flow. Kitchen, dining, and living areas exist as one continuous space, unified by light, views, and material warmth. A 12-foot-long island anchors the kitchen, serving as the natural gathering place for morning coffee, family meals, and summertime buffet-style entertaining. When fully opened, large folding accordion glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, allowing the screened porch to become a true extension of the living space. Function is carefully layered throughout the plan. A mudroom entry from the tucked-under two-car garage includes a powder room and utility closet, while a generous entry closet provides essential storage and has been dimensioned to accommodate a future elevator. Designed intentionally for aging in place, the home incorporates zero-threshold access from the garage, wide halls and doorways, reinforced wall blocking for future grab bars, and infrastructure for a future elevator—ensuring long-term comfort without compromising design. Clad in dark painted board-and-batten siding, the exterior minimizes visual scale and allows the home to recede quietly into the landscape. Recessed balconies and façade elements are wrapped in warm wood-look siding, adding depth and contrast while bringing warmth into the interior. At night, light spills softly from within, and the cabin glows along the shoreline—welcoming, calm, and enduring.