Dobbs Ferry House

This post-modern second home for a busy NYC family, located in picturesque Ardsley Park neighborhood, is surrounded by a serene landscape. Originally designed by Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, the house features an unusual angular plan and soaring ceiling above the living-dining space. The existing kitchen and the master bath, however, were in a serious need of an update. Clients turned to their architect, David Bucovy, to reconfigure those rooms, while staying true to the original architecture.

David Bucovy Architect enlarged the kitchen by opening up the exterior wall. The new extension, constructed of floor-to-ceiling windows, fills the kitchen with light and creates a strong visual connection to the surrounding landscape. Pippy-white oak veneer was used for the kitchen cabinets and reclaimed white pine, bleached and oiled, for the floating shelves above the bar, both fabricated by Southside Workshop Inc. Kitchen cabinet drawer and door pulls were routed, so there were no holes or hardware, adding to the clean, uncluttered aesthetic.  The kidney-shaped island, also fabricated from the pippy-white oak veneer, was inspired by the organic shapes of the natural landscape.

The master bathroom was reconfigured to create the space for the walk-in closet. Its central feature was the freestanding tub underneath the small square window framed by teak border, a wood species also used to fabricate the custom-built floating vanity and the tall storage cabinet. LED lighting was incorporated in the design and construction of the medicine cabinet to create gentle glow.

Southside Workshop Inc. was also commissioned to fabricate the reclaimed white pine open shelf built-in bookcase in the living room area and wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling bookcases in the library. For the dining area it fabricated a walnut dining table with steel tapered legs and black walnut and gray lacquered credenza.

All new millwork elements feature a warm-toned palette designed to complement the post-modern aesthetic of the client’s home and provide a sense of well-being to its inhabitants.