Lasting Impression

“This rug helped my client realize that she gravitates towards geometric prints, so you’ll see that in other rooms as well,” says McFadden. Glamorous elements include a pair of antique tables and an elaborate embroidered textile.

The house has great presence, but it’s not overdone—restraint and purity of form are in evidence. —Steve Kemp

Natural light pours through the great room’s ample windows, so McFadden determined strong color was in order. The bold blue rug inspired the scheme, which includes cobalt velvet armchairs and a rich leather bench placed in front of the limestone fireplace.

A bay of windows in the great room creates a jewel box effect for a niche that houses the grand piano.

Benjamin Moore’s Templeton Gray makes the built-in bookcases stand out in the library. “It actually takes on a more blue cast with the light in this room,” says McFadden. A contemporary painting and a bronze sculpture bring liveliness to the limestone fireplace.

A long bench in a bright blue fabric accents the crown jewel of the house—a wrought iron center stairway with elegant arched detailing.

The horizontal, custom-finished white oak plank cabinetry by Morgan Creek Cabinet Company plays a starring role, bringing warmth to the kitchen against the starker natural quartzite with its gray and blue-green tones.

“The small details in the kitchen, which include the metal banding at the counters and quatrefoil finger pulls, create a purposeful pop of detail on a very personal level,” says Kemp. “The details sit waiting to be discovered.”

The master bedroom overlooks the scenic countryside; the room is punctuated with an antique silver-framed mirror and iron chandeliers that serve as bedside lamps.

The smartly designed wet area of the master bathroom encloses both the soaking tub and shower in glass.

A grouping of antique French wallpaper panels delivers a graphic look to a wall of low-slung, built-in storage.

While McFadden wanted the lower level living area to be a bit playful, she also wanted the kitchen’s walnut cabinetry to stand out. A pair of aged-leather barstools and a collection of antique baskets add to its textural appeal.

The outdoor room provides transition from the lower level to the pool and entertaining areas. McFadden filled it with slipcovered swivel chairs from Lee Industries and a sofa with pillows in a Janus et Cie fabric.

A leaded hood with scalloped details gives the friends and family entrance a stylish identity.

“The house is inspired by C.F.A. Voysey, the modernist architect of his day,” says Kemp. “The design embraces simple roof lines and side buttresses, which extend the home beyond the walls, reaching out elegantly and embracing the site.”

When a young couple decided to build their dream home and wanted that elusive concept of timeless design to be
the guiding factor, they were well served by their first decision—hiring seasoned professionals to accomplish that goal. A consultation with architect Steve Kemp of Kemp Hall Studio about a renovation turned into a conversation about a new home. Kemp, who had worked extensively with interior designer Yvonne McFadden, made that introduction, and there was an immediate connection. “We all wanted a home that would convey the couple’s down-to-earth nature but still have a bit of a wow factor stylistically,” Kemp explains. “It has great presence in the picturesque country setting, but there’s restraint in the details, with a great emphasis on the lines and the materials.” The exterior’s smooth plaster has a mottled patina, so it’s not too severe, and curves in the side buttresses, front door and parking pad soften the façade. The depth of the house is purposely shallow to allow light to pour in at every opportunity and keep it grounded in nature.

For the interiors, McFadden chose Benjamin Moore’s Horizon throughout, including the trim. “This neutral provides a perfect backdrop for the couple’s growing art collection and allows character to come through with color in the fabrics, rugs and finishes throughout,” she says. White oak flooring also contributes to the airy feel of the entire house.

The graceful central staircase acts as a piece of sculpture to admire upon entering. “While a focal point, the stair doesn’t interrupt the connection from the exterior through to the massive steel window beyond,” says Kemp. Decoration in the space is spare but significant. “The bench is a juxtaposition with a traditional design but upholstered in a bold geometric fabric with a bit of sheen,” says McFadden. “It brings tons of personality.”

In the era of the white kitchen, the design in this home is a meaningful departure. “The textured grain of the white oak planking, which goes up to the ceiling, adds organic interest and contrasts with the smooth natural quartzite countertops,” says Kemp. Adds McFadden, “The family has two young children, so the choices are also very user friendly. They don’t have to worry about nicking painted cabinets, and we leathered the finish of the quartzite, giving it a texture that is very forgiving.” These are just a few of the meticulous details in a home that’s full of them at every turn—moments of thoughtful and timeless design.

INTERIOR DESIGN Yvonne McFadden, Yvonne McFadden LLC, (843) 267-7530; ymcfaddenllc.com BUILDER Steve Kemp, Kemp Hall Studio