A mid-century marvel, decked out for easy summer living
Setting the scene
Our summer collections feel right at home in this Hudson River gem, where mixed materials and a moody color palette reign. Originally designed by Roberta Thrun, one of the first female architects to graduate from Columbia University, the home was renovated by GRT Architects in 2016 to blur the line between mid-century and contemporary with timeless materials, a bold high-contrast palette and modern finishes.
The hub of the home
In this New York City escape, the kitchen and dining space supports simple rituals quintessential to lazy summer days at home—from morning coffee to sunset cocktails. “The kitchen has grown to be the center of life in so many houses,” says GRT founder and partner Rustam Mehta. More-the-merrier dining and a built-in bar reinforce the spirit of gathering round.
Shelf styling 101
There’s a golden rule for keeping open shelving chic and cohesive, and not cluttered. “I like to go by two principles: color and groupings,” says interior stylist Colin King, who worked his magic on this shoot. Here he led with neutral tones while juxtaposing scale—tall and short, narrow and wide. “The key is to find a nonuniform balance.”
Style in session
According to Colin, there’s no prescriptive formula for mastering the art of the vignette—other than finding your light, literally. It’s about making light and shadows work for you, he says. “A scene can feel especially inspiring when it’s created with a feeling—dramatic, soft, energizing—it all depends on the mood you’re interested in portraying.”
As for a guiding principle, “find the intention is something constantly running in the back of my head when I’m styling,” says Colin. “Knowing the ‘why’ behind placement helps create a more meaningful relationship between an object and its environment.”
Create some contrast
A dark color palette may sound antithetical to light and airy interiors, but when used strategically, it creates a feeling of openness through contrast and makes your space pop. GRT painted this home’s walls and windows a low-gloss black to anchor it in its surroundings and frame its Hudson Valley views as the focal point. For a smaller dose, opt for cool charcoal touches in storage and accents to add drama and dimension to neutral tones.
When every room is a family room
“Like many of its kind, this home had a lot of charming and unique built-ins,” says Rustam. “We looked to amplify that with our renovation.” No built-in nooks? No problem. Transform a corner of a room into a dedicated play zone with kid-friendly, adult-approved style.
Only better with age
Why does mid-century design still resonate today? “What it represents is truly timeless,” Rustam says. “It combines intentional design with the belief that great spaces can be made in small footprints.” Layer mid-century silhouettes with more contemporary forms and finishes—think a rounded take on Brutalist concrete lines—for a look both eclectic and evergreen.