During a renovation, a homeowner has two visions to contend with: the original architect of the home and the new firm that's ready to shake things up. Balancing those voices can be tricky, especially when that original creator is related to the homeowner. When architects Tal Schori and Rus Mehta, founders of GRT Architects, came on board to renovate a Hudson Valley home, they quickly learned that one of the clients, a New York City couple working in journalism and the arts, had a strong family connection to the property. The home was designed by the client's grandmother, Roberta Thrun, one of the first women to study architecture at Columbia University. (Intimidating, much?) So, Schori and Mehta worked with the couple to bring in their style, while keeping the home's original personality intact.
Because of the budget, the renovation was done on a room-by-room basis — with an eye towards how everything would fit together — and in the end they were able to complete the entire main level. Dark brown paneling was painted black, modernizing the spaces and letting the incredible views take center stage. The result preserves the home's rich architectural — and family — history, while feeling fresh and modern for a new generation.
Video of the Day