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The four-bedroom home features a front elevation with offset windows of different sizes that create a dynamic facade. The windows emphasize the verticality of the home, and their size is based on the program and function of the space behind.
The four-bedroom home features a front elevation with offset windows of different sizes that create a dynamic facade. The windows emphasize the verticality of the home, and their size is based on the program and function of the space behind.
The entry steps, made of concrete, are bordered by a minimalist white picket fence with wood handrails. Even the pickets reiterate the curves of the entry area.
The entry steps, made of concrete, are bordered by a minimalist white picket fence with wood handrails. Even the pickets reiterate the curves of the entry area.
Varying ceiling heights and cutouts throughout the home play with conventions of spatial relationships and flow.
Varying ceiling heights and cutouts throughout the home play with conventions of spatial relationships and flow.
Shope and his wife carefully designed an eco-friendly landscape: For instance, they did not fell any tree with holes that could support an owl’s nest. They also planted flower species that feed hummingbirds and monarch butterflies. Shope laid out the pathway of reclaimed granite slabs that leads toward the Hudson River below.
Shope and his wife carefully designed an eco-friendly landscape: For instance, they did not fell any tree with holes that could support an owl’s nest. They also planted flower species that feed hummingbirds and monarch butterflies. Shope laid out the pathway of reclaimed granite slabs that leads toward the Hudson River below.
The home is embedded in a hillside with five feet of soil above it. In addition to blending the structure into the landscape, the surrounding earth provides natural insulation.
The home is embedded in a hillside with five feet of soil above it. In addition to blending the structure into the landscape, the surrounding earth provides natural insulation.
Perched in the town of Chappaqua, the 1969 residence is only a one-hour train ride from Manhattan.
Perched in the town of Chappaqua, the 1969 residence is only a one-hour train ride from Manhattan.
The bathroom's shower is wheelchair accessible, if needed.
The bathroom's shower is wheelchair accessible, if needed.
Spanning across the backyard, the cement patio offers an idyllic oasis for private outdoor entertaining.
Spanning across the backyard, the cement patio offers an idyllic oasis for private outdoor entertaining.
A built-in white oak shelf holds homeowner Craig Clark's collection of vinyl records.
A built-in white oak shelf holds homeowner Craig Clark's collection of vinyl records.
Floor Plan of East Van Residence by SM Studio
Floor Plan of East Van Residence by SM Studio
A perched, anvil-shaped structure situated atop a two-car garage offers a view of a creative solution to the tight siting constraints imposed under the ordinance.
A perched, anvil-shaped structure situated atop a two-car garage offers a view of a creative solution to the tight siting constraints imposed under the ordinance.
A timber staircase accesses the loft-like office and is wider at the bottom, where it doubles as shelving. <span style="color: rgb(118, 118, 118); font-size: 13px;">Photo by Ye Rin Mok</span>
Photo by Ye Rin Mok
"Clad in economical fiber-cement siding, the ADU reaches down to the ground, while the stucco cladding of the garage reaches up, forming a semi-enclosed entry sequence," says Martin.
"Clad in economical fiber-cement siding, the ADU reaches down to the ground, while the stucco cladding of the garage reaches up, forming a semi-enclosed entry sequence," says Martin.
The peek-a-boo window in the attic space helps to connect the family across floors.
The peek-a-boo window in the attic space helps to connect the family across floors.
Upon arrival, a long, light-filled walkway leads to the home's main entrance.
Upon arrival, a long, light-filled walkway leads to the home's main entrance.
The courtyard brings natural light into the lower level of the home, which has a den/media room, guest suite/workout area, and storage and mechanical.
The courtyard brings natural light into the lower level of the home, which has a den/media room, guest suite/workout area, and storage and mechanical.
“The rest of our plants come from Patch Plants in London,
“The rest of our plants come from Patch Plants in London,
SHED embraced the angled corners with custom cabinetry. According to Hale, the inspiration images that the couple chose were “less American Midwest farmhouse, and more contemporary Scandinavian farmhouse,” which inspired the design team to consult Scandinavian farm layouts for the master plan.
SHED embraced the angled corners with custom cabinetry. According to Hale, the inspiration images that the couple chose were “less American Midwest farmhouse, and more contemporary Scandinavian farmhouse,” which inspired the design team to consult Scandinavian farm layouts for the master plan.
A vast terrace overlooks a nearby park, while the ground floor patio (connected to Vanbesien’s office) opens up to a garden.
A vast terrace overlooks a nearby park, while the ground floor patio (connected to Vanbesien’s office) opens up to a garden.
The slim, steel staircase is designed to allow maximum light and sight-lines.
The slim, steel staircase is designed to allow maximum light and sight-lines.
Sunlight spills into the primary bedroom, illuminating a wall of custom Birch cabinetry. Hanging pendant lights complement the neutral palette, and free up side table space.
Sunlight spills into the primary bedroom, illuminating a wall of custom Birch cabinetry. Hanging pendant lights complement the neutral palette, and free up side table space.
The kitchen is outfitted in custom birch joinery and Maple countertops, designed by Braithwaite and team. Open shelves display collections of glassware and cookbooks.
The kitchen is outfitted in custom birch joinery and Maple countertops, designed by Braithwaite and team. Open shelves display collections of glassware and cookbooks.
Double-height cedar cladding enhances the verticality of the structure.
Double-height cedar cladding enhances the verticality of the structure.
The interiors were intended, says Elsley, to feel like “one piece of cabinet,” with no plasterboard or common domestic finishes inside.
The interiors were intended, says Elsley, to feel like “one piece of cabinet,” with no plasterboard or common domestic finishes inside.
Cabinets are all lined with hardwood, and the walls themselves are clad in Blackbart timber with a unique paint treatment that allows the texture to shine through to add warmth.
Cabinets are all lined with hardwood, and the walls themselves are clad in Blackbart timber with a unique paint treatment that allows the texture to shine through to add warmth.
A custom commissioned orange island out of steel is the centerpiece of the Sorth cabin.
A custom commissioned orange island out of steel is the centerpiece of the Sorth cabin.
Access into the garden is through the side of the kitchen and not the rear. This means the rear is protected for wildlife and the family do not have to go through the garden to access the BBQ and hard landscaping.
Access into the garden is through the side of the kitchen and not the rear. This means the rear is protected for wildlife and the family do not have to go through the garden to access the BBQ and hard landscaping.
The sitting room has a large bay window behind a yellow daybed that doubles as a sofa to save space. The bay window was upgraded with new glass during the renovation, but otherwise the existing home was retained as it was following an earlier renovation in 2016.
The sitting room has a large bay window behind a yellow daybed that doubles as a sofa to save space. The bay window was upgraded with new glass during the renovation, but otherwise the existing home was retained as it was following an earlier renovation in 2016.
Previously, a small bathroom was located off the kitchen space. By relocating the bathroom elsewhere in the home, this freed up space for a large walk-in pantry where all the food and clutter could hide, and even the fridge.
Previously, a small bathroom was located off the kitchen space. By relocating the bathroom elsewhere in the home, this freed up space for a large walk-in pantry where all the food and clutter could hide, and even the fridge.
A circular skylight positioned above the master ensuite shower introduces natural light into the space, allowing the residents to connect with the outside world in every part of the home.
A circular skylight positioned above the master ensuite shower introduces natural light into the space, allowing the residents to connect with the outside world in every part of the home.
One of the guest bedrooms features a bespoke built-in joinery unit that functions as storage and a desk space. It extends from the open bedroom and out into the hallway, with the desk positioned beneath a small window that allows for natural light and a carefully framed glimpse of the surrounding context. A concealed sliding door closes the space off when it is being used as a bedroom.
One of the guest bedrooms features a bespoke built-in joinery unit that functions as storage and a desk space. It extends from the open bedroom and out into the hallway, with the desk positioned beneath a small window that allows for natural light and a carefully framed glimpse of the surrounding context. A concealed sliding door closes the space off when it is being used as a bedroom.

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