Although she’s from Westchester, Monica Malarczyk never traveled to Saugerties, just an hour and a half drive north, as she was growing up in New York. When she first visited a friend with a weekend home there, she was smitten. “I fell in love with the peace, the nature, and the tranquility,” says Monica, who formerly worked as a private chef and is now pivoting to interior design. She ultimately decided to build a new family home in Saugerties from the ground up with the help of her brother, builder Peter Malarczyk. “It’s a different world from Westchester, so coming up here felt like a retreat, which is what I wanted.”

Working with Brooklyn-based architect Ravi Raj, who had recently completed several homes in the Hudson Valley, Monica set out to create a minimalist, clean-lined home that would still feel warm, welcoming, and contextual. “The site overlooks the confluence of Esopus Creek with the Hudson River, but also faces the street to the south,” Raj says of the property. “We had to balance these things, and find something that fit within the area’s historic district, so we borrowed this large, pitched-roof design that embraces rather than shies away from that history.”

The gabled roof would also provide cover for a portion of the large deck that wraps around the house and offers plenty of space for entertaining, which was perfect for Monica and her love of hosting. Although she doesn’t work as a private chef anymore, Monica’s affinity for cooking and entertaining was central to the home’s programming.

Working with her brother on the build—his first ground-up construction project—ensured that Monica got exactly the home she wanted. “It was really admirable and unique for me as an architect to see clients take that much ownership in the construction,” Raj says. “They made sure that every detail and every element was to their liking.”

The Seed of an Idea

Monica: I wanted to build a house. It started with a small idea to create something modern yet contextual, and once we met Ravi, we knew our styles aligned, which helped our idea grow. I’ve always gravitated toward clean lines and a natural aesthetic, and the contrast of old and new. Being that we’re in a historical district, we wanted to give a nod to other styles in our area, while creating something from the ground up that was refreshing and contemporary. It became such an emotional project: trying to create a space that reflects who you are and how you want to live.

Peter: I live in Irvington, an hour and a half away. When we started getting estimates from a local contractor to get the shell and foundation ready, as well as site work, the prices were extremely high.

Monica: We’ve grown up around construction—our parents were in the industry. So for Peter and me, it was almost second nature to step in and take control of the build. It made sense to work together knowing that we aligned on our values and would be able to create something extraordinary.

Devising a Plan

Monica: I chose this area because it felt like a retreat, and I wanted a space where we could come and relax, heal, and really decompress. It felt like the perfect setting to take us away from the city, without being too remote. For me, function was really important in the design. I wanted a massive kitchen because I love cooking, and I wanted the rooms framed around the kitchen. I wanted the spaces to flow naturally and feel super connected.

Peter: This was my first new construction home. I usually focus on interior renovations, as well as tile work and restoration work. I was excited to take on this project with Monica, but just figuring out the logistics was the tough part because I live an hour and a half away. We got the foundation in and completed the frame, and then for a while we just had a shell and were waiting on all the materials.

Monica: We imported a lot of our materials from Poland where our family is from. And because it was during Covid, there was also a delay. We got all of our windows, cabinetry, and the exterior cobblestones from Poland. We even ended up sourcing some furniture from there and brought it over.

It’s All in the Details

Peter: Because we started working together from the beginning of the process, we were able to make a lot of decisions at the forefront. However, when you get to the finish stage, there are always little details that need to be coordinated. For a lot of that stuff, Monica and I were able to decide by ourselves. For example, we used a microcement in the bathrooms and on the kitchen backsplash, which felt minimalist but warm.

Monica: It’s an Italian brand of microcement, and in the bathrooms it runs along all the walls. It feels very spa-like.

Peter: In the primary bath, originally we were supposed to have the bathtub by the window, but we switched it up to have the shower by the window, which works better with the pitch of the roof.

Monica: Going through different iterations of the design with my brother really helped—being able to bounce ideas off each other and know that he was just as invested in the project as me. There were definitely times that we clashed and a couple silent car rides home, but in the end, it made our relationship so much stronger. We got a lot closer after working on such a big undertaking together.

Finding a Flow

Peter: The design is definitely European inspired. They often will have big windows and open spaces in their homes.

Monica: You can open up every window in the house and get that indoor/outdoor feel. We spend a lot of time on the porch because we have a perfect view of the creek and the river, but you feel enveloped in your own little world, tucked away under the overhang.

The landscaping was also a huge part of what we did. It was important to create this wild, natural-looking landscape with grasses and wildflowers in contrast to our home. We’re always moving from inside to outside, and it just feels very natural. In terms of materials, we wanted to use as many natural materials as possible.

Peter: We also wanted to go with durable materials, so we picked a thermally broken and pretreated wood siding, which doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. We also liked how introducing the stucco broke up the facade.

Monica: I love the stark contrast between how clean and nice the stucco looks and how the wood will age. It’s always going to look new, but in such a cozy, homey, natural way. It’s very peaceful here. Every time I come home, I feel so comfortable. The house really embodies who I am.

More Construction Diary stories:

This Coastal Cabin Renovation Is a Master Class in Craftsmanship

He Hand-Built a High-Design Surf Shack in Uruguay

How Two Artists Turned a Cabin Outside Joshua Tree Into a Clear-Minded Retreat

Project Credits:

Architect: Ravi Raj / @ravirajarchitect

Builder: Peter Malarczyk / GRYF Restoration Group

Structural & Civil Engineer: Praetorius and Conrad, PC

Interior Design: Monica Malarczyk

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