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Tom Givone's current weekend abode, nicknamed the Floating Farmhouse, is—so far—his capstone project, a synthesis of personal taste, material experimentation, and historically sensitive restoration: a living laboratory for how to bring the vernacular past into the present.
Tom Givone's current weekend abode, nicknamed the Floating Farmhouse, is—so far—his capstone project, a synthesis of personal taste, material experimentation, and historically sensitive restoration: a living laboratory for how to bring the vernacular past into the present.
A tiny outbuilding offers a cozy living space inside a simple shell.
A tiny outbuilding offers a cozy living space inside a simple shell.
As the facade of a Bates Masi-designed home in Water Mill, New York, rises from eight to 14 feet high, the mahogany planks subtly widen. “It was quite a demand to make of the contractor,” architect Paul Masi says. “But the design was so much about traveling through the site and weaving [the house] together with the deck.”
As the facade of a Bates Masi-designed home in Water Mill, New York, rises from eight to 14 feet high, the mahogany planks subtly widen. “It was quite a demand to make of the contractor,” architect Paul Masi says. “But the design was so much about traveling through the site and weaving [the house] together with the deck.”
Tanya Wexler and Amy Zimmerman linger in the breezeway designed to draw eyes, and footsteps, from the driveway through the house to the gently sloping backyard and swimming pool beyond.
Tanya Wexler and Amy Zimmerman linger in the breezeway designed to draw eyes, and footsteps, from the driveway through the house to the gently sloping backyard and swimming pool beyond.
In the kitchen, the cabinetry is walnut veneer with a weathered finish applied by cabinetmaker David Rogers. “The process involved sanding and rubbing in stain as well as adding a clear finish,” project architect Eero Puurunen says.
In the kitchen, the cabinetry is walnut veneer with a weathered finish applied by cabinetmaker David Rogers. “The process involved sanding and rubbing in stain as well as adding a clear finish,” project architect Eero Puurunen says.
A 17-foot-tall freestanding play structure that designer Sharon Davis designed for her family in upstate New York can only be entered by climbing taut netting and entering through a trap door. Descending requires sliding down two structural-columns-turned-fire-poles.
A 17-foot-tall freestanding play structure that designer Sharon Davis designed for her family in upstate New York can only be entered by climbing taut netting and entering through a trap door. Descending requires sliding down two structural-columns-turned-fire-poles.
The wood-frame residence and studio are clad in vertical cedar siding—back then, a daring competitor to clapboard—instead of concrete to save costs. The effect is equally seamless, however: “If you drive by it fast enough,” Charles Gwathmey once said, “you still might mistake it for a concrete house.” Photo by Norman McGrath.
The wood-frame residence and studio are clad in vertical cedar siding—back then, a daring competitor to clapboard—instead of concrete to save costs. The effect is equally seamless, however: “If you drive by it fast enough,” Charles Gwathmey once said, “you still might mistake it for a concrete house.” Photo by Norman McGrath.
Nicknamed the Floating Farmhouse, this 200-year-old home inspired one former copywriter to delve into architecture as a living. Inside, renovator and owner Tom Givone mixes vintage and industrial decor. Photo by Mark Mahaney.
Nicknamed the Floating Farmhouse, this 200-year-old home inspired one former copywriter to delve into architecture as a living. Inside, renovator and owner Tom Givone mixes vintage and industrial decor. Photo by Mark Mahaney.
The house has a small environmental footprint. SHED built it using advanced framing, a technique that cuts down on the use of lumber by 30 percent. Another benefit of the method is that it prevents heat from escaping the home, making it more energy-efficient. Additionally, the architects installed a high-efficiency boiler that preheats water with rooftop solar panels; a heat recovery ventilation system that efficiently controls the climate; and a rainwater retention tank that conserves water.
The house has a small environmental footprint. SHED built it using advanced framing, a technique that cuts down on the use of lumber by 30 percent. Another benefit of the method is that it prevents heat from escaping the home, making it more energy-efficient. Additionally, the architects installed a high-efficiency boiler that preheats water with rooftop solar panels; a heat recovery ventilation system that efficiently controls the climate; and a rainwater retention tank that conserves water.
The great room in the 2,800-square-foot house that architect Drew Lang designed for his family in the Hudson Woods development north of New York City features generous amounts of white oak, which he says is his favorite material.
The great room in the 2,800-square-foot house that architect Drew Lang designed for his family in the Hudson Woods development north of New York City features generous amounts of white oak, which he says is his favorite material.
The Langs use an outbuilding as a rec room of sorts. "We call that the Grace Studio," Lang says. "It's designed so a car can pull in there, but we use it as more of a rec room and work space."
The Langs use an outbuilding as a rec room of sorts. "We call that the Grace Studio," Lang says. "It's designed so a car can pull in there, but we use it as more of a rec room and work space."
A yellow Pedestal filing cabinet by USM is tucked under a built-in desk in the guest bedroom. The leather-back chair was designed by Michael Robbins, a furniture designer based in New York's Hudson Valley.
A yellow Pedestal filing cabinet by USM is tucked under a built-in desk in the guest bedroom. The leather-back chair was designed by Michael Robbins, a furniture designer based in New York's Hudson Valley.
The master bathroom features a cedar screen and quartzite tiles by Walker Zanger.
The master bathroom features a cedar screen and quartzite tiles by Walker Zanger.
White oak makes a return appearance on the ceiling in the master bedroom.
White oak makes a return appearance on the ceiling in the master bedroom.
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.
Davis worked with contractor Ted Timmer to construct the playhouse on her family’s 30-acre property.
Davis worked with contractor Ted Timmer to construct the playhouse on her family’s 30-acre property.
Sliding doors partition a cozy screening room, where the resident can enjoy films and television in the comfort of custom designed furniture.
Sliding doors partition a cozy screening room, where the resident can enjoy films and television in the comfort of custom designed furniture.
SPAN Architecture recast this two-level space in New York City—previously a photography studio—as a loft-like residence that is rich in materials. A blackened steel staircase, executed by general contractor Richard Kaleta, leads to the private quarters on the duplex's second floor. The walkway is composed of custom etched glass, stretched across an open atrium to below.
SPAN Architecture recast this two-level space in New York City—previously a photography studio—as a loft-like residence that is rich in materials. A blackened steel staircase, executed by general contractor Richard Kaleta, leads to the private quarters on the duplex's second floor. The walkway is composed of custom etched glass, stretched across an open atrium to below.
An onyx "hearth" and a French limestone banquet form the perimeter of the warm living room. The carpet is from Tai Ping.
An onyx "hearth" and a French limestone banquet form the perimeter of the warm living room. The carpet is from Tai Ping.
The polycarbonate interior is bounded by an exterior band of reclaimed white-cedar siding, open to the sky.
The polycarbonate interior is bounded by an exterior band of reclaimed white-cedar siding, open to the sky.
John Milich fabricated the slide in the freestanding treehouse.
John Milich fabricated the slide in the freestanding treehouse.
The living-room sofa is by the New York–based designer Stanley Jay Friedman.
The living-room sofa is by the New York–based designer Stanley Jay Friedman.
Situated among the installations were two stages featuring continuing-education seminars and other design conversations, all led by Dwell editors.
Situated among the installations were two stages featuring continuing-education seminars and other design conversations, all led by Dwell editors.
Magazzino at the Armory Show, NY 2010. From the Series "Art Fares"
Magazzino at the Armory Show, NY 2010. From the Series "Art Fares"
Like a Murphy bed, the dining table tucks into the wall when not in use.
Like a Murphy bed, the dining table tucks into the wall when not in use.
Adrian Jones and Allison Silverman sit at their reclaimed wood dining table. Eco-mindedness is a matter-of-fact part of everyday life for the couple and the designer, Garrick Jones. “Sustainability comes from flexibility and planning for the long term,” Garrick says. “This is not a glammed-up loft.”
Adrian Jones and Allison Silverman sit at their reclaimed wood dining table. Eco-mindedness is a matter-of-fact part of everyday life for the couple and the designer, Garrick Jones. “Sustainability comes from flexibility and planning for the long term,” Garrick says. “This is not a glammed-up loft.”
The house's L shape permits a considerable courtyard, and plenty of space for lounging behind the rain screen. The stairs sit at the intersection of the two volumes and lead down into the more social of the two: the dining room, living room, and music room.
The house's L shape permits a considerable courtyard, and plenty of space for lounging behind the rain screen. The stairs sit at the intersection of the two volumes and lead down into the more social of the two: the dining room, living room, and music room.
Seagram Building, New York, New York (1958)With this sleek, black, glass structure of bronze, Travertine and pink granite, separated from the city streets by an expansive plaza, Mies van der Rohe created the reigning model for modernist skyscrapers in the mid-20th century.
Seagram Building, New York, New York (1958)With this sleek, black, glass structure of bronze, Travertine and pink granite, separated from the city streets by an expansive plaza, Mies van der Rohe created the reigning model for modernist skyscrapers in the mid-20th century.
Wrapped in Anne Sacks tile, the master bathroom is outfitted with fixtures by Kohler.
Wrapped in Anne Sacks tile, the master bathroom is outfitted with fixtures by Kohler.
Envisioned as "an apartment within an apartment," the master suite is secluded from the rest of the home, accessible via the steel-and-glass catwalk. The owner's sanctuary features a built-in bed and credenza by City.
Envisioned as "an apartment within an apartment," the master suite is secluded from the rest of the home, accessible via the steel-and-glass catwalk. The owner's sanctuary features a built-in bed and credenza by City.
Kate’s father predicted they would never use the crow’s nest–like tower, which is reached by climbing a narrow staircase.
Kate’s father predicted they would never use the crow’s nest–like tower, which is reached by climbing a narrow staircase.
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: (L-R) Alexandra Lange, Galia Solomonoff, Marion Weiss, and Claire Weisz speak at the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: (L-R) Alexandra Lange, Galia Solomonoff, Marion Weiss, and Claire Weisz speak at the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: (L-R) Alexandra Lange, Galia Solomonoff, Marion Weiss, and Claire Weisz pose at the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: (L-R) Alexandra Lange, Galia Solomonoff, Marion Weiss, and Claire Weisz pose at the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Guests attend the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Guests attend the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: A general view of atmosphere at the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: A general view of atmosphere at the New York Magazine And Dwell Women In Design Panel Discussion on October 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for New York Magazine)

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