Into the WOODS

A rural landscape provided the perfect setting when Selina van der Geest and her husband Eduard were looking to build their own home

The solid vernacular house built by Selina van der Geest and her husband Eduard is so deeply rooted in its majestic, sweeping landscape, that it is hard to imagine it began as a few pen strokes across a Parisian napkin. Selina, an English interior designer, and her New York-based husband were sitting in a café in Paris, while on holiday when they lightheartedly started drawing plans of their dream home. At first, it seemed as if the fabric of their dreams would remain as flimsy as the napkin it was sketched upon, but in a stroke of serendipity, soon after, they were able to purchase 18 acres of land on an idyllic virgin site, later supplemented by an additional 12 acres, some two hours’ drive north of New York City in Dutchess County.

Selina’s creative ethos is to work organically and reflect a property’s natural setting in her designs, so the

home she planned for her and her husband maintains the spirit of its rural location. Three distinct living areas sit squarely under an agricultural coated-metal roof and vintage cedar-and-hemlock board, and batten cladding from an antique Canadian barn gives it the feeling of being a much older property than it is. ‘I grew up in centuries-old stone houses,’ notes Selina. ‘I wanted to achieve the same sense of history and character here.’

Selina confesses to having a very hands-on approach that grew from setting up and running her own design business, and she credits her father with teaching her woodworking and other practical skills, all of which proved to be invaluable when it came to building her own home. It also meant that she was ideally equipped to take on the role of project manager, supervising teams of local builders and completing the work in an impressive eight months. ‘I spent so many days

best buy ‘Even before buying the land, we bought an early 17th-century Louis XIII mantel in Bordeaux, France, when we were over there for a wedding’

shovelling snow or helping out when someone didn’t show up. Luckily, the schedule wasn’t delayed while waiting for decisions,’ she says. ‘I also insist on a clean and tidy building site as I strongly believe that a messy environment encourages sloppy work.’

Both Selina and her husband love cuisine so a big open space where they could cook but also enjoy the fire and living area was essential to the design of their home. At ground level, the house has a central double-height open-plan living space complete with a mezzanine study-cum-library. Glazed doors leading out onto the black concrete terrace face the long, dark grey swimming pool, which is enclosed by a traditional stone wall and post-and-rail fencing.

At each end of the house is a lower-height wing, one containing the master bedroom suite and, in the other, two guest bedrooms and a cloakroom. A huge

basement provides extra accommodation for guests, plus a wine cellar, utility space and a workshop.

Selina studied art history before working in interior design and her love of art and history is reflected in her talent for creating a home that feels as though it has evolved over time. To furnish the house, Selina chose a blend of contemporary and antique pieces set against an elegant backdrop of interesting textures, natural colours and carefully chosen accents. It’s a modern, comfortable but unfussy take on traditional country-house style. ‘I’ve taken elements from the big English houses and put them into a simple environment,’ Selina explains.

Thanks to one couple’s determination to realise their dream, a house that began life as a simple sketch has become a home with a real presence in its setting of woods, lakes and farmland. ‘It has settled into the land perfectly,’ Selina adds with quiet satisfaction.

FOR STOCKISTS GO TO WHERE TO BUY

LIVING AREA Danish linen-upholstered sofas draped with Swiss Army blankets and vintage Oriental carpets create a cosy feel. Selina made the side table herself, for similar, try Werkstadt steel two-piece side table set, £194.99, Wayfair. Emmett floor lamp, £39, Made.com, would work here. Eskimo army blanket, £147.99, Wayfair

HALLWAY Framed drawings, which Selina has been collecting for years, are displayed in close groups on the wall

DINING AREA Reclaimed hand-hewn beams and the generous French 19thcentury table give definition to the spacious dining area. For seating 12, try Hercules rustic solid-oak 9ft dining table, £719, Oak Furnitureland

KITCHEN The poured concrete island accommodates an assortment of glass jars holding cereal and grains. French ceramic rise-and-fall pendant lamps, from £223 each, Holloways of Ludlow

GUEST BEDROOM Softly hued peach linen adds warmth to the cool grey walls. Tall metal table lamp, £72, Graham and Green, has this look. Lena throw, £40, John Lewis & Partners, would work here

HALLWAY Bespoke cupboards provide useful storage in the small entrance lobby. For similar industrial-style coat hook rails, try Etsy

MASTER BEDROOM The red accent colour was inspired by an old Chinese red lacquer cupboard. Cushions from Robert Kime, Ikat cushion, £230, is similar. Ottoman Bacci bedlinen, pillowcase from €50, Mia Zia

MASTER BATHROOM A separate shower is screened by a pair of old Chinese wooden doors. Carlton basin, from £626, Aston Matthews