BOLD APPROACH
Luxurious finishes and a monochrome palette set the tone for this striking property in New York State
After living in the Big Apple for more than 15 years, moving outside the city was a big step for Shetal, her husband Ravi and their children Roma, seven, and Sahil, four. ‘Ravi wanted to move to the suburbs many years before I did – I was somewhat reluctant as I always thought I would miss the energy of New York City,’ remembers Shetal. Both commuters, the couple looked for an easily accessible place in a neighbourhood with a family feel. That’s exactly what they found in the town of Rye.
‘After being here for two years, we appreciate even more the proximity to the beach and wildlife reserves, as well as the fact that schools and restaurants are walking distance from our home,’ says Shetal. It was not, however, love at first sight with this two-storey, five-bedroom house. Imagination was key to making the leap.
‘While the outside colour and style was not what we imagined in our first home, we saw the potential in the space as a blank canvas,’ Shetal confesses. Originally built in the 1960s, the property was entirely rebuilt in 2003 and hadn’t been updated since. ‘We immediately tried to modernise the style by refinishing the red wood floors to a light colour, ripping out the kitchen floor and carpet in the upstairs bedrooms, and tearing out built-in cupboards in the family room. I knew I wanted a cohesive look to the design elements so we paused there until we met Crystal.’
For Crystal Sinclair – an interior designer who runs, Crystal Sinclair Designs – having clients who wanted to go
bold in a house with a traditional feel was immediately motivating. ‘Pushing a modern look while still relating to the home took a degree of balance,’ she says. The owners’ green sofa was the starting point for the sitting room adorned with green and white striped ceiling. The colourful Linda Colletta painting – Shetal’s favourite element – inspired different hues in the family room; the walls of the dining space were fluted; and black cabinets, worktops and splashbacks were added to the kitchen, giving it a wonderful depth.
‘We wanted textural elements and were not afraid of daring choices; however, we leaned toward more monochromatic inspirations versus too much colour,’ says Shetal. ‘The design really reflects our love of the city and makes us feel like we’re at a swanky hotel bar in the comfort of our own home. I think it also captures my personal style perfectly: a little bold and edgy but classic.’
Velvets, plaster, marble, grasscloth tables, linen drapes and leather hides were used throughout with a mix of contemporary and vintage furniture and lighting. ‘It is a place that welcomes adults and children alike’, says Crystal.
‘Our lifestyle is work hard, play hard,’ adds Shetal. ‘We wanted spaces that we could enjoy together as a family, but also needed grown-up rooms that allowed us to entertain our friends. We are so relaxed and content in our home now and it finally feels like ours, with our own personal stamp on it. Some days we still find it hard to believe what was created from these blank spaces!’