Ange Petit Deux

We are excited to officially announce the completion of the Tuxedo Park project. The photos are all up in our gallery! We think it turned out beautifully and can’t wait to hear your feedback.

It is always more interesting to hear the background of a project as you look at the photos so we thought we’d share a little a bit about it’s history and what inspired us throughout the project.

Ange Petit Deux, as the residence is called, was built in 1984 on a small piece of land within the Tuxedo Park community, roughly 29 miles from Manhattan. The history is unclear; however, there is speculation that it was built as a guest home by someone who owned a grand estate within the Park. Today this proud, little abode stands on its own. It is designed to compliment the way that people are starting to live again...simply. The small, 2200 square foot gem of a cottage is nestled amidst the largest and most distinguished estates within the state of New York. The architecture of many of the old estates is nothing short of spectacular, however as we emerge from a time of devastation, we find that going back to the basics is essential. Without minimizing the glorious history of the 100 year old estates in Tuxedo Park, we must reflect on what is truly important to the way that people live today. Comfort can be found in designing simply.

In order to establish our design foundation, we went back to what is truly pure. Nature. We strove to create a very low-keyed, sustainable, and inviting environment. One that really complimented an older, simpler way of living while addressing the desire to be more sustainable. ‘Way back when’ people lived modestly, acquiring only what they truly needed. Today, people spend nearly 90% of their time indoors and thus tend to crowd their homes with unnecessary items.This residence features spaces that are functional yet instinctive and, above all, are connected to the natural environment. A home that people would want to visit and stay for awhile, because it is just SO comfortable and easy.

The cozy nature of this home welcomes visitors and features many quaint entertaining spaces. Whether you want to relax with your morning coffee, curl up for a nap surrounded by the brisk mountain breeze, or entertain friends for dinner, you will find the perfect spot in this residence. Multi-purpose spaces allow for flexibility without feeling overwhelming or crowded.

Many of the existing architectural features in the home have incredible character so we felt it important to maintain as many of them as possible. These features include the carefully crafted french doors leading to the exterior living spaces, and the large, operable windows. Both allow for natural air flow throughout the home. The windows not only give the residents great views to the outdoors but also admit ample, natural light, reducing the need for additional lighting and thus saving energy.

Every space of the home was designed to make the occupants feel that they were connected to the surrounding environment. Natural paint colors, organic fabrics, and reclaimed wood pieces were utilized throughout the residence, creating a foundation for the overall design concept. By accessorizing with world travel books, prized treasures from around the globe and sailing expedition photographs, we were able to accentuate a very sustainable design concept while incorporating personalized storytelling.

Of course upgrades to the residence were desired and necessary. The large, commercial grade kitchen is perfect for preparing home cooked meals. Stainless steel appliances and natural granite countertops create a elegant look that will last the test of time. Indoor/outdoor eating areas are as appropriate for entertaining as they are for working, playing or interacting with family. Adjacent to the kitchen is a small patio featuring a quaint seating area and an eco-friendly, fuel gel fire-pit, perfect for that after-dinner glass of wine or roasting marshmallows with the kids.

We also made the master suite the perfect retreat. It feels more like an exclusive hotel and is perfect for relaxing after a long day. Entering through two small french doors, one immediately escapes from reality. The main area of the suite houses a king size bed, dresser, bookcase, and two small nightstands. The master bath is enveloped in white tile and includes his and her walk-in closets. To top it all off, the featured bed and bedding linens were purchased through Westin’s Heavenly Bed website. It doesn't get much more relaxing than that.

Ange Petit Deux was designed with simplicity, function, and livability in mind. Design is as much about balancing form and function as it is about balancing the budget. Trying to design sustainably adds yet another challenge, however it is something that is becoming increasingly relevant. Today’s design has to take into account so much more than previous design philosophies. It must incorporate all of these elements while addressing the actual lifestyle choices of our clients and buyers. Ange Petit Deux encompasses all of these challenges without sacrificing the the original design or charm of the home.

Not too big and not too small, this Tuxedo Park gem re-inspired us to achieve all of these things in one fabulous home. We were reminded that great design can be easy when spaces are created to be flexible and functional. The most challenging task is to learn to live simply and to design based on these essential principles. The ability to create environments that are practical and also address the way that people actually live can be challenging. Globally, great designers have shifted their entire mindsets to design for today’s market. Our biggest challenge? Creating a product that is memorable, design savvy, comfortable, active, sustainable AND attainable. Any project that can achieve all those standards is inspirational in our book.