RELAXATION STATION
The house features a wealth of bedrooms and bathrooms, each receiving a complete makeover. The downstairs bathroom, off the family room, was made more spacious by removing the existing bathtub and creating a walk-in shower clad in the same honed stone used throughout the bath- room, which is reminiscent of the stone buildings outside. The shower is enclosed by a frameless glass screen attached with brass fixtures. A new freestanding sink and brass lighting and mirror make this a warm, sultry space.
Next to the large kitchen is the powder room. It received a generous sink suspended in a hardwood open vanity. Brass lighting features glass in a “drunken emerald” color. All dimmer switches and outlets are in naturally aging brass.
CENTER OF THE RESIDENCE
The center of activity, the large kitchen, is organized around a generous island clad in solid stone slabs that create a functional but rich quality. Soft lighting makes this a family affair, where even the Dutch cooking units are placed randomly on the stone counter. Full-height wall units provide ample storage space, and the pantry was updated with a sliding barn door to create a flexible working arrangement. On the other side of the kitchen, new doors connect fluidly to the dining and living rooms on one side and to the terraces on the other side.
MOVING ON UP
Moving upstairs via the winding wood staircase are the parents’ and kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms. The primary bedroom received a direct entrance to the main bathroom with its two windows overlooking the rolling hills surrounding the residence. New flat steam radiators were installed to create more space, and a freestanding black and white bathtub creates a moment of respite in the fashion designer’s otherwise busy lifestyle. A separate shower and toilet room clad in stone tiles create privacy, and two suspended lights add mood lighting. The natural brass faucets and showerhead provide a beautifully modern touch, which will naturally change/age over time. The client’s black and white photographs transform the bathing experience into an art lounge, overlooking the surrounding rolling hills.
The children’s room was enriched by a playful hardwood sliding door. It is a happy room, full of natural wood and orange and white color schemes, accented by drawings created by the young inhabitants. A teak sink in the bathroom is soft to the touch, and orange faucets and a suspended radiator complete the set. A recycled marble mosaic floor protects from slipping, allowing for a bit of play at bath time.
Archi-Tectonics’ renovation of the main residence, development of a prefabricated design studio and guesthouse, as well as added abstract fences create a unique narrative that has resulted in the design character, rather than an externally applied agenda or style. It’s the ephemeral quality that makes Cibani’s home and surroundings more than just a house and land.
PHOTOS: Federica Carlet unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
INTERIOR DESIGNER AND FENCING DESIGNER: Archi-Tectonics
- Winka Dubbeldam, Assoc. AIA, principal in charge
- Boden Davies
- Robin Zhang
ARCHITECT OF RECORD: Randall Collins Architect PC, (212) 714-0696
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Old Structures Engineering PC
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Dutchman Contracting
FENCE MANUFACTURERS/INSTALLERS: Arthur Kill Metalworks, (908) 809-3641, and Salem Fence Company
Materials
BRASS OUTLETS: Forbes & Lomax
WATER-BASED PAINT: Benjamin Moore
DIMMER SWITCH: Lutron
KITCHEN
COPPER WALL PANELS: Delform
QUARTZ COUNTERTOP: Caesarstone
ACID GLASS: Hollander Glass
FLOOR: NooN/Honey from Mirage
36-INCH GAS COOKTOP: Gaggenau
OIL BRONZE FAUCET: Signature Hardware
SINK: 36-inch Precis from Blanco
HOOD VENT: Siemens
DISHWASHER, DOUBLE WALL OVEN AND MICROWAVE: Bosch
BUILT-IN PANEL-READY REFRIGERATOR: Subzero-Wolf
GROUND-FLOOR POWDER ROOM 1 WALL TILES: Pietra D’avola, Lithoberde Natural Stone and Concordia Velvet Natural Stone from Stone Source
FLOOR TILE: Dark Tile from Stone Source
SINK CONSOLE: Aquastand Console from Lacava
SINK: Aquagrande Sink from Lacava
FAUCET: HV130 Sink Faucet from Vola
TOILET: Aquia Dual Flush from TOTO
CEILING LIGHT: Schoolhouse
GROUND-FLOOR POWDER ROOM 2 CEMENT FLOOR TILE: Mosaic House
WEATHERED OAK SINGLE WASHSTAND: Restoration Hardware
SINK FAUCET: KV15 Basin Mixer from Vola
TOILET: Aquia Dual Flush from TOTO
WALL SCONCE: Articolo Studios
PRIMARY BATHROOM
WALL TILES: Mile End Inca Grey, Natural Stone, and Concordia Velvet, Natural Stone, from Stone Source
CEMENT FLOOR TILE: Mosaic House
SHOWER SET, SINK FAUCET AND BATH FAUCET: Vola
SINK: Undermount Quartz, Natural Stone, from Caesarstone
VANITY: Undermount Sink VC821U from WetStyle
TOILET AND BATHTUB: Agape
CUSTOM TILE-IN DRAIN: CeraLine from California Faucets
BASEBOARD: 36-inch Baseray Cast Iron Baseboard Radiator from U.S. Boiler Company
RECESSED ROUND CEILING LIGHT: Artemide
LED STRIP: WAC Lighting
PENDANTS: Articolo Studios
KIDS’ BATHROOM
WALL TILE: Salt Mixed Runway, Natural Stone, from Stone Source
FLOOR TILE: Salt Mixed Gravel, Natural Stone, from Stone Source
WASHBASIN: Woodline CER760P from Agape
FAUCET: Exira Wall Mount Bath Faucet from Signature Hardware
BATHTUB: Blu Bathworks
HAND SHOWER SET AND TUB FAUCET: Dornbracht
TOILET: Aquia Dual Flush from TOTO
ROUND CEILING LIGHT AND WALL SCONCE: Artemide