Among the highlights of our current book, Remodelista in Maine? The island house of designer couple Maria Berman and Brad Horn. Thumb through and you’ll see it set down on a cliff on the Maine island of Vinalhaven, its shell among architectural radiance: a modern-day, über pared-down variation of an essential New England farmhouse, its 2 sides signed up with by a large screen deck. However your home never ever takes itself too seriously, either. Inside, it’s all easy-going products, riotous color and pattern, and mismatched finds from not likely sources: thrift shops, estate sales, even– memorably– the swap store at the Vinalhaven dump.
So when Maria and Brad emailed us with shots of their location in New york city City, where their company, Berman Horn Studio, is based, we were pleased to note their particular method uses simply as easily to a historical Harlem row home, with a designer’s sense for structure and circulation and a collector’s profane mix of finds.
” It’s a turn-of-the-century row home that was constructed when the brand-new train system started to connect upper Manhattan to downtown,” Maria composes of their location. “In the 19th century the location was really rural, with little frame homes. The train system made it part of the city.
” We discovered this location when we completed architecture school in upper Manhattan. We had actually been residing in a truly raw loft area behind the old Fairway market in the Harlem meatpacking location and desired something that was more steady and safe and secure. We likewise enjoyed the location and felt it was a neighborhood we wished to belong of.”
The couple acquired your home’s historical bones and made subtle, clever updates that nearly mix into the background. However like the oft-quoted concept that style, succeeded, is undetectable, the impact appears: in a possibly uncomfortable design merged by a single paint color and a so-efficient-you-might-miss-it cooking area area. “In such a way, not feeling obliged to bring back historical interiors permitted us more liberty in regards to discovering a design and visual identity that worked for us,” Maria composes.
Join us for a walk through.
Photography by Greta Rybus
