Berkshires Retreat Renovation
Location: Canaan, New York
Scope: Full Home Furnishings, Renovation
Photographer: Costas Picadas
Set on a wooded hillside in Canaan, New York, this 1960s–70s home was transformed into a luxe rustic mountain retreat for two creative entrepreneurs who split their time between global travel and weekend escapes. They wanted the ease of a boutique hotel; serene, indulgent, intuitive, paired with the warmth of a personal home. And because the property also functions as a high-end short-term rental, every design choice needed to feel inviting, durable, and deeply rooted in its Berkshires landscape.
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We reworked the home’s layout to create clarity and flow, beginning with a full reimagining of the kitchen. Once dark and over-circulated, it now anchors the house with a streamlined material palette, terrazzo floors, and a layout that supports both passionate cooks and wandering guests. We adjusted doorways, opened sightlines, and integrated clever moments like a guest “market nook” and main-level laundry to make weekend turnover seamless. In the living room, made quirky by a suspended 70s fire pit, we replaced the rigid modular benches with a sculptural, deep sectional that encourages lingering, gathering, and slow, luminous mornings. Vintage-inspired furnishings, an organic modernist tone, and a custom Moroccan rug in the primary suite add softness and scale while honoring the home’s original era.
Throughout the house, nature sets the rhythm. Every room opens to either uninterrupted forest or sweeping views of the property: pool, meadow, horse pastures, even a distant pickleball court, so we oriented furniture to frame the outdoors and kept window treatments minimal for maximum serenity. Hardworking materials, stain-resistant textiles, and non-porous surfaces ensure the home stands up beautifully to guest stays without sacrificing elegance. The final atmosphere is cool, funky, and deeply serene - a modern 70s chalet that feels both elevated and entirely at ease, equally suited for quiet personal retreats and memorable weekends shared with others.
