Locust Valley House

Situated directly across from a historic golf course designed by Charles Blair Macdonald, this ground-up weekend home in Locust Valley, New York, exploits the footprint of an existing 1957 ranch style house and attempts to capture the essence of its predecessor while integrating with its serene surroundings.

Its elongated, gently sloping roofline echoes the original house and blends in with the neighborhood. The exterior materials similarly embraces the historic requirements of the local design guidelines: cedar shake, slate roof, divided lite windows, and classic shutters. Yet, the traditional massing and finishes are presented in a sophisticated, monochromatic white, reflecting a modern minimalist aesthetic.

This minimal sensibility comes through especially in the house's interiors, where a consistently simple palette of white oak and painted white interiors with understated detailing is carried throughout the house, creating a functional yet tranquil weekend retreat for this family of four.