Text by Bethany Adams
When Karen Wolf of k+co LIVING was hired by Aimee Cummo and Matt Mandel to design their home in New York’s Hudson Valley, she was met with an exciting challenge. “They purchased a home that was newly constructed, and they wanted to make it feel like an inn,” she says, noting the homeowners’ desire to translate the effortless authenticity of the history-rich area into a home that would be an escape from the life of two lawyers.
“The main inspiration was to give them a mountain feel,” Karen says, “so, we used an earthier palette.” The inspiration for the color scheme, a hand-knotted kilim rug in the family room, kicked off a design that showcases handmade, craftsman-style pieces. “We used mostly real wood when we could, or hand-forged iron,” Karen adds.
A prime example of that goal, the chairs in the connected dining area were hand-crafted in Mexico, and they feature handwoven leather that plays into Karen’s love of using texture in her projects. The rich orange-brown finish stands out against the subtle blues and grays that back it, establishing a high-contrast palette of deep tones that Karen carefully kept from feeling “muddy,” explaining, “We pop a little bit more when and where we can.”
Further demonstrating that approach, the green sofa in the living room was, as Karen notes, a bold move for the homeowners—but it was one that paid off. “We really loved the feel of that space,” she says, noting the design team endeavored to create a timeworn personality despite the property being new. Artwork commissioned from local artist Dana Salzone is the focal point of the room, but Karen points to the Visual Comfort chandelier as the detail that pulls it all together.
“To me, lighting is more than jewelry to a room,” she says. “It’s really one of the layers that can take a room from one vibe to another. Just a switch of a light fixture can change the whole aesthetic of the space; it really tells the story.” Whether it’s the vintage eclectic charm of the living room or the bohemian atmosphere in the guest bedroom, each space’s personality is carefully honed with chandeliers and lamps that complete the story Karen wants the room to tell. “We spend a tremendous amount of time sourcing lighting,” she says.
In a move that isn’t typical of Karen’s design process, the team sourced various antiques and vintage pieces from the local communities, weaving them in among new pieces to introduce the aged character Aimee and Matt wanted. Pieces like the patinaed glass bottles that decorate the built-ins in the downstairs den speak to the history of the area while serving as an added layer of charm in an already charming design.
While the project turned out to be a departure from k+co’s usual style, Karen considers it a favorite. “It’s a side of us that we don’t get to showcase that often,” she says. The home gave Karen the opportunity to stretch her creative muscles while translating the principles of her design philosophy into a home that would serve as a true haven for a busy family. These days, Aimee, Matt, and their kids enjoy their mountain home nearly every weekend—and with every detail so carefully thought out, it’s easy to see why.
