Cold Spring Residence

2023 - Cold Spring, NY

In Cold Spring, New York, architecture firm Taylor & Miller has reimagined a 19th-century hotel into a compelling, materially rich retreat, balancing historical preservation with contemporary design on a modest budget. The two-story brick structure, originally built in the 1850s, now features three distinct units: a ground-floor loft, an airy guest suite above, and a versatile basement, complete with a former bread oven turned wine cellar. 

The first-floor apartment celebrates openness and functionality with a loft-inspired layout, exposing original beams and columns. A custom steel shelving unit elegantly divides the sleeping area, and acts as a display area for books, family heirlooms, and other art objects – a cabinet of curiosities. Custom lighting punctuates the clean ceiling design while adding warmth and character to each room. In the dining area, cold-rolled steel forms a desk-height shelf, where the magnetic surface enables a rotating display of artwork and travel memorabilia, lending a personalized and dynamic touch. 

In the kitchen, dark cabinetry and reflective stainless steel surfaces enhance depth and light, while exposed brick walls add texture. The bathroom’s design echoes this blend, featuring exposed masonry, a custom vanity, and dual porcelain sinks, offering both storage and a striking visual effect. 

The basement flexes as a guest unit, art studio, or TV lounge, featuring a wine cellar housed in a former bread oven. With a “secret passageway” wrapped in steel and masonry, this unique transition space leads to a custom wine rack, allowing flexible bottle display. 

Outdoors, a Kyoto-inspired garden replaces an overgrown lot. New pavings, layered plantings, and dramatic lighting transform the yard into a tranquil, tiered escape.