Tour a Small-but-Perfect Westchester Guesthouse

The August 1937 cover of American Builder featured an illustration of a new house called “Russet Apple Hill.” Located among several apple trees, it wa... The August 1937 cover of American Builder featured an illustration of a new house called “Russet Apple Hill.” Located among several apple trees, it was built by the Katzenstein family, and until four years ago it had never changed hands. But this little beauty sits on land adjacent to the property of interior designer Kitty Hawks and her husband Larry Lederman, a retired lawyer, and now a professor and photographer, and they had had their eye on it for years as a guesthouse for friends and grandchildren. When the family finally sold it to them—they were convinced that Kitty and Larry loved it as much as they did—they ensured its future with nary a bulldozer in sight.

American Builder featured photographs of the concrete-block structure, designed by architect Emil Szendy, while extolling the virtues of concrete-buil... American Builder featured photographs of the concrete-block structure, designed by architect Emil Szendy, while extolling the virtues of concrete-built houses: “They are more fire safe, for one thing; the original cost is small, maintenance expense is negligible, and termites can’t eat them.” The article also praised the versatility of the material, noting how it was suited for both modern and period designs. Szendy’s Provençal-style house proves the point with its hipped pitched roof, cedar shutters, and second-story dormer windows. Cinder block is not the first thing that comes to mind when you see it.

Today, it looks exactly as it did in 1937, save for a fresh coat of paint and a few other alterations, such as a new shingle roof. “I kept telling Lar... Today, it looks exactly as it did in 1937, save for a fresh coat of paint and a few other alterations, such as a new shingle roof. “I kept telling Larry, ‘It’s like a house in a Thomas Kinkade painting,’ ” Hawks says. “It was so romantic and so simple, and so much its own character.”

The knotty-pine-paneled living room has all its original details, including the fireplace mantel and even the air vents. “We sanded the paneling... The knotty-pine-paneled living room has all its original details, including the fireplace mantel and even the air vents. “We sanded the paneling, but the amazing thing was that the walls were in perfect condition,” Hawks says. “There were no leaks. It was built more solidly than anything that is built today or even 25, 30 years ago.” She adds that the one “mistake” she might have made “was not putting a door between the kitchen and the living room.” But then she found this screen in Stamford: “I spent a weekend painting the wood. I love the fact that you can see through it.”

Graceful French doors open up to a terrace overlooking the sweeping views. Details like the corner niches add to the room’s charm. Hawks furnished the... Graceful French doors open up to a terrace overlooking the sweeping views. Details like the corner niches add to the room’s charm. Hawks furnished the guesthouse with pieces she had in storage and then filled in the rest with finds from Restoration Hardware, One Kings Lane, 1stdibs, and the Antique & Artistan Center in Stamford. The curtain fabric came from Rogers & Goffigon.

The plumbing and wiring needed an upgrade, as did the kitchen, but rather than give it a supersized, state-of-the-art renovation, Hawks went for a mor... The plumbing and wiring needed an upgrade, as did the kitchen, but rather than give it a supersized, state-of-the-art renovation, Hawks went for a more understated reno, adding new cork floors, tiles on the back wall, and light fixtures. “What is interesting is that all the people who worked on the house loved the project,” Lederman says. “And they all told us how amazing it was to realize how well you can live so small and simply.”

“The only change we made to the plan itself was that what is now the dining room had been a bedroom.”

This view from the second-floor landing shows the contoured plaster walls that frame the stairs.

“One could have gone the route of looking for the most perfect wrought-iron bed,” Hawks says, referring to the furnishing of the two upstairs bedrooms... “One could have gone the route of looking for the most perfect wrought-iron bed,” Hawks says, referring to the furnishing of the two upstairs bedrooms, “but I wanted it to be casual because I knew there would be grandchildren staying here and I didn’t want anything that you’d have to worry about; I wanted it to be welcoming.” The arched Provençal casement windows make for perfect window seats.

Hawks replaced the original closet here in the master bedroom with deep-drawered cabinets. Szendy kept every inch of space in mind when he designed th... Hawks replaced the original closet here in the master bedroom with deep-drawered cabinets. Szendy kept every inch of space in mind when he designed the interior; hence the achitectural but functional flourishes, like the small hall off the closet with its arched ceiling.

Another view of the master bedroom showing the wall cabinetry. The armchair and ottoman had been in the main house. “If Larry had said, ‘Let’s gut it,... Another view of the master bedroom showing the wall cabinetry. The armchair and ottoman had been in the main house. “If Larry had said, ‘Let’s gut it,’ that would have broken my heart,” Hawks says. “It has integrity. It’s modest, but the architect had a point of view and made something very simple and sweet. It’s perfect.”

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