• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
September 11, 2014

Tour a Small-but-Perfect Westchester Guesthouse

By Wendy Goodman

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
Photo: Wendy Goodman

Westchester County is full of big, fancy houses, but it was one very demure 1937 beauty that caught my eye while visiting interior designer Kitty Hawks and her husband Larry Lederman.

View
1 / 11 Photos
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.”  
1 / 11

Tags:

  • space of the week
  • westchester
  • home design

More Galleries

campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 10, 2020
A Zoom Wedding Only Two Digital Creatives Could Produce  The couple coordinated multiple video segments, breakout rooms, and a dance party. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 3, 2020
The Anti-Spectacle Wedding That Turned Into a Spectacle  Brooklyn Bridge Park was the site of their first date, proposal, and wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.