The perfect getaway for a young family

By Jamie Marshall
Photographs by Tria Giovan

Designer Carly Ahlman has a knack for creating warm, inviting interiors for second home-owners. So, when she was presented with the opportunity to do a project at Silo Ridge for a young couple from New York City, she jumped at the chance. “They’re a really fun couple,” she says. “This is their first home, their first interior design project, and their first build. They wanted a place where they could entertain and bring friends and spend weekends.” The icing on the cake for Ahlman? “It’s fun to create a residence that people really use, instead of a vacation home that people go to a couple times a year.” For Ahlman the project was particularly meaningful because her association with the Silo Ridge development in Amenia, part of the Discovery Land Company portfolio, goes back many years. “I worked for a company that was subcontracted by Discovery, and I was one of the first employees in New York. I helped jumpstart the design part. This was a nice full-circle moment.” The homeowners discovered Silo when they began hunting for property outside the city. “We have two young children, and we were looking for a space where the kids can enjoy nature,” says the wife. “It’s such a unique place; you get the best of both worlds for a busy family.” They chose a custom estate lot on Redtail Pass, with views of the lake and the golf course. They envisioned a home that was contemporary, with a relaxed, casual vibe. “We didn’t want it to feel like a museum,” she says. During the pre-construction phase, Ahlman worked closely with both the architect, Hart Howerton, and contractor, Stoneleaf Construction.

“We sourced and designed everything, from exterior finishes to interior elements, including flooring, stone, tile, and custom millwork,” she says. Every decision was made with the family in mind. A stone floor in the mudroom extends beneath the benches for storing snow-covered boots. The downstairs media room has a refrigerator and bar cabinet stocked with snacks for the kids. Most of the furnishings are covered in stain-resistant performance fabrics. “I think Carly understood that, with young kids, we wanted things to be nice but that certain areas have an expected shelf life of five years. They will either outgrow the furniture or destroy it,” the wife says with a laugh. The aim was to keep the bones of the house neutral and classic, layering in texture and pops of color. The kitchen and dining area are painted sky blue; the island is topped with a leathered black granite that “leans into the fact that this is a natural material, and it will get dinged and worn, so it’s not quite so precious,” says Ahlman. The dining chairs are done in woven leather. “It’s such a wonderful material; it gets more and more beautiful as you use it.” A large stone fireplace anchors one end of the great room, while floor-to-ceiling windows reveal the amazing view. “When guests walk in through the front door and step into the great room, it’s sort of a moment,” says Ahlman. Downstairs in the media room, the focus is on comfort. The custom sectional sports a neutral fabric, while the oversize swivel chair is dressed in green velvet. “This is where they will hang out as a family,” says Ahlman. On the back wall above the snack cabinet, a series of retro prints is both playful and instructive. “Those were old school-posters that I had matted and framed,” says Ahlman. “They are kind of the rules of how to live a good life.”