A MIXTURE OF CONSIGNMENT FINDS, NEW PIECES, WARM TEXTURES, AND ENDLESS LOVE CREATED THE ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN LODGE.

In 2020, my brother purchased a property on land adjacent to our parent’s house in Canaan, NY. Nestled in the woods at the end of a mile-long driveway and overlooking the Catskill Mountains, it was the perfect tranquil spot to create a haven outside the city. He had big plans to tear it down and build a much larger, modern, space that fit his taste and needs. Unfortunately, he passed away before any of that could happen, and I was notified just days after his death that he left the property to me.

I was at quite a loss for what to do with the house, as at the time of his passing I was still living in California with only vague plans to move back to the Hudson Valley. In my worst days of grief, I found myself thinking about what it would be like to save the existing house and turn it into an homage to my brother, and perhaps a retreat for his closest friends and family. I started mood boarding a little, saving things I found online and making totally random purchases - like the antique Eagle door knocker in honor of his favorite animal. Over time, the vision came together: a contemporary ski lodge that would complement the original woodwork and highlight the mountainous surroundings.

The bones were good, as they say, and even better than I could have hoped. I worked with a small team of amazing vendors who replaced some windows and doors, switched out all the hardware, refinished the floors, fixed the roof and gutters, and installed some beautiful stone steps and patio flagstone. In a perfect world I would have changed a lot more, but I was working with a tight budget and needed to make as much of the originally house work as possible. Paint and lighting made the biggest impact, but once the furnishings started arriving I knew it would be a very special, and comfortable, home.

With so many amazing antique and consignment shops in the area, from Hudson, NY to Great Barrington, MA, it was easy to find unique pieces that created a healthy mix of vintage and modern finds. I sourced from as many American companies as possible, especially ones who specialized in sustainable materials. I also raided my parent’s basement, finding an old dresser, side table, and artwork that worked perfectly. I also had folders and folders of my brother’s childhood art, which got beautifully framed and scattered throughout.

Eclectic was the name of the game. I wanted it to feel chic yet still casual - a place you can really lounge in and enjoy the company of friends and family - which, after a full year overseeing the transformation from California, it became. Now, we all gather here, sitting around the fire, playing his favorite music, cooking in the pizza oven, roasting marshmallows, and sharing memories of my brother that keep him alive for us, if even just within the walls of our Contemporary Après-Ski paradise.