Hoffman Grayson Architects – Huntington Village, NY

Hoffman-Grayson Architects LLP was founded by Neal Hoffman and Glen Grayson in 1981, as an architectural and interior design firm. From the outset, the founders recognized the economic and environmental benefits associated with the renovation and re-use of existing buildings, and chose to specialize in this aspect of architecture. Since 1981, the staff has grown steadily and includes graduate Architects and Interior Designers whose skills complement those of the Principals. Firm members are encouraged to be activists in their profession and community. Neal Hoffman served as president of the Long Island Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1991, and has been an active board member of the Huntington Historical Society. The firm engages in pro-bono work to benefit the community, and firm members are active advocates for quality design.

The partners recently purchased and renovated a circa 1870s home in Huntington Village to house their growing firm, which now totals a staff of eleven architects and designers. Projects range in cost and scope, but are generally focused on creative solutions realized in practical terms, with an eye towards sustainable solutions.

Historic Remodel in Centerport, New York

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Charles Van Iderstine Mansion was built in 1897 overlooking picturesque Northport Harbor. The estate once included a gatehouse, carriage house, and servants quarters, but these have been separated and absorbed into separate parcels. This fine example of the Queen Anne style remains largely intact, featuring a wrap around Porch, irregular and asymmetrical massing, and a three story octagonal tower.

The home was sited to face the harbor side, as was the custom at the turn of the century. The result was that you would approach the home by car from the rear, entering into the service spaces. Purchased by the current owners in 2004, it was ripe for selective updating to suit the needs of a busy modern family. The Owners were initially contacted Hoffman Grayson Architects to reimagine the Master Bathroom. But architect Glen Grayson began by discussing the Kitchen project. Over the course of five years, the architects designed a series of projects to transform this important historical house into a gentile retreat on the water, for this busy family’s enjoyment. It was important to retain the character of the existing home, but the existing Kitchen was a warren of dysfunctional spaces, complicated by too many doorways, too many little spaces, a large but unattractive fireplace separating the tiny kitchen from an awkward breakfast area which also served as the primary entry to the home.

Yet with all the doorways, there was only one way to access the remainder of the home from this entry, which involved coming into the Breakfast area, walking around the fireplace into the tiny Kitchen, through that space and into a charming butler’s Pantry, and on the Dining Room, walking around the table and through the Sitting Room, finally to arrive at the central Foyer which could take you to the Living room, wrap-around Porch, and the upstairs.

The architects opted to open up the space as much as possible, to improve circulation and access to the rest of the home. A small addition, replacing the 1980 Open Porch, extended the Breakfast area into the side yard, affording views of Northport Harbor and the yard. The fireplace was removed from the middle of the spaces, replaced by a rustic French-inspired fireplace on an exterior wall, where it warms the intersection of the Breakfast area, Desk, Drop Zone, and the main Kitchen area.

The new space is organized around a spacious rustic oak island, lightly distressed, with an applied base rather than a recessed toe space, to feel more like a piece of old furniture repurposed from a shop or store. The island features a large prep sink, with a hot and chilled water dispenser that matches the Waterstone Annapolis oil rubbed bronze kitchen faucet.

The Architect looked to Waterstone for the plumbing fittings, because they offered a complete range of products from traditional three-leg swivel spout faucets, pull-down spray faucets, pot fillers, hot and cold water dispensers, and soap dispensers that all worked together in the same finish, unlike other manufacturers who could only provide bits and pieces.

The copper farm sink is the focal point of the primary clean up area. To make this task more pleasant, the Architects designed a new opening/pass-through to the back stair, and a new window to the outside was placed just beyond the pass-through opening, affording a view of the yard, if not the harbor, from the Kitchen sink.

The copper farm sink was placed in front of a new opening/pass-through to the back stair, and a new window to the outside was placed just beyond the pass-through opening, affording a view of the yard, if not the harbor, from the Kitchen sink. The Waterstone three leg swivel spout oil rubbed bronze kitchen faucet matches the pull down faucet on the island.

The perimeter cabinets are finished in a yellow paint, lightly distressed and glazed. The upper cabinets are glazed in antique glass. With 10′-6″ ceilings in this 19th century home, there was ample space for an upper tier of cabinets around the room.

The generously proportioned cooking center is organized around a 48″ Dacor Range, with a GE microwave oven installed in the Backsplash on the left, recessed into closet space below the stair behind the wall. The microwave is on a pull-out platform, and can be pulled out to make it easier to reach when needed. Coordinating with the other faucets in the Kitchen, a Waterstone oil rubbed bronze pot filler is located above the range, set into a custom Arts and Crafts tile inset.

A wall of tall storage conceals a pair of 36″ Sub Zero Refrigerators with freezer drawers below. A bookcase for an expansive collection of cookbooks neatly flanks the right corner.

Around the corner from the refrigerators, a small Butler’s Pantry creates a decorative niche, visible from the Foyer. Just to the left of the Butler’s Pantry is a concealed door that leads to a functional Pantry, that lives behind the tall Refrigerator wall.

A baking center was created in a corner opposite the Butler’s Pantry, set at 32″ high, to house all of the essentials for baking, which is a frequent task in this household.

In order to connect the Kitchen to the rest of the house, without passing through the Dining Room, the Architects created an opening that steps up onto the main stair landing, and through to the foyer, facing the harbor. A concealed panel of wainscoting on hinges creates a convenient pet gate when needed to close off this opening.

A small addition created ample space for an airy Breakfast area, affording side yard access to their pool area, and to waterviews overlooking the Harbor.

The new fireplace, built with bush hammered Giallo granite, became the hearth of this gathering room, at the intersection of the Breakfast area, desk, Drop Zone and Kitchen. The custom fireplace was designed by the architect after a fireplace he saw in a French country house while visiting with friends several years earlier. A rustic mantle shelf was milled from reclaimed lumber.

A functional desk was designed in the corner to the left of the fireplace, to keep this busy family on track. A coat closet is concealed in the tall cabinetry around this corner, leading to the Mud Room/ Drop Zone.

A new side Entry with a small covered Porch was added to serve the new Mud Room. A walk-in Drop Zone alcove was designed to organize all of the gear that four children use on a daily basis. A Laundry Room and Powder Room are located next to the Mud Room.

The cabinetry was designed by the architects and built locally by Joe Brittman, Brittman & Son, East Northport. The Architects designed the custom Arts and Crafts tile backsplash to coordinate with the William Morris wallpaper that they selected.

The partners recently purchased and renovated a circa 1870s home in Huntington Village to house their growing firm, which now totals a staff of eleven architects and designers. Projects range in cost and scope, but are generally focused on creative solutions realized in practical terms, with an eye towards sustainable solutions.

HOFFMAN GRAYSON ARCHITECTS LLP
90 High Street Huntington, New York 11743
T 631.549.4060 X20 • F 631.549.4475
www.hoffmangrayson.com
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