Meadow House — A Modern Farmhouse in Westerlo, ny

The Meadow House is a refined take on rural living. The 90-acre property was once a dairy farm before it was purchased by our clients’ parents. When siting the home, we chose the location the father had always said offered the best view of the Catskills. That view, along with the familiarity of the surrounding landscape, became the guiding force behind the design.

Our clients wanted a home that felt contemporary yet rooted in its rural setting. A barn-like simplicity felt both natural and appropriate, shaping a form that is quiet and purposeful. Sustainability was central to the design: the house is fully electric and features radiant concrete floors, rainwater harvesting, and thermally modified poplar siding left unfinished so it can weather naturally over time.

At the heart of the home is an open kitchen and living area. It is intimate enough for everyday life with their young family, yet generous enough to host larger Sunday dinners. The clients’ home offices reflect their different working styles; one tucked away for privacy, the other opening to the main living space with a library of floor-to-ceiling shelving, shielded from direct sunlight. A walk-through office connects the living room and library, maintaining both functionality and flow.

A two-story stairwell window frames the mountains in the morning and the stars at night. The L-shaped layout allows the home to balance volume with moments of quiet retreat.

Rooted in the landscape and shaped by the lives of the people who inhabit it, the Meadow House reflects a simple idea: the best homes belong exactly where they are.