Rhinecliff Residence by Post Company

In its previous chapter, Rhinecliff Residence was an outdated dwelling lacking space and light. It was one of the oldest preserved houses in the area, as per records from the local historical society.

The current version of the house steps out of the shadows of its 1860s predecessor, thanks to a luminous overhaul by New York City-based multidisciplinary design practice Post Company. The owners – who moved to New York in 2020 and purchased Rhinecliff Residence as their primary home – collaborated extensively with the firm’s partners Ruben Caldwell, Jou-Yie Chou and Leigh Salem on the redesign. The exact extent of the transformation, however, was dictated by the home’s history. “At 1,250 square feet, this is a small home, and because of its historic nature, the roof lines, massing and window openings could not be modified,” says Caldwell. The architects set out to champion the idiosyncratic features by tailoring the blueprint in keeping with the architectural limitations.

“The philosophy was to create a rhythm of light and dark, restraint and saturation,” says Salem.

To make the home better suited for modern living, Post Company reconfigured the entire layout to include updated bathrooms, a custom kitchen, brand new windows, a reworked entry sequence and an integrated mudroom and pantry. To combat the small square footage, the practice completely customised the millwork to maximise storage across spaces while keeping said interventions in line with the architecture and finishes.

“The philosophy was to create a rhythm of light and dark, restraint and saturation,” says Salem of the rationale behind the palette. Colour and texture were designated to smaller, more intimate realms such as the mudroom, which was transformed in a brooding red. Likewise, the guest room was enhanced in earthy tones, and the bathrooms were entirely emblazoned in Calacatta Rosa marble. An opposite approach was adopted for the open areas, which were hushed in subtly shifting tones of limewash.

The furniture scheme is characterised by a combination of contemporary and vintage works that alternately nod to the past and present.

The furniture scheme is characterised by a combination of contemporary and vintage works that alternately nod to the past and present. Chief among them are petite tables and chairs from Roll & Hill, a coffee table from ceramist Jordan McDonald and lighting from Post Company’s new Delta line with Roll & Hill. Objects and hardware from In Common With, Jenna Lyons and Waterworks, as well as photography from Matthew Johnson are among the other novelties on display.

“The goal was to make the home a contemporary expression of the homeowners and their interests,” says Chou. “It was a unique opportunity to create a space that felt intimate, but also retained an approach of restraint and minimalism.”

Architecture and interior design by Post Company. Build by New York Renaissance Group.