Property of Mr. and Mrs. Bowen Sterling, Peekskill, New York | architects: William J. Conklin and Davis, Brody & Wisniewski

9/11/2025 04:30:00 PM

Spaciousness is an attribute of the plan, though it includes only 1,600 square feet. If the opaque sliding doors between the rooms and the glass doors of the corner porches are all pushed back completely, the interior is practically one room bordered by glass walls. Bathroom and kitchen, back to back for economical installation of equipment, are, of course, separate. In daily family life, bedrooms are closed off for privacy, the hearth and living rooms are joined. On a winter night the hearth room may be completely enclosed for snugness. Many combinations of rooms are possible. Storage walls 4' deep give generous storage; in the master bedroom the storage wall includes a lavatory.

Flexibility of the interior hinges on the hearth room. When the house is opened up in this way, more than 40 people have enjoyed a buffet or cocktail party there without being crowded. And with only the boys' bedroom closed off, the parents have entertained 20 friends without waking the children. Cork floors and insulated ceilings keep noise under control. The fireplace hood is removable and may be adjusted up and down to control air flow over flames. Colored ceramic tile paves hearth area and four skylights light it.

Variety of views is offered from porches at each corner of the house. The living room and its porch, opposite page below, seem to become part of the surrounding woodland as well as of each other when the glass doors are pushed into the wall recess. Additional areas for outdoor living are the brick terrace under the house and terrace near kitchen for barbecues.