Home in the North Manursing Island development, Rey, New York | Architect: Philip Ives

INFORMALITY is an ingrained American characteristic. In houses too, our preferences run to simplicity with the accent on good sense. This house, by architect Philip Ives, one of a group built on North Manursing Island, Rye, New York, is a case in point. It is based on the twin assumptions that 1) a good house is fun to live in; 2) careful planning and construction are worth their weight in easy maintenance. For parties there is a generous reception area and a large living room which opens on a cool terrace overlooking Long Island Sound. On the opposite side of the room, eaves above the windows have been cut out to let in the sun. The walled garden, just outside, is ideal for young children: here their parents can keep them in sight. A separate entrance leads to their rooms, to avoid trekking through the house. A small pond near the beach is child-size for ice skating or toy sailboat races. On the practical side, the roof is fireproof slate, walls are stone with wood used only where wide eaves afford weather protection. Indoors, the house reveals a flair for texture: broad quiet planes of a single material make a perfect background for highly personal decoration. 

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

source: House and Garden Magazine | November 1950