TinkerBox

Private Residence
Kerhonkson, NY
Completed: 2016

Design Team:
Marica McKeel

Photography: Brad Feinknopf

Builder: Larsen Builders

Publications:
Dwell Magazine

Intimately folded into the hilly landscape, TinkerBox is a private hideaway which sparks inspiration to create.

Surrounded by idyllic wooded terrain at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, TinkerBox functions as both a weekend retreat and workshop. A place to indulge creative passions, the peaceful getaway carves out dedicated space for both building furniture, and tinkering with antique cars.

A careful study of the undulating landscape and movement of the sun led to the home’s exacting placement on the site. Partially embedded into the hillside, the orientation optimized for light and views while intimately allowing the home to become an extension of the land.

The home’s façade, bold in color but simple in form, is clad in cedar charred using the Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, giving the wood a rich, textured ebony appearance. Each cedar board was charred by hand with a blowtorch – a labor of love that took nearly three months to complete.

A dramatic double-height entry features a cantilevered roof overhang, which extends continuously to the back of the home. On the main living level, large southern-facing windows provide a unique vantage point for enjoying picturesque views and stunning sunsets. A corner window bench, which much of the home was planned around, is a cozy nook for quiet reflection – beautiful in its simplicity.

To clear the site for construction, selected oak, maple, and birch trees were carefully cut down and milled to be used as floating slabs for the new interior stair. A local welder fabricated the central metal stringer, and the Studio MM team and builders worked side by side on site to finish and lay out each stair tread, embracing the natural variation of the different species of wood. 

Wholeheartedly embracing craftsmanship, creativity, and collaboration, many key design elements and finishes in TinkerBox were thoughtfully handmade. Sourcing a beautiful slab of New York walnut from a local mill, a custom dining room table was collaboratively designed and built with a local woodworker, becoming a showpiece of the room. Above the table, an understated brass chandelier was designed, wired, and fabricated by hand, elegantly accenting the space. Also handcrafted, the bedroom’s linen curtains were dip dyed with indigo, creating a gradient of blue which perfectly aligns with the window’s base.

With a reverence for the land, and appreciation for craftsmanship and creative partnership, TinkerBox forgoes the elaborate in favor of simplicity and warmth. Equal parts workshop and residence, the home is a testament to the beauty that can come from designing in harmony with nature and with each other.