September 19, 2024
Forest Adds Character to This Hudson Valley Renovation
by Lauren Jones
Design: Studio Marcoux | Photography: Kate Sears | Floor: Forest
In Coxsackie, New York, a small town on the Hudson River, preservation is important to many residents, especially homeowner Blake MacKay. She lives in the village’s oldest standing home — tax records date back to 1690 — a center-hall Dutch colonial that likely started as a pit house. When she purchased it in November 2021 from a family that had lived there since the 1960s, she knew it needed an update, but one that respected its storied past.
She hired Gabrielle Marcoux of Studio Marcoux, a Brooklyn-based architect, whom she met through a mutual friend. With the goal of honoring its roots, they looked to Stuga’s European-made floors to add character and a modern edge.
Left: Historic photo of the 300+ year old home. Right: A modern photo taken prior to renovation.
Merging the Old and New
For a home nearing 350 years old, it was in surprisingly good shape with no major issues, and MacKay felt it would be a strong fit for her family after some renovations. The plan was to change the downstairs footprint and apply cosmetic updates to the second floor.
The kitchen was gutted down to the studs, the half bathroom became a full bathroom, and the living room—now the highlight of the home—feels like the inside of a ship with its cozy wood floors and ceiling. Upstairs, the original small bedrooms and bathroom were opened up by taking space from the attic and exposing the beams. Now, there are two suites: one for their daughter and one for MacKay and her wife.
Grounded With Forest
When it came to aesthetics, they didn’t want to step out of sync with the home’s age. Details like historic recreation wallpaper in the guest bedroom, along with interiors that combined country home style without leaning into "cabincore" or overly Scandinavian (as is common in many Hudson Valley homes), were key.
A rich color palette of sage, rust red, soft navy, and butter yellow are classic hues that show up throughout the home. Forest, a natural oak peppered with small knots and cracks with a matte lacquer finish and consistent color, was the perfect pick to bring all of the elements together. Once MacKay checked out the Stuga website, she knew Forest was the one. She didn’t even consider other options.
Today, the floors add the ideal amount of warmth, texture, and a natural, comfortable feel whether walking barefoot, in sandals, or winter boots. With the renovations, it’s now a home that works for their family and will continue to be an iconic structure within Coxsackie.
