Accelerated Antiquity

Interior designer Brian Gibson of DIGS furnishes a Hyde Park home from top-to-bottom while making it appear as though its contents have been collected over years

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Eric Williams

It is not unusual in highly desired neighborhoods to find countless examples of humble abodes that have fallen victim to renovations gone awry, and have nearly obliterated any semblance of historic character. Fortunately, this historic Hyde Park home has been spared such a fate.

While the yellow clapboard farmhouse with its classic combination of white trim and black shutters has been enlarged and renovated to suit the expectations of modern life, it still retains its old soul, now coaxed out a bit more by the deft styling of interior designer Brian Gibson of DIGS. Over the years the home has benefitted from several well-intentioned owners, including a hardwood floor proprietor in the 1920s, who laid the lovely herringbone pattern quartersawn oak throughout the first floor. There is little doubt that each of these wise decisions stems from referencing an oil painting of the home in its original state that has been passed along from owner to owner.

The current owner has also joined the ranks of those who have personalized the residence by adding a master bedroom above the existing study, along with an arbor-covered terrace and fireplace, a swimming pool and a pool house.

Gibson had the rare pleasure of starting from scratch as the homeowner only carried over a few pieces from his previous residence. While Gibson outfitted the home from top to bottom, the homeowner was explicit in his directive that the finished product appear as though it had been acquired over time – a special skill for which Gibson’s expertise in antiquities is particularly suited.

In developing the design scheme, Gibson worked from the floor up. The client selected a lovely Bijar rug from the 1880s for the foyer, a late 19th century Serapi for the living room and an antique Agra for the dining room. Citing the strong, bright colors in the rugs as well as the intensely hued damask wallpaper in the foyer, Gibson remarked, “[The homeowner] likes things a little dressier, full of color and a little more high style than most men.”

Of the strong, bright colors in the intensely hued damask wallpaper in the foyer, interior designer Gibson commented, “[The homeowner] likes things a little dressier, full of color and a little more high style than most men.”

Adorning the walls in the dining room are a fascinating series of maps printed in the mid-1800s that depict the known world at various points in history, beginning with the garden of Eden. While it appears old, the aged brass light fixture over the dining table is actually new.

Adorning the walls in the dining room are a fascinating series of maps printed in the mid-1800s that depict the known world at various points in history, beginning with the garden of Eden. Under the dining table is an antique Agra rug.

The living room presents itself as the repository for the wares of a well-traveled collector. There is an ostrich egg lamp with a mica shade that Gibson found in Carmel, CA, Grand Tour souvenirs from the 18th century on the mantel, a sofa table with faux sharkskin finish topped with an actual sharkskin box, brass lion andirons, masses of quartz points and a sawfish bill mounted on a stand. There is a deliberate absence of delicate accessories so as not to undermine the masculine aesthetic.

Accessories in the living room give the impression that they were collected over time. The rug is a late 19th century Serapi. Landscape paintings are by Will Walter.

Rich wood paneling added to the study lends a clubby feel to the space. The homeowner’s affinity for fishing is reflected in the lithographs adorning the walls. Furniture and accessories continue the eclectic theme and include a Chinese deco-style console table with a decorative finish that calls to mind endpaper in hardbound books and an antique leather topped game table. The room’s atypical shape necessitated a custom rug. Gibson selected a Pierre Frey paisley print for the drapery.

Gibson chose a distressed painted finish for a pair of islands in the eat-in kitchen to break up the wood cabinetry. Beadboard in the same yellow hue was added to a portion of the backsplash. A forged iron chandelier hangs above the table, which is centered in a wall of windows overlooking a perennial garden busy with a variety of birds visiting varied feeders.

The sunny family room is open to the kitchen. Windows are dressed with ikat print drapery. The aforementioned painting of the original farmhouse hangs next to the French doors leading to the pool terrace. A large landscape painting by Will Walter that captures the brilliance of the sky at dusk hangs above the sofa. A trio of similarly styled paintings by the same artist are found in the living room.

Windows in the family room are dressed with ikat print drapery. A painting of the farmhouse in its original state hangs next to the French doors that lead to the pool terrace.

On the second floor, awkward bench seating at the landing was replaced with built-in bookcases. The renovated master suite boasts a large seating area and a spa-like bath with a central skylight and mosaic tile inlay on the floor.

The home’s hilltop location and lush landscaping comprised of evergreens and planters overflowing with flowering annuals lend privacy to the plethora of outdoor spaces. Teak armchairs from Glouster surround a slate-tiled circular table from Summer Classics in front of the woodburning fireplace. Nearby is a complete outdoor kitchen with Wolff appliances. Designed by Architects Plus to mimic aspects of the main house, the pool house serves as the hub of outdoor entertaining with a full kitchen, bar seating, flat panel television, and a full bathroom.

This “insta-house,” as Gibson calls it, appears anything but, with a carefully curated collection of furnishings, art, and accessories that mirror the owner’s sophisticated tastes.