The gut renovation of a 3,400-square-foot classic Colonial farmhouse in Bedford, New York, felt extra close to home for Zan Young and Sara Haydock, the duo behind Bedford-based interior design firm Elliott Interiors. The goal was to make it a forever home for Haydock and her growing family.
Haydock’s former house felt “transitional in style,” she says. “We were craving something with more charm and character.” Nestled between horse farms, the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath property hit the mark but needed a bit of work to bring it back to life.
“The bones were full of potential,” says Haydock. “It had great details, like extensive molding, old pine floors, and so much light.” But after being passed between renters and after 20 years of neglect, it also had wall-to-wall carpeting (even in the dining room!), a small kitchen, and layers of peeling white paint.
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Haydock and Young started by replacing all of the carpet with wood flooring, stained a dark, rich brown meant to show its age over time, and then aiming their attention at creating a sense of place in the interior. They used Earthy tones (think bright shades of green and blue), natural textures, and playful layers of pattern.
Even in the home’s most formal space—the living room—nothing feels too stuffy or precious, thanks to a juxtaposition of lacquered finishes against natural wicker and contemporary textiles paired with hued velvets and linens.
A combination of high-low furnishings, like CB2 dining chairs with a Made Goods dining table, keep the design interesting, and the duo also breathed new life into vintage pieces. They painted a thrift store mirror in high gloss Benjamin Moore Peale Green and reupholstered some of Haydock’s existing furniture instead of buying new.
“It’s easy for your mind to spin when you’re trying to pick personal favorites from an entire design arsenal,” says Young. “I would remind Sara, 'We are sourcing for you, but also for the particulars of this home.'”
That meant using iconic wallpapers that had been on both designers’ lists for years—Quadrille’s Bali Hai, Soane’s Dianthus Chintz, and Brunschwig & Fils’ Les Touches—and layering in Haydock’s husband’s collection of American Art, of which the Hudson River School paintings seemed “made for” the space.
“Zan would remind me to get out of my head and go with my gut like we always do,” adds Haydock. That gut instinct is what resulted in a warm and lived-in home that mixes farmhouse heritage with contemporary charm.
Entry
Traditional climbing Soane Dianthus Chintz florals set the tone in this entry. A Mainly Baskets wicker console and custom Coleen Rider sconces add to the charm.
Family Room
This is the smallest room in the house “but the most used,” says Haydock. “Kids and dogs pile in for movies on the weekend.” The mirror is by Ballard Designs, rug is Stark, ottoman is custom in Alice Sergeant fabric, chairs are Lee Industriescovered in Sister Parish fabric, and the lampshades are custom in Les Indiennes fabric.
Dining Room
Hesitant to say goodbye to the home’s formal dining room, Elliott Interiors relied on Quadrille wallpaper to keep this room its own space, “ready to be dressed up for dinner parties, when necessary, but open with the kitchen, too,” says Haydock. The dining table is Made Goods, dining chairs are CB2, chandelier is Julie Neill for Visual Comfort, and the rug is custom from Jaipur Living.
Kitchen
What was once a closed-off galley is now open to the dining room and serves as a respite for Haydock. With so much pattern in the surrounding rooms, this space is a breath of fresh air. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace cabinets contrast with the Bianco Angelico marble-tiled backsplash. Unlacquered brass finishes by Waterworks and Rejuvenation nod to the home’s farmhouse roots. And the green Hudson Valley Lighting pendants tie into the dining room’s wallpaper.
Bedroom
D Porthault and Clarence House pillows add a pop of color. The headboard is by Serena & Lily and lampshades are custom in a Kelly Wearstler fabric.
Nursery
“It’s no secret that we love blue, especially in a little girl’s room,” says Haydock. The wallpaper is Schumacher, crib is Serena & Lily, window treatments are Emily Burningham, and chair is Serena & Lily in a Sister Parish fabric.
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