Architecture Wednesday: Embury Stone House

Rooted in legacy, Embury Stone House is a 1930 historic retreat set on 12 private acres. With 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4,164 square feet of turnkey living space, and a heated pool, the property pairs comfort with pedigree. Designed by renowned architect Aymar Embury II, the stone landmark was built as part of former Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau Jr.'s Fishkill Farms estate, and became a favored hunting retreat for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Hewn from stone quarried directly from the hillside, the home remains a masterwork of craft, with gables, soaring chimneys, and arched doorways that capture its storied past. Inside, original timber beams, mantels, and a grand stone fireplace anchor warm gathering spaces, while broad Tudor-style windows frame mountain and woodland views, and flood the home with light.

The modern kitchen, outfitted with Viking appliances, opens to one of many large stone patios for effortless indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. A breakfast nook steps down to a first-floor guest bedroom or office with a half bath powder room. Off the kitchen a stairway leads to a sun-drenched gameroom.

Upstairs, three bedrooms span two floors, including a primary suite warmed by a stone fireplace, and a third-floor suite with a clawfoot tub, office, and an additional room. A flexible attic with a bathroom is not included in the square footage.

Outdoors, the property showcases extensive stonework amidst a landscape of rolling meadows, towering trees, and a meandering creek. The heated saltwater pool and spa create a summer centerpiece, alongside multiple terraced patios that invite alfresco dining surrounded by thousands of acres of protected wilderness.

A gated entrance, fencing, and thoughtful lighting enhance both privacy and peace of mind. With a successful history as a short-term rental, this property offers strong investment potential and lasting legacy. Though completely private, it is just 20 minutes from Beacon and Cold Spring's cultural centers, with direct access to major thoroughfares for an easy connection to New York City. With its rich history, timeless architecture, and turnkey comforts, Embury Stone House is a rare chance to own a piece of Hudson Valley History.

It sold last Fall for $1.5 million … which seems like a steal.

As always, click to emBIGGERate …

Dwell

Architecture Wednesday: The Old Barn

Once a farm building, The Old Barn is now a remarkable six-bedroom home that sits in an elevated plot with commanding views over the quiet village of Chelsworth, Suffolk. The design embraces its pastoral setting while establishing a contemporary style. Exposed materials are celebrated throughout, with an impressive triple-height timber structure, original brickwork, and plywood elements.

To preserve the architectural integrity of the building, the main barn was kept as a single volume, its original oak frame restored and integrated with new sections of French oak. Sheets of weatherboard plywood clad the interior, and the roof has been rebuilt with lightweight steel truss supports.

The main entry is to an impressive ante-room, where brick floor pavers and concrete walls set an authentic appeal set against a bank of yellow door fronts that open to reveal handy storage, utility facilities, and a small powder room.

A pair of symmetrically positioned stairs sweep up to the open-plan reception area in the main section where you find those dramatic full-height ceilings. Expansive windows reach upward from the former barn door to extend across portions of the roof flooding the room with light. Limestone floors with underfloor heating ground the space which is arranged centrally around a large dining area with a bespoke kitchen beyond.

Professional stainless-steel units are configured as a U-shaped island, with easy-to-maintain surfaces, raised plug sockets and seating space at the opposite end that is oriented toward low-level slit windows that frame panoramic views of the landscape. At the opposite end of the great space is the double-height living area with exposed original beams and slit windows to frame the views. The great room opens onto a generous terrace with an outdoor dining area and a barbecue.

A white-painted wall marks the boundary between the main section and the four-story extension that houses all six bedrooms. The principal suite is discreetly positioned on the lower ground floor with direct access to the garden. East-facing panels draw in the soft morning light. A set of curtains opens to an en suite with a round spa bathtub, built-in wardrobes, and a door to a separate water closet. 

One of the bedrooms on the ground floor also has an en suite bathroom, along with access to a small balcony. There are three more bedrooms on the first floor, and another en suite bedroom on the second floor. A pristine additional bathroom on the first floor has a bathtub, ideal for long soaks.

The house is immersed in well-maintained private grounds of around an acre, mainly laid to lawn and interspersed with established trees and planted sections. To the front, the private driveway has space for parking multiple cars.

The Old Barn can be yours for just £1.550M or $2.075M USD.

As always click to emBIGGERate …

The Modern House