Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Brooklynites Take Up a Rural 1940s Farmhouse
A city-dwelling family plants new roots in upstate New York, remodeling their digs with cheerful, colorful touches
For floral designer Dana Worlock and her husband, Patrick, transitioning from life in New York City took some getting used to. After living in Brooklyn for many years, the couple moved to a rural area in upstate New York called Pound Ridge, a quaint town with a park boasting 4,300 acres of wooded trails, picnicking meadows and open fields — and a much-different landscape from their previous urban environment.
After looking at about a hundred homes in the area, the Worlocks finally found a place that Dana says immediately screamed "home": a 1940s farmhouse set among gorgeous gardens. After settling into their new environment, the two refreshed the interior with a redesigned kitchen, replastered walls and a new bathroom for the garage, which became Dana's floral studio. The walls also got fresh paint in the same soft gray as their old Brooklyn home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Patrick and Dana Worlock with their 2 kids, Calder and Serra, and their dog, Willa
Location: Pound Ridge, New York
Size: 1,900 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
After looking at about a hundred homes in the area, the Worlocks finally found a place that Dana says immediately screamed "home": a 1940s farmhouse set among gorgeous gardens. After settling into their new environment, the two refreshed the interior with a redesigned kitchen, replastered walls and a new bathroom for the garage, which became Dana's floral studio. The walls also got fresh paint in the same soft gray as their old Brooklyn home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Patrick and Dana Worlock with their 2 kids, Calder and Serra, and their dog, Willa
Location: Pound Ridge, New York
Size: 1,900 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms
Painting on mantel: Matt Sheridan
The living room features furniture gathered over the years around New York City. The black and white chairs were rescued from an old house, and the sunny yellow armchairs were a great find that required only a little cleaning up and reupholstering.
The whole house is painted in the couple's favorite color, Benjamin Moore's Tundra.
They like to keep the walls and other backgrounds light and simple so their colorful art and books can shine, as with these original built-in cabinets. Dana sanded down and repainted the black TV cabinet.
They like to keep the walls and other backgrounds light and simple so their colorful art and books can shine, as with these original built-in cabinets. Dana sanded down and repainted the black TV cabinet.
"We have this minuscule sofa in our living room, because we can't agree on anything that is new, as furniture is really not made as well as it used to be," says Dana, adding that they may splurge on a Jonathan Adler sofa one day.
Lamp: B4 It Was Cool; serigraph: Jordan Crane, Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival; love seat: Las Venus; horse pillow: Bedford House; coffee table: Ugly Luggage; rug: ABC Carpet & Home
Lamp: B4 It Was Cool; serigraph: Jordan Crane, Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival; love seat: Las Venus; horse pillow: Bedford House; coffee table: Ugly Luggage; rug: ABC Carpet & Home
A second reading space with a vintage cart and rescued chairs breaks up the living room.
The front hall is bright and airy, and includes a bed for the family's dog, Willa.
This bright and sunny dining room holds a beautiful mix of rustic and modern styles. The wood table is from Moon River Chattel in Brooklyn and is surrounded by Louis Ghost Chairs.
These old film canisters are an Etsy find; they're used to store and keep crayons and markers easily accessible for the kids.
The corner built-in cabinet is original to the home, and its interior was painted a bright orange-red to pop against the couple's collection of KidRobot figurines. An old step ladder complements the hue; above it is a cherished art piece by the couple's son, Calder.
The corner built-in cabinet is original to the home, and its interior was painted a bright orange-red to pop against the couple's collection of KidRobot figurines. An old step ladder complements the hue; above it is a cherished art piece by the couple's son, Calder.
Many of the furniture pieces, including this white console cabinet, were left behind by the previous homeowner. Dana and Patrick sanded and painted them all to give them new life.
In the redesigned kitchen, beakers are used as artful canisters for beans and lentils next to the stove. Dana says, "I am in love with the kitchen. I am a so-so cook, but I really feel like Julia Child in there, and I don't know why, but I like that feeling."
On one side of the kitchen is a stainless steel countertop that was custom made in Brooklyn, matching the appliances and continuing the clean style of the space. The only thing kept during the remodel was the upper cabinets. Everything else is new, including the layout, which Dana wanted to keep simple but practical to make things easier for cooking. The cabinets were custom made by Hub Moore.
Wooden countertops surround the stove and refrigerator on the other side. Dana brought in the graphic prints and owl lamp.
Lamp: Owl Table Lamp, West Elm; framed prints: Geoff McFetridge
Lamp: Owl Table Lamp, West Elm; framed prints: Geoff McFetridge
"We really like to live simply," Dana says, "I love having a pale palette on the walls and floors so that the bright colors from our books, paintings and toys really stand out."
The original staircase matches the wood of the floors, which add much character to this home.
The original staircase matches the wood of the floors, which add much character to this home.
A cityscape painting by Matt Sheridan sits above Dana and Patrick's bed. An antique bench is used for books, which are a huge part of the Worlocks' family life. The bedside lamps are both vintage.
Throw pillows: Bedford House
Throw pillows: Bedford House
The hallway at the top of the stairs is dressed with art and vintage touches; the chair was another piece left behind by the previous homeowner.
Calder chose a very light blue paint called Constellation by Benjamin Moore for his bedroom. Origami by Dana and the kids hangs off a branch above his bed.
Chair: White on White
Chair: White on White
Calder's closet door has been turned into a chalkboard, inspiring art and creativity.
Daughter Serra chose a pale pink called Pampas Grass by Benjamin Moore for her room. The giraffe artwork hanging over her bed was a find of Dana's.
Chair: White on White
Chair: White on White
Serra also has a chalkboard in her bedroom to inspire her imagination.
The kids' bathroom is simple and clean, with animal toys perched on the beadboard molding for a bit of fun.
Dana's floral studio is currently in the garage while she waits for the barn to be finished. The barn is a quaint space in the garden that will be perfect for her studio, as it's next to an area where she can grow some of her own flowers for her business. But for the time being, she loves this space, as it reminds her of living in the city and is incredibly inspiring.
This table is from her shop in Brooklyn and makes for the perfect workspace for creating arrangements.
This table is from her shop in Brooklyn and makes for the perfect workspace for creating arrangements.
Dana had this sink put in for her floral work. A yellow vintage cart in the corner holds flowers and adds a touch of brightness.
Leftover baby's breath from a project adds a lovely hint of spring. Dana specializes in weddings and events, and was selected in the fall 2012 to reinterpret David Whitney and Philip Johnson's florals for the iconic Glass House in Connecticut.
See more photos of this house
See more photos of this house